OLATUJA
Acclaimed vocalist Alicia Olatuja and bassist Michael Olatuja come together for this groove-heavy mix of Afro-Beat, jazz, funk, and soul, as heard on their new self-titled album. “A singer with a strong, lustrous tone and an amiably regal presence onstage” (The New York Times), Alicia Olatuja has been held up by no less than Dianne Reeves as one of the finest singers on the scene today.
The St. Louis native first gained national attention as a featured soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at Barack Obama’s 2013 presidential inauguration ceremony.
But in the past few years she’s created a powerful buzz in jazz circles through her work with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist/arranger Billy Childs and the late legendary Hammond B-3 organist Dr. Lonnie Smith. Increasingly visible as a bandleader, Olatuja led three increasingly accomplished sessions including her most recent project celebrating women composers, Intuition: Songs From the Minds of Women.
Born in London and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Michael Olatuja is a first-call bassist on the New York scene who has lent his inventive musicianship to Stevie Wonder, Terence Blanchard, José James, Kurt Elling, and Shakira. His newest solo release, Lagos Pepper Soup, features guests Angelique Kidjo, Brandee Younger, Joe Lovano, and Dianne Reeves, among others.
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MARQUIS HILL
Winner of the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition, Chicago-born trumpeter Marquis Hill has, in a comparatively short time, established his well-deserved reputation as a leading figure among today’s crop of most adventurous jazz musicians. He returns with compositions from his new album and band project, Composers Collective, featuring an all-star ensemble that includes keyboardist Mike King, bassist Junius Paul, vibraphonist Joel Ross, and drummer Makaya McCraven.
A singular artist with a warm, soul-drenched sound and an advanced command of composition, Hill accepted the prestigious Monk honor as an acknowledgment of a major career already in progress rather than the first spark from a neophyte, with four albums as a leader already under his belt, and a distinctive ensemble approach firmly established.
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MARC RIBOT 70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
with special guests James Brandon Lewis & Mary Halvorson & more…
Guitarist extraordinaire Marc Ribot follows his muse wherever it leads, resulting in a career path that has ranged across free jazz and no wave, rock and Cuban rumba. In some circles he’s best known as a key collaborator with singular artists such as Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, John Zorn, Diana Krall, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, contributing to their 2007 hit album Raising Sand.
The last time the mind-bogglingly eclectic checked into the SFJAZZ Center he played eight solo shows in the JHL, alternating between freely improvised sets, extended medleys of Haitian-American composer Frantz Casseus, Cuban maestro Arsenio Rodríguez and John Coltrane, and his gorgeous score for the 1924 Soviet silent film Aelita: Queen of Mars.
Celebrating his 70th birthday, Ribot joins forces with two of the most celebrated and searching jazz artists on the contemporary scene, guitarist Mary Halvorson and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, along with bassist Hilliard Greene and longtime collaborator Chad Tayloron drums.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is flying out of Detroit and heading to where the home of country music is located, Tennessee. However, most don’t know that the very same city is vibrant with jazz. To that end, the venue to be visited this week is Rudy’s Jazz Room. The club, intimate and eclectic, is a listening room built with great attention to acoustics, combined with a beautiful Steinway Model B grand piano.
On tap for the entertainment is Cliff Richmond and the CliffNotes will be performing his unique blend of soulful, swinging & funky jazz. He incorporates a wide range of styles from mainstream jazz, to rhythm & blues, Latin to reggae. Founded by the guitarist & vocalist, the CliffNotes always features some of Nashville’s most accomplished and versatile musicians and vocalists.
Rudy’s Jazz Room is located at 809 Gleaves Street, Nashville, 37203. For more information visit https://www.rudysjazzroom.com.
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