Daily Dose Of Jazz…
LaVerne Butler was born on February 25, 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The daughter of saxophonist Scott Butler, she was extensively exposed to jazz and rhythm and blues music and with a lot of encouragement from her father.
Leaving Shreveport for New Orleans, Louisiana she attended the University of New Orleans. During this period LaVerne became a fixture in the city’s Dixieland and bebop venues singing with Ellis Marsalis, Alvin Batiste, Henry Butler ( no relation) and James Black, among others. A move to New York City in 1984 had her working as an English teacher, singing in clubs and studying with jazz veteran Jon Hendricks.
Her musical influences were Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan. In 1992 she recorded her debut album No Looking Back for Chesky Records. Her sophomore album for the label was Day Dreamin’ , then planned on signing with Herbie Mann’s Kokopelli label in 1997, but that fell through when the company experienced financial problems. She then was brought into the MaxJazz label for two albums and finally landed with HighNote Records for her 2012 release Love Lost and Found Again.
Vocalist LaVerne Butler, who has yet to receive the recognition her talent deserves, continues to perform around the country.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Patti Wicks was born Patricia Ellen Chappell on February 24, 1945 and began playing the piano at the age of three. She later attended the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam.
Influenced by Bill Evans, she began to perform professionally and moved to New York City, where she played in small ensembles. She founded her own trio featuring bassists such as Sam Jones, Richard Davis, Brian Torff, and Mark Dresser, and drummers Curtis Boyd, Louis Hayes, Mickey Roker, and Alan Dawson.
In the 1970s, Wicks moved to Florida where she worked as a musician with, among others, Clark Terry, Larry Coryell, Frank Morgan, Ira Sullivan, Flip Phillips, Anita O’Day, Rebecca Parris, Roseanna Vitro and Giacomo Gates.
As an educator she taught jazz piano at colleges and gave private lessons. In 1997, Patti released her debut album Room at the Top: The Patti Wicks Trio. She was a guest on Marian McPartland’s NPR program Piano Jazz.
Vocalist and pianist Patti Wicks died on March 7, 2014.
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CHRISTIE GRACE
Christie Grace returns to Frankie’s, showcasing Burt Bacharach’s classics with her signature velvety voice Paul Shaffer describes as “sweet honey & fine wine.” Following last summer’s sold-out show, she and her stellar band bring soulful new facets to these cherished songs. Jazz legend Sheila Jordan captures Christie’s evocative essence: “When I hear Christie sing, I believeevery word. She’s beautiful and then some”.
The Band: Christie Grace – vocals, Tom Arntzen – piano/vocals, Bill Runge – tenor sax/ flute, Conrad Good – bass, Buff Allen – drums.
Tickets: $23.00
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CHUCK ISRAELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Chuck Israels, revered as one of the preeminent bassists in the world, Grammy winner has performed and recorded with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, J.J. Johnson, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Williams, Eric Dolphy, Jim Hall, Patti Austin, Gary Burton, George Russell, the Kronos String Quartet, and countless others.
Among Chuck’s many recordings as a bassist, some outstanding ones include: Coltrane Time, with John Coltrane; My Point of View, with Herbie Hancock; Getz au Go-Go, with Stan Getz; and many recordings with the Bill Evans Trio, including The Town Hall Concert; The Second Trio; Trio ’65; Live at the Trident; and Time Remembered. In 2020 Chuck won a Grammy for his work with opera star Joyce DiDonato on her recording “Songplay”
As an acclaimed composer and arranger, Chuck has written for Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Berkshire Music Center, Richard Stoltzman, Eastman Jazz Ensemble, Swedish Radio Jazz Orchestra, West German Radio Jazz Orchestra, North German Radio Jazz Orchestra, Radio Denmark Jazz Orchestra, Hannover Symphony Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, and others.
Featuring:Chuck Israels: Bass | John Nastos: Alto saxophone | Dave Evans: Tenor saxophone | Joe Manis: Baritone saxophone | Paul Mazzio: Trumpet | John Moak: Trombone | Joe Bagg: Piano | Chris Brown: Drums
Tickets: $25.00~180.00
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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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