WAYNE ESCOFFERY

The saxophone is presenting his new West Coast Album Release of Alone.

Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Wayne Escoffery is an electrifying force in the jazz world. A two-time Downbeat Critics Poll Winner (2014 & 2021) for both tenor and soprano saxophones, he is a powerhouse talent and one of the most sought-after sidemen in the game.

Leading his own cutting-edge ensembles, Escoffery commands the global stage with jaw-dropping performances that push the boundaries of jazz. His current quartet featuring virtuoso pianist David Kikoski, dynamic bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and the explosive Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums, has been making waves, taking over after the legendary Ralph Peterson Jr.

The group’s 2020 release, The Humble Warrior  on Smoke Sessions Records, has been setting the scene on fire with rave reviews and a glowing four-star rating in Downbeat Magazine’s June 2020 issue. This is a band that’s redefining the sound of modern jazz.

Band lineup: Wayne Escoffery, tenor saxophone | Orrin Evans, piano | Ugonna Okegwo, bass | Carl Allen, drums

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KASAN BELGRAVE

Multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave is well-rounded within the Detroit music community. His musical heritage of passing down the knowledge and exposure of Detroit music to the youth; like his father, late trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Kasan has worked with many greats in his young career such as the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis & Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Dee Bridgewater, Karriem Riggins, Theo Crocker, Etienne Charles, and many others. In his scholar years at University of Michigan he studied under Robert Hurst, pianist Benny Green, and Andrew Bishop, then continued his studies at MSU under the direction of Diego Rivera and Rodney Whitaker.

Deeply rooted in the tradition of Black American Music, Kasan is also congruently involved in parallel domains of the strong techno scene in Detroit; he appeared on the track “On My Own” with Jon Dixon & Moodyman; he has also performed with Scott Grooves, Carl Craig, Shigeto, and Kyle Hall.

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KIMMIE HORNE

Kimmie Horne is an international jazz vocalist, model, and actress and a native Detroiter, descendant of the legendary songstress and actor Lena Horne, and niece of the late great singer/songwriter Cleveland Horne of the Fantastic Four. She has left her mark in areas around the world, including, Detroit, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, LA, San Francisco, Jamaica, Ontario, Toronto, Puerto Rico, London, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more.

In addition to live performances, she touts her cds High Standards, Loving This Jazz, and Live in Las Vegas. Her 2018 release of her new video, As Long as I Live, viewed by thousands, has received critical praise. Her songs, I Hope You Dance, and special arrangement of, I Will Survive, demonstrate her blend of talent and sophistication.

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BRIAN BLADE & THE FELLOWSHIP BAND

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Brian Blade established himself as a versatile, accomplished drummer early in his career, appearing on albums by Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, and Bob Dylan. Blade released his first album, Brian Blade Fellowship, at the age of 27 in 1998 and followed two years later with Perceptual, both on Blue Note Records.

The Fellowship Band has been called “one of the most distinctive and long-running bands in Jazz in the 21st century.” Originating from the meeting of Blade and Jon Cowherd in 1988, while they were studying at Loyola University in New Orleans, the group has released seven albums from 1998 – 2023. Ten years after releasing the Brian Blade Fellowship, Blade returned with Season of Changes in 2008. A year later he released the solo Americana, singer/songwriter effort, Mama Rosa with songs dedicated to his grandmother and family.

From the beginning, The Fellowship Band created a sound of its own genre, encompassing jazz, gospel and folk music that continues to uplift and inspire listeners worldwide. NPR called The Fellowship Band “an all-star lineup that functions more like a harmonious congregation, ebbing and flowing as one … jazz-inflected, gospel-rooted music suffused with a glowing consonance.”

Always an in-demand sideman, composer, and collaborator, Blade continued to  work with a varied bevy of artists, including Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Norah Jones.

The Band:

Jon Cowherd – piano
Myron Walden – alto saxophone and bass clarinet
Melvin Butler – soprano and tenor saxophone
Kurt Rosenwinkel – guitar
Roland Guerin – bass
Brian Blade – drums

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IDIT SHNER

An active performer of both jazz and classical music, Idit Shner has played in various distinguished venues in the United States and abroad, such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Lincoln Center in New York.
Her latest project, Mhondoro, blends Zimbabwean folk music and American jazz. Mhondoro released their first album, Heatwave, in 2022 and are about to release their second album soon. Additional jazz releases include Live at The Jazz Station, 9 Short Stories (which garnered a 4-start review in Downbeat magazine) and Tuesday’s Blues. Jazz festival performances include the Diet Coke Woman in Jazz Festival (NY), Bellayre Festival (NY), and New-Trier Jazz Festival.
As a classical saxophonist Idit has commissioned and recorded new music and performed solo recitals in the US and Israel. Idit holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University, a Masters degree in Music Education from University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of North Texas.
Idit now teaches at the University of Oregon, as professor of saxophone and jazz studies. She was awarded three prestigious teaching awards: The 2015 Thomas F. Herman Award for Excellence in Pedagogy in areas of saxophone technique and chamber music coaching; the 2016 University of Oregon Faculty Excellence Award; and a Philip H. Knight Endowed Chair in 2019.
The Band:
Idit Shner ~ saxophone
TBD ~ piano
Garrett Baxter ~ bass
Dae Bryant ~ drums

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