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.

Festival Location

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

Related posts:

1. Cornelia Street Cafe In New York
2. 5th Annual Los Olivos Jazz & Olive Festival
3. Upcoming Events Calendar: Turning Point Cafe in New York

This performance coincides with the opening of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference at the New York Hilton, which has put a special focus on jazz this year. For those who love the lilting, tropical sounds of vibraphonist Cal Tjader this evening will be a hot ticket.

Performance Background

Sammy Figueroa

Cal Tjader, who recorded almost 80 albums in his long career, and collaborated with Eddie Palmieri, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and many others, was one of the great innovators of Latin jazz. His sound, combining the celestial quality of the vibraphone with the intricate swinging rhythms of mambo and salsa, helped establish Latin Jazz as a genre and is considered to be the foundation of “cool jazz” and acid jazz.

- Other Jazz Styles

Artist Info

A classic tribute band , “Sally’s Tomato” strives to capture every nuance of Cal Tjader’s “Willy Bobo” period and is perhaps the first genuine Latin tribute band (as opposed to a ‘cover’ band). The group’s name, “Sally’s Tomato” (from a song that Tjader composed and recorded for the film “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”), reflects the playfulness and lightness of the music. The band will perform Tjader classics such as The Continental, Soul Sauce, Mambo Terrifico, Cuban Fantasy, Alonso and Tu Creas Que.

‘Sally’s Tomato’, formed in November 2008, debuted at the Miami Book Fair and was an instant success, obtaining an enthusiastic following and the blessings of Cal Tjader’s children. Sammy Figueroa, who has been living in South Florida since 2001, gathered together some great musicians for this special project, among them Richard Bravo on timbales, Brian Potts on vibraphone, Alexander Hoyt on piano and Freddy Lugo on bongos. The band will be joined by New York-based bassist Waldo Chavez.

Performance Details

When:
Friday, January 8th, 2010
(Midnight)

Cover:
$20 admission $10 for pre-reservations
Free admission for APAP badgeholders

Location:
Iridium Jazz Club
1650 Broadway (51st St.)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-2121
www.iridiumjazzclub.com

Related posts:

1. Iridium Jazz Club Gives A Tribute To Trumpet Legend Freddie Hubbard
2. Iridium Jazz Club Hosts Freda Payne In Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald
3. Iridium Jazz Club Welcomes Eddie Daniels & Bob James

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

Related posts:

1. Firehouse 12 Hosts James Carney Group
2. 2nd Annual “Company of Heaven Jazz Festival” At Cornelia Street Cafe: Jan. 8th-10th
3. Jazz Bakery Hosts New Year’s Eve Benefit: Featured artists include Kenny Burrell, James Moody and Benny Green

View Performance Calendar

FB Lounge

La Fonda Boricua Jazz Lounge , also known to many in the Harlem area as the FB Lounge, was opened in 2008 as an extension of the original La Fonda Boricua restaurant (which is across the street). Building on the success of the original restaurant’s Latin Jazz Thursdays, the Ayalas opened the FB Lounge as a way to continue in the Fonda tradition of combining great food, music and art in El Barrio.

The FB Lounge has become home to some of the most authentic live improvisational afro-caribbean and Latin music being played today. This is where New York City’s best come to jam, and on any given night, you never know who’s going drop by to sit in.

While it is true that many celebrities have been to The Fonda, the Ayala Brothers know that the strength of their business comes from the wonderful people of El Barrio. It is they who have made La Fonda the success it is today, and it is they who have kept the brothers focused, inspired and motivated all these years.

View Performance Calendar

Venue Details

Sets:
Unless otherwise stated, 7:30 pm & 10:30 pm

Cover:
$15-$30, depending on artist (some are free)
Reservations are recommended.

Attire:
Casual

Location:
FB Lounge
172 East 106th Street
New York, NY 10029
(212) 348-3929
http://www.fondaboricua.com

Related posts:

1. Check Out The Velvet Lounge: Your key to jazz in Chicago
2. Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge: Great Venue In New York
3. Kitano Hotel In Manhattan: Great Jazz four nights a week

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

Related posts:

1. Monday Jazz At The Turning Point Cafe
2. 2nd Annual “Company of Heaven Jazz Festival” At Cornelia Street Cafe: Jan. 8th-10th
3. Trio Elf To Play Three Shows In New York: Nov. 2nd, 4th, & 5th

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/

Related posts:

1. National Jazz Museum in Harlem Events: April 13th – 18th
2. Christian McBride Hits The Iridium Jazz Club For 5 Nights
3. Press Release: Cintas Foundation and the Frost Art Museum Announce Annual Competition for the 2009 Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition

Artist Background

Ayana Lowe’s roots are in the black church and her singing is guided by those experiences. Her songbook contains many gems that were once forgotten. She leans heavily on the musical ideas of Marian Anderson, Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter, Big Mama Thorton, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn. Out of this magnificent wellspring of music, Ayana has begun to create her own original materials.

Location & Directions

Take the 2 or 3 train to the Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum station. Walk downhill toward Grand Army Plaza . The entrance to the library is on the left.

Ayana Lowe will also be performing Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at the 55 Bar. She will be playing two sets (6:00 pm & 7:45), and there is NO COVER (2 drink min.)

55 Bar is located at 55 Christopher St (btwn 6& 7th ave- take 1/9 train to Christopher) W. Village! For more details, call (212) 929-9883.

