In a career that has spanned over 65 years, international jazz vocal legend Mary Stallings has earned a unique place in modern jazz. After decades of performing around the globe alongside a who’s who of talented collaborators, while quietly accumulating a series of thoughtful and well respected recordings, she still continues to challenge her boundaries and creative potential. Yet it is her deep connection to her roots and the community that nurtured her talent that reveal her artistry. Utilizing a wide and diverse repertoire, Stallings music expresses a profound spiritual essence combined with a love for that community that supported her. “This music is deep. lt is a life force. lt is a history of people’s lives and struggles. It is not just a bunch of notes., she explains. For this historic performance at Keys, Mary returns to the Neighborhood where she first began her artistic journey, decades ago.
Tickets: $40 per show
Seating is first come, first serve. Recommend arriving early.
An inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist; trumpeter and vocalist; a composer, arranger, and platinum music producer; bandleader and major recording artist,Keyon Harrold’s career is a spectrum of greatness. From touring and recording with Jay-z and Cirque Du Soleil to being signed by legendary Rapper Nas (Mass Appeal) and writing the theme song for The Queen Latifah’s Show. Harrold is a first-call artist with feature credits with Keith Richards, Black Pumas, Mac Miller (Stay), and Nas (The Jarreau of Rap) and Harrold’s latest collaboration with UK crooner Samm Henshaw (Still Broke). Keyon is a frequent collaborator with YEBBA, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, Common, PJ Morton, and Gregory Porter. He is an activist for social justice and equality.
Mervyn Africa was born on October 18, 1950 in Cape Town, South Africa and studied music there and sang in the boys choir. Moving to the United Kingdom in 1981 he searched for work in the bands of fellow exiles, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, percussionist Julian Bahula and saxophonist Dudu Pukwana. With drummer Brian Abrahams and Russel Herman he was a co-founder of the Afro/jazz group District Six.
He put together a quartet consisting of bassist Michael Mondesir, trumpeter Dave Defries and percussionist Nana Tsiboe. Drawing from his rich cultural and musical background, he created a strong reputation as a solo performer, band leader and big in African jazz.
As a composer he is known for his piano improvisations and unique compositions, Mervyn’s influences range from classic and carnival music through to township jazz and Malay musical heritage.
Pianist and composer Mervyn Africa, also known for his 2010 portrayal in Master Harold and The Boy, remains a major presence on the London scene.
This Jazz Voyager is jumping a plane for the streets of The Big Apple famous for Broadway, Harlem, Wall Street and Greenwich Village. It is the latter destination that I am ultimately spending the evening within the walls of the Zinc Bar. Live jazz headlines this subterranean club known for its African, Latin & Brazilian rhythms.Within this beautiful, small jazz club lies everything you want in a classic New York jazz experience. Dress up or dress down, it kind of doesn’t matter. But you know I’ll honor the music.
This Thursday I will be in the company of pianist Axel Tosca and his mother, international vocalist Xiomara Laugart. This will be a rousing jam session of Cuban rhythms that will keep the crowd enthused well into the morning hours. I trust there will be some afro rhythms included also but I look forward to the surprise of what I will hear.
The Zinc Bar is located at 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012. For more information visit https://www.zincbar.com.
Joseph Bowie was born October 17, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri and was greatly influenced by his older brothers, saxophonist Byron and trumpeter Lester. His first international tour was with Oliver Lake of the Black Artists Group in 1971. During this time in Paris, France he worked with Alan Silva, Frank Wright, and Bobby Few. He also worked with Dr. John in Montreux, Switzerland in 1973.
Moving to New York City, and with the help of Off Broadway Theater impresario Ellen Stewart he established La Mama children’s theater. He performed with Cecil Taylor, Human Arts Ensemble, Nona Hendryx, Leroy Jenkins, Vernon Reid, Stanley Cowell, Sam Rivers, Philippe Gaillot, Dominique Gaumont and Ornette Coleman.
In 1976 Joseph relocated to Chicago, Illinois where he led bands for Tyrone Davis and other R&B artists. Returning to New York City in 1978 he began singing with punk and funk musician James Chance and the Contortions. Defunkt was born during that time and over the next 25 years, Defunkt recorded 15 albums.
Bowie has collaborated with Jean-Paul Bourelly and Jamaaladeen Tacuma. He has performed “big band funk” arrangements with Ed Partyka at Music School Lucerne, Barbary Coast Ensemble at Dartmouth College, JazzArt Orchestra, and the HR Frankfurt Radio Big Band. The first Defunkt Big Band debuted in 1999 in New York City at the Texaco Jazz Festival sponsored by the Knitting Factory.
In 2003, he moved to the Netherlands where he met Hans Dulfer and was introduced to the Dutch music scene. He has performed with Hans, Candy Dulfer, Saskia Laroo Band, Naked Ears, Monsieur Dubois, Emergency Room, Funkateer, Seven Eleven, and Almost Three.
In 2014 he produced Sax Pistols Allergy for the U.S (ZIP Records) with lyricist Hilarius Hofstede. The album Defunkt Mastervolt was released in 2015 on ZIP Records. Robin van Erven Dorens directed the documentary In Groove We Trust about Bowie’s life.
Trombonist and vocalist Joseph Bowie continues to perform and record.
