There are no shortages of surprises when it comes to jazz in the greater Buffalo area. The area will be treated to an international jazz party this week. From mainstream to the eclectic, jazz music will warm the spirits.
Slavic Soul Party!
The Art Of Jazz Series at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, produced by Jon Nelson in partnership with the gallery, kicks off on Saturday, October 3rd, beginning at 7:30pm with Slavic Soul Party! The internationally recognized nine-piece band creates an acoustic mash-up of Balkan and Rom (gypsy) sounds with North American jazz, weaving gospel, funk, and Latin influences into a Balkan setting. The band has made its mark on the brass band scene, as its original compositions are being performed by brass bands from New Orleans to Serbia. SSP has also recorded six live albums. For more information on the series, go here on JazzBuffalo: Art Of Jazz Series
Wycliffe Jordon
If you are willing to take a drive to Niagara-On-The-Lake, you will be able to see the jazz great and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon along with trumpeter Jumaane Smith, who is the trumpeter touring with Michael Buble. The concert takes place at St. Mark’s Anglican Church on October 2nd beginning at 8pm. The concert, part of the North Star Festival will also feature Danny Ziemann on bass, Bobby Jones on piano, and Buffalo native Carmen Intorre, Jr. on drums. Here is a brief write-up by the festival:
Musical ambassador and interpreter of America’s music, Wycliffe Gordon experiences an impressive career touring the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz receiving great acclaim from audiences and critics alike. His unmatched modern mastery of the plunger mute and his exceptional technique and signature sound, has solidified Gordon a place in musical history known as one of the top trombonists of his generation. The Critics seem to agree. Wycliffe was named “Best in Trombone” by the Downbeat Critics Poll three years running now (2014, 2013 & 2012) and Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” in 2013, as well as previous years 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012. He is a past recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Vanguard Award, among others.
Here is video of Wycliffe Gordon performing and most likely what to expect in concert:
Jazz Guitarist Summit
If you are a lover of the jazz guitar, there is a special concert taking place at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute on Sunday, October 4 at 7:30pm. Guitarist Martin Taylor, Frank Vignola, and Vinny Raniolo convene together to perform individually and together in a musical tour de force. Tickets are $35. Here is a little something on each of the performers:
Pat Metheny calls Martin Taylor “one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument, while Jeff Beck says, “he out-shreds all of us—I’ve never seen anything like it.” Taylor is widely recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo fingerstyle jazz guitar playing, with a record 15 British Jazz Awards, Top 10 albums in the USA and Europe and an MBE from the Queen of Great Britain. Taylor serves as a globally recognized and beloved online guitar teacher through the Martin Taylor Guitar Academy, in association with ArtistWorks, the world’s leading online learning provider with students in more than 60 countries.
Frank Vignola is highly regarded as one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional players in the world today. Les Paul added him to his “Five Most Admired Guitar List” for the Wall Street Journal while the New York Times deemed Vignola as “one the brightest guitar stars.” Vinny Raniolo is best known for his accompanying skills and is a very high demand rhythm guitarist. His dynamic playing has taken him to 14 countries on three continents (and still growing), and he has performed in some of the world's most illustrious venues, including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, New York's Lincoln Center and the world's oldest indoor concert hall, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy. Often featured on National Public Radio in duo with Frank Vignola, Vinny has become a familiar figure on Public Television, featured previously on three popular shows, including the heavily programmed Tommy Emmanuel and Friends. Frank and Vinny's own PBS special, Four Generations of Guitars premieres in the 2014-15 season as part of the forthcoming 13 episode series Music Gone Public.
