STRAIGHT AHEAD
Out of Detroit’s lively jazz scene, which has produced some of the best musicians in the world, comes the ground breaking jazz group Straight Ahead. A group of strong, inventive instrumentalists and vocalists, they have shown themselves to be powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers.
Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges comfortably from mainstream jazz, latin jazz and jazzy neo-soul. Their live performances are a dynamic celebration of power and joy with a wide range of musical textures, moods and tempos.
Straight Ahead was introduced to the world as finalist in the “Sony Innovators” competition. A national competition recognizing exceptional performers in the jazz field. They received international exposure when they were invited to open for the legendary Nina Simone at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland. They were the first all woman jazz ensemble signed to Atlantic Records. The ensemble has shared the concert stage with a who’s who of the music world including: Kem, Jean Luc Ponty, Nancy Wilson, Roy Ayers, Tony Bennett, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Max Roach, the Yellowjackets and Dianne Reeves.
Straight Ahead has established itself as an enduring and prolific ensemble. Recognized for its creativity, musicianship and dedication to making great music, the band was inducted into the Detroit Music Awards Hall of Fame.
These Grammy-nominated recording artists have travelled extensively in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe garnering rave reviews. Joy, Power, Love, Wisdom…..Magic! This is the sound of what is to come. This is Straight Ahead!
THE BAND:
Alina Morr- Piano
Marion Hayden – Bass
Gayelynn McKinney- Drums
Kymberli Wright – Vocals
Ingrid Racine – Trumpet
Tickets: $40.00 Prepaid Cocktail Bar | $75.00 Prepaid Dinner & Show
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ARTURO SANDOVAL
A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval was born just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American Jazz. Sandoval began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve, but it didn’t take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world. He has since evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer.
Sandoval has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards, and nominated 19 times; he has also received 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. The latter for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, “For Love or Country” that starred Andy Garcia as Arturo. His two latest Grammy award winning albums, “Dear Diz “Everyday I think of you” and Tango “Como Yo Te Siento” are now available worldwide. Arturo Sandoval’s newest CD, Eternamente Manzanero. Performing the music of revered Mexican romantic pianist/singer/songwriter, Armando Manzanero, this is a true labor of love. Performing Senor Manzanero’s music with co-headliner Jorge Calandrelli, the album is a fresh, modern and pleasant take on his beautiful bolero music.
Sandoval was a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning group Irakere, whose explosive mixture of jazz, classical, rock and traditional Cuban music caused a sensation throughout the entertainment world. In 1981, he left Irakere to form his own band, which garnered enthusiastic praise from critics and audiences all over the world, and continues to do so.
Tickets: $46.10 ~ $51.10
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Guy Edgar Kelly was born in Scotlandville, Louisiana on November 22, 1906. In his early career he performed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a band led by Toots Johnson before going to New Orleans, Louisiana to play in Papa Celestin’s band in 1927-1928. While residing there he would regularly perform in trumpet duels with Red Allen.
In 1929 he went on tour as a member of Kid Howard’s band, and then joined Boyd Atkins’s band in the summer of 1930. By 1931 Kelly had moved to Chicago, Illinois where he was working with Cassino Simpson and Erskine Tate.
In the 1930s he worked with banjoist Ed Carry, pianists Dave Peyton, Tiny Parham, Albert Ammons, violinist Carroll Dickerson, and clarinetist Jimmie Noone,. Guy appears on the Noone classic composition The Blues Jumped A Rabbit, recorded Chicago on January 15, 1936.
Trumpeter and singer Guy Kelly died February 24, 1940.
WYCLIFFE GORDON & FROST STUDIO JAZZ BAND
Highly acclaimed musician Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a soloist, as well as performing and touring with some of the world’s most sought-after jazz musicians. His high-energy, traditional hard-swinging style captivates audiences across time–performing for dignitaries and heads- of-state to elementary school children. He is equally at home as a composer, arranger and recording artist with over 50 recordings to his credit, 24 of which he is leader or co-leader. He is one of America’s foremost music educators and currently serves as full time director of jazz studies at Augusta University and travels all over the world giving masterclasses and performances with college and university ensembles.
