The Jazz Voyager
Flying West to visit once again that city by the bay and upon landing heading to go down Lombard Street, then hop on a cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf, and take a walk through Golden Gate Park. The ultimate destination for this Jazz Voyager is the 700 seat SFJazz Center’s Miner Auditorium to be in the audience to catch another amazing concert. Rain gear will be required as the weather will be warmer than Michigan but inclement off and on during my stay.
This go round I will be witnessing the vocal talents of the venerated Grammy winning vocalist Dianne Reeves. Whether putting a personal stamp on lilting Brazilian standards, exploring contemporary fare by Ani DiFranco and Stevie Nicks, interpreting American Songbook classics by the Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin, or breathing fresh life into holiday chestnuts. This lady always gets to the heart of a song. Had it not been more than two generations having passed since jazz stars took on aristocratic titles, Dianne Reeves would surely be known as The Queen.
The venue is located at 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, California 94102. For those who are requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/dianne-reeves.
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The Jazz Voyager
Leaving the land of longhorns, cowboy boots and chili for one of the most expensive cities to live in the Midwest nicknamed Tree Town. Within the boundaries of this city of Ann Arbor is where this Jazz Voyager is heading downtown to catch a new group at The Blue Llama. Located at 314 South Main Street, Michigan 48104, the club operates nightly from Wednesday to Saturday.
It will be an interesting evening as I have never heard The Eastside Jazz Collective. is a 5-piece group with vocals by Adrienne Pisoni that is based in Southeast Michigan. I’ve heard they play classic jazz and swing featuring songs made popular by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday along with some contemporary tunes. I am anticipating an enjoyable evening.
Like the music I find the cuisine tempting and will be dining on crispy deviled eggs, black-eyed pea hummus, sorbet and beignets. For those who are requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/the-eastside-jazz-collective.
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The Jazz Voyager
Austin, Texas is the next stop for the Jazz Voyager where I’ll be visiting a jazz spot called Parker Jazz Club. A world-class basement lounge designed by a musician, for musicians nestled in the heart of downtown Austin’s Warehouse district, where the best dining and entertainment venues reside. Within the walls every microphone, cable, speaker, wire, baffle, table, and chair was meticulously hand chosen for the purpose of serving the music.
This week taking the stage is vocalist Kenny Williams whose 25 year career has lit up stages with a tornado of talent and charisma. The Austin native studied voice at the University of Texas, and cut his teeth as an actor and an entertainer in clubs on the city’s famed 6th Street. Born to entertain, and his star shines brightly. He is a truly gifted vocalist, while his spirit, energy, and passion will bring you back for more.
The venue is located at 117 W 4th Street, #107b, 78701. For those requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/kenny-williams.
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The Jazz Voyager
Staying on the West Coast, this Jazz Voyager is taking a drive down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to visit once again one of my favorite cities, that fabulous one by the bay, San Francisco. Opened just eleven years ago, I’ll be stepping into the SF Jazz Center and taking one of 700 seats in the Miner Auditorium to catch another fabulous performance. The Center is the first stand-alone structure in the country built specifically for jazz performance, and also houses the 100 seat Joe Henderson Lab.L
He’s the pianist in residence for the week in a variety of configurations and I am referring to an elder statesman who goes by the name of Kenny Barron. Tonight I am pleased to witness his ironclad trio with bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake.
The venue is located at 201 Franklin Street, California 94102. For those requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/kenny-barron.
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The Jazz Voyager
As I say farewell to Indianapolis, I’m looking out the window of the plane heading to the great northwest of Portland, Oregon to pay a visit to the Jack London Revue. The venue is rooted in the original American tradition of jazz and the underlying principles of freedom through improvisation, however, they feature a wide range of music that has been inspired by jazz’s world wide diaspora.L
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will be getting all the attention of this Jazz Voyager as she fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip~hop, and soul in her performance. She has received 3 Grammy nominations for her latest album Phoenix. The far-reaching new album finds her poised alongside a curated all-star cast of Wayne Shorter to Dianne Reeves, Georgia Anne Muldrow to Patrice Rushen, and Sonia Sanchez to Angela Davis. The album is produced by the multi-Grammy winner drummer and activist Terri Lyne Carrington.
The club is located at 529 SW 4th Avenue 97204 For those requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/lakecia-benjamin.
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