LINDA MAY HAN OH QUARTET

Renowned bassist from New York presents compositions from her album The Glass Hours.

From rock solid accompaniment on double bass to elastic electric bass lines: Linda May Han Oh has mastered it, and always seems to become one with her instrument on stage. On top of that she is an excellent composer of tunes that seem ‘simple and clear, many with folk-like melodies, but are actually complex constructions involving intricate overlays of different densities and activity, sometimes coming into phase, sometimes gently straying apart’, according to Downbeat.

Her new album The Glass Hours is a collection of works based on abstract themes of the fragility of time and life. Vocalist Sara Serpa plays an important role on the album. She will perform here in the band alongside pianist Fabian Almazan, who released The Glass Hours on his label Biophilia Records. Linda May Han Oh is in high demand as a bassist and is known for playing in the Pat Metheny Group, as well as with American jazz greats such as Mark Turner, Dave Douglas en Joe Lovano.

More Posts: adventure,bass,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel

CARMEN LUNDY

“Musicians as diversely gifted as Carmen Lundy, who has excelled as a vocalist, composer, lyricist, arranger, and pianist for more than three decades, remain far and few between.” – Jazz Times

Carmen Lundy: vocals | Julius Rodriguez: piano & keys | Ben Williams: acoustic & electric bass | Terreon Gully [drums | Andrew Renfroe: guitar

Two-time Grammy® Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album singer and composer, Carmen Lundy, has been making her mark in New York City’s jazz scene since 1978. Her debut album, “Good Morning Kiss” dominated the Billboard chart for 23 weeks.. Beyond her solo success, Carmen contributed to Grammy®-winning projects, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz, and is a prolific composer with over 150 published songs. Recognized by the Jazz Times and The New York Times, Carmen Lundy’s legacy is one that transcends genres, spanning music, acting, and mixed media art.

Carmen Lundy began her professional career as a jazz vocalist and composer when there were very few young, gifted and aspiring jazz vocalists on the horizon. Three decades later, Ms. Lundy is celebrated throughout the world for her vocal artistry and is highly regarded for her jazz innovation.

***Fees Apply To All Tickets

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,music,piano,preserving,travel,vocal

SUN RA ARKESTRA

Directed by Marshall Allen and celebrating Marshall’s 100th birthday!

The Sun Ra Arkestra are known for their live shows that combine big band swing, outer-space jazz, dancing, singing, chanting and Afro-pagentry.

“Besides,” Sun Ra once said, “that’s the way black people say ‘orchestra.'”

The Arkestra continue to tour the world and have performed in more than 25 countries including shows at the pyramids in Egypt and in the USSR, Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Jazz Festival, the Fillmore East, the Hollywood Bowl, Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, the Newport Jazz Festival, Fuji Rock Festival, and the Kennedy Center.

During World War 11 Marshall Allen enlisted in the US Army 92nd Division Infantry and performed in the Army band. Marshall joined the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1955 and has been their leader since 1995. He was awarded a PEW Fellowship in 2012. Marshall continues to compose and record with the Arkestra.  He tours with them when in driving distance of his home in Philadelphia and he greatly looks forward to the shows. An inner ear issue restricts his flying at this time.

In Marshalls own words: “My work is an extension of Sun Ra’s mission to provide for the spiritual healing of the planet earth.”

***Fees Apply To All Tickets

More Posts: adventure,club,ensemble,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel

STANLEY CLARKE

Stanley Clarke is a four-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, performer, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, a composer for recordings and film, as well as one of the most celebrated acoustic and electric bass players in the world. Known for his musicality, dexterity, and ferocity on the acoustic and electric bass, Clarke was the first jazz fusion bassist to headline tours, selling out performances around the world.

Originally a double bass player who aspired to play in the Philadelphia Orchestra, Clarke was seduced by jazz, and moved to New York City to work with Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Stan Getz and, most importantly, Chick Corea. Clarke and Corea formed the legendary cutting-edge jazz-rock fusion band Return to Forever, and during that time Clarke developed an entirely new way of playing the bass, liberating it from the rhythm section to become a lead instrument. His creativity has been recognized and rewarded in every way imaginable. In 2022, Clarke was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, and in 2011 he received the highly prestigious Miles Davis Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in recognition of his body of work.

More Posts: adventure,bass,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,restaurant,travel

Requisites

Blues For Harvey ~ Johnny Griffin | By Eddie Carter

It’s been a while since I listened to one of my favorite tenor saxophonists, Johnny Griffin, so I chose an album that became the inspiration for this morning’s discussion. Blues For Harvey (SteepleChase Records SCS-1004) is an excellent 1973 live date, and Johnny’s working with a stellar supporting cast: Kenny Drew on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums. My copy is the 1976 U.S. Stereo reissue (Inner City IC 2004). Johnny began his career in the forties playing the alto sax. He changed to tenor after joining Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra, and he’s played with Art Blakey, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band and Thelonious Monk, to name a few.

The quartet begins the set with a trip to That Party Upstairs, the first of four by Johnny Griffin. The ensemble’s melody begins at an easy swing before stepping aside for Johnny’s lengthy opening statement. Kenny takes an interesting turn next; then Mads finishes with a carefree stroll ahead of the foursome’s theme restatement and close. Alone Again is a pretty ballad that Kenny introduces gently segueing into Johnny’s delicately tasteful theme and opening chorus. The pianist follows with an elegantly stylish interpretation; then, Mads makes a few intimate remarks preceding Griff’s return for a touching theme reprise and finale.

Side Two starts with Soft and Furry. Griff and Mads open with a dialogue over Ed’s soft supplement into the quartet’s haunting theme. Johnny opens the solos with an exceptionally rich tone. Kenny takes an exquisite performance next, and then Mads gives a tender interpretation before the tenor and bass reappear to lead the foursome to a beautiful climax. Blues For Harvey is dedicated to the Montmartre bartender, Harvey Sand. Griff sets the tone in the introduction and the quartet’s melody. Johnny takes the lead in an incredibly fleet interpretation. Kenny adds a bit of fire and drive in the second reading, and Ed has a vigorous exchange with the leader, leading to the ensemble’s brisk conclusion.

Rhythm-A-Ning by Thelonious Monk starts with the foursome’s quirky theme before Johnny takes flight with a speedy interpretation that seamlessly switches to The Theme before the song ends with Griff’s introduction of the quartet. Johnny Griffin and Nils Winther produced Blues For Harvey, and Nils also did double duty behind the dials of the recording. The album’s sound quality is good for a seventies live date, placing the listener in the Montmartre audience, and the quartet’s performance is enjoyable throughout. If you’re a fan of Griff’s playing or in the mood for hard bop, I offer for your consideration, Blues For Harvey by Johnny Griffin. It’s a little-known release in his extensive discography deserving of greater recognition and worthy of checking out for a spot in your library!

More Posts: choice,classic,collectible,collector,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone