The Jazz Voyager

The skies are clear and blue as the Jazz Voyager heads once again across the big water to East Africa, landing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There I will experience the sights and sounds of the country as I make my way to the Ghion Hotel on Ras Desta Damtew Avenue that houses The African Jazz Village to hear jazz from a new perspective.

Opened in 1951,it is situated in the heart of downtown Addis Ababa on thirty acres adjacent to what was once the jubilee palace of emperor Haile Selassie I.  As the hotel is just 5 Km from Bole International Airport, it is also within a walking distance from museums and points of interest of which I will be taking advantage.

This outing will be a true adventure as I am unable to discover who will be playing this weekend. Room rates are reasonable and I have made my  hotel reservations at 251 91 189 7438. #wannabewhereyouare

GRIOTS GALLERY

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The Jazz Voyager

This weekend the Jazz Voyager is heading to Queens to soak in a dose of history when I visit a national historic and New York City landmark, the Louis Armstrong House Museum located at 34-56 107th Street, in the working class Corona neighborhood in New York 11368. The brick house was designed by architect Robert W. Johnson and built by Thomas Daly in 1910. Now a museum, the house was given to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in 1983 after Lucille’s death, and is managed by Queens College.

I will be taking the 40-minute tour through the small, impeccably preserved home and explains the significance of each room to both Louis and Lucille. They moved into this modest home in 1943 and lived for the remainder of their lives. Open to the public, I will be hearing audio clips from Louis’s homemade recordings and hear Louis practicing his trumpet, enjoying a meal, talking with his friends and enjoy the Armstrongs’ beautiful Japanese-inspired garden.

For those voyagers who will follow in my footsteps, the museum is closed on Monday, open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Admission is Adults: $10, Seniors (65 and older), students, and children: $7, Group rate: $6 and Children under 5 and Members: Free. For more information on the Louis Armstrong House Museum that was added to the National Registry for Historic Preservation in 1976, the number is 718-997-3670.  #preserving genius #wannabewhereyouare

GRIOTS GALLERY

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The Jazz Voyager

Heading to Louisiana and the Big Easy once again, yes, to the birthplace of jazz, to 726 St. Peter Street in the heart of the French Quarter to Preservation Hall and there is no other place that can transport the audience through time to the very origins of jazz.

Opened originally in the 1950s as Associated Artists, a small art gallery, by proprietor Larry Borenstein who found that it curtailed his ability to attend the few remaining local jazz concerts. So he began inviting the living legends of New Orleans jazz to have “rehearsal sessions” in the gallery.  Then in 1961 Preservation Hall was established to preserve, perpetuate, and protect traditional New Orleans Jazz, becoming a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture.

So this Jazz Voyager is going to soak up some traditional jazz with trumpeter Leroy Jones on Saturday and the Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band: Present a Tribute to the Ladies of Preservation Hall on Sunday, eat a few beignets and enjoy the Crescent City nightlife. Showtimes are 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00pm nightly, seating is reserved, tickets are $40-$50 for Mr. Jones, and $15-$45 for the Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band and can be purchased at http://preservationhall.tunestub.com/eventList.cfm. More information can be gotten by calling (504) 522-2841. #preserving genius #wannabewhereyouare

GRIOTS GALLERY

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The Jazz Voyager

The Jazz Voyager is back in a city often hailed as the jazz mecca of the world, and this weekend will be visiting the quintessential jazz club, the Village Vanguard. Located in Greenwich Village at 178 7th Avenue South, New York City, it was opened in 1935 by Max Gordon, who originally presented all types of music. However, in 1957 he opted for an all jazz format

For the past sixty years the Village Vanguard when one descend the steep stairway to the small basement venue they have been privy to performances by the best in the business. Keeping the tradition alive this weekend I will be enjoying the talents of the Terell Stafford Quintet. What makes a visit special for the initiates is that you will be walking into an establishment  that has not changed, nor has it ever stopped functioning for 80 years. What’s even more impressive is that it’s still run by the same people: Lorraine Gordon, the nonagenarian owner and widow of the club’s founder and original manager, Max Gordon, is herself a New York institution. For reservations call (212) 255-4037. #preserving genius #wannabewhereyouare

GRIOTS GALLERY

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The Jazz Voyager

The Jazz Voyager is in the Big Easy to settle into some jazz and Creole cooking at Snug Harbor, located just outside the French Quarter in the Faubourg Marigny section of New Orleans, Louisiana at 626 Frenchmen Street, 70116. Hosting noted local and national jazz musicians and vocalists, the jazz bistro remains a premier venue within the regional jazz scene.

The club was started by Glenn Menish in 1983 and later sold to George Brumat, who owned the club until 2007, when he died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 63. While the club was not flooded, Hurricane Katrina forced a temporary closure, but reopened October 14, 2005.

Tomorrow night, the jazz bistro will propel my senses as I enjoy the talents of patriarch pianist Ellis Marsalis along with his quintet while feasting on fried calamari and mushrooms, salad, grilled salmon, rice marigny and steamed vegetables. The music cover is $40.00 plus dinner. Shows are 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm and reservations may be made at 504.949.0696.

GRIOTS GALLERY

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