YASUKO NAKAMURA

Live @ Alfie’s CD release party!!! Seventh in a series of popular live recordings set at Alfie’s, a long-established jazz club in Roppongi, Yasuko Nakamura is an authentic jazz singer reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Her voice is rich in expression as she expresses the emotions of the moments in which she lives, and we hope you will listen to her fascinating live performances where her personality is on full display.

Track List: 1. But Beautiful | 2. Round Midnight | 3. For All We Know | 4. Body and Soul | 5. When October Goes | 6. House is Not a Home | 7. At Last | 8. Day In Day Out  | 9. PS I Love You

The Performers: Yasuko Nakamura ~ vocal | Lynn Heitetsu ~ piano | Yutaka Yoshida ~ bass | Hiroshi Murakami ~ drums

Cover: ¥4950

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SAKI OZAWA

Born in Tokyo, Saki Ozawa began learning classical piano from the age of three, later inspired by Gene Harris’s album “Tribute to Count Basie” at the age of 15. She studied jazz piano at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, trained by Yuki Arimasa and started her professional career in the Tokyo area, appearing at a number of jazz festivals, then after graduation began regularly appearing as Saki Ozawa trio at the historical jazz club “Alfie” in Roppongi, Tokyo.
In September 2022, the piano solo performed live at the Hamacho Dining & Bar SESSiON, a restaurant established by Blue Note Japan, was quickly fully booked and she appeared at the grand-opening reception for the press of Ebisu’s BLUE NOTE PLACE, which is currently a hot spot. Since then Ozawa has continued to perform regularly at the club with her own trio.
In March 2023, she performed with sax player Adam Pieronczyk at the Polish jazz club Vertigo. Then in June 2023, the debut album “Cheers!” mainly composed of original songs was released by ReBorn Wood Label and in August 2023, the live performance at Cotton Club Tokyo met with great success.

The Trio: Saki Ozawa ~ piano | Yutaka Yoshida ~ bass | Jun Yamazaki ~ drums

Cover: ¥4950

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BRUCE FORMAN

San Francisco’s Bard of Bop comes home for a night of jazz guitar stunts, storytelling, and mayhem. With his SF trio most anything can happen…and it usually does!

A hectic touring schedule; twenty-one recordings as a leader,  countless sideman recordings including Ray Brown, Bobby Hutcherson, Roger Kellaway; soundtrack performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s distinguished films—most notably Academy Award-winning Million Dollar Baby; raconteur, arranger, acclaimed educator, in residence at USC’s Studio/Jazz Guitar Dept., when does Bruce Forman rest?

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PETER ERSKINE & BOB MINTZER

Speaking about the musical marriage of drummer Peter Erskine, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles, journalist Jim Worsley from All About Jazz said, “The trio could be considered the perfect melting pot of creativity, complexity, and rhythm, pollinated with spontaneous interplay and intelligent conversation.”  That’s quite a summary of these top-tier jazzmen who, after playing together for decades, find themselves at the top of their game. Their Live In Italy recording, which garnered a Grammy nomination in 2022, is evidence of their primacy.

What makes the meeting of minds extra special now is the addition of saxophonist Bob Mintzer, acclaimed composer, arranger, and founding member of the Yellowjackets. A long-time associate to all, Mintzer elevates the group’s collective mastery in a new project, The McIntosh Sessions, a direct-to-tape recording representing the partnership between hi-end audio giants McIntosh Laboratory and Sterling Sound. At the heart of this captured performance is a vibrant intimacy that speaks volumes about the singular power of jazz and pure, reproduced sound.

Erskine and company revealed this immediacy in the studio. But, in fact, they bring it to the stage each time they play.

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VIRGINIA MACDONALD ~ TODD MARCUS QUINTET

Juno Award-nominated clarinetist Virginia MacDonald has established herself as a rising star of her generation. Known for her lyrical and soulful clarinet playing, Virginia has been described as a “powerful new voice in the Canadian scene” by Juno Award-winning bassist Mike Downes. As a highly in-demand bandleader, sidewoman, and composer, Virginia keeps a regular performance schedule across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Bass clarinetist, composer, and bandleader Todd Marcus is one of the few jazz artists worldwide to focus their work primarily on the bass clarinet. Though use of bass clarinet in jazz typically leans heavily towards avant-garde and free-jazz styles, Marcus’ straight-ahead playing has carved out a unique voice for the instrument in modern jazz.

Musicians:
Virginia MacDonald – clarinet
Todd Marcus – bass clarinet
Bruce Barth – piano
Blake Meister – bass
Eric Kennedy – drums

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ALTHEA RENÉ

Born on December 25th in Detroit, Michigan Althea René began her musical journey at the tender age of four. She studied classical music while attending Howard University. She gained musical inspiration from her father Dezie McCullers (one of Motown’s original Funk Brothers). She has since developed her own creative style. Some regard her as a “master of her craft” and one of the world’s most exciting solo improvisational flutists. The multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee playfully refers to her as the “Maceo of the flute”.

With a passionate mission to mentor women in the entertainment industry, Althea René authored an autobiography entitled “Becoming Chocolate Barbie – a guide for professional women in the music business” in June 2018. The book was written in an interview format so that readers may easily use it as a reference resource. Women who aspire for a life in business can appreciate the insights she shares.

Althea René gained musical inspiration from her father Dezie McCullers (one of Motown’s original Funk Brothers). She has since developed her own creative style. Some regard her as a “master of her craft” and one of the world’s most exciting solo improvisational flautists. The multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee playfully refers to her as the “Maceo of the flute”.

