The Jazz Voyager
New York is beckoning the Jazz Voyager to leave the cold of the Midwest to experience the familiar cold of the Big Apple for two new events. The first is a visit to a fresh old fashioned haunt that’s tucked away in Lefferts Garden called Bar Bayeux. Though it may be familiar, I’m desirous of warmer southern temperatures but the jazz and new adventures never stop.
The second event has me in the company of international recording pianist, organist, and accordionist Gary Versace who is one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene. Leading this quartet date, he has been featured in bands of John Scofield, Maria Schneider, John Abercrombie, Anat Cohen, Al Foster, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Wilson, Ingrid Jensen and many others.
Bar Bayeux is located at 1066 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225. For more information visit https://www.barbayeux.com. No cover, one drink minimum but tips for musicians are encouraged.
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GARY VERSACE
The Band: Gary Versace~piano, Adam Kolker~saxophone, Jeremy Stratton~bass, Billy Mintz~drums
No cover. One Drink minimum. Tips for musicians encouraged.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is flying east for another visit to the Motor City and some atmosphere and jazz at Cliff Bell’s. Starting out as a pub, turned speakeasy during Prohibition, it has become one of the premier jazz venues in the Midwest. I’m going to stop by Hitsville U.S.A. and take a nostalgic walk down the soul music memory lane before hitting the club.
I will be checking out a musician I have never heard before but is one who is keeping the tradition alive. He is a Grammy nominated saxophonist who goes by the name of De’Sean Jones and he brings his trio with him for the night. I’ll be catching the second set, as usual, just in case he decides to give anything extra.
The cover charge is $25.00 and Cliff Bell’s is located at 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226. For more information visit cliffbells.com.
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SUBA TRIO
Global Rhythms: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio
The Atlantic Ocean separates Cuba and Senegal, the respective birthplaces of piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and kora master Seckou Keita, a distance diminished by their shared ancestral connection to Africa.
Recorded during lockdown and released in October 2021, Sosa and Keita’s second album SUBA is a hymn to hope, to a new dawn of compassion and real change in a post-pandemic world, a visceral reiteration of humanity’s perennial prayer for peace and unity. Joining Omar and Seckou in the studio and for live performances is the inimitable Venezuelan artist Gustavo Ovalles.
Tickets: $25.00~$50.00
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ALEXIS COLE TRIO
Award-winning jazz vocalist Alexis Cole may be the most talented singer to ever hold a top-secret military clearance. A dozen albums into her critically acclaimed career, she may also be the best-kept secret in jazz, a status that’s certain to change as more people are discovering her for themselves.
The year 2009 was a big one for Alexis: She released her first albums on both Motéma Music and Venus Records… and went to Basic Training to prepare for her new job as a jazz singer for the US Army.
During her seven years in the Army’s Big Band, Cole had the opportunity to grow as a musician and a person, sharing the stage with ensembles as diverse as the New York Philharmonic and Kool and the Gang. Alexis continued recording throughout her tour of duty, releasing a string of well-received albums, including four titles for Venus, two for Motema, and two on Chesky Records. She proved her versatility on everything from jazz standards to Paul Simon’s lesser known compositions, to Disney love songs to a project on which she teamed up with a fellow serviceman 50 years her senior, the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.
Though Alexis transformed into an insightful interpreter of jazz during her Army years, understandably, her personal advancements and achievements had to take a back seat to her military responsibilities.
Cover: $30.00~$94.00 | The latter price is dinner & show
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