KEVIN BALES QUARTET

By some measures, Kevin Bales was a latecomer to jazz, already 17 when he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. But if late to the party, he wasted no time in immersing himself in the celebration, declaring total commitment to what would be his life’s work and backing his announcement by resigning his job and designated career in computer programming. Kevin could commit to jazz with a reasonable degree of expectation. He was already an accomplished pianist, with classical chops refined since the age of 10. So accomplished he was invited to audition for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of its most storied conductor Robert Shaw, at age 16.

Kevin’s initial career move was to the University of North Florida and a budding if little-known jazz program. There he met and performed with, and went on to record and tour with, a number of monumental artists who had settled into that burgeoning North Florida jazz scene. Giants like Wynton Marsalis, Louie Bellson, Eddie Daniels, James Moody, Ben Tucker, Ira Sullivan, Sam Rivers, and Nat Adderley. He counts among his mentors bassist Ben Tucker, multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, guitar legends Nathen Page and Jack Petersen, and the fiercely individual saxophonist Bunky Green. His meeting with Bunky Green led to five years of tours. His encounter with guitarist Nathen Page blossomed into 15 years of spot tours and four albums. And his work with trumpeter extraordinaire Marcus Printup has become a lifetime association that has included recordings on Blue Note/Capital records. Ten years touring and recording with vocal iconoclast Rene Marie culminated in a Grammy Nominated album. His most recent recording of music composed by Fred Rogers was selected as one of the top 10 albums of 2018 by Cadence Magazine and AllAboutJazz.com

Few artists have the patience for teaching – as are few teachers accomplished players. But Kevin has amassed a reputation for his prowess in both professions. While still a senior at North Florida he was drafted into a full teaching load, and continued to be an integral part of the school’s jazz program for upwards of a decade. Today, Kevin manages his own jazz program, overseeing an ambitious schedule of ambitious jazz students and runs the improvisation and small group programs at Georgia State University.

Kevin has amassed a long list of awards and a reputation as one of the finest jazz pianists performing anywhere. In 1994, less than a decade into jazz, he won the American Pianist Association’s Jazz Piano Competition. In addition to nearly every important jazz venue in the South, he has performed in some of the most acclaimed clubs and festivals in America and around the world: the JVC Jazz Festival in New York, The Bakery in Los Angeles, The Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center jazz series, the Toronto and Edinburgh jazz festivals, and the Moscow Center for the Performing Arts.

Shows ~ 7:30pm | 9:30pm

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TERENCE BLANCHARD

Featuring E~Collective & the Turtle Island Quartet

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VANESSA RUBIN

All That Jazz
Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra
with special guest Vanessa Rubin

Revered as a torchbearer and storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin lends her voice to the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra as the ensemble performs popular selections from the jazz repertoire. Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful sass, with influences from her Trinidadian mother and Louisiana-born father. With her multicultural upbringing, diverse influences and wealth of experience, Rubin can seamlessly transition between styles and settings — from the Great American Songbook to bebop and modern jazz — making her a powerful addition to any jazz ensemble.

Vanessa Rubin, vocalist
Luciano Morello, founding producer
Lew Del Gatto, artistic director, tenor saxophone
Randy Sandke, trumpet
Mike Harvey, drums
Chuck Bergeron, bass
Jerry Stawski, co-bandleader, vocals, piano

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ARTEMIS

Jammin’ at the Gem is back by popular demand, we are thrilled to present a full season of national Grammy-award winning headliners. This is a special year, as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary since the American Jazz Museum opened its doors. Let’s celebrate and empower the community that helps keep jazz alive at 18th & Vine!

About the artist:

The brainchild of pianist and composer Renee Rosnes, Artemis is a powerful ensemble of modern masters. The multinational, multigenerational band was founded in 2017 under the banner of International Women’s Day. Artemis’ performance at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival was so dynamic, Blue Note Records President Don Was signed the group to the label. Artemis has played on iconic stages like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, SFJAZZ, and Chicago Orchestra Hall. Each member of the band is a virtuoso player, composer and bandleader and the group’s repertoire reflects each individual’s sound. From original music to mind-bending arrangements of eclectic material, Artemis performs with power, passion, and high-wire intensity.

The group: pianist & music director Renee Rosnes, clarinetist Anat Cohen, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Noriko Ueda, drummer Allison Miller, and vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.

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HERSCHEL MCWILLIAMS TRIO

Herschel McWilliams is a life long resident of the Kansas City area. Born and raised in Kansas City, KS, growing up the son of musicians (father who is a drummer & mother is pianist) he was introduced to many musical influences at an early age. He started learning piano at 8 years old and alto saxophone at 10 years old. He serves on the Board of Directors for Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors as well as running his own jazz website LiveJazzKC.com.

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