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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The Jazz Voyager

Crossing the country once again and heading to California to catch a rare performance of Nilson Matta and Jovino Santos Neto with Ami Molinelli. The club they will be hanging out at is located at 222 Healdsburg Avenue in Healdsburg 95448.

The club is 222 which was disclosed to me by a jazz fan. The space is a performing arts center presenting various world-class events in the areas of jazz, film, poetry, choral music, and more. They are committed to embracing innovation and developing performances for the 21st century while strengthening the interaction between artists, audiences and the community.

Two Brazilian musicians, multi~Grammy nominee Matta and three-time Latin Grammy nominee Neto, both with successful international careers, join forces to present a new project with original music and new interpretations of pieces by renowned Brazilian composers.

Matta is known for his work with Trio da Paz, Don Pullen African Brazilian Connection, Joe Henderson, Yo Yo Ma, and Nilson Matta’s Brazilian Voyage. Neto is a master pianist, flutist, composer, arranger, and conductor from Rio de Janeiro. They are joined by percussionist Ami Molinelli as a special guest, enriching the contagious rhythm of the dynamic duo for this rare collaboration.

The center’s number is 707-473-9150. For more information on days and time of sets visit https://notoriousjazz.com/event/nilson-matta-jovino-santos-neto.

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The Jazz Voyager

This week I caught a plane to the home of country music where jazz has taken a footing. This Jazz Voyager is at the Nashville Jazz Workshop to hear Lizzie Thomas sing her heart out. The New Yorker will be unveiling unconventional and adventurous songs that she has recorded with some of her favorite artists as a duo.

Reminiscent of Tony Bennett’s endeavors, however, instead of vocalists, this vocalist has chosen to pair with a few of the finest instrumentalists in the business. They are Russell Malone, Helio Alves, Ron Carter, Cafe Da Silva, Ron Affif, Dezron Douglas, Wayne Escoffery, Rossano Sportiello, Guilherme Monteiro, Noriko Ueda, Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf and John Di Martino.

The organization was founded in 1998 as the Nashville Jazz Institute by Lori Mechem and Roger Spencer, and opened with a handful of students. The program was based on a workshop model developed by Mechem and Spencer growing out of their dissatisfaction with traditional academic jazz education. The workshop model is based on a journeyman/apprentice approach.

The club’s number is 615-242-5299. For more information on days and time of sets visit https://notoriousjazz.com/event/lizzie-thomas.

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