Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Cal Lampley was born on March 4, 1924 in Dunn, North Carolina as the second child of Hettie Marina and William Lorenzo Lampley. He graduated with a B.S. from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. His first known music contribution was as an organist of the Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church.
A move to New York City in 1946 had him continuing his education at the Juilliard School of Music. With an Artist Diploma in 1949 in piano he debuted his performance as a pianist at the Carnegie Hall concert in 1950.
He became a tape editor at Columbia Records. During Lampley’s nine-year stint with Columbia, he rose to the position of Recording Director of the Popular Albums Department. He was later hired by record producer George Avakian to work as an A&R and as a record producer for music labels such as Columbia, Warner Bros., RCA/Victor, and Prestige. He worked with artists including Miles Davis, Mahalia Jackson, Dave Brubeck, Art Blakey, Leonard Bernstein, Freddie McCoy and Louis Armstrong.
Lampley’s other collaborations were with classical, jazz and pop musicians such as Nina Simone, Robert Casadesus, Zino Francescatti, Guiomar Novaes, Johnny Mathis, Genevieve, Victor Borge, Carmel Quinn, Arthur Godfrey, Tab Hunter, Bill Haley, Lonnie Sattin, and Chico Hamilton.
His own version of the composition “Misty” by jazz musician Richard “Groove” Holmes was Prestige’s Records biggest single in its entire history, peaking at #44 on the Billboard charts in 1966. In tribute to his musical contribution to the city and the state, Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke officially promulgated the “Cal Lampley Day” on May 1, 1994 in Baltimore at a City Hall ceremony.
On July 6, 2006 composer and record producer Cal Lampley in Baltimore, Maryland from complications of multiple sclerosis.
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ALBA PUJALS
Since coming together in 2019, this talented quintet has been crafting original music that bridges the roots of jazz with fresh, contemporary ideas. Led by Alba Pujals on trombone and vocals, the group includes Jarien Jamanila on alto saxophone, Esteban Castro on piano, Jayla Chee on bass, and Sarah Gooch on drums. Their performance highlights a shared love for jazz tradition while exploring new sounds and heartfelt compositions, making for an evening of honest and inspired music.
Performers:
Alba Pujals, trombone, voice and compositions
Jarien Jamanila, alto saxophone
Esteban Castro, piano
Jayla Chee, bass
Sarah Gooch, drums
Tickets: $20.00 ~ $50.00
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Martin Oliver Grosz was born on February 28, 1930 in Berlin, Germany, the son of artist George Grosz. He became resident in the United States by the age of three growing up in New York he began playing ukulele at the age of eight. A few years later he heard a record that highlighted guitarist Bernard Addison’s shuffle-beat behind Roy Eldridge’s trumpet and out went the uke and in came the banjo and guitar. He attended Columbia University and in 1950, recorded his first record with a band that included a young pianist Dick Wellstood and veteran New Orleans bassist, Pops Foster.
Settling in Chicago, Illinois in the Fifties for nearly 20 years, Marty played with among others, Albert Ammons, Floyd O’Brien, Art Hodes, and Jim Lannigan. He recorded with Dave Remington, Albert Nicholas and Hodes in the 1950s. He led sessions of his own in 1957 and 1959 for Riverside and Audio Fidelity. He gave his best effort to coax Jabbo Smith out of retirement but was pretty obscure.
Returning to New York City in 1979 he joined Bob Wilber and Kenny Davern’s Soprano Summit as a vocalist and guitarist. A round of touring ensued along with recording with Dick Wellstood’s Friends of Fats, Yank Lawson and Bob Haggar, and the New York Jazz repertory Orchestra.
In the 1980s he was a member of the Classic Jazz Quartet with Dick Wellstood. He played, sang, and wrote most of the group’s arrangements. He has also performed at concerts with Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, and Charlie Byrd.
Guitarist, banjoist, vocalist, and composer Marty Grosz has recorded thirty-one albums as a leader and thirty-four as a sideman. At 95 he still plays occasionally.
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LAKECIA BENJAMIN
Lakecia Benjamin is a 5-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator whose music blends jazz, funk, R&B, and hip-hop. Known for her warm tone and dynamic performances, she has collaborated with artists such as Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Gregory Porter, and Terri Lyne Carrington.
Benjamin has released several acclaimed albums, including Pursuance: The Coltranes (2020) and Phoenix (2023), which earned three Grammy nominations. A New York City native, she studied at the New School under jazz legends like Gary Bartz and Reggie Workman, honing her craft while touring with luminaries across genres.
Tickets: $45.00~$50.00
Showtimes:
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CC + THE ADELITAS
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