GEOF BRADFIELD
Saxophonist and composer Geof Bradfield blends modern jazz, African rhythms, and the roots music of his native South into a style that is “explicitly adventurous and forward-looking” (AllAboutJazz.com). Born in Houston and based in Chicago, Bradfield has performed throughout North America, Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, sharing the stage and recording studio with artists such as Randy Weston, Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Brian Blade, Ben Goldberg, Anna Webber, Orrin Evans, Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, and Ryan Cohan.
His work is featured on 50+ CDs including ten albums as a leader that have garnered critical accolades from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and NPR. He has received grants and awards from Chamber Music America, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, DCASE, Illinois Arts Council, and the Mellon Foundation. The Downbeat Critics Poll has named him a Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist and Arranger multiple years.
Cover: $20.00
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ETIENNE CHARLES
San Juan Hill: A New York Story
Created by composer and trumpeter Etienne Charles, it is an immersive multimedia creation that celebrates a vital chapter of New York’s past. Through music, visuals, and first-person accounts, this powerful work shines a light on the historic communities of the area where Lincoln Center stands today. Blending diverse musical styles—including ragtime, jazz, stride piano, swing, blues, mambo, paseo, Antillean waltz, calypso, funk, disco, and Hip-Hop—with historical film and compelling narratives, the work showcases the myriad cultures that migrants brought to New York from the American South and the Caribbean.
He is joined by the University of Miami’s Frost Symphony Orchestra, where Charles teaches and serves as the Director of the Frost Studio Jazz Band, and special guests, this piece is a testament to the enduring spirit and forgotten stories of a community that helped shape the city’s cultural landscape.
The Program:
Lenape | Where Two or More are Gathered | Zora & Percy | Swing Culture | The Destroyer | Riot 1905 | Negro Enchantress — The Story of Hannah Elias | Charleston at the Jungles | Urban Removal — 1949–1959 | House Rent Party
Creole Soul:
Etienne Charles ~ Trumpet
Godwin Louis ~ Alto, Soprano Saxophones
Tori Trinity Flute
Christian Sands ~ Piano
Alex Wintz ~ Guitar
Lino Piquero Bueno ~ Bass
Brenten Handfield ~ Drums
Feature:
University of Miami Frost Symphony Orchestra
Maestro Gerard Schwarz ~ Director
Special Guests:
DJ Logic ~ Turntables
Eljon Wardally, Carl Hancock Rux ~ Spoken Word
Tickets: Currently No Availability
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The Jazz Voyager
Feel the soul of New Orleans come alive as Grammy winner Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra present Sacred Spaces, a powerful ballet that blends music and dance in a celebration of resilience, community, and hope. Created in collaboration with the renowned Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company, the piece was inspired by the burning of three historic Black churches in Louisiana.
With gospel, funeral dirges, and second lines woven throughout, this unforgettable performance transforms tragedy into a stirring tribute to healing and strength and features vocalist Andromeda Turre.
Performance Lineup: Adonis Rose, drums / Artistic Director Andromeda Turre, vocals David Navarro, trumpet Miles Berry, tenor saxophone itch Butler, trombone Brandon McCune, piano
Tickets: $25.00 ~ $50.00
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CORNELL JAZZ ENSEMBLE & BILL EASLEY
Cornell Jazz Ensemble with guest saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Bill Easley, who plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He has worked with George Benson in the late 1960s and with Isaac Hayes in the 1970s. He also did sessions at Stax and Hi Records with Ann Peebles and Al Green.
He has also worked with Roland Hanna, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, Ruth Brown, James Williams, Bill Mobley, George Caldwell, Mulgrew Miller, Grady Tate, Victor Gaskin, Panama Francis, Mercer Ellington, and Billy Higgins.
Songs by Oliver Nelson, Thad Jones, Duke Ellington, Freddie Hubbard, and Ned Washington with arrangements by Melba Liston, Frank Foster, and John LaBarbera.
Student composition premieres by Turner Aldrich and Cedric Orton-Urbina.
Tickets: Free
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RENÉ MARIE & EXPERIMENT IN TRUTH
The Grammy-nominated vocalists René Marie is performing a tribute to Harry Belafonte’s Greatest Hits. The celebration includes songs like Jump in the Line and Banana Boat (Day-O). Step into an unforgettable evening filled with music, storytelling, and celebration as the incomparable René Marie leads a dynamic 7-piece band to honor the legendary King of Calypso, Harry Belafonte.
René Marie, a rare modern vocal icon and two-time Grammy nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album—is a powerhouse vocalist, lyricist, composer, arranger, playwright, actress, and educator. Her Americana roots blend seamlessly with jazz improvisation, creating a genre-defying experience that captivates and moves audiences.
Under masterful arrangements by acclaimed trumpeter Etienne Charles, the band breathes new life into Belafonte’s timeless classics—from the infectious rhythms of “Day-O” to deeper, poignant cuts that reflect his enduring legacy as a trailblazing activist.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the power of Harry Belafonte’s music and message, this joyous tribute will have you swaying to the beat while reflecting on the profound impact of his art and activism.
For over two decades, René Marie has redefined jazz through bold artistry and a genre-blending style inspired by legends Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington. Her eleven recordings, including the GRAMMY-nominated Sound of Red, showcase her journey of resilience and healing through music. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and deeply moved.
The Band:
Etienne Charles (arranger, trumpet, percussion)
Andrae Murchison (trombone)
Dan Wilson (guitar)
Xavier Davis (piano)
Rodney Jordan (bass)
Quentin E. Baxter (drums, tambourine)
Tickets: VIP ~ $175.00 | General Admission ~ $75.00
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