Notorious Jazz

JAZZMEIA HORN QUARTET
2023-09-21 19:00 - 2023-09-24 22:30 (America/New_York) | Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, 2751 Broadway, New York City, NY, 10025, United States
“The next big carrier of straight-ahead jazz’s vocal tradition.” – The New York Times

Jazzmeia Horn, making an important Smoke debut, leads a stellar quartet with pianist Victor Gould, bassist Jason Clotter, and drummer Michael Reed. An award-winning vocalist (2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition), Horn is “without a doubt among the jazz world’s most exciting young vocalists…her sound is explosive and bright and rich, catnip for audiences looking for boldness that’s still traditional,” reports Billboard. Downbeat adds, “Jazzmeia Horn harbors both astounding technique and an acute artistic vision…[she] has a thrilling presence with a musical sensibility that strikes a deft balance between mid-century jazz and contemporary neo-soul.”
Jazzmeia Horn – vocals
Victor Gould – piano
Jason Clotter – bass
Michael Reed – drums
***Friday & Saturday Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:00pm | 10:30pm

STEVE TYRELL & DAVID BENOIT
2023-09-22 08:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA, 92660, United States
Steve Tyrell
GRAMMY Award-winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell is the definition of a renaissance man. In his nearly five decades in the music business, he has achieved success as a singer, songwriter, producer, music supervisor, and most recently, radio host. His breakthrough performances in Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II helped Tyrell reinvent and re-popularize classic pop standards for a modern-day audience. His hits, The Way You Look Tonight, The Simple Life, Crush On You, and The Sunny Side of The Street, have launched millions of romances and been played at thousands of weddings, including Chelsea Clinton’s!
As an artist, all 9 of his American Standards albums have achieved top 5 status on Billboard’s Jazz charts. His first album, A New Standard, was amongst the best selling jazz albums for more than 5 years. Steve’s latest album, That Lovin’ Feeling, debuted in the top 5. On it, he celebrates what he calls the Great American Songbook 2, featuring seminal rock era classics penned by legendary songwriters, including Carole King, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber, among others. He teamed with Judith Hill of 20 Feet From Stardom, as well as Neil Sedaka, Bill Medley, and B.J. Thomas for duets that put a new spin on their signature songs.
In August 2015, Tyrell added radio host to his long line of credits. Every Monday thru Friday, he can be heard on The Steve Tyrell Show, from 5PM to 8PM/PT on KJAZZ 88.1 in Los Angeles and online at jazzandblues.org.
Steve has had the pleasure of singing for Heads of State, including Presidents Bush and Clinton, Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Santos of Columbia, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In 2014, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales invited Steve and his band for a command performance at Buckingham Palace.
As for American royalty, the Sinatra family has long embraced Steve and his music. Together with Quincy Jones, they handpicked Steve to be the featured performer with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at their season opening concert in which Frank Sinatra was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Also at the request of the Sinatra family, he reprised that performance at Carnegie Hall. This was one of the rare times the family has reached into the vault of original Sinatra arrangements to share them with another artist.
Although Steve tours mainly with his band, he also enjoys playing with some of the most renowned orchestras in the world, and has had multiple performances with The Boston Pops, The New York Pops, The Nashville Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and The Houston Symphony, among many others. In 2005, after the passing of the legendary Bobby Short, Steve was asked by New York City’s Cafe Carlyle to take over their revered holiday season of November and December, which Mr. Short had not missed for 36 years. Tyrell’s work in the studio as a record producer has included collaborations with such diverse and legendary artists as Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt, Blood Sweat and Tears, Mary J Blige, Chris Botti, Dave Koz, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Burt Bacharach, Bette Midler, and Stevie Wonder, among many others. He produced Woody Allen’s classic comedy album, Woody Allen – Stand Up Comic, as well as an album with the late Andy Griffith, which won the Grammy in 1995 for Gospel Album of the Year.
As a music supervisor and music producer for film and TV, Tyrell has worked with such distinguished directors as Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Nancy Meyers, Steven Soderbergh, Charles Shyer, and Hugh Wilson. His song, How Do You Talk To An Angel, written and produced for Aaron Spelling’s Fox television series The Heights, was a No. 1 hit on Billboards Top 100 Pop Charts.
Aside from being a GRAMMY Award winner, Tyrell is a Daytime Emmy Award winner and has earned two Prime Time Emmy nominations. He’s also garnered three Ace Nominations, the 2004 American Society of Young Musicians All That Jazz Award, a 2004 The Wellness Community Human Spirit Award, a 2006 Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008 Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Jazz Vocalist of the Year, and 2013 City of Hopes Goodwill Ambassador Award. His productions have earned over 11 GRAMMY Awards themselves. The music he produced for the children’s special, Cartoon All Stars to the Rescue, which aired on all three major networks simultaneously, was given a special certificate of recognition by the Emmys.
Though Steve was born and raised in Texas, he has called Los Angeles home for more than 30-years. The production he cherishes most is his ever expanding family!
David Benoit
For four decades, the GRAMMY®-nominated pianist/composer/ arranger David Benoit has reigned supreme as one the founding fathers of contemporary jazz. When he was coming up, Benoit worked with singers Patti Austin, Connie Stevens, Ann-Margaret, and Lainie Kazan as her musical director/conductor. In 1976, Benoit released albums on the AVI label from 1977 to 1984. He later released several chart-topping recordings for GRP, including Freedom at Midnight (1987), Waiting for Spring (1989) and Shadows (1991), which both topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Charts at #5, #1, and #2, respectively. His other noteworthy recordings include Letter to Evan (1992), his tribute to another piano influence, Bill Evans, and Here’s to You, Charlie Brown: Fifty Great Years (2000). Benoit also recorded with Russ Freeman on their album The Benoit/Freeman Project (1994), and on their follow-up collaboration, 2 (2004), which was released on Peak Records. His other recordings for the label include American Landscape (1997) and Orchestral Stories (2005), which featured his first piano concerto, “The Centaur and the Sphinx,” and a symphonic work, “Kobe”.
He has received three GRAMMY® nominations in the categories of Best Contemporary Jazz Performance for “Every Step of the Way” (1989), Best Large Ensemble Performance for GRP All-Star Big Band (1996), and Best Instrumental Composition for “Dad’s Room,” the latter from the album Professional Dreamer (2000) and in 2010, David Benoit received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Smooth Jazz Awards. He has also worked with an impressive potpourri of musicians including the Rippingtons, Emily Remler, the late Alphonse Mouzon, Dave Koz, Faith Hill, David Sanborn, CeCe Winans, Keiko Matsui, Hiroshima, and Brian McKnight.