Jazz In Town
Wednesday Night Jazz at Mezza Restaurant features the grand lady of female jazz vocalists in the Buffalo area Peggy Farrell on Wednesday, September 30th at 6:30pm. The WNJ is hosted by Wayne Moose and provided this nice bio of Peggy Farrell:
Peggy is a Buffalo jazz icon. A vocalist for years — As a young girl, Peg won a local talent contest. Later while working at the Statler Hotel Peg met Anne Fadale who insisted she try out for a talent show, which she won. With her $5 prize money, she promptly went out and bought a black taffeta dress for her gig, which Anne helped her to land. She got an agent – and gigged. San Francisco, Greenwich Village. After a 20 year hiatus while raising her children and supporting herself (deceased husband) – she met Al Tinney at the Cloister one night. Her life changed. Music, gigs, an 18 year love affair. Peg and Al were everywhere – with a 5 year run at Fanny’s Supper Club in Amherst.
“Performing in front of a crowd is pretty damn fabulous” says Peggy. The first tune she recalls performing really well: Lullaby of Birdland. She describes her voice as a bit husky and June Christy influenced. Growing up in a musical family with radio playing – song books – and her mother constantly singing in the household – Peg was destined to become a singer. Her brother sang in a barbershop quartet and all her sisters sang as well. A member of the choir at St. Louis Cathedral on Main and Goodell, where Frank Scinta, the director, has taught her a great deal about music.
See the band Winelight at the SOHO Bar for happy hour beginning at 5pm on Wednesday, September 30th
On Wednesday, September 30th beginning at 7:30pm see the Katy Miner Quartet with Katy Miner on vocals, Phil Sims on keyboards and trombone, Paul Zapalowski on bass, and Tom Kasperek on drums
Hear the music of Moshe & Miguel, with guitar and accordion, as the play songs from Argentina, Cuba, and South America at Pausa Art House beginning at 8pm
Nietzsche’s is hosting a Music Mix Up night on Thursday, October 1st beginning at 9pm and will feature the bands The Observers, Blues Stone Groove, and Jazz Cache’
My Cousin Tone’ will be performing at Wegman’s (Sheridan and Evans Drive) on Friday, October 2nd beginning at 6pm
The band Why Not? will be performing at Pausa Art House on Friday, October 2nd at 8pm. Led by Kevin Doyle on piano and featuring Tim Clarke on trumpet, Mark Harris on bass, and David Phillips on drums. The word is they are going to record the event live and produce a CD Disc as they play the music of Mingus, Ornette Coleman, and new compositions.
The Jared Tinkum Trio will be performing at Shakti Yoga Lounge on Saturday, October 3rd beginning at 8pm with Jared Tinkhum on guitar, David Phillips on drums, and Brian DeJesus on bass. Jared states they will perform original Jazz compositions as well as some creative and harmonically adventurous arrangements of Jazz standards.
The Jazz Example led by Doug “Trigger” Gaston continues their Friday night performances at the Anchor Bar beginning at 8pm
On Saturday, October 3 at 1pm you can catch Jazzline with Dennis Warne on guitar and Jennie Jones on sax at Hot Mama's Canteen
Oliver’s Restaurant features George Jones on piano with All Hands beginning at 7pm on Saturdays
See Sol Y Sombra, Latin jazz, at the Anchor Bar on Saturday’s beginning at 8pm.
On Saturday, October 3rd at 9pm see the Jon Lehning Trio with Jon Lehning, Harry Graser, and Lindsey Holland at Saigon Cafe
Upcoming
Avant-Garde enthusiasts will be able to see world-renowned jazz artist Elliott Sharp on Friday October 9th at the Mont ante Cultural Center, which will also feature a host of local jazz artists as well.
On October 17th, Barbara Levy Daniels will be performing at the Burchfield Penney Museum with Abdul-Rahman Qadir on drums, Dave Schiavone on sax, Barry Boyd on bass, and Lisa Hasselback on piano.
On October 23rd, see the production of Quiet Nights: Bossa Nova and Jazz Samba at MusicalFare Premier Cabaret Lounge with Mary McMahon on vocals, Bobby Jones on piano, Ralph Fava on guitar, Bud Fadale on bass, Abdul-Rahman Qadir on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussions
Keep Jazz Alive In WNY!!
