The Jazz Voyager
Heading to Louisiana and the Big Easy once again, yes, to the birthplace of jazz, to 726 St. Peter Street in the heart of the French Quarter to Preservation Hall and there is no other place that can transport the audience through time to the very origins of jazz.
Opened originally in the 1950s as Associated Artists, a small art gallery, by proprietor Larry Borenstein who found that it curtailed his ability to attend the few remaining local jazz concerts. So he began inviting the living legends of New Orleans jazz to have “rehearsal sessions” in the gallery. Then in 1961 Preservation Hall was established to preserve, perpetuate, and protect traditional New Orleans Jazz, becoming a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture.
So this Jazz Voyager is going to soak up some traditional jazz with trumpeter Leroy Jones on Saturday and the Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band: Present a Tribute to the Ladies of Preservation Hall on Sunday, eat a few beignets and enjoy the Crescent City nightlife. Showtimes are 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00pm nightly, seating is reserved, tickets are $40-$50 for Mr. Jones, and $15-$45 for the Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band and can be purchased at http://preservationhall.tunestub.com/eventList.cfm. More information can be gotten by calling (504) 522-2841. #preserving genius #wannabewhereyouare
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Review: Dangerus & The Freedom Fighters
Dangerus was born on March 26, 1990 in Uster, Switzerland to a Black American father and a Serbian mother, and the singer, lyricist, composer and bandleader grew up listening to rock, jazz, reggae and classical music that his father played in the house. In grammar school he sang songs in music class and sat at the feet of his father as he composed, often using melodies in his songs that his son would hum. These experiences became the foundation of his musical education and now this multi-faceted singer is adding piano to his musical arsenal.
In 2014 forming his band, The Freedom Fighters, he has brought together a multicultural and international sextet of accomplished musicians featuring Brazilian producer, arranger and keyboardist Julinho Martins, drummer Herby Casseley from Jamaica, jazz bassist Merlin Mathews of Portuguese and Canadian heritage, Chineyem Okolo, a guitarist from Nigeria and Severin Blaser, a Swiss jazz saxophonist.
Why Dangerus, is an often asked question when interviewed. The answer is quite simple. Break down his name to Danger and Us, you will understand his dis-ease. He believes his generation, like every generation before him, is in danger of inheriting a world that will not sustain them and is doing nothing to correct the situation. Poverty, oppression, hunger, genocide, the ecology and their very existence is in danger of implosion. This dynamic group of Freedom Fighters are socially and politically conscious of the destructive system that is ultimately threatening humanity. They also see themselves as one instrument of change and a danger to that very system of oppression and slavery. They are warriors of the light and music is their weapon, operating in the footsteps of Fela Kuti.
Their logo is a lion, known globally as the king of the jungle, the protector of the pride. His job, like the logo, is black and white. There is no grey area, but there are those who seek to undermine humanity for selfish gains, tending to operate in the grey between dawn and sunrise, dusk and sunset. In those cases, these warriors see themselves as guardians of their urban concrete jungle and the earth that has given them birth.
However, this is much more than a picture of a lion as it has symbolism well beyond. Look closely and one will see the lion’s teeth are his lethal weapons, represented by keyboards and guitars, the tongue is a road, implying the way of one’s journey. The nose and whiskers are two arms chained together, depicting unity, and holding the barb-wires of oppression that are his whiskers. The eyes are fire and they are the force to be unleashed upon the world through their music. The mane let’s all know they are descendants of royalty and their bearing is regal..
Never straying far from his cultural roots or the diaspora, Dangerus delivers his songs with a fervor and passion, inspired by the trials and triumphs of today’s world. If you listen closely you will hear the influences of reggae with jazz, ska, bossa nova and samba, in what can only be described as an homage to Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff and others who spoke of love, beauty, strength, politics and freedom. Dangerus and the Freedom Fighters continue this tradition, standing on the shoulders of those musical ancestors.
It is evident that this poet is contemplative and compassionate in his search for answers about an unstable world not of his making that will be left for his generation. Those of us who have marched the decades of unrest and have witnessed the beauty of the world, this is familiar territory celebrating the joy and pain of love and life. We understand, it is their generation’s turn to shout at the consciousness of society the gravity of their situation. Highly recommended listening but only if you are ready to expand your mind and face your convictions.
carl anthony | notorious jazz / november 29, 2017
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is back in a city often hailed as the jazz mecca of the world, and this weekend will be visiting the quintessential jazz club, the Village Vanguard. Located in Greenwich Village at 178 7th Avenue South, New York City, it was opened in 1935 by Max Gordon, who originally presented all types of music. However, in 1957 he opted for an all jazz format
For the past sixty years the Village Vanguard when one descend the steep stairway to the small basement venue they have been privy to performances by the best in the business. Keeping the tradition alive this weekend I will be enjoying the talents of the Terell Stafford Quintet. What makes a visit special for the initiates is that you will be walking into an establishment that has not changed, nor has it ever stopped functioning for 80 years. What’s even more impressive is that it’s still run by the same people: Lorraine Gordon, the nonagenarian owner and widow of the club’s founder and original manager, Max Gordon, is herself a New York institution. For reservations call (212) 255-4037. #preserving genius #wannabewhereyouare
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is in the Big Easy to settle into some jazz and Creole cooking at Snug Harbor, located just outside the French Quarter in the Faubourg Marigny section of New Orleans, Louisiana at 626 Frenchmen Street, 70116. Hosting noted local and national jazz musicians and vocalists, the jazz bistro remains a premier venue within the regional jazz scene.
The club was started by Glenn Menish in 1983 and later sold to George Brumat, who owned the club until 2007, when he died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 63. While the club was not flooded, Hurricane Katrina forced a temporary closure, but reopened October 14, 2005.
Tomorrow night, the jazz bistro will propel my senses as I enjoy the talents of patriarch pianist Ellis Marsalis along with his quintet while feasting on fried calamari and mushrooms, salad, grilled salmon, rice marigny and steamed vegetables. The music cover is $40.00 plus dinner. Shows are 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm and reservations may be made at 504.949.0696.
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The Jazz Voyager
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is the destination of this Jazz Voyager as I head across the pond to London, England. Opening October 30, 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in the Soho district, it was set up and managed by musicians Ronnie Scott and Pete King. It then moved to its current and larger venue in 1965 at 47 Frith Street, W1D 4HT, UK.
This venerable bastion of jazz history will host jazz vocalist Rene Marie two days from now and the Jazz Voyager will be in the audience to enjoy another wonderful evening of her vocal charms. For those initiates be amongst the veterans who travel many miles or walk around the corner to return again and again. Make your reservations at 44 20 7439 0747.
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