MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL

SOUND CHECK SERIES

CRAIG HANDY + 2ND LINE SMITH

Born in Oakland, Calif., Craig Handy started out on piano, guitar and trombone before settling on saxophone when he was 11 years old, thanks to hearing Dexter Gordon on the radio. While attending North Texas State, Craig was a frontrunner in the school’s noted One O’ Clock Jazz Ensemble, and where he met trumpeter David Weiss with whom he formed a lifetime musical relationship, later playing together in The Cookers.

BIRSA CHATTERJEE

Birsa Chatterjee started as a student at the JAZZ HOUSE in middle school and soon distinguished himself on the saxophone and with his vocals. He was a member of the award-winning JAZZ HOUSE Big Band and was the first recipient of the James Moody Jazz Scholarship for New Jersey. Birsa graduated from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 2019 with degrees in saxophone and vocal performance and received his master’s degree in jazz saxophone performance from The Juilliard School.

Actual Showtime: 6:00 pm~9:00 pm | Rain Date: July 14, 2022

~ No Tickets Required | Suggested Donation: $10

~ Beach and Lawn Chairs: Welcomed

~ Pop-Up Tents: Prohibited

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Malcom Bruce Turner was born July 5, 1922 in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, England. He received his education at Dulwich College, learning to play the clarinet as a schoolboy. He began playing alto saxophone while serving in the Royal Air Force in 1943 during World War II.

From 1948-53 he played with Freddy Randall and worked on the Queen Mary in a dance band and in a quartet with Dill Jones and Peter Ind. He briefly studied under Lee Konitz in New York City in 1950. His first period with Humphrey Lyttelton ran from 1953 to 1957 but leaving Lytteltonin  he led his Jump Band from until 1965, which was featured in the 1961 film, Living Jazz.

Turner arranged and recorded the music for this film and the album Jumpin’ at the NFT (National Film Theatre) was issued to coincide with the film’s release. He then took part in the biggest trad jazz event to be staged in Britain at Alexandra Palace. Returning to Randall’s group from 1964 to 1966, he played with Don Byas and Acker Bilk. He continued to work with Lyttelton and Ind into the 1980s, played with the Jump Band intermittently, and led small ensembles in the 1990s.

Turner’s autobiography Hot Air, Cool Music, was published by Quartet Books, appeared in 1984. He wrote a column on jazz for the Daily Worker. Saxophonist, clarinetist and bandleader Bruce Turner transitioned on November 28, 1993.

GRIOTS GALLERY

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JEANETTE HARRIS

Gerald Veasley’s Unscriptd Series Presents Jeanette Harris

Classically trained in both saxophone and piano, a graduate of Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music, and the saxophonist for the late, great Teena Marie’s final year of touring, Jeanette has weathered the fiercest challenges to bring the world her own brand of soulful healing vibes. She is the scintillating “saxtress” of smooth jazz and brings an energetic and captivating performance to audiences around the world.

Showtimes:

7:00 pm | Thurs~$35.00, Fri~$37.00

9:00 pm | Thurs~$33.00, Fri~$37.00

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RICO JONES QUINTET

Rico Jones NYC All Star Band featuring Vincent Herring on 8th & 9th.

Young composer and musician Rico Jones comes home to Denver, bringing along four highly acclaimed jazz stars from New York to play at Dazzle for three nights, July 7th (featuring local Denver Greats) 8th and 9th (Featuring the NYC band). With a quintet comprising both well-established and rising stars (Alto Sax: Vincent Herring; Drums: Dan Weiss; Bass: Joe Martin; Guitar: Max Light; Tenor Saxophone: Rico Jones), Rico welcomes the chance to introduce Denver audiences to current trends in New York jazz while also introducing the NY artists to the burgeoning jazz scene here in Colorado.

Acclaimed Saxophonist Vincent Herring has appeared on recordings and live performances with Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band (Won a Grammy in 2010), Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, Mike LeDonne, Carl Allen, Ron McClure, and John Hicks among others. His extensive guest soloist appearances include performances with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center and Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.

Showtimes ~ 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm | Thurs, Fri, Sat

Front Stage Table ~ $35.00/$20 minimum purchase required

General Admission ~ $25.00/$20 minimum purchase required

Students 17 & under ~ $15.00/$10 minimum purchase required

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THE YELLOWJACKETS

The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording, however, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result, the modern day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since then, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups.

The most recent addition to the band adds Australian bass player Dane Alderson in to the mix. With his exceptional rhythmic sensibility and natural disposition toward groove, Dane brings a new energy to the band and adds a youthful approach to the music.

Showtimes:

7:00 pm | Sat ~ $40.00, Sun ~ $30.00

9:00 pm | Sat ~ $40.00, Sun ~ $20.00

$15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.

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