TORD GUSTAVSEN
Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen and his exploratory trio present new music from his forthcoming ECM release. Combining improvisation and lush, at times eerie harmonies with electronic programming and plenty of soundscaping, Gustavsen and fellow artists Steiner Raknes and Jarle Vespestad invite listeners into a sonic world that draws inspiration from a range of styles, including church and folk music. Expect an invigorating evening of original music and energizing dialogue emanating from the bandstand.
Tord Gustavsen, piano and electronics
Steinar Raknes, double bass and electronics
Jarle Vespestad, drums
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LENORA ZENZALAI HELM & TRIBE JAZZ ORCHESTRA NONET
Throughout her 40+-year span of musical achievements as a jazz vocal musician specializing in classic, traditional standard jazz, Dr. Lenora Zenzalai Helm Hammonds has toured, recorded, and performed with her various groups worldwide.
She is a lyricist, guest artist, background singer, composer, and educator at North Carolina Central University where she is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Music and Jazz Studies Program. Lenora was a former United States Jazz Ambassador under the State Department and Kennedy Center.
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ORRIN EVANS
During his kaleidoscopic quarter-century as a professional jazz musician, pianist Orrin Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who pushes the envelope in all directions. Never supported by a major label, Evans has ascended to top-of-the-pyramid stature on his instrument, as affirmed by his #1-ranking as “Rising Star Pianist” in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll. Grammy nominations for the Smoke Sessions albums The Intangible Between and Presence, by Evans’ raucous, risk-friendly Captain Black Big Band, stamp his bona fides as a bandleader and composer.
In addition to CBBB, Evans’ multifarious leader and collaborative projects include the Eubanks Evans Experience (a duo with eminent guitarist Kevin Eubanks); the Brazilian unit Terreno Comum; Evans’ working trio with bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr.; and Tar Baby (a collective trio of 20 years standing with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits). One of Tar Baby’s two 2022 releases will be released on Evans’ imprint, Imani Records, which he founded in 2001 and relaunched in 2018.
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The Jazz Voyager
Heading to the place known as the Gate City of the South, A~Town or The A for another adventure in jazz. It’s a place where Blacks have historically come to enroll in higher education at Morris Brown College, Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse and Spelman colleges. It’s where Sweet Auburn was the center of Black business and prosperity. The city is Atlanta, the capital of Georgia.
This time it’s a venue called The Commons. The thirty-seven hundred square foot event space is located downtown and has all the amenities to transform this space into a concert hall from green room and rehearsal spaces, full sound and lighting systems to seating and risers. An excellent acoustic venue to establish the atmosphere every concert requires.
On stage will be one of the most promising male jazz singers around. Vocalist, lyricist, and composer Sweet Lu Olutosin embraces a philosophy unflinchingly on his journey to becoming a top 20 international Jazz recording artist. Comprising his quintet with him is pianist Louis Heriveaux, bassist Ramon Pooser, drummer Charles Marvray, and saxophonist Derrick James.
The venue’s address is 125 Ellis Street NE, 30303. For those who are requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/sweet-lu-olutosin.
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The Jazz Voyager
Flying West to visit once again that city by the bay and upon landing heading to go down Lombard Street, then hop on a cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf, and take a walk through Golden Gate Park. The ultimate destination for this Jazz Voyager is the 700 seat SFJazz Center’s Miner Auditorium to be in the audience to catch another amazing concert. Rain gear will be required as the weather will be warmer than Michigan but inclement off and on during my stay.
This go round I will be witnessing the vocal talents of the venerated Grammy winning vocalist Dianne Reeves. Whether putting a personal stamp on lilting Brazilian standards, exploring contemporary fare by Ani DiFranco and Stevie Nicks, interpreting American Songbook classics by the Gershwin, Porter, and Berlin, or breathing fresh life into holiday chestnuts. This lady always gets to the heart of a song. Had it not been more than two generations having passed since jazz stars took on aristocratic titles, Dianne Reeves would surely be known as The Queen.
The venue is located at 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, California 94102. For those who are requiring more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/dianne-reeves.
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