The Jazz Voyager
Hanging out in the Big Apple is one of my favorite summertime things to do because it’s one of the best places to walk. The sights and sounds are amazing from the Vilage to Park Avenue, Rockefeller Plaza to Central Park Carousel and Zoo. Uptown to Harlem is the last destination, a quick fashion update, a good meal and then to where this jazz voyager will be in the Minton’s Playhouse audience this evening.
Established in 1938 by saxophonist Henry Minton, the venue stands as a pivotal shrine in the history of jazz, renowned as the birthplace of Bebop. Over the ensuing decades, it served as the epicenter for a revolutionary shift in jazz, laying the foundations for modern jazz.
Vocalist Vanisha Gould is being hosted at this venerable establishment for one night only. Anticipation is what this voyager is eagerly awaiting in hopes that she will be grooving to the sounds of the next generation of jazz musicians, as well as transporting us back to the golden age of jazz.
The venue is located at 206 West 118th Street, New York City, NY 10026. For more information visit https://www.mintonsnyc.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
From the City by the Bay to the Big Apple to Greenwich Village that is home to some of the best jazz clubs in the city. And this week the Jazz Voyager is heading to this part of the city that never sleeps to catch a set at the Blue Note. The intimate 250 seat venue has been hosting the biggest names in jazz since its humble beginnings in 1981.
Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, NEA Jazz Master and professor of saxophone and jazz performance at Oberlin Conservatory takes off a few days from teaching to hit the stage this week for four nights, Thursday through Sunday. Since the 1960s he has held tenure with Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis. What he will bring to this engagement is something this Jazz Voyager is anticipating.
The venue is located at 131 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012. For more information visit https://www.bluenotejazz.com/nyc.
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The Jazz Voyager
Leaving the Bay and wanting to drive down the PCH to Los Angeles but not sure I want to take that twelve hour drive over an hour and a half flight. What to do, what to do. I do have four days to enjoy the sights along the way like Big Sur, Japantown, Winchester Mystery House or catch some whale watching. So with beautiful weather ahead, it’s off to pick up the rental car. A drop top I believe is in the order.
Twelve hours and three days later I am pulling up to the front door of The Baked Potato, a very low key spot, intimate and cozy by design, So don’t be put off by the waitress staff dressed in yoga pants and running sneakers. They say for the best sound it’s best to sit in the center of the room. As the name states, the menu is complete with numerous combinations to put on their specialty potatoes.
This week’s entertainment is Danny Janklow + Elevation Band ft. Katherine Ella Wood and Dennis Hamm. Danny at 20 was the youngest 1st place winner of the North American Saxophone Alliance Competition and subbed for Dick Oates regularly at the Village Vanguard. He has won or placed in several competitions and now this jazz voyager will be introduced to him live.
The venue is located at 3787 Cahuenga Boulevard, Studio City, 91604. For more information visit https://www.thebakedpotato.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
Enjoying the sea breeze off the Pacific, this Jazz Voyager has stayed in the bay area for another week of music, art and street cars. Leaving Oakland to cross the Golden Gateocated heading for the Tenderloin wherein lies an intimate little venue known simply as the Back Cat. The space is an intimate underground jazz environment combining grit with glamour.
This week’s entertainment is Danny Janklow + Elevation Band ft. Katherine Ella Wood and Dennis Hamm. Danny at 20 was the youngest 1st place winner of the North American Saxophone Alliance Competition and subbed for Dick Oates regularly at the Village Vanguard. He has won or placed in several competitions and now this jazz voyager will be introduced to him live.
The venue is located at 400 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. For more information visit https://blackcatsf.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
There is no better time to sit by the bay and take in the Golden Gate Bridge before taking in an evening of jazz. Goodbye Grosse Pointe, hello San Fran, it’s good to be back. Located in the North Beach neighborhood of the city, Keys Jazz Bistro is situated in the same building that was once home to the 1950’s club The Matador. The performance space gives one the feeling of intimacy even with a capacity of one hundred and twenty seats.
In the audience the Jazz Voyager will be taking in a new venue and configuration of musicians in a quartet setting. Having heard Bob Mintzer, the founding member of the Yellowjackets, but have never had the pleasure of experiencing the trio in person, I am looking forward to hearing drummer Peter Erskine, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles this evening.
The venue is located at 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133. For more information visit https://keysjazzbistro.com.
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel