JIM FERGUSON
Having had a long career in the Nashville music industry as both vocalist and bassist, in 1999 Jim returned to his roots and released his first jazz CD, Not Just Another Pretty Bass, a quartet with saxophonist Chris Potter, pianist Pat Coil, and drummer Jim White. That was followed by Deep Summer Music with the same lineup with the exception of pianist Stefan Karlsson, and Haunted Heart, a duo recording with the master guitarist Mundell Lowe.
Some of the many artists Jim has performed and/or recorded with include Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Marian McPartland, Jay McShann, Steve Allen, Bob Dorough, Clark Terry, Red Rodney, Nat Adderley, , Tim Hagans, Randy Brecker, Terell Stafford, Chris Potter, Bob Mintzer, Joel Frahm, Eric Alexander, Benny Golson, Benny Goodman, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Heath, Lew Tabackin, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, Bill Watrous, Urbie Green, John Pizzarelli, Jr., Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Raney, Lorne Lofsky, Lenny Breau, Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, Martin Taylor, Ed Soph, Harold Jones,Bernard Purdie, Louie Bellson, Duffy Jackson, Jackie and Roy, Al Jarreau, and Joe Williams.
For nearly 30 years, Joel Frahm has lived in New York City, working in jazz clubs, collaborating with other musicians, and honing his craft. His bold, inventive tenor sound has won fans in the U.S. and across the world. He has worked alongside Betty Carter, Kenny Barron, Freddy Cole, Dianne Schuur, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, Bill Charlap, Brad Mehldau, Matt Wilson, Cyrille Aimee, and many other top artists. He has played as a leader or sideman on more than 100 recordings and has appeared at jazz festivals in the United States, Europe, Israel, Canada and South America. In addition to his work as a performer, he has taught jazz classes in clinics at the University of North Carolina, the University of Connecticut, New York University, Wichita State University, the University of North Texas, Baylor University, Colorado State University, Furman University, the University of Toronto, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Manitoba and others. He also has worked at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation program; the Sant Andreu Youth Jazz Orchestra in Barcelona, Spain; the Dave Brubeck Institute in Stockton, California; the Center for Jazz Studies at the Israel Conservatory in Tel Aviv; the Czech Jazz Workshop in Prague; and the Siena Jazz Workshop in Italy.
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JACK MACKLIN TRIO
For a thoughtful artist like Macklin, who will research and connect with a project before debuting the final product, this is a liberating experience to connect with a band on a deep level. There is a sense of spontaneity, and discovery whenever this group sets foot on the bandstand.
During his time in Chicago, Macklin has been heralded by WGN Chicago, Chicago Reader magazine, and Chicago Jazz Magazine for his continuous work to push the music forward, and manifest a community around the Trio. Macklin is thrilled to share his developments with his trio, and expand upon his goal of creating a band that goes beyond genres to connect with the audience on a personal level, to have a compelling experience that leaves the listener wanting more.
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THE BLUE NOTE QUINTET
Blue Note Records is celebrating its 85th Anniversary with a tour starring The Blue Note Quintet – a group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. Gerald Clayton leads the band as Musical Director and pianist. Rounding out the group are vibraphonist Joel Ross, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer.
Six-time Grammy-nominated pianist, composer and bandleader Gerald Clayton earned recent recognition for 2023’s Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard. Collaborating with such distinctive artists as Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard, John Scofield, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gretchen Parlato and the legendary Charles Lloyd, Clayton currently serves as Director of Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.
Joel Ross continues refining an expression true to his sound and his generation. In 2019, the vibraphonist-composer issued his anticipated debut, Edison Award-winning KingMaker to eruptive critical acclaim. His 2020 release Who Are You? features his band Good Vibes at their most synchronous. New York Times praised the album for the ways it “speaks to a new level of group cohesion… more tangle, more sharing, more possibility.”
The music of saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins is filled with empathy and conviction. Listeners were introduced to this riveting sound with his acclaimed debut album Omega, named the #1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times. His second album, The 7th Hand, explores relationships between presence and nothingness across an hour-long suite.
Kendrick Scott was born in Houston. By age 8 he had taken up the drums and he later attended Houston’s renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While still attending HSPVA, Scott won several student awards. He was later awarded a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music. Scott has toured with Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, The Crusaders, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kurt Elling, and Terence Blanchard.
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JOSHUA REDMAN GROUP
Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists to have emerged in the decade of the 1990s. Born in Berkeley, California, he is the son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff. He was exposed at an early age to a variety of music (jazz, classical, rock, soul, Indian, Indonesian, Middle-Eastern, African) and instruments (recorder, piano, guitar, gatham, gamelan), and began playing clarinet at age nine before switching to what became his primary instrument, the tenor saxophone, one year later.
The early influences of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley and his father, Dewey Redman, as well as The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince, The Police and Led Zeppelin drew Joshua more deeply into music. But although Joshua loved playing the saxophone and was a dedicated member of the award-winning Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and Combo from 1983-86, academics were always his first priority, and he never seriously considered becoming a professional musician.
In 1991 Redman graduated from Harvard College summa cum laude, with a B.A. in Social Studies. He had already been accepted by Yale Law School, but deferred entrance for what he believed was only going to be one year. In November of that year, five months after moving to New York, Redman was named the winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition.
Over the past three decades, the saxophonist, composer, and bandleader has consistently demonstrated how to honor music’s verities while expanding its reach in contemporary settings. On 2023’s where are we, Redman delivers one of his most challenging and compelling albums to date, in a program featuring typically brilliant supporting partners and (in a first for Redman) built around a dynamic vocalist.
Gabrielle Cavassa – voice
Joshua Redman – tenor saxophone
Paul Cornish – piano
Philip Norris – bass
Nazir Ebo – drums
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THE BAD PLUS
The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals—a democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades, they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.
Now in their 22nd year, The Bad Plus continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) – instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus have constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync.
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