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ADONIS ROSE QUINTET

Adonis Rose is a Grammy-award-winning drummer, composer, educator, and producer from the city of New Orleans, LA. He has played and recorded with the biggest names in Jazz, including Terence Blanchard, Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, Harry Connick, Jr., Wynton Marsalis, and many others.

He has performed on the most renowned stages in the world such as Carnegie Hall, Olympia in Paris, North Sea Jazz Festival, Umbria, Birdland, Apollo Theater, Newport Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, to name a few. Rose has over fifty recordings to his credit (five as a leader), including six with longtime friend, trumpeter Nicholas Payton. In 2010, he won a Grammy Award with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra for Best Large Ensemble.

Lisa La Touche is a proud Canadian and New Yorker, Lisa’s credits are world renowned. She was an original cast member in Broadway’s Shuffle Along, choreographed by Savion Glover and Directed by George C. Wolfe, where she received both the Fred Astaire Award and the Actor’s Equity Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. Her TV credits include the 70th Annual Tony Awards and Amazon’s Original “Z, The beginning of everything”. Previous highlights have also included touring with the Savion Glover production, Stepz, and also performing with both New York’s Off-Broadway and the North American touring casts of STOMP. Since 2010 she has run her own performance company Tap Phonics and has been commissioned to present for such organizations such as The Brooklyn Museum, 92Y, Gibney Dance and Fall For Dance North. As an educator and Professor she has taught for PACE University, NYU, The School of Jacob’s Pillow, University of Calgary, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Rosie’s Theater Kids and member of the creative council for the American Tap Dance Foundation. Her most recent endeavor has been writing and directing her debut film TRAX encompassing her journey back to Alberta while discovering important local black history. Above all, her proudest achievement greatest inspiration, is the gift of being a mom.

Phillip Manuel is a native of New Orleans, vocalist Phillip Manuel has been a mainstay at clubs and festivals worldwide, while performing with such greats at Terence Blanchard and Bill Summers. His recorded music career is known for classic interpretations of the Nat “King” Cole songbook as well as tackling intimate takes on James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” alongside Ellington and Gershwin compositions.

THE BAND:

Adonis Rose – Drums | Phillip Manuel – Vocals | Lisa La Touche – Tap dancer | Miles Berry – Tenor sax | Max Moran – Bass | Seth Finch – Piano

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JACQUES LESURE

Jacques Lesure is a Detroit, Michigan native currently residing as a resident of Inglewood, California. His classic style along with his innovative approach to the music are integral to his signature sound. Emanating out of his association with mentors George Benson, Kenny Burrell and a host of others, one hears his own voice.

It is no secret that his music is rooted in the foundations of gospel, blues and improvised Black American music. It’s his belief that the sounds of today are equally relevant as the glory days gone by. It is that synergy that makes his music swing with a style like no other.

He is associated with the WJ# label and has recorded three albums to great reviews. He is an honorable member of GHJazz Collective where they are keeping jazz alive in Accra Ghana at +233 Jazz Bar and Grill.

 

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LOUIS HAYES & THE CANNONBALL LEGACY BAND

“Drummer Louis Hayes elevates the music from within, using finesse and hip nuance rather than playing on top of it with overt chops.”
– JazzTimes
*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows

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ERIC SCOTT REED & GENERATION X, Y & Z

Giveton Gellin – trumpet | Jon Beshay – tenor saxophone | Eric Reed – piano | Nick Joz – bass | Ethan Kogan – drums
Pianist Eric Reed leads this exciting quintet–Generation X, Y, and Z. His latest album, Black, Brown, and Blue, celebrates the rich and diverse music of composers of color. Reed calls the work a personal milestone and “the culmination of my life thus far. I’m freer than I’ve ever been in my personal life, and I’m freer than I’ve ever been in my music. I’m accepting who I am. I love who I am. And as I continue to evolve – my artistry, my sexuality, and my overall humanity – my music will continue to become more and more personal.” A widely respected and popular musician and mentor, Reed first rose to fame with Wynton Marsalis and has performed with artists as varied as Jessye Norman, Quincy Jones, and Patti Labelle. His perpetually swinging and sophisticated style has made him one of the important ambassadors of the music.
“Eric Reed has fully established himself in the forefront of jazz pianists.” – All About Jazz
*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows

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JOE FARNSWORTH

A true mentor who leadsby example, drummer and composer Joe Farnsworth brings his intergenerational ensemble to Dizzy’s Club. Over four nights, the award-winning artist’s Time to Swing Quintet presents a high-octane program of blistering solos, dynamic ballads, and joyful spontaneity at its highest level. Don’tmiss this special performance that features three generations of master artists.

Joe Farnsworth, drums
Sean Jones, trumpet  (6/20, 6/22, 6/23)
Sarah Hanahan, alto saxophone (6/21, 6/22, 6/23)

Caelen Cardello, piano (6/20 only)
Emmet Cohen, piano (6/21, 6/22, 6/23)

Yashushi Nakamura, bass (6/20, 6/22 & 6/23)
Peter Washington, bass (6/21 only)

Dizzy’s Club requires a minimum food and/or beverage purchase of $21 per person.

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LE TRIO JOUBRAN

Three brothers descending from a family of «Oud» makers and players for four generations: the great-grand-father, the grand-father, the father, and now, Samir, Wissam, and Adnan from Nazareth have transformed the instrument into a passion, a skill, a life story.

Gifted with extraordinary talents and a love for their music, the brothers profoundly understand how to blend the traditional maqams – the melodic, modal traditions of Arabic classical music – with contemporary jazz, blues, and rock.

The Oud progressions in their songs take their audiences on a captivating journey: the melodies are accompanied by additional percussion techniques we usually know from flamenco virtuosos, gradually increasing their audiences’ heartbeat, the result is as hypnotic as it is transformative.

This is an Echoes Of Peace Charity Event

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