TAKE 6

Take 6 (Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley), heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!,” is the quintessential a cappella group and the model for vocal genius.

With 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, a Soul Train Award, and they as Members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, this musical phenomenon  has six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop.

With collaborations and praise from such luminaries as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston, the multi-platinum selling sextet has toured across the globe, collaborated across genres, and is recognized as the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world.

With their recent appearances including Grammy Honor Paul Simon (set for release soon)releases, including their upcoming recording tentatively titled A Work Of Art and most recent recording ICONIC, TAKE 6 emerged on seven (7) Billboard Charts simultaneously and have seen their music played all over the country in various formats!  This April 2022, the legendary group took to Capitol Hill for Grammys On The Hill to advocate for musicians rights and work.

With the popularity of televised vocal competitions such as the explosive a cappella show The Sing Off and the mania over singing driven comedy-dramas like Glee and Smash, Take 6 is the original torchbearer. Major public and corporate events remind everyone of this as Take 6 has triumphed among a gathering of stars including Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Nicks, and Ne-Yo at Walmart’s 50th Anniversary celebration; a SOLD-OUT audience and Standing Ovation at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards where Take 6 captivated the audience with their rendition, performing with and honoring legendary singer-songwriter Ben E. King, on his classic “Stand By Me.”

Take 6 has come a long way from their days at Huntsville, Alabama’s Oakwood College where McKnight formed the group as The Gentleman’s Estate Quartet in 1980. The group eventually became known as Alliance but when they signed to Reprise Records in 1987 they found that there was another group with the same name, so they became Take 6. Their self-titled debut CD won over jazz and pop critics and they’ve never slowed down.

What makes the music and the group last this long? The answers are direct and simple: faith, friendship, respect, and love of music. From their exceptional Christmas Show, to their innovative Symphony show, these qualities are at the heart of the Take 6 phenomenon.

Keystone Kards will not be accepted for this show.

Showtimes ~ 7:00pm | 9:30pm

Stream @ 7:00pm Only | $10.00

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THE BAD PLUS

Reid Anderson – bass
Dave King – drums
Ben Monder – guitar
Chris Speed – tenor saxophone

The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.

Now in their 21st year, The Bad Plus continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) – instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus have constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync.

The Bad Plus released their 15th studio recording and debut self-titled album as a dynamic new quartet via Edition Records on Friday, September 30th. “Evolution is necessary for life and creativity,” say Dave King and Reid Anderson. “We’ve evolved, but we’re still The Bad Plus.”

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JEFF “TAIN” WATTS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums
Paul Bollenback – guitar
James Francies – piano
Chris Smith – bass
Gary Thomas – tenor saxophone

Jeff “Tain” Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today. Jeff Watts majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Jeff joined the Wynton Marsalis Quartet in 1981 and proceeded to win three Grammy Awards with the ensemble. Watts left Wynton Marsalis in 1988. After working with George Benson, Harry Connick. Jr. and McCoy Tyner, he joined the Branford Marsalis Quartet in 1989. Jeff has worked in the film and television industry as both a musician on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee’s “Mo Better Blues”. Jeff joined Kenny Garrett’s band after returning to New York in 1995 after three years in LA on the Tonight Show.

Along with explosive power, blinding speed and mastery of complex rhythms and time signatures, Watts brings a rare sense of elegance, tried-by-fire composure, and a gritty street funk to his music. His artistic ingenuity expresses itself in his incomparable technique, sweltering sense of swing, and an extraordinary ability to imbue his music with majestic grace and elegant repose. A true jazz innovator, Watts never fails to deliver the percussive magic that has been his trademark since his emergence on the contemporary jazz scene.

Paul Bollenback is a jazz guitarist who has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Joan Rivers, and Good Morning America. He has performed with Scott Ambush, Charlie Byrd, Joey DeFrancesco, Herb Ellis, Della Reese, Arturo Sandoval, and Stanley Turrentine.

Plenty of young musicians show promise, but very few enjoy the sort of meteoric rise that pianist, keyboardist and composer James Francies is currently experiencing. At only 27, he’s played with jazz headliners like Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Stefon Harris, Eric Harland, and Terrace Martin, and racked up equally impressive credits in hip-hop and R&B: from shows with Ms. Lauryn Hill, José James, Common, and NAS, to studio time for Chance the Rapper’s Grammy-winning hit “No Problem”, Mark Ronson , Childish Gambino, YEBBA, Drake, and Kodak Black, to appearances with The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alongside his mentor and friend Questlove.

Chris Smith is a bass player, whose played music professionally for over 25 years. Whether it be electric/upright bass, vocals, or guitar, contributing to the roots music scene is his goal as a performer, song writer and session player.

Gary Thomas, widely acknowledged as one of the best saxophone players in the world, established himself in the 1980s as one of the most jarring soloists of his generation. Thomas has worked with John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Wayne Shorter, Ravi Coltrane, Cassandra Wilson, Wallace Roney, Miles Davis, Steve Coleman, as well as numerous other premier jazz musicians. He also served as Director of Jazz Studies at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore.

Showtimes: Friday & Saturday ~ 7:00pm | 9:30pm

Stream @ 7:00pm Only ~ $10.00

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CYRUS CHESTNUT & AFFIRMATION: 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Cyrus Chestnut – Piano
Tim Green – Saxophone
Obasi Koto – Bass
Eric Kennedy – Drums

“Chestnut showed what pervasive spontaneity and deep swing rhythm are all about. Chestnut made spirits soar” – Chicago Tribune 

A masterful jazz pianist and Baltimore native, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. The future is bright with great possibilities for Cyrus. Expect a unique and unforgettable show as he takes the stage at Keystone Korner Baltimore.

We could not be more deeply grateful about the deeply swinging and soulful music that Cyrus Chestnut, Tim Green, Obasi Akoto, and Eric Kennedy are sharing with us as they lift our spirits with every note at Keystone Korner Baltimore. This is truly music that makes the heart dance and our souls sing, no matter what the daunting challenges of our time. Eternal gratitude, faith, and enduring love….

Showtimes

Friday & Saturday ~ 7:00pm | 9:30pm

Sunday ~ 5:00pm | 7:30pm

Stream @ 5:00pm & 7:00pm Only : $10.00

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JACQUES LESURE JAM SESSION

Jacques is a Detroit native currently residing in Inglewood, California. His classic style along with his innovative yet sincere approach to the music are integral [arts of his signature sound.  It’s a sound steeped in the rich tradition of mentors like George Benson, Kenny Burrell, and a host of others, but expressly through his own voice. It’s no secret that his music is rooted in the foundations of gospel, blues and improvised Black American music. It’s his belief that the sounds of “today” are equally as relevant as those of glorious days gone by. It is that synergy that makes his music swing with a style like no other.

Mr. Lesure is proudly associated with the prestigious WJ3 Records imprint and now has three recordings as an artist on the label. All have received great reviews including a four star rating by DownBeat magazine and one of the “Top 100” on the Jazz Week chart. He is an honorary member of GHJazz Collective where they are keeping jazz alive in Accra, Ghana at +233 Jazz Bar & Grill.

Jam Session takes place every Monday at 8:00pm through January (16, 23, 30)

 

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