CONNIE HAN

Pianist and provocateur Connie Han has created an edgy blend of modern and traditional jazz with her incendiary Mack Avenue Records debut CRIME ZONE. At 26, this young lioness is on a fast-climbing trajectory to jazz stardom with rave reviews from The New York Times, Jazziz Magazine, Downbeat Magazine, and more. According to Downbeat Magazine, Han has “already absorbed the post-bop piano masters” with “all the technical mastery she’ll ever need.” The New York Times describes her as “the rare musician with fearsome technical chops, a breadth of historical knowledge and enough originality to write tunes that absorb your ear easily.” Weaving in and out of the tradition, Han pays tribute to McCoy Tyner, Mulgrew Miller, and Kenny Kirkland with her own unique edge and fire at the piano.

Her connection to jazz began at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. After graduation, Han accepted a full-tuition scholarship to UCLA but chose to leave school after three weeks to pursue her professional career. It was at this time she sought out drummer/producer Bill Wysaske to begin work on what would eventually culminate her signing with Mack Avenue Records.

“This record is meant to be a statement about being rebellious… but within the tradition,” Han explains. “It’s provocative and fresh in its own way while still honoring the rich legacy of jazz.” The title, CRIME ZONE, reinforces how I brand myself as an artist: a provocateur of creative music.” “With this album she’s booking a place as a star in the jazz firmament of tomorrow,” says All About Jazz.” Watch out for Connie Han, the face (and shape) of jazz to come.”

Doors at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM | Doors at 8:45 PM, Show at 9:15 PM

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JOEY ALEXANDER

It’s no coincidence two of the titles on pianist, bandleader and composer Joey Alexander’s inspirational debut on Mack Avenue Records, Origin, contain the words “rise” and “rising.”

“The Latin root of the word ‘origin’ is orire, which means to rise,” explains the restlessly searching musician, who has performed everywhere from the Obama White House to the Grand Ole Opry and has been nominated for three GRAMMY® awards. “During this pandemic, I think the first thing we should do is to start with being hopeful, which is the main theme of Origin. Instead of making it a source of frustration, I made it the source of inspiration to express myself in music.”

Good plan. On his sixth album as a leader, his first featuring all his own material, Alexander has stretched his imagination into new territory, challenging himself to write rich melodic and harmonic interplay without ever abandoning the emotional candor and transparency that have captivated crowds and catapulted his albums to the top of the jazz charts.

Showtimes: December 2 & 3

Doors at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM | Doors at 8:45 PM, Show at 9:15 PM

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TAWANDA

With John DiMartino, Marco Panascia & Tim Horner

An official Resonance Records CD Release performance! The first 30 ticket buyers will receive a FREE copy of Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim’s newest release, “SMILE!” 

Since she grew up in the Deep South to a mother from Germany and a father from Mozambique, her unique cultural DNA opened up her heart and mind to many worlds of music that are still an integral part of everything she sings.

Jazz is one form of music that transcends most other genres and has done so throughout the ages. Its complexity, off beat rhythms, sophistication and constant desire to improvise and evolve itself courses through its precious origins. Those traditions run deep within the soul of award-winning vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim and there is no greater gift than seeing her sing her story in full flight.

A vibrant mix of cultural heritages that underpin her every move, Tawanda was raised in the deep south of New Mexico on the border with Texas. She is proudly a first generation American with a mother from Germany and a father from Mozambique. That fusion of intoxicating backgrounds gave her access to music that many do not experience and which will forever stay in her heart.

Always looking forward, Tawanda delves deep into the worldwide Jazz scene and explores the multi-genre fusion that can be found in its paradise of riches. That desire to respect not only her peers but the origins of her name which translates as ‘we are more’ in a Bantu dialect called Shona, has embedded a deep-rooted desire within her to give back to those around her.

There is no better affirmation of her talent than winning the prestigious 2020 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Jazz competition. Now based in Los Angeles and with a whole host of performances that have enthralled audiences everywhere, Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim is set to soar on the wings of success.

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CHARLES MCPHERSON & SEAN JONES

Charles McPherson with Sean Jones featuring Jeb Patton, Russell Hall & Billy Drummond

Thursday-Sunday, November 10-13th
Thursday: 7:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 7pm & 9:30pm
Sunday: 5pm & 7:30pm

Four incredible nights with these five grand masters!

“Charles is the very definition of excellence in our music. He is the definitive master on this instrument. He plays with exceptional harmonic accuracy and sophistication. He performs free-flowing, melodic and thematically developed solos with unbelievable fire and an unparalleled depth of soul.” – Wynton Marsalis

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Requisites

Cookin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet ~ The Miles Davis Quintet | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s choice from the library is the first of four albums Miles Davis recorded to complete his contract obligations with Prestige before moving on to Columbia Records. It took only two days for all four to be made but resulted in Relaxin’ (1958), Workin’ (1959), Steamin’ (1961), and Cookin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7094), released in 1957. The group consists of Miles Davis (track: A1) on muted trumpet, (tracks: A2, B1, B2) on trumpet, John Coltrane (tracks: A2, B1, B2) on tenor sax, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. My copy used in this report is the 1984 Prestige Jazz Golden 50 Series Japanese Mono reissue (Prestige SMJ-6534M) by Victor Musical Industries, Inc.

Side One begins with the date’s only quartet performance, a gorgeous rendition of My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Red introduces the standard with a brief introduction, segueing into the trumpeter’s sublimely beautiful, muted melody over the rhythm section’s soft accompaniment. Miles then expresses his thoughts and feelings in a heartwarming performance. Red comes in with a compelling interpretation preceding the trumpet’s sensual beauty at the end. The quintet picks up the pace for an original by Miles, affording everyone solo space, Blues By Five. The trio introduces this tune with an infectious groove. Davis steps up first for a vivacious opening solo, next Coltrane follows with a swinging statement. Garland creates a mood of cheerfulness in the third reading, then Chambers makes a strong impression next. Philly shares an intriguing conversation with Garland who leads the trio to the finish line.

Side Two starts at a fast clip with a speedy rendition of Airegin by Sonny Rollins. John opens with a lively introduction that sets the tone for the ensemble’s vigorous melody. Miles kicks off the solos with fierce intensity, then John fuels the second statement with plenty of heat into the ensemble’s return for the reprise and abrupt stop. Tune-Up by Miles Davis opens with a brisk introduction by Philly ahead of the quintet’s spirited melody. Davis is captivating from the opening notes of his exhilarating reading. Coltrane comes next and surges upward toward the stratosphere. Garland gets a brief moment to shine, then Miles and Philly have a short exchange into the close. The quintet wraps the album with When Lights Are Low by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams. The solo order is Miles, Coltrane, and Garland. All three take their readings at a leisurely pace leading to the group’s exit and a brief word from Miles.

Bob Weinstock supervised the original session of Cookin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet, and Rudy Van Gelder was the recording engineer. The remastering of his tapes by Victor Musical Industries is outstanding, and this reissue is a sonic treat. The sound is spacious, natural, and well-balanced. The vinyl is dead silent until the music starts and each track on this album and its companions were all done in just one take. If you’ve listened to or own any of the other three records in this series, get ready to like Cookin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet just as much. I highly recommend this album to anyone who loves jazz and is a fan of Miles Davis’s work during the fifties. This version of the quintet lasted just two years, but they made an indelible impression by creating music that can be played repeatedly and enjoyed endlessly!

~ Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7129), Steamin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7200), Workin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7166) – Source: Discogs.com ~ My Funny Valentine – Source: JazzStandards.com © 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter

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