The Jazz Voyager
Flying to the Midwest once more to the Gateway To The West for a little bit of jazz at a spot known to many as Jazz St. Louis. Gaining international fame this small intimate atmospheric venue hosts some of the finest musicians and vocalsits since its humble beginnings in 1995.
A new experience for this jazz voyager is always welcomed and the Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana is just that. She’ll be bringing her visionary sound to the club, including music from her latest Blue Note Records release, Echoes Of The Inner Prophet. I’m told I will be hearing a blending of deep introspection with dynamic collaboration, exploring themes of personal growth, storytelling, and sonic innovation. Influenced by jazz legends like Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins, I am looking forward to this evening as she honors the rich tradition of modern jazz.
Located at 3536 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Misssouri 63103. For more information contact the venue at jazzstl.org.
The Band: Melissa Aldana – saxophone | Sam Yahel – piano | Joe Martin – bass | JK Kim – drums
Tickets: $40.00 ~ $50.00
Show times: 7:30pm & 9:30pm | 3.27 @ 11:00am
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The Jazz Voyager
Heading back up to the Big Apple, this time motoring up the highway on 95 North. I’ll get in early and will be catching the sights and sounds of the city until it’s time to make my way to Columbus Circle. There it will be my fortune to be in the house that Wynton Marsalis helped build, as an audience member in Dizzy’s Club. Overlooking the New York skyline, the lights of the night will only enhance the performance.
This week this jazz voyager will be taking a very talented organist, pianist and composer, Akiko Tsuruga. Landing in New York City from Osaka, Japan she quickly immersed herself into the jazz scene. Sitting in and playing gigs, she eventually recorded with Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb, Grady Tate and other top NY musicians. In 2006 she joined Lou Donaldson’s quartet.
Performance Lineup:
Akiko Tsuruga, organ Joe Magnarelli, trumpet Myron Walden, tenor & baritone, saxophone, flute Byron Landham, drums Charlie Sigler, guitar
Tickets: $20.00 ~$50.00
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LUCIA
Lucía is a 23-year-old vocalist from Veracruz, México, the offspring of a well-known Mexican musical family, whose singular artistic vision bridges the gaps between jazz, Latin, and pop music. In 2022 she became the only Latiné singer to have won the prestigious Sarah Vaughan Vocal Jazz Competition.
Lucía began her musical career at the age of two, singing and dancing in her parent’s son jarocho band, Son de Madera. Since then, she has collaborated and performed with leading artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, La Santa Cecilia, Quetzal and the National Jazz Orchestra of Mexico, and she has performed on stages around the world, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Vancouver Folk Festival, and Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris in Mexico City.
Tickets: $65.00
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SULLIVAN FORTNER
Sullivan Fortner has established himself as a multifaceted jazz talent over the past decade, showcasing his exceptional abilities as a pianist, composer and ensemble leader while maintaining his distinctive artistic voice. Originally from New Orleans, Louisian but now calls New York home, this Grammy Award winner has garnered worldwide recognition both for his solo performances and his collaborative work.
His musical partnerships span a diverse range of acclaimed artists, including vocalist-composer Cecile McLorin Salvant, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, and guitar virtuoso John Scofield.
Tickets: $65.00
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The Jazz Voyager
Jumping on a quick flight from LaGuardia to BWI to be in the audience at what has become a venerated jazz spot in Baltimore, Maryland, the Keystone Korner. Its founder, Todd Barkin, created the iconic location in San Francisco next to the North Beach police station, thus the origin of its name as a play on words on Mack Sennett’s slapstick “Keystone Kops” films. Moving east, he made a prudent decision to bring that same atmosphere to serve great music to the Baltimore, Washington and northern Virginia area.
The purpose for this travel itinerary is to see one of my favorite pianists and to be part of his 50th birthday celebration with 50 SHADES OF O. The Orrin Evans Trio with special guest vocalist Lisa Fischer will take us on an adventurous evening of music. Evans and his 2x Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band released and will be performing music from their new studio album, Walk A Mile In My Shoe!
Orrin Evans Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 + fee | Streaming: 6:00pm Only ~ $15.00 + fee
Keystone Korner Baltimore address is 1350 Lancaster Street, 21231. For more information visit keystonekornerbaltimore.com.
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