NICOLE HENRY

Growing up in a musical family in Bucks County, Pensylvania, Ms. Henry immersed herself in the arts early on, singing in school and church, and studying cello and ballet. After graduating from the University of Miami with a degree in Communications and Theatre, she launched a successful acting career, appearing in national commercial roles as well as a series of voiceover assignments. However, she directed her strongest passion toward the development of her full-time singing career which was quickly rewarded when the Miami New Times named Nicole “Best Solo Musician.”

Tickets: $40.00 ~ $75.00

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The Jazz Voyager

Not too often do I get a chance to see a friend perform, so this week is a rare treat in the travels of this Jazz Voyager. From the Emerald City in the Pacific Northwest I’m off to the Midwest’s Queen City to take a seat in the audience at Caffè Vivace. Coffee house or alternate work space by day, this cool little venue is a cool little jazz lounge by night, Tuesday through Saturday. Located in the Walnut Hills neighborhood is where the music of young and old local and national acts emanates on evenings such as this.

This sojourn leads me to see a talented musician I met years ago in Atlanta who is known in the jazz world as Joe Alterman. Surrounded by seating positioned to take in every aspect of his performance, the pianist delivers good sound music while others struggle between tradition and progression. Hopefully I’ll get to hear a few, songs you kinda know, off his new album by the same name.

Caffè Vivace’s address is 975 E McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH 45206. For more information visit www.caffevivace.com.

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JANE IRA BLOOM

Soaring, poetic, quick silver, spontaneous and instantly identifiable are words used to describe the soprano sound of saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom. She has been developing her singular voice on the soprano saxophone for over 45 years.

She is a pioneer in the use of live electronics and movement in jazz. Winner of the Guggenheim Fellowship for music composition, the Downbeat International Critics Poll & Jazz Journalists Association Award for soprano saxophone, the Mary Lou Williams Award for lifetime service to jazz and the Charlie Parker Fellowship for jazz innovation.

She is the first musician ever commissioned by the NASA Art Program and has an asteroid named in her honor by the International Astronomical Union (asteroid: 6083janeirabloom). Her critically acclaimed Cd “Early Americans” received a Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album and made numerous year end best lists.

Her duo release with bassist Mark Helias “Some Kind of Tomorrow” was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air and received 4 stars from Downbeat Magazine. Her critically acclaimed duo projects “Tues Days” with drummer Allison Miller and “See Our Way” with Helias and trio project with Helias and Bobby Previte “2.3.23” all appear on Bandcamp. Picturing the Invisible her latest project featuring duets w/ Allison Miller, Miya Masaoka, & Mark Helias was nominated for a Grammy for Best Immersive Sound Album. Bloom looks forward to the release of her most recent duet and trio recording with Bobby Previte, Mark Helias & Dominic Fallacaro on her Outline label.

Mark Helias bass, Dominic Fallacaro piano

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JOE GRANSDEN QUARTET

Trumpet master Joe Gransden formed and led a big band playing the jazz classics reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald. TheJoe Gransden Big Band is quite popular in Atlanta. It has growing popularity everywhere, even performing for sold-out shows at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City.

Admission: ADULT ~ $25.00 | Student ~ $10.00 with student identification (show ID at the door). Reserved tables of 8 are $200.

Dinner ranges from $4.00 to $10.00.

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JOE GRANSDEN JAM SESSION

Trumpeter Joe Gransden has been playing for more than forty years. Not long after high school, Joe was on the road as a sideman with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. A number of A.F.M. contracted sideman gigs include Barry White, The Moody Blues, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Whispers, etc. Eventually moving to New York City, he performed with numerous groups, including sub work with Toshiko Akiyoshi and Chico O’Farrill at the famous Birdland Jazz Club. Meanwhile, Joe formed his own group, which performed in Brooklyn each week and included the venerable guitarist Joe Cohn and ex-Betty Carter bassist, Matt Hughes. He leads a 16 piece big band along with configurations of quartet and quintet, conducts a jazz camp and holds court with a weekly jazz jam every Monday evening.

Musicians bring your instrument and join on stage!

Cover: Free

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