The Jazz Voyager

From Nashville to Bern the Jazz Voyager is crossing the pond once more to sit in the audience at Marians Jazzroom. The venue’s 126 seats offers a guarantee of a musical experience in authentic ambience within the harmonious interior reminiscent of a New York jazz club.

Catching Grammy winner Bill Charlap on the third evening of his five-day engagement will be a treat, especially witnessing for the first time the talents of saxophonist Nicole Glover. She’s a member of Ursa Major led by bassist Christian McBride and leads her own quartet. This isn’t the first time these two have paired up for this

The jazzroom is located at Engestrasse 54, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. For more information contact the venue at https://www.mariansjazzroom.ch.

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The Jazz Voyager

This week I’m taking a trip to a city most people think of as country but there has always been a strong current of jazz running through Nashville, Tennessee. It’s time for some history and education at the National Museum of African American Music.

The museum is the only one dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s expertly-curated collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present.

This is another new experience for this jazz voyager that is always welcomed. It houses the Roots Theater and six galleries ~ Rivers of Rhythms Pathways: The Evolution of African American Music Traditions; Wade In The Water: The History, Influence, and Survival of Religious Music; Crossroads: How Blues Changed the Music World; A Love Supreme: The Survival of African Indigenous Musical Traditions in Congo Square; One Nation Under A Groove: The Birth of Rhythm and Blues; and The Message: The Revolutionary Power of  Hip Hop.

Located at Fifth & Broadway, 510 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. For more information contact the venue at https://www.nmaam.org.

Tickets: $26.95 | Adults: 18~64

• • Online tickets are non-refundable but are valid for one year after your purchase date.
  • A $5.00 technology fee will be added to every ticket.
  • Discounts are available in person for seniors, military, first responders, educators, students, and children between 5 and 17. Children under 5 are free.

Free Admission: First Wednesday of Every Month

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The Jazz Voyager

Flying to the Midwest once more to the Gateway To The West for a little bit of jazz at a spot known to many as Jazz St. Louis. Gaining international fame this small intimate atmospheric venue hosts some of the finest musicians and vocalsits since its humble beginnings in 1995.

A new experience for this jazz voyager is always welcomed and the Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana is just that. She’ll be bringing her visionary sound to the club, including music from her latest Blue Note Records release, Echoes Of The Inner Prophet. I’m told I will be hearing a blending of deep introspection with dynamic collaboration, exploring themes of personal growth, storytelling, and sonic innovation. Influenced by jazz legends like Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins, I am looking forward to this evening as she honors the rich tradition of modern jazz. 

Located at 3536 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Misssouri 63103. For more information contact the venue at jazzstl.org.

The Band: Melissa Aldana – saxophone | Sam Yahel – piano | Joe Martin – bass | JK Kim – drums

Tickets: $40.00 ~ $50.00

Show times: 7:30pm & 9:30pm | 3.27 @ 11:00am

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The Jazz Voyager

Heading back up to the Big Apple, this time motoring up the highway on 95 North. I’ll get in early and will be catching the sights and sounds of the city until it’s time to make my way to Columbus Circle. There it will be my fortune to be in the house that Wynton Marsalis helped build, as an audience member in Dizzy’s Club. Overlooking the New York skyline, the lights of the night will only enhance the performance.

This week this jazz voyager will be taking a very talented organist, pianist and composer, Akiko Tsuruga. Landing in New York City from Osaka, Japan she quickly immersed herself into the jazz scene. Sitting in and playing gigs, she eventually recorded with Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb, Grady Tate and other top NY musicians. In 2006 she joined Lou Donaldson’s quartet.

Performance Lineup:

Akiko Tsuruga, organ Joe Magnarelli, trumpet Myron Walden, tenor & baritone, saxophone, flute Byron Landham, drums Charlie Sigler, guitar

Tickets: $20.00 ~$50.00

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The Jazz Voyager

Jumping on a quick flight from LaGuardia to BWI to be in the audience at what has become a venerated jazz spot in Baltimore, Maryland, the Keystone Korner. Its founder, Todd Barkin, created the iconic location in San Francisco next to the North Beach police station, thus the origin of its name as a play on words on Mack Sennett’s slapstick “Keystone Kops” films. Moving east, he made a prudent decision to bring that same atmosphere to serve great music to the Baltimore, Washington and northern Virginia area.

The purpose for this travel itinerary is to see one of my favorite pianists and to be part of his 50th birthday celebration with 50 SHADES OF O. The Orrin Evans Trio with special guest vocalist Lisa Fischer will take us on an adventurous evening of music. Evans and his 2x Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band released and will be performing music from their new studio album, Walk A Mile In My Shoe!

Orrin Evans Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 + fee | Streaming: 6:00pm Only ~ $15.00 + fee

Keystone Korner Baltimore address is 1350 Lancaster Street, 21231. For more information visit keystonekornerbaltimore.com.

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