ANDREA BRACHFELD QUARTET
Andrea Brachfeld is an American jazz and Latin jazz flutist. She attended The High School of Music and Art and the Manhattan School of Music. She had her first professional performance at the age of 16. In 1974, she received the Louis Armstrong Award for outstanding Jazz student. She studied with Hubert Laws, Jimmy Heath, George Coleman, and Eddie Daniels. Her breakthrough came when she became flutist for the Latin band Charanga ’76.
Joining her on the bandstand are Mamiko Watanabe, Obasi Akoto & Alvester Garnett.
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CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE’S NEW JAWN
Christian McBride’s New Jawn — trumpeter Josh Evans (Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton, Rasheid Ali), saxophonist and bass clarinetist Marcus Strickland (Roy Haynes, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Chris Dave, Bilal, Robert Glasper), and drummer Nasheet Waits (Jason Moran, Joe Lovano, John Medeski) — is back with their highly anticipated sophomore album, Prime(02/2023), the follow-up from McBride’s Grammy-nominated group. Featuring original compositions from each band member as well as fresh takes on songs from Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman and Larry Young, this group offers an exhilarating space of exploration for the 8-time Grammy Award-winning McBride to stretch his veteran wings.
New Jawn is the new deal. Yes, it is. The proof is in the music and there is plenty of that on their new release Prime; sure to be a fixture in best of 2023 lists. – All About Jazz
Bassist, composer, and bandleader, McBride is also the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, New Jersey Performing Arts center (NJPAC) and the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Christian is also a respected educator and advocate as the Artistic Director of Jazz House KiDS, and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Sessions. In addition to consistent touring, McBride hosts NPR’s “Jazz Night in America” and “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM. Whether behind the bass or away from it, Christian McBride is always of the music. From jazz, to R&B, pop/rock, hip-hop/neo-soul, to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship—and perhaps the hint of a challenge—inviting us to join him.
The Band: Christian McBride~bass, Josh Evans~trumpet, Marcus Strickland~saxophone and bass clarinet, Nasheet Waits~drums
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Three Wishes
When Nica approached James Weaver the one thing on her mind was to inquire what his three wishes would be if they could be granted. He responded:
- “To be able to play.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats ~ Compiled and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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DIANA KRALL
Diana Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered two GRAMMY® Awards, ten Juno® Awards and have earned nine Gold, three Platinum, and seven multi-Platinum albums. Her 1999 release of When I Look in Your Eyes spent an unprecedented 52 weeks in the #1 position on Billboard’s Jazz chart, won two GRAMMY® Awards, and went Platinum in the U.S. and Canada. Her most recent release, This Dream Of You, has garnered critical acclaim from fans and press alike. Krall’s unique artistry transcends any single musical style and has made her one of the most recognizable artists of our time.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Thomas Mansergh Pickering was born on August 8. 1921 in Burra, South Australia, Australia. When the family moved to Australia’s island state of Tasmania from Burra in the mid-l930s and settled in the house next door to where Ian Pearce lived, the stage was set for the beginning of what was to become a significant part of Tasmania’s jazz history.
In his mid teens, he and Ian discovered British dance bands and over timethey embraced Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong and the Swing Era musicians. Pee Wee Russell and Bud Freeman came later. At sixteen Tom received his first clarinet, doubling on saxophone and with his brother Cedri on drums, friend Ian playing cornet, pianist Rex Withers-Green, they gave birth to The Barrelhouse Four. He started playing in local bands and the four hit at local jam sessions. With the oncoming of WWII in 1939 they went their separate ways, reuniting in 1946 to record their first commercial pressing.
Pickering played traditional jazz in various parts of Australia during the late 30s and 40s. He continued working throughout succeeding decades, continuing his preference for older styles but also playing effective tenor saxophone in mainstream settings. His playing and recording career continued apace into the 80s, and his contribution to the musical life of his country has been rewarded with a number of honours.
Pickering went on to form his Good Time Jazz Band, which found success until the rising popularity of rock music led to the band’s eventual break up. A trio followed untilhe and Ian put together the Pearce- Pickering Ragtime Five. They had two very long and successful runs at the Tattersall’s Bar and Bistro, and then at Wrest Point Casino.
Ill-health led to Tom’s eventual retirement from music and the end of his playing career. Having qualified as a librarian in 1948, he would go on to work in the State Library of Tasmania, then became Parliamentary Librarian in 1974. He was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM), won the Australian Jazz Convention Composition Competition twice, and received the Satchmo Award.
Clarinetist Tom Pickering transitioned in Hobart, Tasmania on October 26, 2001.
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