Parking: $30.00 advanced purchase | $35.00 day of
Valet: $40.00 advanced purchase | $45.00 day of (if not sold out)

VANESSA RUBIN
2023-09-22 18:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | The Blue Llama, 314 S Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. Additional homespun influences include the melodic bell tone clarity of a young Capital Records recording artist, Nancy Wilson, the fire of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the sweet sounds of trumpeter Blue Mitchell as well as her love of the Motown Sound…especially girl groups like the Supremes.Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. Additional homespun influences include the melodic bell tone clarity of a young Capital Records recording artist, Nancy Wilson, the fire of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the sweet sounds of trumpeter Blue Mitchell as well as her love of the Motown Sound…especially girl groups like the Supremes.

EUGENIE JONES JAZZ QUARTET
2023-09-22 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Admiral Theatre, 515 Pacific Avenue, Bremerton, WA, 98337, United States
2nd Annual Jazz Black & White Party | Black and/or White Attire Suggested
Through inspiration and​ an inexhaustible work ethic Eugenie Jones has transformed herself into a jazz vocalist of impeccable quality, with a respect for the jazz tradition and the courage to try something she had never imagined​​​​​​​​​​​​. ​​

VANESSA RUBIN QUARTET
2023-09-23 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Blu Jazz+, 47 E Market Street, Akron, OH, 44308, United States
New York City vocalist extraordinaire and 2020 NAACP Image Awards nominee makes a one-night-only return.
Vanessa’s journey to becoming a jazz singer could be said to have begun at an early age. She was characterized by her mother as always being “a very vocal child,” and knew Vanessa would, “do something with that big ol’ mouth of hers.” Coming from parents who valued academia, discipline and hard work, that “something” was meant to be law school. Attaining a BA from the The Ohio State School of Journalism in 1979 was not a disappointment. However, her decision to pursue a career jazz singing did come as a surprise. Vanessa’s fascination with language coupled with her passion for music, especially jazz, pointed her on a collision course toward jazz performance.
Her “a-ha” moment came during a college beauty pageant at which Vanessa was accompanied by a very young, and even then, a very capable Bobby Floyd of Columbus, Ohio. Her first performance of a jazz evergreen, the Billie Holiday original “God Bless The Child,” garnered both rousing applause and the winning talent award. Most importantly though, it awakened what Vanessa describes as “her calling.” “I fell in love with the moment, the music, the audience and the effect it had on them and me,” Rubin remembers.
Vanessa’s first gigs began around 1980 in small clubs around Cleveland such as Tucker’s Place, Bob’s Toast of the Town, Lancer’s Steak House, Club Isabella, The Native Son and The Teal Lounge. Some early band mates included Wynn Bibbs, Skip Gibson, saxophonist and arranger Willie Smith, Neal Creque, Matthew “Chink” Stevenson and, later, the uniquely soulful organ quartet of The Blackshaw Brothers with Cecil Rucker on vibes. “We worked 8 days a week all over Cleveland catching the tail end of what was left over from the good old days,” Rubin recalls. After two years, Rubin was anxious to set her sights on New York where she earnestly and humbly soaked up the tutelage of many veterans like Pharaoh Sanders, Frank Foster and Barry Harris.

