The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra began its life as the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1966.The world-famous Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City booked the newly formed band for three Monday nights that February. Those performances were wildly successful and the engagement was extended indefinitely. The Village Vanguard’s owner, Max Gordon, told Mel Lewis, “We’ll keep […]
Bobby Hutcherson (January 27, 1941 - August 15, 2016) has been an endless source of inspiration for Brian Blade and the LIFECYCLES band members. In honor of Bobby, LIFECYCLES has chosen to record his NOW! album in its entirety, two songs from Bobby’s collaborative history with Jackie McLean and Grachan Moncur III and five original […]
Opening Night concert of the Sarasota Jazz Festival brings some outstanding young talent to the area. The first set features Christian Sands (pianist) Trio. Sands is a protégé of the late Dr. Billy Taylor, Sands drew early accolades for his performances at the 2006 and 2007 Grammy Awards, as well as similar appearances alongside Taylor at the Kennedy […]
Saxophonist Nicole Glover is one of the most exciting new voices in jazz. WBGO already calls her “a fixture on the scene in New York” and says, “we’re sure to be hearing a lot more from her soon.” Originally from Portland, Oregon, she has worked with Esperanza Spalding and George Colligan as well as Reggie Workman, […]
Paul Bollenback - guitar, Pat Bianchi - organ, Anthony Pinciotti - drums
Jacky Terrasson – piano Burniss Travis – bass Jeremy Dutton – drums Pianist Jacky Terrasson makes a rare New York appearance from his base in Paris leading an exciting trio. For over three decades, Jacky Terrasson has been subtly reimagining the possibilities of the piano trio and even the sound and role of the piano […]
In a span of two decades, 11 recordings, and countless stage performances, vocalist René Marie has cemented her reputation as not only a singer but also a composer, arranger, theatrical performer, and teacher. Guided and tempered by powerful life lessons and rooted in jazz traditions laid down by Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and other leading […]
Johnathan Blake, one of the most accomplished drummers of his generation, has also proven himself a complete and endlessly versatile musician. Blake’s gift for composition and band leading reflects years of live and studio experience across the aesthetic spectrum. Heralded by NPR Music as “the ultimate modernist,” he has collaborated with Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, […]
Monty Alexander ~ piano, Luke Sellick ~ bass, Jason Brown ~ drums Monty Alexander will help us celebrate the swinging musical memories of the iconic Baltimore jazz venue, the left bank jazz society! The Left Bank Jazz Society was a Baltimore, Maryland-based organization and music venue. It formed in 1964, hosting a series of concerts featuring nationally acclaimed […]
Award-winning pianist Kris Davis is one of the most remarkable young musicians in the current New York Modern Jazz scene. Enjoy an evening of ambitious, inviting music from her newest project Diatom Ribbons—a breakthrough record incorporating elements of Hip Hop, rock, and groove featuring drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, DJ Val Jeanty, and bassist Trevor Dunn. Davis the recipient […]
Chuck Israels is a composer/arranger/bassist who has worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane, and many others. He is best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio from 1961 through 1966 and for his pioneering accomplishments in Jazz Repertory as Director of the National […]
Aaron Lessard is a Nashville Jazz/Fusion guitarist. His show brings a barrage of melodic and high flying guitar along with a stunning trio to back him. A product of the Berklee College of Music, Lessard’s influences range from greats like Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Scofield, and Robben Ford. His mix of original compositions and […]
By some measures, Kevin Bales was a latecomer to jazz, already 17 when he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. But if late to the party, he wasted no time in immersing himself in the celebration, declaring total commitment to what would be his […]
Jammin' at the Gem is back by popular demand, we are thrilled to present a full season of national Grammy-award winning headliners. This is a special year, as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary since the American Jazz Museum opened its doors. Let's celebrate and empower the community that helps keep jazz alive at 18th & […]
Itamar Borochov, Trumpet/Effects/Vocals Rob Clearfield, Piano/Effects Sam Weber, Bass Jay Sawyer, Drums Raised in the cosmopolitan port city of Jaffa, now a significant presence on the international jazz scene, Borochov is creating a new musical hybrid - bringing the sacred sounds of his upbringing to a jazz quartet setting. His third release Blue Nights (Laborie […]
Lezlie Harrison – vocals Antoine Drye – trumpet John DiMartino – piano Yoshi Waki – bass Russell Carter – drums Vocalist Lezlie Harrison, whose burnished, soulful alto strikingly illuminates a distinctive blend of standards, classic 70s soul, and her original music, leads a quintet with trumpeter Antoine Drye, pianist John DiMartino, bassist Yoshi Waki, and drummer Russell Carter. Drawing her diverse repertoire from foundational sources like the soul […]
All That Jazz Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra with special guest Vanessa Rubin Revered as a torchbearer and storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin lends her voice to the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra as the ensemble performs popular selections from the jazz repertoire. Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful sass, with influences […]
Rebecca Kilgore, Vocals | Randy Porter, Piano | Tom Wakeling, Bass
"Back Home In Kansas City" Record Release Bobby Watson – alto saxophone Wallace Roney Jr – trumpet Cyrus Chestnut – piano Curtis Lundy – bass Victor Jones – drums Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, one of the most acclaimed and beloved artists of the last 40+ years, returns to New York City and Smoke to celebrate […]
It's the return of Brazilian vocalist and guitarist in The Appel Room since her sold-out performance in 2016. Rosa Passos with Kenny Barron and Ron Carter brings the iconic Brazilian vocalist and guitarist to the Appel Room for the first time since her sold-out 2016 appearance with NEA Jazz Master pianist Kenny Barron. Their spellbinding […]
Mary Stallings is a classic example of how it takes time, musical seasoning and living a full life to mature as a vocalist and to address a lyric properly. While youthful instrumentalists may have something to say, Stallings brings a lifetime of emotional intelligence that enables her to truly inhabit a lyric. “Mary Stallings is […]
Harlem born, New York City raised, Bobby Broom has been heralded as “one of the most musical guitarists of our time” by jazz historian and author, Ted Gioia. Playing Carnegie Hall with Sonny Rollins and Donald Byrd at age 16, Broom recorded his debut as a leader, “Clean Sweep,” for GRP Records at age 20. […]
“Ms. Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.” — The New York Times An 9-time Grammy nominee, Tierney Sutton has received 8 Nominations for “Best Jazz Vocal Album” as well as a 9th for arranging. Known for her impeccable […]
Multi-instrumentalist and Portland native Machado Mijiga wears many hats, both literally and metaphorically. Classically-trained, jazz-weathered, and eclectically inclined, Mijiga left the proverbial creative "box" at a very early age, with access to many instruments and a diverse musical background brought about by an intercultural heritage. Mijiga is a musical polymath; composer, producer, bandleader, educator, gear […]
