QUIANA PARLER
Grammy Award-Winning Vocalist with The Lavon Stevens Trio
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. She has spent over 20 years as the most sought-after vocalist in the Lowcountry. Known locally for years, she rose to national prominence after her success on the 2003 season of American Idol.
Quiana has worked and collaborated with diverse artists and producers such as Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Bobby McFerrin, Miranda Lambert, David Foster, Walter Afanasieff and many more. Her performances have been featured on national broadcasts like The View, NBC’s TODAY, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and Saturday Night Live, as well as the Academy of Country Music Awards and the American Music Awards.
Lavon Stevens has traveled and performed all over the country including Aspen, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has been his home since 1981. He is one of the premier entertainers on Hilton Head Island. He is producing a variety of shows and recording projects including other R&B, Jazz and Gospel artists.
Tickets: $10.00 ~ $20.00 | Dinner is required with all reservations.
More Posts: adventure,bandleader,club,genius,instrumental,jazz,music,preserving,travel,vocal
ALAN BRIADBENT TRIO FEATURING HARVIE S
Alan Broadbent and Harvie S. originally met when they were students at Berklee College of Music. After school, Alan left with the Woody Herman Band and that was the beginning of a brilliant career. Ending up in California, he was pianist for 25 years with Charlie Haden, and on top, of that winning Grammys for arranging.
Harvie S. stayed in Boston for a few years and was summoned to New York where he played and recorded with many of the Jazz greats
(Kenny Barron, Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Eddie Henderson, Art Farmer and many more).
Alan Broadbent is most well-known for his arranging and piano playing with Natalie Cole, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mandel, Charlie Haden’s Quartet West, Shirley Horn, Paul McCartney, and Dianna Krall to name just a few. He is twice Nominated for Grammys.
Harvie S. is one of the most popular bass players ever performing on over 400 albums, including 16 as a leader. His recordings and tours with Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Chet Baker, Jim Hall, James Moody, Toots Thielemans, Shirley Horn, and many more are legendary.
Tickets: $45.00 ~ $50.00
More Posts: adventure,bandleader,bass,club,genius,instrumental,jazz,music,piano,preserving,travel
HENDRIK MEURKENS
Hendrik Meurkens, a virtuoso on both the chromatic harmonica and the vibraphone, is the most important jazz harmonica player since Toots Thielemans. A two-mallet player in the tradition of Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson, Hendrik Meurkens was en-route to being an instantly recognizable vibraphonist when he heard Toots Thielemans. Inspired by the sound of Thielemans’ harmonica, he taught himself the difficult-to-master instrument.
His other life-changing musical experience was his introduction to samba and bossa nova. He was so moved by Brazilian music that after perfecting his unique musical voice at Berklee, as a vibraphone major, he moved to Rio in the early 80s to totally immerse himself in music and culture of Brazil.
Within ten years, he had established himself as the “new jazz harmonica voice,” and moved to New York, thanks to an exclusive contract with the prestigious label, Concord Records. He has since recorded fifteen albums, and continues to perform as both a guest artist, and with his own groups, both in festivals and clubs globally.
Hendrik Meurkens’ profound involvement in both jazz and Brazilian music resulted in a very personal and instantly recognizable version of Samba jazz. This music features his harmonica and vibes along with piano, bass and drums, playing his stirring originals and arrangements.
Tickets: $20 – $45 | $2.33 – $3.56 Fees
More Posts: adventure,bandleader,club,genius,harmonica,instrumental,jazz,music,preserving,travel,vibraphone
JOE FARNSWORTH
One of the most highly regarded jazz drummers on the scene today, Joe is known for his blazing speed, precision, musical, and melodic playing. After he studied at William Paterson College in New Jersey in 1994 where he began playing with saxophonist Eric Alexander and guitarist Peter Bernstein.
Upon moving to New York City, he led the weekend jazz combos at Augie’s, now Smoke Jazz & Supper Club. He has performed with Junior Cook, Cecil Payne, John Ore, Big John Patton, Harold Mabern, Eddie Henderson, John Jenkins, and his brothers John and James. His career includes recording over 100 CDs as a leader and sideman, and on world tours with Pharaoh Sanders, Horace Silver, Harold Mabern, McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton, Diana Krall, Benny Golson, George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Lou Donaldson, Benny Green, Barry Harris, Curtis Fuller, to name a few.
The Band: Sarah Hanahan ~ Alto Saxophone | Georgia Heers ~ Vocals | Cameron Campbell ~ Piano | Peter Washington ~ Bass | Joe Farnsworth ~ Drums
Tickets: $20 – $50 | $2.33 – $3.81 Fees
More Posts: adventure,bandleader,club,drums,genius,instrumental,jazz,music,preserving,travel
The Jazz Voyager
Making the roughly hour and half ride up the highway to come across the Verazzano~Narrows Bridge into the Big Apple after departing the City of Brotherly Love on a high note. This Jazz Voyager is heading uptown on the West Side to Columbus Circle for an evening of live jazz at Dizzy’s Club. This venue serves up a seasonal menu of delights for the palate, libations to please, and overlooks Central Park giving patrons the expansive vista views from their 5th floor location.
In residence from Wednesday to Saturday is master musician Herlin Riley and I will be in the company of this talented drummer. Hailing from NOLA, (New Orleans, Louisiana for those who don’t know) not only is he a bandleader in his own right but also holds the position in the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. Joining him on stage are saxophonist Stacy Dillard, pianist Tyler Bullock and bassist Liany Mateo.
Dizzy’s Club is located at Fredrick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, New York, NY 10019. For more information visit https://beta.jazz.org/dizzys.
More Posts: adventure,club,drums,genius,jazz,music,piano,preserving,travel