RUSSELL MALONE & THE INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ COLLECTIVE
2023-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Caffè Vivace, 975 E McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, United States
“Wes at 100”

Russell Malone — guitar | Steve Allee — piano | Rob Dixon — tenor saxophone | George Delancey — bass | Kenny Phelps — drums

Set 1: 7:00 pm – 8:20 pm | Set 2: 9:00 pm – 10:20 pm – Sold Separately
In celebration of what would have been Wes Montgomery’s 100th birthday, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Jazz Vivace are proud to present “Wes at 100” at Caffè Vivace.
This special program will feature renowned guitarist Russell Malone and the Indianapolis Jazz Collective performing new arrangements of timeless tunes from the Wes Montgomery Song Book.
As we tribute the legendary jazz guitarist, the Wes at 100 programs will be enriched with insightful commentary by Robert Montgomery, providing a deeper understanding of Wes’ musical genius. Additionally, the event will showcase excerpts from the captivating Wes Montgomery Documentary, “Wes Bound,” directed by Kevin Finch.
Join us on this momentous occasion as we celebrate the enduring legacy of Wes Montgomery and the remarkable influence he continues to exert over jazz music. Experience the “Wes at 100” magic unfolding at Caffè Vivace.
Russell Malone is an acclaimed jazz guitarist known for his impeccable technique, soulful playing, and versatility. He was born on November 8, 1963, in Albany, Georgia, USA. Malone began playing guitar early and quickly developed a passion for jazz.
Throughout his career, Russell Malone has collaborated with numerous jazz legends, including Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, and Ron Carter, among others. He has also released several albums as a bandleader, showcasing his virtuosity and musicality.
Malone’s playing style is deeply rooted in jazz guitar tradition, drawing influences from greats like Wes Montgomery and George Benson. His improvisational skills and melodic sensibility have earned him widespread recognition and critical acclaim.
With a discography over several decades, Russell Malone has consistently impressed audiences with his technical prowess and ability to create captivating musical moments. His performances display a blend of swing, blues, bebop, and modern jazz elements, demonstrating his ability to adapt to various styles while maintaining a distinctive voice on the guitar.
Russell Malone continues to be an influential figure in the jazz guitar world, captivating listeners with his expressive playing and lasting impact on the genre.

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE'S NEW JAWN
2023-09-26 19:30 - 2023-09-27 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98121, United States
Christian McBride’s New Jawn — trumpeter Josh Evans (Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton, Rasheid Ali), saxophonist and bass clarinetist Marcus Strickland (Roy Haynes, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Chris Dave, Bilal, Robert Glasper), and drummer Nasheet Waits (Jason Moran, Joe Lovano, John Medeski) — is back with their highly anticipated sophomore album, Prime(02/2023), the follow-up from McBride’s Grammy-nominated group. Featuring original compositions from each band member as well as fresh takes on songs from Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman and Larry Young, this group offers an exhilarating space of exploration for the 8-time Grammy Award-winning McBride to stretch his veteran wings.
New Jawn is the new deal. Yes, it is. The proof is in the music and there is plenty of that on their new release Prime; sure to be a fixture in best of 2023 lists. – All About Jazz
Bassist, composer, and bandleader, McBride is also the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, New Jersey Performing Arts center (NJPAC) and the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Christian is also a respected educator and advocate as the Artistic Director of Jazz House KiDS, and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Sessions. In addition to consistent touring, McBride hosts NPR’s “Jazz Night in America” and “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM. Whether behind the bass or away from it, Christian McBride is always of the music. From jazz, to R&B, pop/rock, hip-hop/neo-soul, to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship—and perhaps the hint of a challenge—inviting us to join him.
The Band: Christian McBride~bass, Josh Evans~trumpet, Marcus Strickland~saxophone and bass clarinet, Nasheet Waits~drums

DE ANDRÉ: I SAW NINA FLY
2023-09-26 21:00 - 23:00 (Europe/Rome) | Tramjazz, Artour Sas of Rossella Taverna & C. – Via Giorgio Vasari 14, Rome, 00196, Italy
If there was still a need to say or sing something that has not yet been said or sung, here is a tribute to the music and words of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, Fabrizio de Andre’. The four musicians, important exponents of the Italian jazz and world scene, meet to interpret with emotion and refinement some of the most beautiful songs by Fabrizio de Andrè, from the best known ones (bocca di rosa, the song of marinella, song of lost love, creuza de ma, a judge) to those left a little more in the shadows (prayer in January, khorakhanè, I saw nina fly), using different and only apparently distant languages ​​such as jazz.

