BRANDON WOODY’S UPENDO

Brandon Woody is a Baltimore-born, Bach-endorsed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader whose music flows from the rich lineage of Black music, including jazz, gospel, improvisation, and beyond, to explore themes of love, resilience, and community. Hailed by The New York Times and Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody signed with the legendary Blue Note Records in November 2024 and released his debut album, “For The Love Of It All”, in May 2025. Featuring his longtime band Upendo, the album showcases Woody’s ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Rooted in Baltimore, Woody has built his career from his hometown, drawing on its vibrant creative culture and community spirit. The Washington Post described Woody’s music as “staggeringly self-assured” and “radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place,” reflecting both the clarity of his artistic vision and his deep connection to his community. He has performed with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Danilo Pérez, Casey Benjamin, Marcus Gilmore, the Robert Glasper Black Radio Orchestra, Paul Russell, and Solange Knowles. His television appearances include Godfather of Harlem (MGM+), Lady in the Lake (Apple TV), and The Bride (Warner Bros.

The Band:
Brandon Woody, trumpet
Charlie Powell, guitar
Troy Long, piano
Michael Saunders, bass
Quincy Phillips, drums

Tickets: $30.00 ~ $35.00 +fees
Streaming: $10.00 +fees

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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE & URSA MAJOR

World renowned bassist, composer, arranger, educator, and eight-time Grammy Award-winner, Christian McBride has been one of the most important and prolific figures in the jazz world for over 20 years. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip-hop/neo-soul to classical, Christian is one of the most acclaimed bassists of his generation, renowned for his bold, swinging style and robust sound. He has appeared on more than 300 recordings as a sideman, and is an eight-time Grammy Award winner, earning a 2016 GRAMMY Award for “Best Improvised Jazz Solo”, the only bassist to ever win at this category.

Christian McBride has worked with the best of the very best – James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chaka Khan, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, Isaac Hayes, Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway, Sting, Carly Simon, Don Henley, Bruce Hornsby, The Roots, D’Angelo & Queen Latifah. Christian has been artist-in-residence and artistic director with organizations such as Jazz Aspen, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Jazz House Kids, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Newark, the Montclair Jazz Festival, and the Newport Jazz Festival. 

The Band:
Christian McBride ~ bass
Nicole Glover ~ saxophone
Ely Perlman ~ guitar
Michael King ~ piano
Savannah Harris ~ drums

Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 +fees
Streaming: $20.00 +fees | %:00pm Show

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ARTURO SANDOVAL

The 10-time Grammy Award winner and Emmy Award recipient, Arturo Sandoval is also a 6-time Billboard Award winner and the recipient of the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, he was born in Artemisa, a small town in the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, on November 6, 1949, just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American Jazz. Sandoval began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve, but it didn’t take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world. He has since evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer.

He is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time, and has been seen by millions at the Oscars, at the Grammy Awards, and the Billboard Awards. Musicians and fans alike rightly marvel at his technical ability on the horn – the effortless high notes and the dizzying speed and execution of his improvised runs.

The Band:
Arturo Sandoval, trumpet
Keith Fiala, trumpet
Michael Tucker, saxophone
Larry Bustamante, baritone saxophone
Will Brahm, guitar
Lisandro Pidre, piano
Maximilian Gerl, bass
Daniel Feldman, drums
Samuel Torres, percussion

Tickets: $65.00 ~ $75/00 +fees
Streaming: $15.00 +fees | 6:00pm Show

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Requisites

Swingin’ Till The Girls Come Home ~ Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis Quartet | By Eddie Carter

Submitted for your approval this morning from the library is an album that was recorded during Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis’s 1976 tour of Denmark. While there, the tenor saxophonist was so taken with the Danish trio led by drummer Alex Riel, who was well known for performing with many American jazz artists at Jazzhus Montmartre. Both musicians went into the studio to record Swingin’ Till The Girls Come Home (SteepleChase Records SCS 1058). Rounding out the ensemble are Thomas Clausen on piano and Bo Stief on drums. The copy I own is the 1977 U.S. stereo reissue (Inner City Records IC 2058).

