DIVA JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Led by renowned drummer and composer Sherrie Maricle, the DIVA Jazz Orchestra is a powerhouse 15-piece ensemble celebrated for blending classic big band traditions with fresh, original flair. Joined by Grammy-nominated vocalist Clint Holmes, they’ll take you on a vibrant musical journey through jazz standards, Broadway hits, movie masterpieces, and more, showcasing their unique renditions and dynamic energy. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of music over three swinging nights.

The Players: Sherrie Maricle, music director/drums | Kellin Hanas, trumpet | Summer Camargo, trumpet | Jami Dauber, trumpet | Barbara Laronga, trumpet | Leslie Havens, bass trombone | Sara Jacovino, trombone | Jen Krupa, trombone | Stephanie Tateiwa, alto saxophone | Erena Terakubo, alto saxophone | Jade Elliott, tenor saxophone | Laura Dreyer, tenor saxophone | Leigh Pilzer/Lauren Sevian, baritone saxophone | Tomoko Ohno, piano | Noriko Ueda, bass

Tickets: $20.00 ~ 60.00

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AKIKO TSURUGA

Akiko Tsuruga is a jazz composer, Hammond B-3 organist and pianist from Osaka, Japan. She was born in Osaka. Her parents bought her a small organ when she was three and she started learning to play standards.

After landing in the mecca for jazz, New York City, it didn’t take long for Akiko to make her mark – It was during these early years that she had the great pleasure of sitting in, playing gigs, and eventually recording with jazz greats such as Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb, Grady Tate and other top NY musicians. Her reputation ultimately drew attention of Lou Donaldson as he chose her in 2006 as his quartet’s organist.

But it was the meeting of organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith that proved to have the greatest impact on Akiko’s musical development and career. He became an important mentor to Akiko, and she considers him her greatest influence. She flourished and continued to be a constant draw on the NY jazz scene.

Performance Lineup:

Akiko Tsuruga, organ
Joe Magnarelli, trumpet
Myron Walden, tenor & baritone?saxophone, flute
Byron Landham, drums
Charlie Sigler, guitar

Tickets: $20.00 ~$50.00

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Clarence Lacquese Penn born on March 2, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan and started playing the drums at around eigh years old. In 1986, while still at high school, he attended the Interlochen Arts Academy. He started studying at the University of Miami in Florida that same year, but transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University.

At Virginia Commonwealth he studied with Ellis Marsalis, and played in the pianist’s trio from 1987 to 1991, including for a tour of Japan in 1990. Penn graduated in classical percussion in 1991 and was part of vocalist Betty Carter’s trio from until 1993.

Penn later went on to work with David Sanchez, Jimmy Smith, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Scott, Greg Hatza, Stanley Clarke, Tim Warfield, Bob Berg, Diana Krall, Cyrus Chestnut, and Stephen Scott.

He recorded his debut album, Penn’s Landing, for Criss Cross Jazz in 1997 with some of the tracks he composed. His sophomore album as leader, Play-Penn, was recorded four years later, followed by a third the following year. He took a nine year hiatus from recording then recorded three more albums.

Drummer Clarence Penn, who also plays organ and rhodes, continues to perform and record.

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SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA

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50 SHADES OF O: ORRIN EVANS

50 SHADES OF O: Orrin Evans’ 50th Birthday Celebration with the Orrin Evans Trio and special guest vocalist Ms. Lisa Fischer! Orrin Evans and his 2x Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band released and will be performing music from their new studio album, Walk A Mile In My Shoe!

For more than two decades, Yamaha pianist Orrin Evans has made an art form of the unexpected. With more than 25 albums to his credit without ever relying on the support of a major label, Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who’s made a habit of rattling the jazz world’s confining cages. That determination has paid off in accolades like topping the “Rising Star Pianist” category in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll and two Grammy nominations. As an adventurous composer he traverses stylistic boundaries with abandon, drawing on full-throttle swing, deep rooted blues, expressive soul or bracing excursions into the avant-garde.

After four decades of featured background singing with icons like Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, and Nine Inch Nails, Ms. Lisa Fischer set out to take center stage with her own humble, heartfelt song. The 2013 Best Documentary Oscar winning film “Twenty Feet from Stardom” altered the course of Lisa’s musical journey, telling her story, with clips of her legendary duets with Sting or with Mick Jagger on “Gimme Shelter”, left audiences eager to see and hear more.

The Lineup:

Ms. Lisa Fischer ~ vocals
Orrin Evans ~ piano
Robert Hurst ~ bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts ~ drums

Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 + fee | Streaming: 6:00pm Only ~ $15.00 + fee

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