BRIAN SIMPSON
Celebrated keyboardist, composer and studio musician, Brian Simpson has been the ‘go-to’ man for everyone from Janet Jackson and Teena Marie to George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Dave Koz, for whom he has had the distinction of being musical director for the past 15 years. The chart-topping musical chameleon who wrote the #1 R&B hit “The First Time” for Surface in the 1990s confesses, “Ultimately, my listeners inspire me to make my music.”
Known for his ability to sculpt timeless love songs, soulful party anthems and melodies that stay on your mind, Brian Simpson is truly a master at his craft. On his own, Simpson has released several Top 20 jazz albums, including 2010’s South Beach, 2015’s Out of a Dream, and 2018’s Something About You. In 2020, he collaborated with guitarist Steve Oliver on Unified, and he returned in 2021 with All That Matters.
***Fees Apply To All Tickets | Streaming Pass $15.00
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The Jazz Voyager
In the air once more and three hours later flying from Phoenix to that renowned city with the racetrack, Indianapolis, where this jazz voyager will be in The Jazz Kitchen audience for a toe-tapping good time. Since 1994 this venue has been serving up world~class musicians and cuisine in a casual, sophisticated atmosphere.
The Jazz Voyager will witness the talents of Tony Monaco, who may be the best organ player to come along. This will be my first time hearing him in person, having only experienced him on compact disc. Mentored by the legendary Jimmy Smith in the classic style, he does not swing, smolder or smoke, he burns. He began his keyboard life at age eight, at twelve he heard Jimmy Smith and jazz became his destiny. An enthusiastic student, Tony began working in Jazz clubs as a teenager in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio where he was guided by local organ gurus Hank Marr and Don Patterson.
For those of you who have never been to this establishment it is located at 5377 N. College Avenue, Indiana 46220. For those wanting more information go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/tony-monaco.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is departing Phoenix and jumping on a two hour flight to the West Coast and that city by the bay, San Francisco, California. We will find our destination, the Black Cat, in the heart of the Tenderloin neighborhood. The historic arts and entertainment district was once home to great supper clubs and fabled live jazz venues. Tapping into that legacy, Black Cat is a refined social dining experience featuring a modern American supper club menu.
On the stage for a four day residency is Marc Cary and The Focus Trio. They’ll be celebrating nearly 20 years of synergy, exploring the rich interplay between Native American music and jazz. The pianist enlists tabla drummer Sameer Gupta and bassist David Ewel to the feel of the music as he taps into his multicultural heritage.
For those of you who have never been to this establishment, the venue is located at 400 Eddy Street 94109. For more info go to https://notoriousjazz.com/event/marc-cary-focus-trio.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Michael Baird was born Lusaka, Zambia on July 5, 1954 and moved to the Netherlands at an early age, where he learned to play drums. Since the mid-1970s he has worked with several Dutch jazz groups and from 1975-83 he played and recorded with Gijs Hendriks, Slide Hampton, Kenny Drew, Raul Burnet, Sonny Grey, Siggi Kessler, Michel Herr, Michel Grailler, Joe Diorio, Jan Akkerman, Wim Overgaauw, Stan Tracey, and Kenny Wheeler.
He founded his own label SWP Records in 1986, led his group Sharp Wood for a decade beginning in 1986 and the octet Utrecht Deep Artment for two years. In 2000 he put together a quintet CapeAbility, followed by sextet Trendy 3D Junk and by 2002 was performing solo concerts along with various other projects and composition commissions.
He has compiled and produced a 22 Cd series “Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey” of African music from the 40s and 50s, made his own field recordings in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and released both on SWP Records.
Drummer, percussionist and keyboardist Michael Baird continues to perform, record and push the boundaries of jazz.
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BOB JAMES
From his first days in Marshall, Missouri, the music of Bob James has captivated audiences throughout the world. Discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, James recorded his first solo album, Bold Conceptions, that same year for Mercury Records. More than 60 albums and innumerable awards would follow through the nearly six decades.
Bob James honed his skills working with Creed Taylor, and on albums for artists like Hank Crawford and Grover Washington, Jr, among others. While with CTI, James found great popular success overseeing significant hits for Paul Simon, Neil Diamond, Maynard Ferguson, and Kenny Loggins.
While James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip hop. Two of James’ songs – “Nautilus” from 1974’s One and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975’s Two – are among the most sampled in hip hop history.
Showtimes:
7:00 pm | Fri, Sat~$55 Sun~$40.00
9:00 pm | Fri, Sat~$55 Sun~$20.00
$15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
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