The Jazz Voyager
Thanks to the fates who had me buy a roundtrip ticket to New York’s JFK to head back into the city for a night at Birdland. The Jazz Voyager will be heading down to the Broadway District for the second set of the Oscar Peterson Centennial Celebration. However, it’s Harlem during the day to hit a couple of favorite spots, wander through the art galleries and see the evolution of the city.
This evening, Grammy-winning bassist John Clayton is joined by pianist Makoto Ozone and drummer Jeff Hamilton in celebration of their friend, colleague and mentor, Oscar Peterson. This is their first ever musical meeting at Birdland and will be performing his catalogue as well as their own compositions and beloved standards.
The cover charge ranges from $45.76 to $56.06 and this night promises to be something special.
Birdland is located at 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. For more information contact the venue at https://www.birdlandjazz.com.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Anthony Dowd was born on August 14, 1957 in Richmond, Virginia and started playing piano by ear at age six. Listening to what he heard on television he figured out on the piano before beginning formal lessons at age 12, studying for about five years. During high school he came across his parent’s big band records and got hooked on swing and looked for more jazz piano.
A few weeks after graduating Benedictine High School, Anthony got a job playing piano with a local big band, The Kings Of Swing, at Kings Dominion Amusement Park. That led to jobs with Busch Gardens and Carnival Cruise Lines. In the early 80s’ he moved to Hartford, Connecticut and honed his solo piano skills at local restaurants, modeling his playing after pianist Dave McKenna.
Returning to Richmond in 1985 he landed a residency leading the house trio at Benjamin’s Restaurant until 1992. In 1994, while playing at the Jefferson Hotel, he hit a high point. Frank Sinatra was in town for some concerts, and after finishing his dinner, joined Dowd at the piano and sang a few tunes. After playing in the mid-Atlantic region, he took a break from playing piano, moved to Tennessee and spent time raising his daughter.
He returned to Virginia in 2003 and found his reputation as an all-around pianist as strong as ever. His style mixes the playing of Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. His debut release as a leader was Can’t Sleep in 2009. He is featured on bassist Jason Jenkin’s albums and with Roger Carroll on their duet release. He recorded with the Children’s Miracle Network
As an educator he has lectured on jazz piano history for the Retired City of Richmond Employees, Rappahanock Community College and the Northumberland Library System. He formed the Richmond Association of Jazz Artists to promote concerts.
Pianist, singer and songwriter Anthony Dowd, who has composed close to 60 songs, continues to perform, record, compose and sell his tunes to publishers.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Andrew James Quin was born August 12, 1960 in London, England. Not from a musical family, he was offered a scholarship to study classical piano at the Royal College of Music, but turned down the place in order to pursue his growing interests in improvisation, composition and music technology.
He works in TV and film and his music has appeared in Hollywood movies, advertising campaigns, and television programs. His work has appeared in British TV shows such as Coronation Street and Holby City.
Pianist, theatre organist and composer Andy Quin, who has well over one thousand published tracks, continues to perform, compose and record.
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THE PURPLE AFFAIR
The james M. Dixon Foundation presents The Purple Affair starring keith David, Maria Howell and Noel Friedline for an afternoon into a night of fine dining, jazz and celebration in honor of incredible individuals and organizations to raise funding and awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.
The Honorees: Dr. Robert Kaufman, Sonder Health, Jacquelyn Thornton, Dr. Glenna Brewster, Jamila Jones, Bob Baldwin and Barbara Clayton Hudson.
The Honorary Chair is Janean Courtney Armstrong, the emcee is WCLK Morning host Morris Baxter, and The After Affair features keyboardist Bob Baldwin.
General Tickets: $150.00 | After Affair: $50.00
Patron Tickets: International Caregiver $350.00 | Daddy’s Closet: $500.00 | Food Insecurity: $750.00
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OSCAR PETERSON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
August 15, 2025 marks the occasion of the “Maharajah of the Keyboard” Oscar Peterson’s 100th birthday. For the occasion of his centennial and to commemorate his long history with Birdland, there will be celebrations for Peterson’s birthday week both at Birdland Jazz Club and the Birdland Theater.
Three legends of jazz will have their first ever musical meeting on the Birdland stage. Makoto Ozone, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton will be coming together to celebrate their friend, colleague and mentor, Oscar Peterson, with a variety of music featuring selections from both his musical catalogue and their own as well as beloved standards that celebrate the swinging rhythms of the jazz tradition that OP represents.
Featuring:
Makoto Ozone ~ piano
John Clayton ~ bass
Jeff Hamilton ~ drums
Cover: $45.76 ~ $56.06
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