All Your Jazz » jazz performance

Pianist Hiromi Uehara To Play Benefit For Disaster Relief in Japan

drumminfabe — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:28:33 +0000

Wednesday, March 30th world renowned pianist Hiromi Uehara will be the featured artist for a benefit concert in honor of the disaster relief in Japan. The show will take place at The Falcon in Marlboro, NY.

Her performance at the Falcon will be a very specail night with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross to help the disaster relief effort. Suggested donations $50. Call (845) 236-7970 to make a dinner reservation.

Since the beginning of the decade, pianist-composer Hiromi Uehara has supported her impressive body of work with an ambitious tour schedule that has electrified audiences throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia with performances that have pushed the limits of piano jazz to new frontiers of compositional and technical skills.

Heralded as one of the brightest lights on the piano jazz landscape, the Japanese prodigy has not only lived up to the initial praise for her early efforts but surpassed it entirely. And now to celebrate her “travel journal” and the youth of her 20’s, the Pianist embarks on her first solo piano recording.

More About Hiromi

Details:

The Falcon
1348 Rte 9w
Marlboro, NY 12542

Suggested donation $50. All proceeds from the benefit will go to the Japan Civic Force & the Japanese Red Cross. Doors will open at 6:00 pm for dinner – reservations suggested (call 845-236-7970).

Opening the show will be a set of music by the soulful Akie Bermiss at 7:00 pm.

Hiromi will perform at 8:00 pm.

More Info

The Antoinette Montague Group Performing At The Lenox Lounge October 8th and 9th

drumminfabe — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:08:31 +0000

We want to inform you of 2 very special performances coming up this weekend by The Antoinette Montague Group. This Friday and Saturday night – October 8th, 9th – this fantastic group will be performing with Bill Easley, Hassan Shakur at the Historic Lenox Lounge, in New York City.

Antoinette Montague’s name and elegant physical appearance have the touch of royalty. It’s silly to take the regal comparison too far, yet her singing on her second album suggests a fitting for a tiara isn’t out of the question. Focused and with purity of intent, she skillfully advances stories that are open-hearted gifts to listeners rather than exhibits of showy technique or solipsistic disclosure.

Long under the spell of Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, mentored by Carrie Smith and Etta Jones, Montague has the vocal command and depth of feeling to make you believe the words to songs, even potentially mawkish ones.

Performance Details

Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9th, 2010
(8:00 pm, 9:30 pm and 11:00 pm)

Lenox Lounge
Malcolm X Boulevard between 124th & 125th Street
New York City 10027
www.lenoxlounge.com
Reserve your space early and pass the word to all organizations

Interview With Jazz Vocalist Sara Gazarek

drumminfabe — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:11:57 +0000

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek. In the interview below, we asked her about how she became interested in jazz and how her experiences have helped shaped who she is as an artist.

Sara will be making her debut at the Orange County Performing Arts Center September 24th-25th, as OCPAC opens their 2010-2011 Jazz Series. She will be performing alongside another jazz vocalist, Sachal Vasandani, and the dynamic between the two will be something to look forward to

You can find Sara’s background and information about the upcoming performances here.

Interview

1. You had not been exposed to jazz too much until you were high school, and then you were awarded the first-ever “Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation Outstanding Jazz Vocalist” Award. Was this something that was expected at the time, or did it more or less come out of the blue?

2. At the time you won the award, did you already know you were going to be studying jazz at USC, or did the award have a large influence on your decision?

3. To what degree was jazz an influence on your life in high school?

4. What other genres of music influenced you at that time, or still influence you today?

5. When you arrange music, do it allow to take form organically, or do you make an effort to consciously infuse a particular style or have it appeal to a particular audience?

6. What do you do to expose younger generations to jazz?

7. What advice do you have for younger generations that seem to have a more narrow and stereotypical view of jazz?

8. What is it about jazz that captivates you and keeps your attention, especially in comparison to other styles of music?

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

10.Do you do a lot of writing in terms of new matieral, or do you find yourself doing more arrangements?

11. Are you still in the process of recording with that group in Germany?

We would like to thank Sara for taking the time to talk to us, and we would also like to thank Heather Cho at OCPAC for arranging the interview.

Sara Gazarek and Sachal Vasandani Make Their OCPAC Debuts To Start the 2010-2011 Jazz Series

drumminfabe — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:20:05 +0000

Sara Gazarek and Sachal Vasandani are two of today’s brightest young jazz artists, and they will combine their formidable talents to open the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s 2010-2011 Jazz Series September 24th and 25th in Samueli Theater. Each are creating jazz music that moves today’s generation.