Presenting Oscar Micheaux’s silent race film Within Our Gates, synchronized with Wycliffe Gordon’s original score, “Within These Gates of Mine.” This event powerfully fuses history and music, highlighting the earliest surviving film by an African-American filmmaker. Within Our Gates is a dark and emotional indictment of American racial injustices. The concert features Gordon, Etienne Charles, a 20-piece jazz orchestra, and vocalists.
Tickets: $15.00~$40.00
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Requisites
Blues In Trinity ~ Dizzy Reece | By Eddie Carter
Last night, I listened to one of my mom’s favorites, Blues In Trinity (Blue Note BLP 4006/BST 84006) by Dizzy Reece, which inspired this discussion. It was his second album as a leader and first for Alfred Lion’s label. Reece was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and began playing the baritone sax at eleven. He took up the trumpet at fourteen and later got the nickname Dizzy. At sixteen, he started playing professionally and worked with some of the best musicians in England, France, and the United States. Donald Byrd (tracks: A3, B1) and Dizzy Reece (A1 to B2) on trumpet, Tubby Hayes (A1, A3, B1 to B3) on tenor sax, Terry Shannon on piano, Lloyd Thompson on bass, and Art Taylor on drums are the musicians. My copy is the 1983 King Record Company Japanese Mono reissue (Blue Note BLP 4006 – K18P 9245).
The title tune and first of four originals by Dizzy Reece, Blues In Trinity, gets the first side off to a good start with the quintet’s medium theme. Dizzy jumps out front with a bright lead solo, then Tubby blows a set of wailing choruses. Terry takes charge next with a stunning short performance until the trumpeter and tenor saxophonist exchange riffs preceding the theme’s return. I Had The Craziest Dream by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon is a beautiful song from the 1942 film Springtime In The Rockies. Reece and the rhythm section reveal the song’s sensual beauty in an elegantly tender presentation. He also delivers a heartfelt solo as the only soloist.
Close-Up opens with a relaxing ensemble melody. Dizzy takes the lead, making each note look effortless. Tubby takes an exciting turn next, then Donald sinks his teeth into an aggressive statement. Terry follows with a solo of absolute joy. The front line takes the final flight in an exchange, leading to the sextet’s reprise and finale. Shepherd’s Serenade starts Side Two at a burning beat with the sextet’s rollicking theme. Reece launches into the opening statement with pure fire. Hayes continues with a shower of fiery notes from his tenor sax. Donald follows, blowing fierce heat in his second and final presentation, and then Art converses with the front line before the theme’s reprise and close.
Color Blind eases the throttle back to medium for the quintet’s finger-popping opening chorus. Dizzy goes right to work on the opening solo with plenty of feeling. Tubby takes the baton and builds the following interpretation effectively. Teddy maintains the mellow mood in the third performance, and the front line shares the finale in a short exchange before the theme’s restatement and climax. ‘Round About Midnight by Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams and Bernie Hanighen ends the album as a feature for Tubby Hayes and the rhythm section. The saxophonist combines the elements of elegance, restraint, and tenderness in a gorgeous performance that culminates softly.
Tony Hall produced the initial session of Blues In Trinity, and Rudy Van Gelder is credited as the recording engineer. However, he only re-recorded the initial session. The sound quality of this King reissue is sensational, with a superb soundstage that emerges from your speakers as if the musicians are playing right in front of your listening chair. This album holds a special place in my heart, as it was a staple during our Sunday jazz dinners with my mom and sister when I was younger. If you’re a hard bop fan, I offer Blues In Trinity by Dizzy Reece for consideration on your next record-shopping trip. It’s an underrated, excellent album by one of the best musicians most may not know, and I highly recommend it for a spot in your library!
~ ‘Round About Midnight – Source: JazzStandards.com
~ I Had The Craziest Dream – Source: Wikipedia.org
© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter
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