Raffaela Siniscalchi • Vocals
Gabriele Coen • Clarinet
Stefano Saletti • Buzuki oud – Guitar
Mario Rivera • Bass

LUTHER ALLISON SEXTET FEATURING STEVE WILSON
2023-09-27 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, 2751 Broadway, New York City, NY, 10025, United States
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, pianist Luther S. Allison is a rising star who is making his Smoke debut as a leader with a stellar sextet featuring the great saxophonist Steve Wilson. Allison has already gained a reputation working alongside Rodney Whitaker, Jazzmeia Horn, The Baylor Project, Samara Joy, Gregory Tardy, Ulysses Owens Jr. and many more. His original compositions and arrangements are influenced by R&B, country, and gospel. He credits a great deal of his inspiration and musical development to his experience playing in the black church along with the sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire, Anita Baker, Sly and The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway.

Brandon Woody – trumpet
Steve Wilson – alto saxophone
Joe Giordano – trombone
Luther Allison – piano
Jonathon Muir-Cotton – bass
Michael Reed – drums

JOSHUA REDMAN GROUP
2023-09-27 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | 92NY150, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10128, United States
where are we” Tour | Kaufmann Concert Hall
Joshua Redman, saxophone | Gabrielle Cavassa, vocals | Aaron Parks, piano | Joe Sanders, bass | Brian Blade, drums
Widely revered as the greatest jazz saxophonist of his generation, Joshua Redman returns following his sold-out 2022 92NY concert to open our season with a NYC exclusive.
A release concert for his new album “where are we”, the project marks Redman’s first-ever with a vocalist – the mesmerizing Gabrielle Cavassa. Co-winner of the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Cavassa is an enthralling emerging musician whose artistry is as influenced by Amy Winehouse as by Billie Holiday. She joins Redman with the dynamic newly assembled rhythm section of pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Joe Sanders, and original Redman quartet drummer Brian Blade.
Redman calls “where are we” “a meditation on America and the power and importance of place.” The artists take on music from Rodgers & Hart to Springsteen, all interpreted with the improvisational brilliance and melodic invention that is a hallmark of Redman’s artistry – and of this remarkable ensemble.

VANESSA RUBIN
2023-09-28 19:00 - 22:20 (America/New_York) | Caffè Vivace, 975 E McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, United States
Set 1: 7:00 pm – 8:20 pm | Set 2: 9:00 pm – 10:20 pm – Sold Separately
Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth, and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. Additional homespun influences include the melodic bell tone clarity of a young Capital Records recording artist, Nancy Wilson, the fire of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the sweet sounds of trumpeter Blue Mitchell as well as her love of the Motown Sound…especially girl groups like the Supremes.
Rubin’s passion for rich musical stories is evidenced throughout her eight albums thus far, plus numerous guest appearances. Highlights include the evocative “Voyager II” from the pen of Teri Thornton, “Inside a Silent Tear” written by Blossom Dearie, a refashioned waltz version of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” lyricized by New York Voices, and an arrangement of “Superwoman” by Stevie Wonder inspired by the Ahmad Jamal recording of “Poinciana.” So while she has one foot planted in tradition – sticking close to timeless melodies and exquisite vocal forms – Rubin waxes adventurous, embracing stories lesser told while employing lessons of acclaimed storytellers in songs such as Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn, and Freddy Cole. “They mastered the art of believability, Rubin asserts. Additionally, Rubin continues to back her way into The Blues with an urgent appreciation for soulful mentors like Etta Jones and Irene Reid. Also among her current endeavors is highlighting and interpreting well-known, obscure, and new lyrical works of composer/arranger/pianist Tadd Dameron. “I hope to do for Tadd’s music what Carmen McRae did for Monk’s music,” Rubin explained.
Vanessa’s first gigs began around 1980 in small clubs around Cleveland, such as Tucker’s Place, Bob’s Toast of the Town, Lancer’s Steak House, Club Isabella, The Native Son, and The Teal Lounge. Some early band mates included Wynn Bibbs, Skip Gibson, saxophonist and arranger Willie Smith, Neal Creque, Matthew “Chink” Stevenson, and, later, the uniquely soulful organ quartet of The Blackshaw Brothers with Cecil Rucker on vibes. “We worked eight days a week all over Cleveland, catching the tail end of what was left over from the good old days,” Rubin recalls. After two years, Rubin was anxious to set her sights on New York, where she earnestly and humbly soaked up the tutelage of many veterans like Pharaoh Sanders, Frank Foster, and Barry Harris.
Rubin remains a favorite at jazz clubs and festivals in the US and abroad. Her work as a producer and educator/clinician with youth in communities and educational institutions worldwide is ongoing.

