RUSSELL MALONE
Russell Malone is one of the signature guitar players of his generation. The several recordings since 1992, Malone is as well-known on the international circuit for helming a world-class quartet and trio as he is for his long-standing participation in Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio, and his recent consequential contribution to the musical production of the likes of Sonny Rollins and Dianne Reeves, who recruited Malone for his singular tone, refined listening skills, limitless chops, and efflorescent imagination.
In all these circumstances, Malone addresses the tradition on its own terms, refracting the vocabularies and syntax of such heroes as Charlie Christian, Chet Atkins, George Van Eps, Johnny Smith, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino, and George Benson into an argot entirely his own. A master of all tempos, a relentless swinger, he spins his stories —in idioms ranging from the urban and down-home blues, country, gospel, various corners of the American Songbook, and hardcore jazz—with a soulful, instantly recognizable instrumental voice, and seasons them with sophisticated harmonies that are never “too hip for the room.”
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The Jazz Voyager
The Midwest is the next destination for this Jazz Voyager to the city on the Mississippi River with the famous Gateway Arch. But before that monument was built, St. Louis, Missouri was known as a hub for jazz with many musicians being born or migrating from other regions of the country. The venue I’ll be visiting began as a small intimate location Jazz At The Bistro. In 2006 the name was changed to Jazz St. Louis and by 2014 was renovated as is the Harold & Dorothy Steward Center For Jazz.
Performing at this center this week is a friend of mine who I always enjoy seeing, especially in performance. She is internationally renowned vocalist Rene Marie. Over two decades of performing and recording eleven albums, she has cemented her reputation as a composer, arranger, theatrical performer and teacher. Her life lessons are an integral component of her compositions as she borrows various elements of folk, R&B, classical, and country to create a captivating hybrid style. Her body of work is musical and is an affirmation of the power of the human spirit.
The venue is located at 3536 Washington Avenue, 63103 and for more information you can visit https://notoriousjazz.com/event/rene-marie-3
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COWBOY BEBOP LIVE
Cowboy Bebop LIVE is a complete multimedia experience highlighting the story of critically acclaimed anime, COWBOY BEBOP, on the big screen accompanied by live music from the soundtrack performed by the Bebop Bounty Big Band.
This 14-piece jazz ensemble features world-class musicians with members from the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center, and the Walt Disney Company. This show is a completely one-of-a-kind production specifically designed to deliver an experience anime fans have never had before. Travel the solar system with anime’s most iconic soundtrack at Cowboy Bebop LIVE!
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LAUFEY
Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy) is a 24-year-old, Los Angeles-based singer, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist whose jazz songs are about young love and self-discovery. Raised between Reykjavík and Washington, D.C. with annual visits to Beijing, the Icelandic-Chinese artist grew up playing cello as well as piano and became hooked on the jazz standards of Ella Fitzgerald after digging through her father’s record collection.
In 2020, while still a student at Berklee College of Music, Laufey released her debut single “Street by Street,” which went on to top the Icelandic radio charts. Following the release of her 2021 Typical of Me EP, Laufey was named Best New Artist in Jazz and Blues at the Icelandic Music Awards and hosted her own show on BBC Radio 3/BBC Sounds. Her debut full-length Everything I Know About Love, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Album chart, and the lead single “Valentine” peaked at #1 on the Spotify Jazz Chart. In 2022 Laufey was the most streamed jazz artist on Spotify, with 425 million streams across all platforms.
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WYCLIFFE GORDON
American jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator Wycliffe Gordon will light up the bistro stage this November and December!
Wycliffe took an interest in jazz in 1980 when he was thirteen, while listening to jazz records inherited from his great-aunt. The collection included a five-LP anthology produced by Sony-Columbia. In particular, he was drawn to musicians like Louis Armstrong and the Hot Fives and Hot Sevens. His early works as a professional were with Wynton Marsalis and he later conducted the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in the premiere of his new, original score for the 1925 silent film Body and Soul, directed by Oscar Micheaux.
Known affectionately as “Pinecone,” the Georgia-born trombonist also sings and plays didgeridoo, trumpet, soprano trombone, tuba, and piano. In 1995, Gordon arranged and orchestrated the theme song for NPR’s All Things Considered. Make sure to catch these spirited performances that are sure to be bad to the bone!
Prepaid Parking; $15.00
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