The Jazz Voyager
Making the roughly hour and half ride up the highway to come across the Verazzano~Narrows Bridge into the Big Apple after departing the City of Brotherly Love on a high note. This Jazz Voyager is heading uptown on the West Side to Columbus Circle for an evening of live jazz at Dizzy’s Club. This venue serves up a seasonal menu of delights for the palate, libations to please, and overlooks Central Park giving patrons the expansive vista views from their 5th floor location.
In residence from Wednesday to Saturday is master musician Herlin Riley and I will be in the company of this talented drummer. Hailing from NOLA, (New Orleans, Louisiana for those who don’t know) not only is he a bandleader in his own right but also holds the position in the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. Joining him on stage are saxophonist Stacy Dillard, pianist Tyler Bullock and bassist Liany Mateo.
Dizzy’s Club is located at Fredrick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, New York, NY 10019. For more information visit https://beta.jazz.org/dizzys.
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The Jazz Voyager
From Ann Arbor to the City of Brotherly Love is the travel plan for this Jazz Voyager as I head to Avenue of the Arts where culture and jazz lives. This trip is offering up a two-fer platter of entertainment at South Jazz Kitchen. Serving up elevated comfort food rooted in the food of the south for soul-satisfying dishes.
This Thursday I will be in the company of vocalist, songwriter, producer, musical theater actress and radio host Lori Williams who will be taking the stage. A layover is also going to have me returning to the club on Friday to give me the pleasure of seeing for the first time another amazing vocalist Sy Smith in person.
South Jazz Kitchen is located at 600 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19130. For more information visit southjazzkitchen.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
Heading west and coming in early to Ann Arbor, Michigan to investigate the African American Culture and History Museum, the Flight Museum and given time the Chelsea Area Historical Society Museum to see what the city and surrounding areas offer. The next leg of our tour stop of jazz clubs for a visit this week is the stylish lounge restaurant, Blue Llama. With Afro-Caribbean cuisine, designed by James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson paired with jazz, it creates a destination music venue.
On tap for entertainment is South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini bringing the African warrior code that is deeply reliant on music for motivation and healing to the bandstand. With a deep influence of McCoy Tyner and Coltran’s quartet he allows his vision to be heard.
The Blue Llama is located at 314 S Main Street, 48104. For more information visit https://bluellamaclub.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
The coast to coast flight has the Jazz Voyager sleeping on the red eye heading east for a taste of jazz in the town where the tea party took place, Beantown as some call it or Boston, Massachusetts. The venue is Scullers Jazz Club and it has a small stage where jazz and soul legends as well as new talent perform in this intimate supper club with a background of river views.
This week I’ll be in the company of pianist, composer and arranger Jon Cowherd who is best known as the co-founder and co-director of Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band. He has worked extensively as an arranger, producer, songwriter and accompanist with a vast range of artists, such as Cassandra Wilson, John Scofield and Lizz Wright to Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones, Glen Hansard and more.
Scullers Jazz Club is located at 400 Soldiers Field Road 02134. For more information visit https://scullersjazz.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
Staying on the West Coast the Jazz Voyager has taken a leisurely drive up the California coast along the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to that city by the bay where too many have left their heart. Along the way to San Francisco there will be a few stops to pick up something to eat and enjoy the scenic views. The ultimate destination for the weekend is a club located in the same building that was once the home of El Matador. It is now the home of Keys Jazz Bistro. Having enjoyed the drive I’ll be having the pleasure of listening to one of the last jazz interpreters of the Great American songbook, Mary Stallings. In a career that has spanned over 65 years, the international jazz vocal legend has earned a unique place in modern jazz. After decades of performing around the globe alongside a who’s who of talented collaborators, while quietly accumulating a series of thoughtful and well respected recordings, she still continues to challenge her boundaries and creative potential. Keys Jazz Bistro is located at 498 Broadway, 94133. For more information visit https://keysjazzbistro.com.
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