Singer/songwriter Gazarek is known for seamlessly mingling her uniquely intimate style with the musical and improvisational elements of jazz while Vasandani is simply one of the hottest jazz vocalists/songwriters/bandleaders working today. Recently, Vasandani won the 2010 DownBeat Critics Poll for best Male Jazz Vocals in the Rising Star category. And Gazarek was voted one of the Best New Artists in the JazzTimes Readers Poll.

Sara Gazarek

(Listen To Interview)

Gazarek is a talented young artist on an amazing musical journey who has emerged as a strikingly original artist with limitless potential. In a follow up to Yours, Gazarek’s widely hailed 2005 debut focusing on American Songbook standards, she delivers a sensational sophomore effort with Return to You. Born and raised in Seattle, Gazarek grew up without much exposure to jazz.

Her preliminary jazz education started during high school and as a senior, she was awarded the first-ever Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation Outstanding Jazz Vocalist Award at the Essentially Ellington Festival in New York City.

She studied at the prestigious Thornton School of Music at USC. In 2003, Gazarek was awarded the 2003 Downbeat Student Music Award for Best Collegiate Vocalist. Shortly after the publication hit the press, she was asked to perform with Oleta Adams, Karrin Allyson, and Diane Schuur as the “as yet undiscovered talent” on the Concord Jazz Festival Tour. Simultaneously, Gazarek joined Barry Manilow, Allyson, and Schuur as a Stiletto Entertainment (management) client and was soon being booked by the industry giant, William Morris.

John Clayton, a mentor and teacher at USC, produced her first album, and insisted she develop the arrangements herself with the band she’d been performing with. She found musical soulmates in her group and the resulting record was a debut that was released to national and international rave reviews. It ranked in the Top 10 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Charts, Top 10 on the iTunes top Jazz Album Downloads (US, UK, Switzerland, and Belgium), No. 1 on the iTunes Top Jazz Album Downloads (Germany, France), No. 5 on the Jazz Week Radio Charts, No. 4 on the HMV (Japan) chart. In addition, Gazarek was voted the No. 3 Best New Artist in the JazzTimes Readers Poll. saragazarek.com

Sachal Vasandani

Vasandani’s sophomore CD, We Move, on Mack Avenue Records was produced with a team of top-flight studio sages (John Clayton, Doug Wamble and Al Pryor). We Move finds Vasandani (who also serves as a producer) maturing as songwriter, tune stylist and bandleader in the wake of his breakout 2007 debut, Eyes Wide Open (Mack Avenue Records).

Vasandani was born in Chicago and grew up in a household where all kinds of music was appreciated. In pursuing his love for music at the University of Michigan, he began to be recognized as a talent of the future, most notably by DownBeat magazine, which awarded him Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of the Year in 1999.

After moving to New York, Vasandani quickly became a part of the jazz scene, and made a musical home in storied clubs like the Zinc Bar. And after the release of his breakthrough debut recording, he toured extensively supporting Eyes Wide Open. He opened for such disparate artists from jazz trumpeter Chris Botti to pop singer Joan Osborne.

On We Move, Vasandani has ample support from his trio comprised of pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong and drummer Quincy Davis. The band has been a group since 2001. Vasandani notes that in addition to their instrumental support, two band members also contributed songs, including Patton’s “Horizons” that is paired with the romping, upswing “Once in a While” (by Michael Edwards and Bud Green) and Davis composed the music on “Ring Road (Back to You).”

In addition to his originals, Vasandani puts his spin on songs from the jazz songbook and canon,including Rodgers & Hart’s “There’s a Small Hotel” with a Vasandani intro (“Escape”) that gives the standard a fresh feel. Also on the CD are “No More,” the Hubert Laws/Jon Hendricks ‘70s song; the Bloom/Kohler tune “Don’t Worry About Me;” “Poinciana;” “There Are Such Things” (by Stanley Adams, Abel Baer, George W. Meyer); “The River of St. Marie” by Joe Williams; and Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream” (with lyrics by Hendricks). sachalvasandani.com

Performance Info:

Date: September 24th-25th, 2010 (7:30 pm, 9:30 pm)

Location: Orange County Performing Arts Center (Samueli Theater)

Tickets: $49 – will go on sale August 22nd. They will be available online at OCPAC.org, at the Center’s Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling 714.556.2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 15 or more, call the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746.

2nd Annual “Company of Heaven Jazz Festival” At Cornelia Street Cafe: Jan. 8th-10th

drumminfabe — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:58:06 +0000

Get ready to join in the fun at the 2nd Annual Company of Heaven Jazz Festival, hosted by Cornelia Street Cafe in New York City. The event is set to take place January 8th-10th, 2010, featuring some of the most exciting jazz artists New York City has to offer.

