RUSSELL GUNN & BLACKHAWK
Russell Gunn is a titan of contemporary jazz, takes the stage for a two-night run that promises to be the highlight of your holiday. Whether you are looking to impress out-of-town guests with Atlanta’s world-class music scene or simply need a sophisticated escape from the family chaos, this is the place to be.
The project’s name, Blackhawk, is a nod to the legendary 1961 album Miles Davis In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at the Blackhawk. That record is famous for capturing Miles Davis at his most raw and hard-swinging, performing in a gritty San Francisco club with no rehearsals and no safety net.
Russell Gunn taps directly into that spirit. He isn’t just playing Miles Davis covers; he is channeling the fearless, high-wire energy of that era. Expect a set that swings hard, takes risks, and captures the visceral excitement of 1960s post-bop jazz.
Blackhawk:
Russell Gunn ~ Trumpet
Kevin Smith ~ Bass
Kevin Bales ~ Piano
Jeremy Clemons ~ Drums
Andre Hayward ~ Trombone
Kendrick Smith ~ Saxophone
Tickets: $54.00
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Greg Manning was born on November 24, 1965 in Nigeria and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. While growing up he was mostly exposed to jazz by his parents. Yet, he discovered his deep love for music only after hearing Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely. He started playing the piano at twelve and several years later moved to the United States to study piano and film scoring at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
His big break came when asked to compose the music for Keep Cool, the most successful and longest running German musical. The musical led Manning back to Zurich where he continued to compose and produce for records and television.
Moving to Los Angeles, Calidornia in 2002 where his career took off. The three-time platinum producer for Universal Music Switzerland, and has had several Swiss Chart toppers since 1996. The former keyboardist and music director for Grammy Award-nominated artist Jonathan Butler, he has been the keyboardist for Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Richard Elliot, Brian McKnight, Chante Moore, and Kirk Whalum, among others.
Touring extensively for ten years throughout the U.S., Europe, South Africa, and the U.K., Greg made a conscious decision to come off the road. Not long thereafter, he started composing music for film and television. As an artist, his own music is the union of jazz, soul, and funk.
Pianist, composer Greg Manning, who operates in the soul jazz and smooth genres has never stopped composing and continues to record and perform.
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JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND
Experience the magic of the season with Joe Gransden and His Band for the “Home for the Holidays” concert in the stunning Eagle Theatre in downtown Sugar Hill. From swinging takes on your favorite holiday classics to heartwarming moments that will have you singing along, this show is the perfect way to kick off your holiday celebrations. Every year, audiences rave about this unforgettable concert of music, joy, and festive spirit. Last year’s performance sold out in advance—and tickets are already going fast for this year! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this holiday tradition that’s guaranteed to leave you smiling long after the final note.
The Joe Gransden Big Band has become one of the hottest acts on today’s jazz scene. Since forming in 2009, Joe and his powerhouse ensemble have been winning over audiences nationwide with their electrifying performances and irresistible swing. With fans that include music legends like Smokey Robinson, who raves, “Joe has an innate ability to connect with an audience. His singing and trumpet playing are world-class!” It’s no wonder this band is in such high demand.
A masterful trumpet player with a celebrated hard bop style, Joe is also renowned for his smooth, captivating vocals, often likened to those of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra. He has performed across the globe, released 14 acclaimed albums, and continues to headline world-class venues, such as The Blue Note in New York City.
Kicking off the evening will be Sugar Hill’s very own Broad St. Jazz Band, bringing high-energy jazz and swing favorites that set the stage for an unforgettable night of music.
Tickets: $38.56 ~ $43.31 including fee
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Requisites
Over the past fifty years, I’ve found immense joy in listening to Ahmad Jamal’s work across his extensive catalog, including releases on Argo, Cadet, and later Impulse Records. Each time I was fortunate enough to experience his trio live in Atlanta, their performance was absolutely electrifying. Jamal and his group consistently delivered music that was both profoundly moving and impeccably polished. Today’s featured album from my collection is Freeflight (Impulse! – ABC Records AS-9217), which showcases the trio’s live set at the Montreux Jazz Festival. On this recording, Ahmad Jamal plays both the Fender Rhodes electric piano and acoustic piano, joined by Jamil Nasser on bass and Frank Gant on drums. My personal copy is the 1973 U.S. stereo reissue, which retains the original catalog number.
