TONY HIGHTOWER

Singer/Songwriter Tony Hightower is taking up the mantle to be a bridge that ushers R&B audiences into Jazz…Real Jazz. With years of experience as a musical performer and actor with familiar roots that place him firmly within the music’s firmament, the Atlanta native  is still just getting started on this benevolent turn in his journey. And he is bringing a lot of young people with him.

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Requisites

Pianism ~ The Michel Petrucciani Trio | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s record from the library is an overlooked gem by French pianist Michel Petrucciani. Pianism (Blue Note BT-85124) is his twelfth release as a leader, and it marks his debut with the prestigious label. Recorded just days before his twenty-third birthday, the album captures the trio’s energy they exhibited during a six-week, thirty-two concert tour from Munich to Martinique. Michel Petrucciani, on the Steinway grand piano, is joined by bandmates Palle Danielsson on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums. Petrucciani composed four of the album’s tunes, and my copy is the 1986 U.S. Stereo release.

Side One of Pianism opens with The Prayer, a poignant tune that chronicles Michel’s and his sweetheart Eugenia’s transition from a lively house with friends to a single home owned by Eliot Zigmund that they lovingly maintained. The track commences with a mesmerizing solo introduction that seamlessly evolves into the trio’s comforting theme. Michel crafts a tapestry of hauntingly sensitive and lyrical notes. Palle follows with a delicately tender interpretation before they reunite to conclude the song softly. Our Tune, a composition that holds a special place in Michel’s heart, picks up the tempo for the threesome’s upbeat melody. He reveals his love and affection for Eugenia in the first solo. Palle takes over for an assertive interpretation. Eliot shares the finale with the pianist until the agile reprise dissolves.

Face’s Face is dedicated to the couple’s pure-blooded Afghan hound. The pianist’s introduction is playful, leading to the trio’s aggressive theme. Michel sets the tone with a brisk performance. Palle fuels the second reading with a dazzling display; then, Michel and Eliot exchange riffs preceding the theme’s restatement and close. The first of two standards, Night and Day by Cole Porter, gets Side Two underway with a breathtaking introduction by Michel that grows into the ensemble’s lively melody. Michel takes off like a rocket shooting skyward on the opening statement. Palle keeps things moving in the second presentation. Eliot gives his drums a vigorous workout before the spotlight returns to Michel for the climax.

Here’s That Rainy Day by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke opens with a gorgeous introduction by Michel. Palle and Eliot join him for a relaxed, easy-going theme. Michel starts the proceedings with a beautifully tender interpretation. Palle comes in next for a very pretty performance while Eliot cushions the gentle groove for Michel’s return to take the song out softly. The album’s final track is a catchy tune titled Regina. It’s named for the Brazilian singer, Elis Regina and the trio’s introduction sets the scene for an infectious, danceable melody. Michel opens the solos with a sincerely beautiful performance. Palle feeds off his energy with a compelling reading that flows to the pianist’s return for a few last thoughts preceding the theme’s restatement and fade out.

Mike Berniker produced Pianism, and Mike Moran was the recording engineer of this digital release. The album’s sound quality is outstanding, with a stunning soundstage that really shines on a quality audio system with excellent fidelity. The record is also quiet until the music begins. Despite suffering from a genetic spinal disease that caused brittle bones and resulted in his inability to grow tall, Michel Petrucciani was one of the most accomplished pianists in jazz. He performed live over one hundred times twice in two years despite being in constant pain, a testament to his passion and dedication to his craft. In addition to recording twenty-five albums as a leader, Petrucciani also recorded with Steve Grossman, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, and The Manhattan Project.

He was interviewed regularly and appeared on television quite a few times. Michel died from a pulmonary infection on January 6, 1999, shortly after his thirty-sixth birthday. But his music continues to inspire and captivate jazz fans and is an absolute joy to listen to. If you’re in the mood for a musical journey, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring Pianism by The Michel Petrucciani Trio on your next record shopping trip. It’s not just a terrific addition to your jazz library but also a perfect gateway to his discography that can be enjoyed endlessly!

~ Here’s That Rainy Day, Night and Day – Source: JazzStandards.com

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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NICOLE YARLING & MARTIN BEJERANO

Tribute to Prince.

The music of Prince is iconic and timeless­. Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Martin Bejerano and renowned vocalist and violinist Nicole Yarling present a modern, funky jazz-fusion that reimagines Prince’s “golden period.”

After the concert is an open jam. Bring your instrument!

Students be sure to score one of the limited free student tickets!

 

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MINGUS DYNASTY

Mingus Dynasty was the first band Sue Mingus organized after Charles Mingus’ death in 1979, collaborating with his own sidemen to honor his life and work. Although Mingus was an iconic and trailblazing bassist, he always said he was first and foremost a composer, and he left behind over 300 composition that deserved to be played. So a band carrying on his music became a natural, if unanticipated, mission. Today, four decades later, the powerful legacy of Mingus Music ignites bandstands as new generations of musicians express their individual voices and musical personalities, and celebrate and explore this rich and varied musical legacy. 

Please arrive 30 minutes before the show your attending. Call for ticket information.

Philip Harper | Trumpet

Mark Gross | Alto Saxophone

Abraham Burton | Tenor Saxophone

Robin Eubanks | Trombone

Miki Yamanaka | Piano

Barry Stephenson | Bass

Donald Edwards | Drums

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KELLY GREEN TRIO

Kelly Green (piano/voice), Evan Hyde (drums) & Luca Soul (bass) have played as a trio extensively all over NYC and the tri-state-area. They perform uniquely stylized arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook and the Jazz canon as well as Miss Green’s original compositions.

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