WAYNE ESCOFFERY
“Like Minds” Record Release
Wayne Escoffery – tenor saxophone
Nicholas Payton – trumpet
David Kikoski – piano
Ugonna Okegwo – bass
Mark Whitfield Jr. – drums
Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery celebrates the release of his anticipated new album Like Minds (Smoke Sessions) by performing the music from with a superb quintet—special guest trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. Escoffery, a prominent protégé of the great Jackie McLean, faithfully channels his former mentor’s powerful approach. All About Jazz says, “Not since the works of bassist Charles Mingus and saxophonist John Coltrane has there been music so charged with emotion and so engulfed in spirituality.” Stereogum adds, “the leader’s playing has thoughtfulness and muscle in equal measure.”
“Every time he plays, saxophonist Wayne Escoffery brings a sense memory that includes early days in the church choir in New Haven, Connecticut; the wisdom and watchful eye of the legendary Jackie McLean; time spent with The Mingus Big Band, Ron Carter and Tom Harrell.” – Gary Walker, WBGO.org
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CYNTHIA SCOTT & HOUSTON PERSON
Cynthia Scott – vocals
Houston Person – tenor saxophone
Jeb Patton – piano
Russell Hall – bass
Willie Jones III – drums
Cynthia Scott, a soulful, Grammy-nominated vocalist, leads a swinging quintet featuring the legendary tenor saxophonist Houston Person. Scott worked with Ray Charles as a Raelette before launching her successful solo career and subsequently performing with Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., and many others. JazzTimes says Scott blends “the sinewy grit of Gladys Knight and the sophisticated sass of Shirley Horn” with “nods to such idols as Carmen, Ella, Sarah, and Dinah.” The Chicago Tribune called her “a mesmerizing vocalist.” Houston Person is the very special guest with this quintet and All About Jazz says, “Whatever imponderable talent it takes to stay at the top of one’s game for almost six decades, as Person has, he still has it in abundance.”
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BOBBY WATSON QUINTET
“Back Home In Kansas City” Record Release
Bobby Watson – alto saxophone
Wallace Roney Jr – trumpet
Cyrus Chestnut – piano
Curtis Lundy – bass
Victor Jones – drums
Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, one of the most acclaimed and beloved artists of the last 40+ years, returns to New York City and Smoke to celebrate belatedly the 2022 release of his latest record Back Home in Kansas City with the stellar rhythm section featured on it including pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Curtis Lundy, and drummer Victor Jones with the special addition here of trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr. Audiophile Audition recommends this album for listeners who “love Cannonball Adderley, and the soulfulness of Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, and hearing church gospel roots with blues influences.”
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HERSCHEL MCWILLIAMS TRIO
Herschel McWilliams is a life long resident of the Kansas City area. Born and raised in Kansas City, KS, growing up the son of musicians (father who is a drummer & mother is pianist) he was introduced to many musical influences at an early age. He started learning piano at 8 years old and alto saxophone at 10 years old. He serves on the Board of Directors for Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors as well as running his own jazz website LiveJazzKC.com.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Mahlon Clark was born on March 7, 1923 and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. He started out in vaudeville as a child, however, as a teenager he became a big band musician playing for the Ray McKinley and Will Bradley bands, among others.
Relocating to California during World War II and after serving in the armed forces, found employment at Paramount Pictures where he performed music on many movie soundtracks.
In 1962 Mahlon was hired by Lawrence Welk to join his orchestra and his television show. For six years he played both the clarinet and saxophone on the weekly show and on stage when the Musical Family went out on tour.
Leaving the Welk organization in 1968, Clark continued to perform on many more movie soundtracks and with numerous artists such as Frank Sinatra and Madonna.
Clarinetist and saxophonist Mahlon Clark transitioned on September 20, 2007 at the age of 84.
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