Cover charge is $10 for each individual set OR $25 cover charge for the entire night (3 sets). APAP Conference attendees with official badges get free admission for entire Jazz Festival. Additionally there is a $7 food/drink minimum per set. Reservations are highly recommended.

- Festival Details
- Venue Info

Festival Set List

Friday, January 8, 2010
8:30pm “R*Time” w/special guest Judith Insell(viola)
Reut Regev – trombone
David Phelps – electric guitar
Sean Conly – bass
Igal Foni – drums

9:45pm “The Other Quartet”
Ohad Talmor – tenor saxophone, clarinet
Russ Johnson – trumpet
Pete McCann – guitar
Mark Ferber – drums, percussion

11pm Mario Pavone’s “Totem”
Mario Pavone / bass
Peter Madsen / piano
Dave Ballou / trumpet , flugelhorn
Gerald Cleaver drums

Saturday, January 9, 2010
8:30pm “The Thirteenth Assembly”
Taylor Ho Bynum – cornet
Mary Halvorson – guitar
Jessica Pavone – viola
Tomas Fujiwara – drums

9:45pm Tony Malaby’s “Paloma Recio”
Tony Malaby, saxophone
Ben Monder, guitar
Eivind Opsik, bass
Nasheet Waits, drums

11pm Mark Helias’ “Open Loose”
Mark Helias – bass
Tony Malaby – tenor saxophone
Tom Rainey – drums

Sunday, January 10, 2010
8:30pm Michael Musillami’s Trio + 3
Michael Musillami – guitar
Joe Fonda – bass
George Schuller – drums
Marty Ehlich – Alto Sax
Matt Moran – Vibes
Ralph Alessi – trumpet

9:45pm George Schuller “Circle Wide”
George Schuller – drums, comp, arr
Peter Apfelbaum – tenor/soprano sax
Dave Ambrosio – bass
Tom Beckham – vibes
Brad Shepik – guitar

11pm Matt Darriau’s “Ballin’ the Jack”
Matt Darriau – alto/soprano sax, clarinet
Andy Laster – baritone sax, clarinet
Frank London – trumpet
Curtis Hasselbring – trombone
George Schuller – drums
Joe Fitzgerald – bass
Anthony Coleman – keyboard, piano

More Info can be found online at www.companyofheaven.com.

View Larger Map

Festival Location

Cornelia Street Cafe
29 Cornelia Street
Greenwich Village, NYC
(212) 989-9319
www.corneliastreetcafe.com

Jerry Vivino Quartet Plays At Vitello’s In Studio City, CA: New Years Eve

drumminfabe — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:39:45 +0000

If you ever watched the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, you may have noticed that they have a pretty good band backing the vibrant host. For those that are not familiar, the Tonight Show Band has some members that have started their own group, namely the Jerry Vivino Quartet, and they are visiting Vitello’s in Studio City on New Years Eve. Seating packages start at $50, and seating is limited. Sets begin at 7:00pm and 10:00pm.

More Info

The Group

These amazing musicians, all members of the new Tonight Show Band with Conan O’Brien, are sure to wow the captive and enthralled audience with their energized and exuberant show. The Jerry Vivino Quartet – featuring Jerry Vivino (sax, flute, and vocals), Mike Merritt (bass), James Wormworth (drums), and Scotty Healy (piano) – are not only among the most talented musicians in the scene today, but are also considered the most entertaining.

It wasn’t too long ago the Jerry Vivino got his first gig out in L.A., and it was also at Vitello’s for the Red Carpet Jazz Series. They received rave reviews from various sources, including the LA Jazz Scene, commenting that “they put on one hell of a show, not to be missed.”

What better way to bring in the new year than with a spectacular group of musicians who just love to play together. Join in the fun at Vitello’s on New Years Eve.

Performance Details

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
(7:00pm, 10:00pm)

The Jerry Vivino Quartet
w/ Mike Merritt, James Wormworth & Scott Healy

Sets:
Early show $50 includes Italian buffet or pre-fixe menu. Late show $75 includes dancy party, Italian buffet, party favors and champagne toast. All are members of the Tonight Show Band.
Reservations are Recommended.

Location:
Vitello’s Jazz Upstairs
4349 Tujunga Ave.
Studio City, CA
(818) 769-0905
http://www.vitellosrestaurant.com

Arturo Sandoval All-Star Band To Play Yoshi’s In Oakland: Dec. 26th-28th

drumminfabe — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:47:44 +0000

Arturo Sandoval All-Star Band will perform at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square in Oakland on Saturday, December 26th through Monday, December 28th with sets at 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Arturo Sandoval is a truly legendary trumpeter. He is known for his versatile mix of jazz, classical, and traditional Cuban music.