GEORGE CABLES QUARTET
2023-09-28 19:00 - 2023-10-01 23:59 (America/New_York) | Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, 2751 Broadway, New York City, NY, 10025, United States
“Anyone who is serious about jazz will tell you that George Cables belongs in the pantheon of the greatest jazz pianists.” – All About Jazz

One of the essential artists of piano, George Cables (aka “Mr. Beautiful”), is known for his impeccable sound, sensitive accompaniment, and original playing. A trusted collaborator over the past 50 years for artists like Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, and Art Pepper, Cables has also released numerous essential recordings as a leader. The New York City Jazz Record says, “He is a piano giant.” National Public Radio adds, “His solos reveal a deep sense of groove and pacing and a mind at work.”
George Cables – piano
Craig Handy – saxophones
Sean Conly – bass
Jerome Jennings – drums
***Friday & Saturday Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:00pm | 10:30pm

DEMETRIUS NABORS
2023-09-29 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Blue Llama, 314 S Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, United States
Pianist, composer, producer and arranger Demetrius “Krayon” Nabors is well known and in demand in the Detroit area and on the national contemporary jazz scene. He is a two-time Detroit Music Award Winner in the Outstanding Gospel/Christian Musician category.
His considerable talents caught the attention of numerous high-profile national artists, including R&B singer KEM, flutist Althea Rene, guitarist Tim Bowman and trumpeter Willie Bradley.Demetrius’ productions for these artists have garnered Billboard chart successes: #1 for KEM’s single “Nobody” (2014), #2 for Willie Bradley’s “It’s On Now” (2020) and #5 for Althea Rene’s “Barbara Mae” (2019). In addition, “Nobody” was nominated for the Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 57th Grammy Awards in 2014. Demetrius’ discography includes four critically acclaimed releases, “The Journey Within Part I” (2011), “Christmas with Krayon” (2012), “The Journey Within Part II” (2014) and “Perseverance” (2021). His latest, “Evolution” is set to be released in September of 2022 and was inspired by his graduate studies at the University of Michigan.

MONTY ALEXANDER
2023-10-01 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA, 94607, United States
Nearly sixty years after he moved to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica, his hometown, Grammy nominated pianist Monty Alexander is an American classic, touring the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message. A perennial favorite at Jazz festivals and venues worldwide and at the Montreux Jazz Festival where he has appeared 23 times since 1976, his spirited conception is one informed by the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit, and a consistent predisposition, as Alexander accurately states, “to build up the heat and kick up a storm.” In the course of any given performance, Alexander applies those aesthetics to a repertoire spanning a broad range of jazz and Jamaican musical expressions—the American songbook and the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae. Documented on more than 75 recordings and cited as the fifth greatest jazz pianist ever in The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time (Hal Leonard Publishing), the Jamaican government designated Alexander Commander in the Order of Distinction in 2000 and conferred on him the national honor of the Order of Jamaica in 2022 for “Sterling Contributions to the Promotions of Jamaican Music and the Jazz Genre Interpretations Globally”. In 2018 the University of The West Indies bestowed him with an honorary doctorate degree (DLitt) in recognition of his accomplishments.
Monty’s latest album (released August 19, 2022) is titled Love Notes and is his first recording featuring his vocals. The release of “Love Notes” will be accompanied by tour dates worldwide. Also in the works is “The Monty Alexander Movie,” a documentary on Monty’s life and music. Directed by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Jefferson Miller, and veteran filmmaker Arthur Gorson, the project is currently in production in Jamaica, the U.S. and Europe.

TIERNEY SUTTON & RANDY BRECKER
2023-10-03 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, 2751 Broadway, New York City, NY, 10025, United States
“Blind Date” feat. Christian Jacob

“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 “Brecker has the chops to play it cool or hot, laid-back or virtuosic.” – Downbeat
9-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton and legendary multi-Grammy-winning trumpet master Randy Brecker share a stage for the very first time in an evening of spontaneous music-making. This special Tuesday night performance will also feature the illuminating pianist Christian Jacob.
Tierney Sutton – vocals | Randy Brecker – trumpet | Christian Jacob – piano

SUPERBLUE: KURT ELLING AND CHARLIE HUNTER
2023-10-06 20:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA, 94607, United States
GRAMMY® Award-winner Kurt Elling is without question today’s preeminent male jazz vocalist, renowned worldwide for his unparalleled virtuosity and flair for trailblazing artistic exploration. From his stunning reinvention of timeless standards to his own captivating original songcraft, the Chicago-based musician has fused his dazzling talents across a panoply of musical approaches, emblazoning each with signature imagination, insight, and emotional intelligence.
Where many male jazz vocalists at this stage in a much vaunted career have tended to stick to the tried and true, Elling seems to be growing more ambitious and experimental with the passing of time, a tendency evidenced by his stunning new LP, SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree. The followup to 2021’s remarkable SuperBlue, the album once again sees Elling joining forces with producer/guitarist Charlie Hunter and multi-instrumentalist duo drummer Corey Fonville and bassist-keyboardist DJ Harrison for a kaleidoscopic collection of new songs, surprising covers, and dynamic reinventions.
Showtimes ~ 8:00pm | 10:00pm

MYRNA CLAYTON
2023-10-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | St. James Live, 3220 Butner Road #240, Atlanta, GA, 30331, United States
Myrna Clayton is a teaching performer, cultural artist, and an international performing arts entertainer based in the USA. Myrna has performed professionally for over 14 years, though she has been singing since the age of 5.

