Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Harry Haag James was born on March 15, 1916 in Albany, Georgia the son of a bandleader in a traveling circus, the Mighty Haag Circus, and Myrtle Maybelle Stewart, an acrobat and horseback rider. He started performing with the circus at an early age, first as a contortionist at the age of four, then playing the snare drum in the band from about the age of six.
James started taking trumpet lessons from his father at age eight, and by age twelve he was leading the second band in the Christy Brothers Circus, for which his family was then working. James’s father placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. In 1924, his family settled in Beaumont, Texas and in the early 1930s he began playing in local dance bands when he was 15. While still a student at Dick Dowling Junior High School, he was a regular member of Beaumont High School’s Royal Purple Band, and in May 1931 he took first place as trumpet soloist at the Texas Band Teacher’s Association’s Annual Eastern Division contest held in Temple, Texas.
His first job was playing at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee and played regularly with Herman Waldman’s band, where he was noticed by Ben Pollack. In 1935 he joined Pollack’s band, but left two years later and joined Benny Goodman’s orchestra through 1938. He was nicknamed “The Hawk” early in his career for his ability to sight-read. With financial backing from Goodma, Harry debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1939, but it didn’t click until adding a string section in 1941. Subsequently, known as Harry James and His Music Makers, he went on to produce hits, appeared in four Hollywood films, and toured with the band into the 1980s.
Trumpeter and big band leader Harry James was a heavy smoker, drinker, and gambler, in 1983 he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. He played his last professional job, with the Harry James Orchestra, on June 26, 1983, in Los Angeles, California dying just nine days later in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 5, 1983, at age 67. Frank Sinatra gave the eulogy at his funeral, held in Las Vegas.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
John “Bugs” Hamilton was born on March 8, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Leaving home for New York City in 1930 he was a member of trombonist Billy Kato band and played with Chick Webb around the same time for about a year.. Toward the middle of the decade he played with Kaiser Marshall, then joined Fats Waller’s ensemble in 1938. Bugs remained with Waller until 1942, touring, recording and often appearing in several films as a member of Waller’s group.
During World War II he played with Eddie South and Roy Eldridge. Shortly after the end of the war, trumpeter John Hamilton contracted tuberculosis, resulting in his death at age 36 on August 15, 1947 in St. Louis.
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JEAN CAZE
Jean Caze, a Haitian American trumpeter from Queens, N.Y., is one of today’s most captivating new musicians in jazz. He has performed with legends including Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey. Caze’s unique style blends his Haitian roots with his American jazz education, offering audiences an unparalleled musical experience.
Starting trumpet at age 9, Caze quickly developed a passion that led to numerous scholarships and awards, including at the National Trumpet Jazz Competition and the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a master’s from Florida International University (FIU).
Caze has toured globally with Bublé and released two self-produced albums, Miami Jazz Scene and Amédé. He is also a dedicated educator, teaching at institutions including the Litchfield Jazz Camp and FIU. Caze continues to inspire and elevate the jazz world with his sophisticated and rootsy style.
Admission: Free
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WALLACE RONEY JR. QUARTET
Growing up surrounded by the sounds of jazz and melodies that filled every corner of his home, Roney Jr. found his passion for the trumpet at an early age. Inspired by legendary players like Kenny Dorham, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and Lee Morgan, he quickly developed an intense love for the craft. At just 10 years old, his dedication to learning harmony and his eagerness to play led his father to gift him his very first trumpet—a moment that would set the stage for his musical journey.
Since then, Wallace Roney Jr. has graced stages alongside jazz luminaries such as Chick Corea, Jimmy Heath, Lenny White, Buster Williams, and the late Ornette Coleman. A proud graduate of the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music, he continues to captivate audiences at venues across the U.S. and around the globe. Today, Roney Jr. is one of the most sought-after trumpeters in the New York jazz scene, known for his dynamic performances and deep understanding of the genre.
Music runs deep in Roney Jr.’s veins. As the son of renowned trumpeter Wallace Roney Sr. and the universally celebrated pianist Geri Allen, his artistry is both a reflection of his family’s rich musical legacy and a testament to his own extraordinary talent.
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ARTEMIS
ARTEMIS is a powerful ensemble of modern jazz masters, founded in 2017 by pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes. In Real Time––the band’s second release on Blue Note Records––has been garnering universal acclaim. NPR wrote that “it further establishes their prowess both as individuals and as a collective…a femme fatale supergroup,” and from the Times of London, “robust voicings, free-jazz diversions and searching modal patterns all feature in the intricate style of ARTEMIS…so distinctive is each voice and so striking is their sense of unity.” DownBeat hailed the music as “deep swinging” and a “stellar follow up” to the band’s debut album in 2020. Each musician is a bandleader and composer and every performance encompasses inspired arrangements of classics and originals.
Renee Rosnes ~ piano & keyboard
Ingrid Jensen ~ trumpet
Nicole Glover ~ tenor saxophone
Noriko Ueda ~ bass
Allison Miller ~ drums
Tickets: $35.00 ~ $45.00 + fee | Streaming: $15.00 + fee
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