The Jazz Voyager

Heading West, the Jazz Voyager will be flying for a little under two hours from Atlanta to the cowboy country known as Texas. I’ll be landing in the city known as the Live Music Capital of the World due to its immense number of music venues. I’ll be heading to downtown Austin’s Warehouse District to the corner of 4th & Colorado Streets where sits the Parker Jazz Club.

On tap for this week is Grammy winner saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón who brings his groundbreaking and influential talent to the stage for one show only. The San Juan, Puerto Rico born musician is a Doris Duke Artist and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow.

He has worked with the SFJAZZ Collective, Charlie Haden, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, David Sánchez, Danilo Perez, The Village Vanguard Orchestra, Kurt Elling, Joey Calderazzo, Steve Coleman, Ray Barreto, Andy Montañez, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band, The Mingus Big Band and Bobby Hutcherson among others.

The venue is located at 117 W 4th Street, Suite 107B, 78701. For more information contact the venue at https://www.parkerjazzclub.com.

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The Jazz Voyager

Atlanta, Georgia is the next stop on the Jazz Voyagers sojourn from Washington, D.C. It’s always good to return to the ATL to see friends, hang with family, blood and adopted, and enjoy their company. Downtown is where I’ll be heading for a fabulous night of jazz at The Commons, the entertainment arm of First Congregational Church.

>This week it’s the gifted pianist Kevin Bales who I haven’t seen perform in years since I left the city. An accomplished pianist with classical chops, he refined his talent from the age of 10. He auditioned for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at age 16, for its most storied conductor Robert Shaw,

Kevin brings to the stage years of experience performing and/or recording with Wynton Marsalis, Louie Bellson, Eddie Daniels, James Moody, Ben Tucker, Ira Sullivan, Marcus Printup, Sam Rivers, Nat Adderley, Bunky Green.

The venue is located at 125 Ellis Street NE 30303. For more information contact the venue at https…//firstfridayatfirst.eventbrite.com.

The Commons | Kevin Bales

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The Jazz Voyager

Arrived yesterday in Washington, DC. from Tokyo, Japan in time for the DC JazzFest being held at various locations around town. It’s no longer the city I remember and with you know who on Pennsylvania Avenue, I’m grateful there’s plenty of jazz to wander in and out, though it is sometimes the bane of my existence as so much music coincides that I can’t see it all. Ugh. Be that as it may, this afternoon I’m heading to the Downtown DC Anthem Row to see four groups I have never experienced.

What I do like best about jazz festivals is that they introduce new talent to new audiences. This jazz voyager is looking forward to discovering musicians and vocalists throughout the weekend. Thursday afternoon at Anthem Row begins at 4:30 with Benjie Porecki followed by Be’La Dona at 6:00, Langston Hughes II comes on stage at 7:15 and closing out the night at 8:30pm is Brass-A-Holics.

The venue is located at 800 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. For more information contact the venue at https://www.dcjazzfest.org/artists.

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The Jazz Voyager

Hitting the jetway to board yet another plane, this Jazz Voyager is going to be on a fourteen hour flight to Tokyo, Japan. The destination is Blue Note Tokyo and again will stay in the same hotel with the same walk to the club. More exploration of this wonderful city until it is the appointed hour to become part of the audience.

The night promises to be electric as three-time Grammy-winning and six time nominated vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant who takes the Billboard Critics Poll often will take the mic. The French-American singer has released seven albums and brings her unique style and a band featuring pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kyle Poole for a three day residency from Wednesday to Friday.

With a cover of  ¥ 8,800 | $59.24, the evening is eagerly anticipated. The Blue Note Tokyo is located at 6 Chome-3-16 Minamiaoyama Minato City 107-0062. For more information contact the venue at https://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp.

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The Jazz Voyager

Thanks to the fates who had me buy a roundtrip ticket to New York’s JFK to head back into the city for a night at Birdland. The Jazz Voyager will be heading down to the Broadway District for the second set of the Oscar Peterson Centennial Celebration. However, it’s Harlem during the day to hit a couple of favorite spots, wander through the art galleries and see the evolution of the city. 

This evening, Grammy-winning bassist John Clayton is joined by pianist Makoto Ozone and drummer Jeff Hamilton in celebration of their friend, colleague and mentor, Oscar Peterson. This is their first ever musical meeting at Birdland and will be performing his catalogue as well as their own compositions and beloved standards.

The cover charge ranges from $45.76 to $56.06 and this night promises to be something special. 

Birdland is located at 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. For more information contact the venue at https://www.birdlandjazz.com.

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