Related posts:

1. Camelia Latin Jazz Trio To Perform At Boston Public Library: What About Scientology?
2. Antoinette Montague To Perform For The Fund Raiser for Rutgers Law School & the Association of Black Law Students
3. Jazz Vocalist Sophie Milman To Perform At The Dakota

- Original Posting
- Background on Sonny Rollins

Performance Details

Sonny Rollins’s performance in Tarrytown on behalf of Pete Seeger’s Clearwater will mark the first time the renowned environmental organization has ever hosted a benefit concert dedicated solely to jazz, and is also the first time that the saxophonist has performed a fund-raiser for any cause. The concert, to be presented by Jazz Forum Arts, is Rollins’s only 2009 New York area appearance.

Performing with Sonny Rollins will be his working band: Clifton Anderson (trombone); Bobby Broom (guitar); Bob Cranshaw (bass); Kobie Watkins (drums); and Victor See-Yuen (percussion).

Tickets for the concert range from $75 to $100; a limited number of premium tickets (which include a reception with Rollins) are also available.

For information and ticket purchases, visit www.tarrytownmusichall.org or call (877) 840-0457.

Tarrytown Music Hall
13 Main Street
Tarrytown, NY
(877) 840-0457
www.tarrytownmusichall.org

Related posts:

1. Sonny Rollins To Perform At OCPAC
2. Saxophonist Sonny Rollins To Put On Multimedia Celebration For 78th Birthday: Will focus on fans and new album
3. Benefit Concert Honoring Paquito D’Rivera and Downbeat Magazine

Bobby Hutherson- Vibraphone (June 12-14)
Nicholas Payton- Trumpet (June 11 and 12)
Curtis Fuller- Trombone (June 13 and 14)
James Spaulding- Alto Sax

Craig Handy (June 11-13) ,
Javon Jackson (June 14)
David Weiss- Trumpet
Dwayne Burno- Bass
George Cables- Piano (June 11 and 12)
Mulgrew Miller- Piano (June 13 and 14)
Lenny White- Drums (June 11 and 12)
Louis Hayes- Drums (June 13 and 14)

More Special Guests TBA This will be a very special week celebrating the music of our very dear friend and legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who passed away this year.

June 11th-14th, 2009
(sets at 8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)

Iridium Jazz Club
1650 Broadway (51st St.)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-2121
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

Related posts:

1. Funeral Services For Jazz Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard: Remembering a great jazz musician
2. Jazz Trumpter Freddie Hubbard Passes At Age 70
3. Iridium Jazz Club Welcomes Eddie Daniels & Bob James

Acclaimed Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander will perform four nights at Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, Manhattan, from Wednesday, January 21 through Saturday, January 24. The first two nights will feature his classic jazz trio lineup, and the second two nights will feature his “Jazz and Roots” ensemble with both a reggae and jazz rhythm section working together. There are two sets per evening, at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m and tickets are $30 and $40.

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among many others.

Artist Background:

Born June 6th, 1944 and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, he took his first piano lessons at age six but was largely self-taught. As a teenager, he witnessed concerts by Louis Armstrong and Nat “King” Cole at Kington’s Carib Theater. These artists had a profound effect on Alexander’s own style. He formed Monty and the Cyclones in the late 1950s and also recorded on sessions with musicians who would later form The Skatalites.

Alexander and his family came to the United States at the end of 1961. Less than two years later, while playing in Las Vegas with Art Mooney’s orchestra, he caught the eye of New York City club owner Jilly Rizzo and his friend, Frank Sinatra. Rizzo hired the young pianist to work in his club, Jilly’s, where he accompanied Sinatra and others. There he met Modern Jazz Quartet vibraphonist Milt Jackson, who hired him and eventually introduced him to former Charlie Parker collaborator and legendary bassist Ray Brown. Alexander recorded and performed with the two jazz giants on many occasions.

To this day, Alexander maintains a rigorous touring schedule worldwide, from jazz clubs to concert halls and at Jazz Festivals from South Africa to Montreux (Switzerland), and Australia. His musical collaborations span multiple genres and styles. His projects have been as varied as assisting Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991 (that album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards), performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and recording the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s “Bird”, a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.

In August 2000 Monty Alexander was awarded the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for outstanding services to Jamaica in his capacity as worldwide music ambassador. Monty was listed among the top five Jazz pianists in a book published by Gene Rizzo in 2006, The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time (see picture on left).

In 2008, Alexander conceived and directed the acclaimed program Lords of the West Indies at Jazz at Lincoln Center, broadcast nationally on BETJ. Alexander returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center in the Fall 2009 with a program Harlem Kingston Express.

For more information about Monty Alexander, please visit his site.

———-
Monty Alexander Works That We Recommend:

CDs
(1) Alexander the Great! (2008)
(2) The Good Life: Monty Alexander Plays the Songs of Tony Bennett (2008)
(3) Steaming Hot (2004)

DVDs
(1) The Paris Concert (2008)
———-

Location:
Birdland Jazz Club
315 W. 44th Street
New York, NY
(212) 581-3080
www.birdlandjazz.com

Related posts:

1. Jazz Pianist Monty Alexander To Give Two Highly Ancticipated Performances At Spazio’s
2. Leny Andrade To Perform At Birdland In NYC August 12th-15th
3. Pianoculture.com Piano Festival: Inaugural Season To Kick Off January 24th