The set opens with a warm welcome to the musicians, setting the stage for the trio’s spirited rendition of Effendi, by McCoy Tyner. The trio dives straight into the brisk tempo, with Ahmad igniting an energetic solo on the electric piano. There’s a brief exchange between Jamil’s bass and Ahmad’s acoustic piano before Jamal returns to the electric keys. Frank contributes a concise, lively reading, and Jamil finishes with an exhilarating finale, driving the tune to a thrilling close, earning an enthusiastic response from the audience. The tempo eases as Jamal introduces Dolphin Dance by Herbie Hancock on the acoustic piano, segueing into the group's melody. Jamal’s deeply expressive playing doesn’t disappoint, leading to a vibrant conclusion and audience applause.
Side Two begins with Ahmad and Jamil engaging in a musical conversation, leading into the pianist’s Manhattan Reflections. Jamal returns to the electric piano for a buoyant mid-tempo melody, then takes off first with a spirited opening statement that captures the energy of both instruments. The piano and bass then share the spotlight briefly to revisit the theme before the trio’s closing chorus ends gently. Ahmad returns to the acoustic piano to conclude the set with his signature tune, Poinciana by Nat Simon and Buddy Bernier. A solo introduction from Jamal leads into the ensemble’s mid-tempo theme. As the only soloist, Jamal tells a captivating story with Nasser and Gang’s support until the trio reunites to conclude the song, greeted by the audience’s enthusiastic applause!
The production of Freeflight was a collaborative effort between Ahmad Jamal and Ed Michel, while Carlos Olms and Stephan Sulke handled the recording of the live performance. Overall, the recording quality is commendable, though there’s one significant flaw: the microphone was positioned too close to Jamal’s electric piano during Effendi, resulting in noticeable harshness and overmodulation. However, please don’t let that minor drawback deter you from seeking out Freeflight by Ahmad Jamal when browsing for records on your next shopping trip. Although not as well- known as his earlier live release, At The Top: Poinciana Revisited, this album still deserves consideration for your library. Even after more than five decades, the album delivers outstanding piano trio music and is highly Recommended!
~ At The Top: Poinciana Revisited (Impulse! – ABC Records AS-9176) – Source: Discogs.com
~ Poinciana – Source: Wikipedia.org
© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Pat Patrick was born Laurdine Kenneth Patrick Jr. on November 23, 1929 in East Moline, Illinois, to Laverne and Laurdine Kenneth Patrick. He first learned piano, drums, and trumpet as a child, and then switched to saxophones. He attended and studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago, Illinois where he met fellow students and future musicians bassist Richard Davis and saxophonists John Gilmore and Clifford Jordan. While still in school he was baritone saxophonist for the Regal Theater’s house band.
1949 saw Pat enrolled at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, but soon returned to Chicago to study at Wilson Junior College. Around 1950 he first played in one of Sun Ra’s bands as part of a trio and occasionally in Sun Ra’s Arkestra. By 1954 he became a regular member of the band. He moved to New York City in 1961, spent several years in the Arkestra’s communal residences in the East Village and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He went on to play and record with John Coltrane, Blue Mitchell, Mongo Santamaría, Thelonious Monk, and Babatunde Olatunji. In 1972, Patrick co-founded the Baritone Saxophone Retinue, which featured Charles Davis and recorded two albums for Saturn Records.
He toured Europe with Sun Ra in 1970 and 1976, and was part of some other Arkestra performances in that decade, but he also devoted time to teaching at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.>
Baritone and alto saxophonist, bassist, flutist, percussionist and composer Pat Patrick, who is known for his 40-year association with Sun Ra, died from leukemia in Moline on December 31, 1991.
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