JAZZ DIALOGUE OPEN JAM
2023-10-08 21:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Ornithology Jazz Club, 6 Suydam Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11221, United States
Grant Stewart (ts)

Tardo Hammer (p)
Ilya Lushtak (g)
David Wong (b)
Phil Stewart (d)

RANDY PORTER TRIO
2023-10-09 18:00 - 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The 1905, 830 N Shaver Sreet, Portland, OR, 97227, United States
Randy Porter: Piano | Garrett Baxter: Bass | Charlie Doggett: Drums

Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Randy Porter has a refined understanding of improvisation and the spontaneous communication between musicians. As a Steinway Artist, Randy Porter draws from a rich palette of sonorities found within his imagination and the depths of the piano.

Lynn Darroch of The Oregonian states, “Porter has built a reputation as a musician’s musician, a knowledgeable, inventive, and sophisticated player with a remarkable sense of time and gorgeous keyboard facility…”

Two Show ~ 6:00pm & 8:00pm

CHRISTOPHER BROWN QUARTET
2023-10-11 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The 1905, 830 N Shaver Sreet, Portland, OR, 97227, United States
Featuring Noah Simpson

Noah Simpson: Trumpet | Matt Sazima: Piano | Garrett Baxter: Bass | Christopher Brown: Drums
Christopher Brown is an acclaimed musician, composer, bandleader, and educator who seeks to be a voice within the advocacy of Jazz music and American culture. And through the expansive range of groups that he has assembled and/or performed with—which span from duos to Jazz big bands to military marching bands and orchestras—his musical and personal experiences have led him towards an interest in synthesizing the principles of Jazz with the day-to-day practicalities of life. However, given that businesses shape the global market economy that everyone lives and participates in, is why he has found it useful to integrate business philosophies with that of music to help develop himself and his band. Which as he likes to say, “we’re all in the same business…the people-trusting-people business. No people, no business.”

NICHOLAS PAYTON & NEW WORLD ORDER
2023-10-11 19:00 - 2023-10-15 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Black Cat, 400 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA, 94109, United States
As a leading voice in American popular music, the 2x Grammy Award-winning and 5x Grammy nominee, Nicholas Payton is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, producer, arranger, essayist, and social activist who defies musical and artistic categories.

All the while, he honors the tradition of what he terms “postmodern New Orleans music,” as well as the spirit of Black American Music, of which he states, “There are no fields, per se. There are lineages.”

LEWIS NASH & THE NY ALL~STARS
2023-10-13 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix) | The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
11th Anniversary House Party
Paul Bollenback: Guitar | Dave Kikoski: Piano | Essiet Essiet: Bass | Lewis Nash: Drums
Join us for this spectacular private party for 60 guests featuring an intimate performance by Lewis Nash & The NY All-Stars, complimented by a panoramic birds-eye view of Phoenix. Includes hosted wine and hors d’ouevres.

TINA RAYMOND TRIO
2023-10-13 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Avenue S,, Seattle, WA, 98118, United States
Based in Los Angles, Tina Raymond is an accomplished drummer, composer, and bandleader. Known as a unique voice in the contemporary music scene Raymond melds jazz with African polyrhythms, and classical percussion technique. Serious about education, Raymond was the recipient of a DownBeat Educator Award in 2020 and currently teaches as Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Northridge. Performing across the nation and worldwide both a side player and a leader, Raymond has performed with many noted artists including Eric Revis, Jeremy Siskind, and Cathlene Pineda among others. Last year’s Earshot Jazz Festival featured Raymond in the quartet Esthesis led by one of Seattle’s favorite pianists Dawn Clement.
This year Raymond will lead her own ensemble with Andrew Renfroe on guitar and Karl McComas-Reichl on bass. The trio will be releasing an album—Divinations in the Fall on Imani Records.
Doors ~ 6:30pm

JONATHAN KREISBERG QUARTET
2023-10-13 19:30 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The 1905, 830 N Shaver Sreet, Portland, OR, 97227, United States
Jonathan Kreisberg, Guitar Martin Bejerano, Piano Phil Donkin, Bass Colin Stranahan, Drums Guitarist and composer Jonathan Kreisberg has built a strong worldwide following and has influenced the next generation of musicians with his unique combination of timeless melodicism and forward thinking lines and textures. He is recognized as a player who has studied the Jazz language deeply while infusing it with fresh new ideas, expanding the possibilities of the guitar. Jonathan has led various groups with star players and performed as a sideman with such notables as Lonnie Smith, Joe Locke, Ari Hoenig, Yosvany Terry, Larry Grenadier, Bill Stewart, Gary Versace, Will Vinson, Kevin Hays, Mark Ferber, Matt Penman, and Martin Bejerano among others.

