The Jazz Voyager

Arrived yesterday in Washington, DC. from Tokyo, Japan in time for the DC JazzFest being held at various locations around town. It’s no longer the city I remember and with you know who on Pennsylvania Avenue, I’m grateful there’s plenty of jazz to wander in and out, though it is sometimes the bane of my existence as so much music coincides that I can’t see it all. Ugh. Be that as it may, this afternoon I’m heading to the Downtown DC Anthem Row to see four groups I have never experienced.

What I do like best about jazz festivals is that they introduce new talent to new audiences. This jazz voyager is looking forward to discovering musicians and vocalists throughout the weekend. Thursday afternoon at Anthem Row begins at 4:30 with Benjie Porecki followed by Be’La Dona at 6:00, Langston Hughes II comes on stage at 7:15 and closing out the night at 8:30pm is Brass-A-Holics.

The venue is located at 800 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. For more information contact the venue at https://www.dcjazzfest.org/artists.

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The Jazz Voyager

Hitting the jetway to board yet another plane, this Jazz Voyager is going to be on a fourteen hour flight to Tokyo, Japan. The destination is Blue Note Tokyo and again will stay in the same hotel with the same walk to the club. More exploration of this wonderful city until it is the appointed hour to become part of the audience.

The night promises to be electric as three-time Grammy-winning and six time nominated vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant who takes the Billboard Critics Poll often will take the mic. The French-American singer has released seven albums and brings her unique style and a band featuring pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kyle Poole for a three day residency from Wednesday to Friday.

With a cover of  ¥ 8,800 | $59.24, the evening is eagerly anticipated. The Blue Note Tokyo is located at 6 Chome-3-16 Minamiaoyama Minato City 107-0062. For more information contact the venue at https://www.bluenote.co.jp/jp.

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ROY AYERS TRIBUTE

Atlanta is  celebrating the legendary Roy Ayers. A pioneer of jazz-funk, vibraphonist, composer, and producer whose sound became the heartbeat of Black culture from the 1970s through today. Often dubbed the “Godfather of Neo-Soul,” Ayers’ genre-bending artistry shaped the sonic foundation for countless artists, from Erykah Badu and The Roots to A Tribe Called Quest and Common.

Long before the dancefloors of Harlem to the airwaves of London and the sample-heavy beats of 90s hip hop, Roy Ayers’ Ayers started recording as a bebop sideman in 1962. In 1963, he released his debut studio album West Coast Vibes featuring a collaboration with the saxophonist Curtis Amy. He rose to prominence when he dropped out of Los Angeles City College and joined jazz flautist Herbie Mann in 1966. His music has transcended generations, inspiring a movement rooted in rhythm, liberation, and Black excellence.

Hosted by WCLK’s Morris Baxter, the evening will be opened by Heda Rose, followed by Mark Adams and a host of Atlanta musicians and vocalists.

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TONY HIGHTOWER

Singer/Songwriter Tony Hightower is taking up the mantle to be a bridge that ushers R&B audiences into Jazz…Real Jazz. With years of experience as a musical performer and actor with familiar roots that place him firmly within the music’s firmament, the Atlanta native  is still just getting started on this benevolent turn in his journey. And he is bringing a lot of young people with him.

Beyond his contributions as a vocalist to the successful projects of Gerald Levert, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the soundtrack for “Money Train,” Goodie Mob’s certified gold album “Soul Food,” Society of Soul’s album “Brainchild,” Pebbles’ album “Straight From My Heart,” Lionel Richie’s album “Louder Than Words,” and Outkast, he has preoduced and recorded his own albums and has performed around the East Coast and in Europe.

Cover: $40.00

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The Jazz Voyager

Thanks to the fates who had me buy a roundtrip ticket to New York’s JFK to head back into the city for a night at Birdland. The Jazz Voyager will be heading down to the Broadway District for the second set of the Oscar Peterson Centennial Celebration. However, it’s Harlem during the day to hit a couple of favorite spots, wander through the art galleries and see the evolution of the city. 

This evening, Grammy-winning bassist John Clayton is joined by pianist Makoto Ozone and drummer Jeff Hamilton in celebration of their friend, colleague and mentor, Oscar Peterson. This is their first ever musical meeting at Birdland and will be performing his catalogue as well as their own compositions and beloved standards.

The cover charge ranges from $45.76 to $56.06 and this night promises to be something special. 

Birdland is located at 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. For more information contact the venue at https://www.birdlandjazz.com.

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