The Jazz Voyager
They say Atlanta, Georgia is hot and this may be one of the hottest weekends for jazz in the country which is why the Jazz Voyager is heading South for the Memorial Day weekend. My first stop kicking off the weekend on Friday evening at City Winery is to check out Superblue featuring Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter and special guest Scott Mulvahill.
The fifteen time nominated and two-time GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling has secured his place among the world’s foremost jazz vocalists. He has also received three awards from France, two Dutch, two from Germany, 14 year DownBeat Critics and Readers and twelve Jazz Journalists.
City Winery is located at Ponce City Market, 650 North Avenue NE 30308 Tickets range from $35.00~$45.00. You can reach the venue by phone at 404-946-3791 and can always get ticket information at citywinery.com/atlanta.
As if that isn’t enough music, the Atlanta Jazz Festival kicks off on Saturday with three days of free jazz in Piedmont Park. Bringing to the stage this year’s lineup includes Brandee Younger, Javon Jackson, Samara Joy, Wynton Marsalis, Lakecia Benjamin, Tony Hightower, Brenda Nicole Moorer, Stanley Clarke and many others. More information can be found at https://atljazzfest.com/2023-atlanta-jazz-festival-lineup/.
So needless to say this Jazz Voyager will be hanging out in Hotlanta till Tuesday when he’ll be on his way to his next jazz encounter!
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The Jazz Voyager
Iowa is one of the few states where the mainstream population may not think it to be a destination that hosts jazz. Contrary to that belief, there is jazz and this week The Jazz Voyager is off to 1326 Walnut Street in Des Moines, 50309 to investigate a jazz club called Noce. It has been said that nothing beats a live show and Wednesday through Saturday, this venue only serves up mixed nuts and cheese so that one can concentrate on the jazz experience with minimal noise from a kitchen or dishes.
Five-time Grammy nominated vocalist Karrin Allyson is taking to the stage for two shows Friday night for a two-hour show from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Hailing out of Great Bend, Kansas this vocalist/pianist has been performing around the world, drawing from a variety of genres and incorporating them into her jazz vocals. Having her part of any playlist I’ve created, do not be surprised when you hear her, just kick back and enjoy.
Joining composer and drummer Kendrick Scott are Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, poet, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Houston, visual artist Robert Hodge, the Harlem String Quartet featuring violinists Ilmar Gavilán, Melissa White, violaist Jaime Amador, and cellist Felix Umansky, pianist Gerald Clayton, saxophonist Walter Smith III, and bassist Joe Sanders.
Tickets range from $25.00 – $65.00 plus fees. You can reach the venue by phone at 515-244-5399 and can always get ticket information at https://www.nocedsm.com/.
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The Jazz Voyager
Houston is the next stop for this Jazz Voyager who will be in the audience for an evening of music, poetry and visuals this coming Friday, May 12th at the Cullen Theater. The venue, which opened in 1987, sits inside the Wortham Center Complex, seats 1100 and offers concessions, merchandise, bar and disabled access.
Native son Kendrick Scott returns home to wow those who have the temerity to attend this star-studded amalgamation of artists honoring what is now known as Sugar Land 95. Unearthed pays tribute to the tragic history behind the recent discovery of the remains of 95 Black people (94 men, 1 woman) in unmarked graves in Sugar Land, Texas. They were convict laborers, swept back into “slavery by another name” in the post-Civil War era, arrested for petty crimes like vagrancy and forced into back-breaking and often fatal labor in the sugar fields of Texas.
Joining composer and drummer Kendrick Scott are Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, poet, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Houston, visual artist Robert Hodge, the Harlem String Quartet featuring violinists Ilmar Gavilán, Melissa White, violist Jaime Amador, and cellist Felix Umansky, pianist Gerald Clayton, saxophonist Walter Smith III, and bassist Joe Sanders.
Located in the city’s theater district in the heart of downtown at 501 Texas Avenue, Texas 77002 and can reach the venue by phone at 713-524-5050. You can always get ticket information at boxoffice@dacamera.com.
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EUGENIE JONES
A warm, engaging entertainer, she’s described by critics as an artist that “can make you feel jazz,” and she and her recordings have received favorable coverage in every major jazz publication, including DownBeat, JazzTimes, JazzIz, The Gazette/NY, and many others. Described as a “deft vocalist,” Jones has also proven to be a skillful songwriter,
releasing 29 originals on her recordings.
Joined by David Joyner on piano, Lamar Lofton ~ bass and drummer Brian Smith, you will hear an evening performance of Silk & Soul featuring the music of Nina Simone, Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick along with your favorite jazz classics and Eugenie’s original chart-toppers.
Doors at 7:00pm
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The Jazz Voyager
This Jazz Voyager is on his way to NOLA to investigate for you a new spot for jazz that I’ve never been to called Chickie Wah Wah. This intimate club is a revered local place for live jazz, roots and funk music while serving up creative sandwiches.
This week I’ll be listening to native trumpeter, pianist and composer Terence Blanchard featuring the E~Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet. They will be performing two shows at 8:00 and 10:00pm. He started his career in 1982 as a member of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, then The Jazz Messengers. He has composed more than forty film scores and performed on more than fifty. So we’ll be celebrating Cinco de Mayo and Jazz Fest on the same night.
Located in Mid~City, it’s just a short ride from the French Quarter to 2828 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119. One can always get more information at https://chickiewahwah.com/.
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