This new All-Star band features Arturo Sandoval on trumpet Horatio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez on drums, percussionist Giovanni ‘Mañenguito’ Hidalgo, pianist Rebeca Mauleón, Joe Cohen on saxophone and Dewayne Pate on bass. Cuban trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval has won five Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. Rumba Palace is Sandoval’s 28th recording was awarded a Latin Grammy in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album by the Latin Recording.

Background

Arturo Sandoval was a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group Irakere, whose explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music caused a sensation throughout the entertainment world. In 1981, he left Irakere to form his own band, which garnered enthusiastic praise from critics and audiences all over the world. Sandoval was voted Cuba’s Best Instrumentalist from 1982 to 1990.

Arturo Sandoval has been awarded 4 Grammy Awards, 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. The latter for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, “For Love or Country” starring Andy Garcia. He is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time, and has recently been seen by millions in the Grammy Awards performing with pop-phenomenon Justin Timberlake as well as on the Latin Billboard Awards with the gifted Alicia Keys, where he was awarded his 6th Billboard Awards for Best Latin Jazz Album.

Performance Details

December 26th – 28th, 2009
(8:00pm, 10:00pm)
Cover: $30

Yoshi’s Jazz Club
510 Embarcadero West
Oakland, CA
(510) 238-9200
http://www.yoshis.com

Bring In The New Year With The Tessa Souter Group: Jan. 2nd

drumminfabe — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:11:52 +0000

The Tessa Souter Group will make an appearance in New York at Joe’s Pub. Only performing one set at 7:30pm on January 2nd, 2010, the group is promoting their latest release Obsession (Motema Music, 2009)

On her stunning third recording, Obsession (Motema Music), London-born (of Trinidadian and English parents), New York-based Tessa Souter (soo-ter) presents a multicultural banquet that reflects her conjoined African, Indian, and English bloodlines. Her first CD, Listen Love, won critical raves for her “crystal clear voice and diamond cut phrasing” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “direct, soulful sound”(Village Voice).

Her sophomore CD, Night of Key Largo, on Japanese audiophile label, Venus – with all-stars Kenny Werner, Billy Drummond, Jay Leonhart, Joel Frahm, and Romero Lubambo – won the coveted Gold Disc review in January 2009’s Swing Journal, which said of her, “there are traces of Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae in her phrasing, and Julie London and Peggie Lee in her delicate breathing, which harbors a touch of sorrow.”

“A true jazz singer, she employs her voice as a musical instrument and as the member
of an ensemble … [bringing] … this approach [on Obsession] to … a collection of jazz
tunes by the likes of Kenny Barron, Freddie Hubbard and Milton Nascimento along with
jazz versions of Nick Drake’s “River Man,” Cream’s “White Room” and the Beatles’
“Eleanor Rigby.” In doing so, she creates a kind of modern Great Anglo-American
Songbook.” [Berkshire Living magazine]

Background

After moving to New York in 1996, Souter started sitting in at jazz jams, before winning a scholarship to New York’s Manhattan School of Music in 1998. She left to study with jazz vocal legend Mark Murphy, her mentor for four years, who says of her, “She is a true musician …. extraordinary and very moving.” Since then, Souter has developed into a phenomenal live performer, “… completely captivating her audience”[Mark Murphy] — singing to sold out houses all over the world, from the Blue Note, New York to the Samara Philharmonic, Russia.

To quote a recent live review [of her sold out return to the Rochester International Jazz Festival, 2009]:

“To say Souter enchanted the audience would be an understatement ….. The capacity
crowd seemed transfixed by Souter’s gorgeous voice and wonderful personality.”
(Rochester City Paper).

“Better still, she delivers it with a wit and a wink worthy of the toniest joints in town.”
(Time Out New York).

More Artist Info

Performance Details

Janurary 2nd, 2010
(7:30pm)
Cover: $15 pre-sale; $18 at the door

Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003-7021
(212) 539-8777
www.joespub.com

Upcoming Events Calendar: Turning Point Cafe in New York

drumminfabe — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:21:23 +0000

The Turning Point Cafe is excited to bring you a great line-up for November and December, 2009. Located in in Piermont, New York, the venue is an intimate setting ideal for jazz and is within 25 minutes of NYC, NJ, Westchester, CT, Orange in Rockland. They are also featuring a new menu of Mexican cuisine also American items.

