The Jazz Voyager
It’s a four hour drive through Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey on I95 north to get to the Big Apple. Crossing the Verrazanno Bridge into Brooklyn and up the BQE to the Williamsburg Bridge into Lower Manhattan. This Jazz Voyager will arrive in Greenwich Village where I’ll spend a few hours before showtime at the Village Vanguard, one of my favorite hangouts for jazz.
My Christmas present taking the stage this week is a phenomenal pianist called Kenny Barron. I’ve seen here several times throughout his career and he always has great sidemen and sidewomen with him. He’s bringing saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, Yoshi Kitagawa on double bass, with drummer Johnathan Blake. Unfortunately for you jazz voyagers who haven’t got your tickets or reservations, this engagement is sold out.
The Village Vanguard is located at 178 7th Avenue S, New York City 10014. For more information visit villagevanguard.com.
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KENNY BARRON QUINTET
The pianist Kenny Barron has a brisk but unostentatious technique and a deceptively casual way with a phrase. He conveys a number of things clearly in his playing; what comes across over all is the quiet hum of effortless erudition. Within his playing you can hear a digest of mainstream jazz piano traditions, with bebop as the root. You can also hear the measured tension of an expert nudging himself toward a challenge.
The Band:
Kenny Barron ~ Piano
Immanuel Wilkins ~ Saxophone
Steve Nelson ~ Vibraphone
Yoshi Kitagawa ~ Double Bass
Johnathan Blake ~ Drums
Cover: Sold Out
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The Jazz Voyager
Leaving Miami for the cold climes of our nation’s capital and heading to my old stomping grounds that have been gentrified and transformed into a multicultural hangout. The laction is U Street, the venue is JoJo Restaurant & Bar. This is where the Jazz Voyager will be spending an evening dining on calamari and grilled vegetables while taking in some great jazz.
On tap for this week’s adventure in jazz is the Tedd Baker Trio who is bringing his trio to the stage. The Boston native has been playing professionally since he was a teenager around the city before venturing out. He has worked with a host of musicians such as Barry Harris, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Slide Hampton, Eddie Daniels, George Duke, Victor Lewis, Orrin Evans, Jason Moran, Wycliffe Gordon, and Kurt Elling.
JoJo Restaurant & Bar is located at 1518 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. For more information visit https://www.jojodc.com.
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JOHN PIZZARELLI
World-renowned guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli has dedicated many of his albums to the great songwriters and performers who have helped to establish the Great American Songbook and the pop music canon: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Richard Rodgers, and Duke Ellington, to name a few. With his new album, Pizzarelli and his remarkable new trio cast a wider net to explore other sources for the most immortal songs of the past century: the Broadway stage and the silver screen.
Cover: $48.05
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GABRIELLE CAVASSA
Gabrielle Cavassa is an American vocalist-composer of Italian descent who is garnering attention for her distinctive voice and intimate expression. She was crowned a winner of the International Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition in 2021 after the independent release of her critically acclaimed debut album. Gabrielle is featured on celebrated saxophonist Joshua Redman’s inaugural album with Blue Note Records, Where Are We.
Cover: $41.30
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