CYRUS CHESTNUT WITH EKEP NKWELLE

A masterful jazz pianist and Baltimore native, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. The future is bright with great possibilities for Cyrus.

Ekep Nkwelle is a 24-year-old, Cameroonian-American, jazz vocalist from Washington, DC, living in New York City. A part of the promising future of jazz, Ekep Nkwelle is one of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s latest rising stars, and with her artistry, she strives to display her passion for music all around the world. She has worked with jazz masters such as Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, Wynton Marsalis, and Peter Washington, as well as young, well-respected musicians such as Emmet Cohen and Endea Owens.

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The Jazz Voyager

Since I’ve been hanging out in the Big Apple for two weeks, I thought I’d head upstate to Tarrytown for a change of seasons and take in the fall colors that are always so beautiful. This week I’ll be at the Lyndhurst Mansion overlooking the Hudson River on the land that was originally hunting grounds of the indigenous Lenape/Munsee tribe that were the first inhabitants of the Hudson Valley. I’m traveling to this location to partake in the Summer Concert Series promoted by the Jazz Forum Arts.

The concert series is free but there is a ten dollar fee to enter the estate. Little expense to view the grounds and be entertained by swing/bop vocalist Nancy Kelly who is headlining this evening. I love being introduced to new places and performers I’ve never heard before. This should prove to be an amazing time.

Lyndhurst is located at 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591. For more information visit https://www.jazzforumarts.org.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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JOE LOVANO & DAVE DOUGLAS QUINTET

Both in sound and improvisational approaches, the two offer fascinating contrasting and complementary sensibilities. Lovano’s cobalt-blue tone on tenor saxophone paired with Douglas’ crimson-tinged trumpet flares create startling timbres when they play in unison or intertwine improvisational lines. — DownBeat

The Band: Joe Lovano – Saxophone | Dave Douglas – Trumpet | Lawrence Fields – Piano | Yasushi Nakamura – Bass | Rudy Royston – Drums

Seating is assigned on a first-come first-served basis.

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MERLON DEVINE

Love and inspiration can come from many places, but Merlon Devine’s love and inspiration to play music came from right inside his childhood home. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas with a singing mother and a guitar playing father, Merlon and his nine siblings lived in a home filled with gospel music. Although Merlon did not have the gift to sing as many of his siblings did, he eventually found his voice on the saxophone.

Merlon’s signature sound and gospel tinged expression on the horn has set him apart and propelled him onto various stages to share his musical gift with the world. His music charges the atmosphere, leaving his listeners refreshed and well.

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INGRID JENSEN

Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. As a sought-out teacher, collaborator, and soloist, it is easy to see why the New York Times calls her “as versatile as she is vigorous.”

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