Events

Saturday November 21
Vocalist Extravaganza
$30 for both shows combined
(6:00 pm -7:30 pm)
Downbeat Poll Winner, Grammy Nominee
Vocalist Giacomo Gates
David Budway, piano; Bill Moring, bass;
Steve Johns, drums; John Richmond, saxophone
http://www.giacomogates.com/

(9:00 pm)
Vocalist Jacqui Naylor

Sunday December 6th, 2009
(7:00 pm -10:00 pm)
Drummer Winard Harper Group
http://www.winardharper.com

Saturday December 12th, 2009
(6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)
Trombonist Clifton Anderson Group
Benito Gonzales, piano; Russel Blake, bass
Dion Parsons, drums
http://www.cliftonanderson.net

Thursday December 17th, 2009
(8:00 pm – 10:30 pm)
Neil Alexander & NAIL
present their Annual Winter Solstice Party
Neil Alexander (Mahavishnu Project) Keyboards,
Jim Cammack (Ahmad Jamal), bass;
Nadav Zelniker, drums.
$15
http://www.nailmusic.com

Details & Location

$20 usual music charge (unless stated otherwise on website)
(no minimum)

Turning Point Cafe
468 Piermont Ave.
Piermont, NY 10968
(845) 359-1089
www.turningpointcafe.com

National Jazz Museum in Harlem: December 2009 Schedule

drumminfabe — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:08:40 +0000

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem invites you to join in the final month of programming in 2009! The month begins and ends with the co-director of the museum, Christian McBride, who comes off the road for five FREE Jazz for Curious Listeners sessions focusing on the role of the bass in jazz history, the jazz ensemble, and in his illustrious career.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Christian McBride (bass)
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Grammy Award winner Christian McBride, chameleonic virtuoso of the acoustic and electric bass, stands tall at the top of the jazz world. Beginning in 1989 – the beginning of an amazing career in which he still has wider-reaching goals to attain – the Philadelphian has thus far been first-call-requested to accompany literally hundreds of fine artists, ranging in an impressive array from McCoy Tyner and Sting to Kathleen Battle and Diana Krall.

His clear mastery of the bass, undisputed respect and admiration of his peers, and acclaim in the media offers a unique opportunity for those in attendance at tonight’s session. Hear one of the greatest artists on his instrument discuss the role of the bass in the jazz ensemble throughout jazz history and also demonstrate on his own bass.

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Ben Riley (drums)
(6:30 pm – 8:30 pm)

The association that secured Ben’s place in jazz history was his four year stint with the legendary Thelonious Monk. He toured extensively with Monk and recorded several now classic albums with the pianist, such as It’s Monk’s Time, Underground, and Straight, No Chaser. A marvelous example of Riley’s playing with Monk is also found in the black-and-white DVD released by Jazz Icons.

During his tenure with Monk, Riley also showcased his ability to play with a wide variety of musicians, including Earl “Fatha” Hines, Andrew Hill, Hank Jones, Barry Harris and Clark Terry. After leaving Monk in the late 1960’s, Ben chose to take time off from the road and took a position with the Wyandanch, New York school district, where he remained for five years.

In 1992, because of his vast contribution to jazz music, Riley was inducted into his hometown-based Coastal Jazz Hall of Fame in Savannah, Georgia.

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Greg Tate
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Greg Tate was a staff writer at The Vil¬lage Voice from 1987–2003. His writings on culture and politics have also been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Artforum, Rolling Stone, VIBE, Premiere, Essence, Suede, The Wire, One World, Downbeat, and JazzTimes. He was recently acknowledged by The Source magazine as one of the ‘Godfathers of Hiphop Journalism’ for his groundbreaking work on the genre’s social, political, economic and cultural implications in the period when most pundits considered it a fad.

His published interviews include dialogues with Miles Davis, George Clinton, Richard Pryor, Carlos Santana, Lenny Kravitz, Sade, Erykah Badu, Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, Lisa Bonet, Samuel R Delany, Ice Cube, Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter, King Sunny Ade, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Cassandra Wilson, Jill Scott, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Ornette Cole¬man, Henry Threadgill and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.

Other Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
A Month with Christian McBride: On Film
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Monday, December 14th, 2009
All about jazz in the 21st century – Part One with Jonathan Batiste
(7:00 pm)

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
A Month with Christian McBride: My Bands
(7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
All about jazz in the 21st century – Part Two with Jonathan Batiste
(7:00 pm)

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Ray Santos, (saxophonist/composer)
(6:30 pm– 8:30 pm)

More Event Details

Performance Location

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem
104 East 126th Street
New York, NY 10035
212 348-8300
http://www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org/