The album opener, Swingin’ Till The Girls Come Home by Oscar Pettiford, begins with Stief’s brief introduction ahead of the quartet’s easygoing theme. Eddie soars into a lively opening solo, driving the groove. Bo takes the reins next in a short walk, then Thomas adds the exclamation point, leading back into the melody’s reprise and ending. The tempo moves upward significantly for Cole Porter’s Love for Sale, beginning with the foursome’s upbeat melody. Davis is firing on all cylinders with a brisk opening statement. Clausen then dives into the following interpretation. The leader returns to deliver a few final comments in a short exchange with Riel before the foursome’s reprise fades out slowly.

Out of Nowhere by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman takes the temperature down to a medium tempo for the ensemble’s opening chorus. Eddie is off to a fine advantage with a consistently effective first solo. Thomas is at the top of his game in the succeeding statement, and Eddie and Bo share a concise and perfectly delivered finale, leading to the reprise and climax. Ghost of a Chance by Victor Young and Ned Washington becomes the centerpiece of ‘Lockjaw’ in a hauntingly beautiful version. Davis’s solo is a melodic beauty, underscored by the rhythm section’s accompaniment, culminating in an elegant ending.

Side Two starts with Locks, by Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis. The rhythm section brings the song to life, segueing to the quartet’s theme. Eddie takes the opening with an infectious and bouncy beat. Thomas echoes the leader with a bustling solo, then gives way to Bo, who expresses joy in the third reading. Eddie returns to swing solidly toward the climax. Wave by Antonio Carlos Jobim begins with Davis gliding efficiently over the Latin melody. Davis takes the first of two bites out of this jazzy apple first, then Clausen puts together an impressive reading. The saxophonist reappears for a few final comments preceding the quartet’s reprise and fadeout.

Indiana by James Henley and Ballard MacDonald takes off at a fast gallop from the foursome’s opening notes of Riel’s introduction to the quartet’s melody. Eddie’s opening solo begins aggressively; he then shares the spotlight with Alex in a concise exchange before the theme is restated and the song concludes. Bye Bye Blackbird by Ray Henderson and Mort Dixon also swings at a comfortable pace, beginning with the quartet’s happy theme. Davis gets right to work wailing on the opening statement, then Clausen follows the leader enthusiastically, preceding the ensemble’s closing chorus and exit. 

Nils Winther produced Swingin’ Till The Girls Come Home, with Ove Sørensen delivering a fantastic recording. The album’s sound quality is exceptional, from vibrant highs to warm lows, as the quartet creates a bright, clean, richly detailed soundstage that draws you in. If you’re a fan of the tenor saxophone, I highly recommend and invite you to explore Swingin’ Till The Girls Come Home by the Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis Quartet on your next record-shopping adventure. It’s an excellent album featuring one of jazz’s great musicians, and I believe it will become a cherished addition to the libraries of both newcomers and seasoned jazz aficionados!

~ Bye Bye Blackbird, Ghost of a Chance, Indiana, Love for Sale, Out of Nowhere, Wave – Source: JazzStandards.com
© 2026 by Edward Thomas Carter


CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 29th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Weekend returns to Florida Memorial University for an unforgettable music alumni homecoming honoring Dr. Dawn Batson.

Artists:
Jesse Jones Jr. ~ Saxophone
Mark Strowbridge ~ Guitar
James Cotman ~ Drums
Leon “Foster” Thomas ~ Steel Pan
Doug Carter ~ Piano
Nicole Yarling ~ Violin, Vocal

The FMU Funk Jazz AllStars:
Wildmayer Marcelin ~ Saxophone
Mark McClary ~ Drums
Raignor Rollocks ~ Piano
Jaquan Hunter ~ Bass
Joel Chinnery

Day 2 – February 27, 2026
Cigars & Jazz | Dress to Impress!
Gardens Cigar Lounge
19801 NW 27th Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
8:00 – 10:00PM

Festival Tickets: $20.00 ~ $230.00

See full schedule for details.

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