Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Bengt Hallberg was born on September 13, 1932 in Gothenburg, Sweden and studied classical piano from an early age. He wrote his first jazz arrangement at the age of 13. By 15 he recorded his first record as a member of a group led by bassist Thore Jederby and in 1949 he recorded with the Swedish alto saxophonist Arne Domnérus for the first time. The two musicians continued to play together for several decades.

During the Fifties, Bengt played with leading visiting American musicians tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and altoist Lee Konitz in 1951, and trumpeters Clifford Brown and Quincy Jones in 1953. During the same period he worked with Swedish baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin.

Hallberg had a versatile style and in his later years he wrote music for film and television, as well as choral arrangements. With Domnerus and Georg Riedel among others, he participated in the Jazz at the Pawnshop sessions in 1976.

Pianist, composer and arranger Bengt Hallberg, who also played accordion, transitioned on July 2, 2013 from congestive heart failure at the age of 80 in Uppsala, Sweden.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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TIERNEY SUTTON & RANDY BRECKER

“Blind Date” feat. Christian Jacob

“Ms. Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.” – The New York Times “Brecker has the chops to play it cool or hot, laid-back or virtuosic.” – Downbeat

9-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton and legendary multi-Grammy-winning trumpet master Randy Brecker share a stage for the very first time in an evening of spontaneous music-making. This special Tuesday night performance will also feature the illuminating pianist Christian Jacob.

Tierney Sutton – vocals | Randy Brecker – trumpet | Christian Jacob – piano

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GEORGE CABLES QUARTET

“Anyone who is serious about jazz will tell you that George Cables belongs in the pantheon of the greatest jazz pianists.” – All About Jazz

One of the essential artists of piano, George Cables (aka “Mr. Beautiful”), is known for his impeccable sound, sensitive accompaniment, and original playing. A trusted collaborator over the past 50 years for artists like Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, and Art Pepper, Cables has also released numerous essential recordings as a leader. The New York City Jazz Record says, “He is a piano giant.” National Public Radio adds, “His solos reveal a deep sense of groove and pacing and a mind at work.”

George Cables – piano

Craig Handy – saxophones

Sean Conly – bass

Jerome Jennings – drums

***Friday & Saturday Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:00pm | 10:30pm

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LUTHER ALLISON SEXTET FEATURING STEVE WILSON

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, pianist Luther S. Allison is a rising star who is making his Smoke debut as a leader with a stellar sextet featuring the great saxophonist Steve Wilson. Allison has already gained a reputation working alongside Rodney Whitaker, Jazzmeia Horn, The Baylor Project, Samara Joy, Gregory Tardy, Ulysses Owens Jr. and many more. His original compositions and arrangements are influenced by R&B, country, and gospel. He credits a great deal of his inspiration and musical development to his experience playing in the black church along with the sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire, Anita Baker, Sly and The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway.

Brandon Woody – trumpet

Steve Wilson – alto saxophone

Joe Giordano – trombone

Luther Allison – piano

Jonathon Muir-Cotton – bass

Michael Reed – drums

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BILLY CHILDS QUARTET FEATURING SEAN JONES

“One of the most critically acclaimed pianists in modern jazz” – All About Jazz
Renowned pianist and composer Billy Childs makes a long-awaited Smoke Jazz Club debut, leading a very special quartet featuring acclaimed trumpeter Sean Jones with bassist Matt Penman and drummer Ari Hoenig. A native of Los Angeles, Childs grew up immersed in jazz, classical, and popular music influences, which he blends in powerful and personal compositional and performing voice.

A child prodigy who started performing at age 6 and studying at USC at 16, he was “discovered” by trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard, with whom he embarked on a successful performing and recording tour. He also recorded and performed with a number of other influential jazz musicians, including J.J. Johnson, Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Jack DeJohnette, and Dave Holland, among many others, and with such varied artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Renee Fleming, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Kronos Quartet. Downbeat says, “The same creative spirit that’s propelled him from the bands of bop giants as a twenty-something side-player to a composer renowned throughout concert halls and across jazz festival stages remains unhampered.”

Billy Childs – piano

Sean Jones – trumpet except Saturday

Jason Palmer – trumpet, Saturday only

Matt Penman – bass Ari Hoenig – drums

***Friday & Saturday Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:00pm | 10:30pm

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