Billy Harper – tenor saxophone | Freddie Hendrix – trumpet | Francesca Tanksley – piano | Ben Young – bass | Aaron Scott – drums “His improvisations are torrential, dance-like and swinging, spiraling upward to mountaintop pronouncements that can leave listeners in a sweat.” – The New York Times Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper leads his […]
A husband. A wife. An astonishing duo built on love, family, faith, culture and community. These are the things that power The Baylor Project featuring Jean Baylor and Marcus Baylor. This enticing collaboration is steeped in the heart and soul of jazz. As the children of Pastors, Marcus’ and Jean's musical roots were planted deep within the […]
Singer/Songwriter Tony Hightower is taking up the mantle to be a bridge that ushers R&B audiences into Jazz…Real Jazz. With years of experience as a musical performer and actor with familiar roots that place him firmly within the music’s firmament, Atlanta-native Hightower is still just getting started on this benevolent turn in his journey. And he is bringing a […]
Performers: W.I.T.C.H., Noah & The Arkiteks, The Bad Plus, The Soul Rebels, Malahi Witson, DK Harrell, Billy Childs, Pete Rock & The Soul Brothers, Basi Vibe Venues: Latin Tropical Stage, SJZ Break Room Stage, Tabard Theatre Swing Stage, Hammer Theatre Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage, Sobrato Organization Main Sage, Montgomery Theater Stage, SJMA Next Gen Stage Tickets: […]
Assembling some of the hottest talent from around the world, touring/session guitarist (Maynard Ferguson, NKOTB, Kenny Loggins) and Emmy nominated film/tv composer Sam Kaufmann formed the Gypsy Jazz and Swing Group – Hot Pants de France. Sam has liberated himself from the Hot Jazz canon and presents his own uninhibited, modern style with Hot Pants […]
Maureese Itson is a renowned, up and coming Inspirational Saxophonist in the Seattle area. His desire is to inspire people to "Love God, Love People, and Live Amazing" through the gift of music. "It amazes me to see the joy and feel the love from people through music. Music awakens my soul". He began his […]
Day 1: Jonathan Butler & Gregory Porter Day 2: Dave Koz, Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius, Maysa Leek, Avery Sunshine and Under the artistic direction of producer Tony Clarke, in collaboration with the Gaillard Center’s artistic team, the festival returns with a stellar lineup of award-winning jazz singers and musicians Dave Koz & Friends, Gregory Porter, Avery*Sunshine, and Jonathan Butler. […]
Witness to History Record Release! “His musical wisdom, gleaned during decades spent on the best jazz bandstands, informs every unerring note.” – Downbeat. Eddie Henderson – trumpet Donald Harrison – alto saxophone George Cables – piano Gerald Cannon – bass Lenny White – drums Trumpeter Eddie Henderson celebrates the release of a highly anticipated new […]
“One of the most critically acclaimed pianists in modern jazz” – All About Jazz Renowned pianist and composer Billy Childs makes a long-awaited Smoke Jazz Club debut, leading a very special quartet featuring acclaimed trumpeter Sean Jones with bassist Matt Penman and drummer Ari Hoenig. A native of Los Angeles, Childs grew up immersed in […]
Joyce Licorish is a creative visionary with a unique ability for storytelling through writing, speaking, film and music. She is a public speaker, voice actress, and vocalist known internationally and nationally for performing Jazz, R&B, Opera and Soul, she has been opener for Chaka, Babyface, Isleys, Boyz II Men and more, she is the Winner […]
A singular sound in the vocal world, Kosins exemplifies the intersection of jazz and soul. In 2022, Kosins earned several top nominations for her duet with Frank McComb, “I Gotta Pinch Myself”, featuring Najee. The song was nominated in the Song of the Year category at the SoulTracks Readers Choice Awards. She also played to sold-out audiences […]
“In a rich, soulful voice, she sings messages of hope and compassion.” – Jazziz Cynthia Scott, a soulful, Grammy-nominated vocalist, leads a swinging quintet featuring the legendary tenor saxophonist Houston Person. Scott worked with Ray Charles as a Raelette before launching her successful solo career and subsequently performing with Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman, Wynton […]
“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), […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
Grant Stewart (ts) Tardo Hammer (p) Ilya Lushtak (g) David Wong (b) Phil Stewart (d)
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Marie-Claire Giraudis a soprano, jazz singer, musical theater singer, songwriter, composer, playwright, and actor. Born on the island of Dominica and raised in The Bronx. Marie-Claire started her operatic training in Rome, Italy. The pandemic afforded Marie-Claire the luxury of time to reflect, and she overcame obstacles that were blocking her creative path. With her creativity freed, Marie-Claire wrote […]
As lead vocalist, lyricist, and composer for internationally and critically acclaimed two-time Grammy Award-winning roots music group, Ranky Tanky, Quiana Parler spent weeks at #1 on several Billboard Jazz charts. Quiana has spent over 20 years as the most sought-after vocalist in the Lowcountry. Known locally for years prior, she rose to national prominence after […]