He has released 11 critically acclaimed CD’s including “The South of Everywhere”, “Shadowless”, “One” (his first all solo guitar recording), “Wave Upon Wave”, “Kreisberg Meets Veras”, and “Capturing Spirits – JKQ Live!”. He has received the ASCAP Plus Award annually for 15 years. For 12 years Jonathan had also been a constant collaborator with NEA jazz master Dr. Lonnie Smith, who says of Kreisberg “He is a passionate musician with great vision, and he is constantly in fiery pursuit of innovation.” Jonathan worked as performer and associate producer for Dr. Smith’s recent works on Blue Note Records.

He has performed 20th century works with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to his work as a Jazz composer his music was also featured in many scores for Playwrights Horizon in NYC, the Goodman theater in Chicago, and Hartford Stage. Jonathan is also a respected educator with over 20 years of experience. In 2017 he released his first book of compositions and transcriptions,

OSCAR PEÑAS
2023-10-13 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Arts Garage, 94 NE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, 33444, United States
Oscar PeñasGuitarist/composer Oscar Peñas is a Barcelona, Spain native and a U.S. naturalized citizen. Leader of his ensembles, Peñas first started taking guitar lessons at eight and got acquainted with jazz at seventeen years old. At twenty-one, he left law school for his “mistress,” music, and at twenty-four, he moved to Boston, where he graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1999 and New England Conservatory of Music in 2007. Since then, he has lived in NYC.
Peñas’ innovative compositions, whose training began with classical studies and later progressed to jazz, have won the USA’s press and audiences’ attention, attracting a wide variety of fans through its unique combination of different grooves over the American jazz base. He leads his band with harmonic imagination and authenticity, writing his original compositions with minimalistic and sensitive musical strokes and exchanging spontaneous creativity with his bandmates. Though his early work was rooted in bebop, he later developed a more personal style thanks to a few conversations with the latest pianist Cecil Taylor in 2008, who advised him to embrace his cultural heritage. Subsequently, Peñas’ began crossing jazz with Iberian, South American, and classical strains.
His precise finger-picking technique is not a flashy one. It gives his fellow band members space for improvisations and shows all its artistry work, retaining considerable humility that remains no less impactful.
Frequently, he creates arrangements using the guitar, resulting in a sonic mix that never sacrifices clarity for density or volume despite the added layers of complexity. His compositions are visual with a story tale and improvisation. Oscar’s clever musical experimentation is the essence of his style. His diverse use of different genres to express ideas beyond those in his writings creates extraordinary musical experiences through novelty and particular artistic excellence when performing with his band. Peñas’ intuition and ear drive him into an amalgam of melodies aiming for the innovative unexpected.
Oscar does not look for cohering to a single signature style, sharing his five recordings with renowned American jazz masters Gil Goldstein, Paquito D’Rivera, Esperanza Spalding, and Ron Carter.
He is using his uniqueness in writing his originals for non-traditional instrumentation in jazz. As an independent artist who self-produces all his work it is astonishing to see his access to the best venues in the U.S. to showcase his work.
Oscar’s newly released album, “Almadraba,” features legendary bassist Ron Carter, is available to buy in L.P. and digital formats ONLY at CDBaby. The work is Peñas’ first arranged jazz-classical suite for a jazz quartet and string quartet (eight-piece ensemble). “Almadraba” premiered at BAM Next Wave Festival in 2018.
Sara CaswellViolinist Sara Caswell is from Bloomington, Indiana, USA. A Grammy Nominee, jazz educator. Rooted in early exposure to various musical genres, Sara’s technical facility intertwined with her gift for lyricism continues to attract growing attention to her artistry as a jazz soloist, sideman, and teacher.
Sara is currently faculty at Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. She was raised in a musical family and began playing violin at age 5. A graduate of Indiana University, which she attended under full scholarship as a Wells Scholar, Sara received B.M. Degrees with High Distinction and an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance and Jazz Studies. In 2006 Sara completed her M.M. Degree in Jazz Violin at the Manhattan School of Music.
Sara has been performing with Oscar Peñas at different prestigious venues, and she is part of Peñas’ album “Music of Departures and Returns” 2014.
Motohito FukushimaBorn in Kobe, Japan, based in NYC, six-string bass player, composer, and shamisen player Motohito Fukushima was given the Outstanding Performer Award before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music. He studies Western Classical music, Japanese traditional music, and the African-inspired musical sensibilities of South American tunes in his jazz improvisations. Moto’s playing is a fantastic combination of finesse, subtlety, and power seen in his performances as a sideman with many other artists.
Motohito has enjoyed playing with Oscar Peñas since 2011 at Peñas’ quartet, and he is part of two of Peñas’ albums recordings, “From Now On,” 2011 and “Music of Departures and Returns,” 2014. Fukushima is an endorsed bass player by: Aguilar Amplification.
Richie BarshayRichie Barshay began drumming inside kitchen cabinets early and continues banging on things worldwide. Born in Connecticut, he has led outreach projects across five continents as an American Musical Envoy with the U.S. State Department. Richie has recorded over 80 albums as a sideman and his two self-produced albums. Based in New York City and Northampton, MA, he is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher and maintained a private practice for performing artists and others to regain better mind-body coordination and ease of movement.
Barshay and Oscar have been performing together since 2009. Richie is on both U.S. albums releases, “From No On” and “Music of Departures and Returns.” Also, on the coming out, “Almadraba.”
BAND MEMBERSOscar Penas – Leader, Composer, Electric GuitaristSara Caswell – ViolinistMotohito Fukushima – Electric BassRichie Barshay – Drums

