The Jazz Voyager
No flights for the Jazz Voyager this week as I have been hanging in New York City for the past week because the next destination is just a couple of blocks from Carnegie Hall. I’ve been visiting the Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Natural History and City of New York museums. And the visit would not be complete without a trip to the Village and Harlem. But that will come this weekend.
For now, wandering around The Big Apple is momentarily paused as I am heading to Dizzy’s Club for an evening of music with The Diva Jazz Orchestra. A multigenerational outfit led by drummer, composer, and clinician Sherrie Maricle, it has garnered accolades from across the world. The 15-piece ensemble exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of historic big bands, with an eye towards originality.
The venue is located at 10 Columbus Circle, New York City 10019. For those who want more info go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/the-diva-jazz-orchestra.
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CYRILLE AIMÉE
Cyrille Aimée grew up in a multilingual household full of music where dancing was an everyday activity, soundtracked by the Afro-Caribbean sounds of her mother’s native Dominican Republic. The family home was in Samois-sur-Seine, the location of the Django Reinhardt Festival, and the teenage Cyrille would climb out of her bedroom window at night to mingle with the players, igniting a passion for jazz.
Moving to New York City, her talents quickly gained her a reputation among her peers as a matchless interpreter of song. She performed and recorded with Roy Hargrove and stole the show in front of the notoriously hard-to-please crowd at the Harlem Apollo. Steven Sondheim invited her to star in a tribute at New York’s City Centre, backed by Wynton Marsalis. Her 2019 album Move On featured versions of Sondheim’s songs which received praise from Sondheim himself, and her version of “Marry Me a Little“, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy Award.
At the height of her New York success, new horizons beckoned. Visiting New Orleans, she fell in love with the energy and diversity of the city and made it her home. Linking back to New York to connect up all the dots, she teamed up with producer/multi-instrumentalist Jake Sherman, and together they have created her latest album, A Fleur de Peau. to be released on a new label, the London-based imprint Whirlwind Recordings
Combining the depth and sophistication of jazz, the immediacy of pop, the irrepressible dance rhythms of the Caribbean, it’s more intimate and more accessible than anything Cyrille has done before.
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JOHN SHAPELY OCTET & TONI BYRD
John Shapely ~ Saxophone, Justin Golding ~ Alto Saxophone, Frank Briscoe ~ Trumpet, Timmy Markey ~ Trombone, Jordan Thorne ~ Baritone Saxophone, Dallas McCorkendale ~ Keys, Chris Enghauser ~ Bass, Lee Roberts ~ Drums, Toni Byrd ~ Vocals
Since its inception in South Florida in 1994, the John Shapley Octet has grown in popularity among mainstream jazz listeners. The band plays swinging classic jazz arrangements and compositions by Shapley, Bill Dobbins, Rob Lussier, Marty Paich, Bill Holman, Quincy Jones, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Pell, Oliver Nelson, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Yellowjackets and others. With it’s beautiful solos and horn section passages, the band has been featured in South Florida at the 1995 Hollywood Jazz Festival, 1996 Riverwalk Sunday Jazz Brunch series, the 2001 Greater Florida Jazz and Swing Club and maintains an active performing schedule in jazz clubs and concert venues in Atlanta, Georgia and throughout the southeast. It is well known for the production of the show The Essence of Ellington featuring classic transcriptions of genius jazz composer Duke Ellington. In 2003 the John Shapley Octet released two CD’s entitled John Shapley Octet:Essence of Ellington and John Shapley: Jazz Ensembles which attracted attention and has been sold to listeners all over the United States, Canada, Europe and South America. In 2006 the band relocated it’s home base to Atlanta, Georgia where it continues an active performing and touring schedule. The John Shapley Octet is currently available for bookings in public and private concert venues.
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The Jazz Voyager
Fortunately for this Jazz Voyager the next stop on the global road trip is an hour and a half up the interstate to the Big Apple. The destination is Carnegie Hall where I’ll be sitting in the Weill Recital Hall. So many times have I strolled past this iconic venue on 57th Street to partake in lunch or dinner at the Russian Tea Room with friends. I have also on many occasions been in the audience for many concerts and tonight will be no exception to the fabulous performances offered.
Tonight this Jazz Voyager will be in attendance for the award-winning composer and pianist Lisa Hilton. She brings with her trumpeter Igmar Thomas, bassist Luques Curtis, and drummer Rudy Royston to round out her quartet. The music is slated to be uplifting and new from the group’s latest release, Coincidental Moment.
The hall is located at 881 7th Avenue, New York City 10019. For those who want more info go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/lisa-hilton.
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The Jazz Voyager
Heading to the City of Brotherly Love for the next stop on the voyage of this traveller. The place I will be seated in for this week’s jazz performance is nestled in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia and is called the South Jazz Kitchen. It’s known for the coolest jazz and Southern cuisine in the city.
Vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu and bassist Richie Goods collaborate on this stage for three nights with two shows per evening. When you put together an emerging contemporary percussionist and composer with the youngest bassist ever inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame and you get an exciting show and one you will never forget.
The venue’s address is 600 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130. For those who want more info go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/chien-chien-lu-x-richie-goods.
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