EMMET COHEN TRIO
Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation’s pivotal artistic figures. Downbeat praised the “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary” he employs to communicate with other musicians and audiences at “the deepest level of humanity and individuality.” Cohen plays with the command and passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium.
He presents jazz performance lectures through the YoungArts Foundation and Lincoln Center’s “Jazz for Young People” program. Cohen has appeared at the Monterey, Newport, North Sea, Bern, and Edinburgh jazz festivals, among others, and at many famous music venues, including Rose Hall and the Kennedy Center.
He has also played in legendary international nightspots, such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazzhaus Montmartre, Ronnie Scott’s and is the Hammond B-3 organist-in-residence at Harlem’s Smoke jazz club. Cohen holds jazz piano degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (M.M.) and the University of Miami (B.M.). In 2019 he won the American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter Fellowship and in 2011 the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. He has performed or collaborated with Debbie Allen, Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Lea DeLaria, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Jimmy Heath, Ali Jackson, Bill T. Jones, Brian Lynch, Christian McBride, and Herlin Riley. Learn more about Emmet at www.emmetcohen.com
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CHUCHITO VALDÉS
Chuchito Valdés, following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdés and grandfather Bebo Valdés, continues the legacy of great piano players from Cuba. With influences of Caribbean rhythms and jazz, Chuchito creates an exciting and energetic blend of spicy music that drives audiences wild. This piano master captivates with his sensitivity and drives excitement with his dynamic band.
He is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Son, Danzon, Cuban Timba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music including harmony and composition. His original compositions and arrangements draw on classical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’s music draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more.
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SHARÓN CLARK QUINTET
Sharón Clark’s debuts at the all-new Carlyle Room in downtown Washington DC! Ms. Clark returns from a two-month European tour and is joined by her long-time collaborators: Paul Carr (sax), Chris Grasso (piano), Zack Pride (bass) and Lenny Robinson (drums).
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DJAVAN
After a 13-year hiatus, one of the greatest icons of Brazilian music announces his return to the US for a major tour. Four-time Latin GRAMMY winner Djavan will present a brand-new show with his full band, featuring songs from his twenty-fifth studio album “D”, as well as major hits from his 45-year career. Aside from new hit songs like “Iluminado” and “Num Mundo de Paz”, the set list will also include major classics from Djavan’s legendary career, such as “Se”, “Flor de Lis”, ““Eu te Devoro”, “Samurai” and many others.
Djavan was born in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil to a white father of Dutch descent and a black mother. He later formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD – “Light, Sound, Dimension”), playing Beatles’ material. In 1973, Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing soap opera soundtracks. His first album, A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan, was recorded in 1976 and included the hit song “Flor de Lis”. Stevie Wonder was a guest on the album Luz.
In 1999, his album Ao Vivo sold 1.2 million copies. In 2016, he was nominated for the 2016 Latin Grammy Awards in the Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Portuguese Language Song and Best Singer-Songwriter Album categories. Djavan’s compositions have been recorded by numerous musicians, including Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae and The Manhattan Transfer. His album Vesúvio was ranked as the 35th best Brazilian album of 2018 by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone magazine.
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The Jazz Voyager
I’m off to Alpharetta, Georgia to see one of my favorite bassists at The Velvet Note located at 4075 Old Milton Parkway. I enjoy this venue for its coziness and superb sound system. No matter where you sit you are perfectly positioned to hear clearly. There’s no columns to obstruct the view and they even have a sofa if you want to feel like you’re in your living room.
This week it’s the Curtis Lundy Trio with pianist Cyrus Chestnut and drummer Victor Jones. These three in-demand musicians will bring the heat as they do individually when leading their trios or quartets. This promises to be a heavyweight treat. Two nights, two sets each evening at 7:30 and 9:30 pm
As always, coming in a day early to the ATL will give me time to hang out and break bread with friends and relatives. For more information, the number is 855-583-5838 or thevelvetnote.com.
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