ROY HARGROVE BIG BAND: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROY!
2023-10-14 17:00 - 2023-10-16 23:00 (America/New_York) | Dizzy’s Club, 10 Columbus Circle, New York City, NY, 10019, United States
The Roy Hargrove Big Band celebrates what would have been his birthday — and the magnitude of his contribution — by sharing his expression with new listeners and longtime fans. Always energetic, always swinging, the outfit’s repertoire includes Hargrove originals, standard tunes, and new music from current band members. Come celebrate a true champion of the music.
Performance Lineup:

Willie Jones, Danton Boller, Saul Rubin, Freddie Hendrix, Wayne Tucker, Duane Eubanks, Camerahn Alforque, Jason Jackson, James Burton, Rashaan Salaam, Max Seigel, Bruce Williams, Mark Gross, Mike Lee, Keith Loftis, Jason Marshall

HOT CLUB KC
2023-10-14 18:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille, 1903 Victory Drive, Liberty, MO, 64068, United States
Hot Club KC plays swinging gypsy jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France. Acoustic guitars, violin, bass and vocals create a unique and captivating sound, not to be missed!

SOMETHING ELSE!
2023-10-14 19:00 - 23:00 (America/Phoenix) | The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Vincent Herring-alto sax, James Carter-tenor sax, Wallace Roney Jr.-trumpet, Paul Bollenback-guitar, Dave Kikoski-piano, Essiet Essiet-bass, Lewis Nash-drums
“…the band wears its hard-bop heart on its sleeve …It practically dares audiences to sit still and remain on their best behavior.” – Steve Futterman, The New Yorker
A Soul Jazz Revue led by Vincent Herring, featuring some of the very best musicians today, playing the most iconic toe-tapping Soul Jazz songs ever created. Something Else presents new arrangements and original compositions in the same genre.

VINCENT HERRING
2023-10-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Phoenix) | The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
11th Anniversary with the SCC Jazz Orchestra
Saxophonist Vincent Herring’s intense, soulful, multi-noted style and ebullient swing have excited audiences worldwide. On stage, Herring and his band often make an incendiary sound over fine and controlled rhythms of modern times.
Vincent tours frequently with his projects around the in the United States, Europe, Japan, China and around the world. Vincent continues to share his distinct voice and musical knowledge, as a performer and jazz educator. He is currently on staff at William Paterson University and at Manhattan School of Music.

THE BAD PLUS
2023-10-18 18:30 - 19:45 (America/New_York) | The Jazz Station, 124 W Broadway, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
The Bad Plus
Reid Anderson bass
David King drums
Chris Speed tenor saxophone
Ben Monder guitar
As part of their fall 2023 international tour, The Bad Plus are performing at The Jazz Station on Broadway in downtown Eugene. A breakout worldwide phenomenon when they appeared in the early 2000’s, the group has been together for over 20 years and played every major jazz venue and festival in the world multiple times.
The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance. They seek musical inspiration from all musical genres, having recorded versions of songs by Nirvana, Blondie, Pink Floyd, Ornette Coleman, The Pixies, Rush, Tears For Fears, Neil Young, David Bowie, Yes, Interpol, Johnny Cash, The Bee Gees, Burt Bacharach, Cyndi Lauper and Black Sabbath, to name a few.
As founding member drummer Dave King puts it, “If it comes down to it and you had to put us in a category, we are most certainly part of the jazz canon. The new band—all of us come from an improvisational background. We have all played different types of jazz. But the influences—they push out the corners of what people think of as jazz.” These influences form the basis for King and bassist Reid Anderson’s original compositions, which are the backbone of TBP’s repertoire.
