JOE GRANSDEN

At 50 Years old, Joe Gransden has already performed worldwide and released 17 CDs under his own name. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra. Joe is from just north of Manhattan, New York. Coming from a family full of musicians, Joe’s introduction to music came early on through his father, a gifted singer and pianist.  His grandfather was a trumpeter of merit, playing professionally his whole life throughout New York. On his mother’s side of the family was the piano virtuoso Carmen Cavallero.

A widening schedule has found Joe performing the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month at Café 290 in Atlanta w/his 16 Piece Big Band , The Blue Note in New York City, The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head SC, The Ritz-Carlton at Reynolds Plantation W/Michael Fienstein, The Museum of Art and Design in midtown Manhattan, Spivey Hall in Atlanta, Ga and Tehema Golf Club in Carmel, California (where Joe plays occasional events for Clint Eastwood). Joe also released his cd “Close To My Heart” produced by Saxophone great Kenny G. The cd is a collection of smooth jazz covers and originals written by Joe and Kenny. His project entitled “Songs of Sinatra & Friends” features Joe w/his 16 piece Big Band & Strings Celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra!  The CD and has been getting great reviews and lots of airplay around the country.

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ANDROMEDA TURRE

Andromeda Turre is a consummate performer and composer who has honed her craft over a lifetime immersed in music. Born into a family of jazz musicians, she was fortunate to glean from the greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Wynton Marsalis as well as her parents Steve Turre and Akua Dixon.

Formally trained at The Boston Conservatory, where she studied theater, and at Berklee College of Music, where she focused on vocal performance, her talents have taken her around the world, from touring with Ray Charles, to reigning as the “Queen of the Blues,” at Tokyo Disney and headlining festivals with her own music in 17 countries worldwide. Turre’s artistic practice is rooted in providing her audience with an immersive experience, inviting them into new depths of perspective and self discovery.

In addition to her vocal talents, Andromeda is an accomplished composer whose original works have been featured in film, television, and video games. Her music is deeply influenced by her life’s experiences, and often addresses themes of social justice, spirituality and self-discovery. She composed the score and 13 original songs for Lena: Lessons from a Lady, a musical about the life of Lena Horne, and has been highly sought after as a curator of bespoke music experiences for corporate events. Andromeda’s work as an Artistic Director for Central Park’s premier 2022 Juneteenth Celebration and Music Supervisor for Aquila Theater’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby, demonstrates her ability to create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impact. She is currently working on a highly engaging experience for Central Park’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration.

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DAVE STRYKER QUARTET

When Dave Stryker was ten years old, he was inspired by the Beatles to start playing guitar. His interest was rock and roll until he heard the albums My Favorite Things by John Coltrane and Beyond the Blue Horizon by George Benson. By seventeen, he was a jazz guitarist in Omaha. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles where he took lessons from another Omaha native, Billy Rogers, and met organist Jack McDuff. After moving to New York City, he toured with McDuff in 1984–5, then spent ten years with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine.

Stryker formed a band with Steve Slagle and a trio with Jared Gold and Tony Reedus (later McClenty Hunter and Billy Hart). He worked with the late Kevin Mahogany as sideman, composer, and arranger, appeared with him at Carnegie Hall, and toured with him in Europe and Japan. He has also worked with Eliane Elias, Javon Jackson, and Andy LaVerne.

He teaches jazz guitar at Indiana University and Montclair State University and at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, the Litchfield Jazz Camp, and the Veneto/New School Workshop in Italy.

In 2018 Stryker began teaching jazz guitar online through the ArtistWorks music education website.

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BERTHA HOPE QUARTET

Pianist Bertha Hope pays tribute to her late first husband with a Salute to Elmo Hope’s Centennial.

Hope-Booker started playing professionally in Johnny Otis’s band as well as local trios. In 1958, Hope-Booker met Elmo Hope who was touring with Sonny Rollins. Hope-Booker married Elmo in 1960 and the following year they moved to New York City.

Together they recorded an album, Hope-Full, for Riverside which featured Hope-Booker on three songs. After Elmo’s death in 1967, Hope-Booker gave up her music career despite being offered a place in Art Blakey’s band.

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RODNEY JONES QUARTET

Guitarist Rodney Jones has worked with Jaki Byard, Chico Hamilton, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lena Horne and as a bandleader. He is cited as a jazz guitarist who uses modern quartal harmony. Jones is a faculty member at Juilliard.

The Quartet features Ron Blake, Lonnie Plaxico and Carl Allen

Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:30pm

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