Jazz is a creative force, which results not only in new music but also in refreshing arrangements of classic jazz tunes. This is what you will find in the JazzBuffalo community this weekend, week, and always.
John Bacon And Chris Jentsch Project
A collaboration that began in the 1990’s returns to the forefront of jazz in Buffalo this week. Chris Jentsch (guitarist and composer) and John Bacon, Jr. (percussionist and composer) bring their duo, quartet, and ensemble improvisational compositions and arrangements together for two concerts this weekend:
On Friday, November 20th beginning at 8 pm see the duo with Mike Kraupa on trumpet and Jeff Campbell on bass at Pausa Art House. This, will no doubt, highlight the superb musicianship and creative force of the duo accompanied by two stellar jazz musicians from the Rochester area.
On Sunday, November 22nd beginning at 8pm at Hallwalls, the duo brings together two quartets to introduce new music. The two quartets will feature:
Marlene Wittnauer (flute)
Miranda Scoma (violin)
Jonathan Golove (cello)
Michael McNeill (piano)
&
Russ Carere (clarinet)
Jon Nelson (trumpet/sousaphone)
Dave DeWitt (trombone/tuba)
Tom Kolor (marimba)
Hallwalls, as always, does an excellent job (thanks Steve Baczkowski!) of providing detailed information on the artist appearing. Here is what they have to say:
Chris Jentsch is a Brooklyn-based composer, bandleader, and guitarist working primarily in jazz and contemporary improvisational forms. Based in NYC since 1999, his main ensemble is Jentsch Group in its various configurations. He has performed at many leading NYC venues, among them the Cornelia Street Café, Barbès, the World Turning Festival (Medicine Show Theatre), ShapeShifterLab, the Internet Café, Symphony Space, Tea Lounge, the Knitting Factory, and the Kitchen.
www.chrisjentsch.com
John Bacon, percussionist and composer, has performed with Lester Bowie, Roswell Rudd, Bobby Previte, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Bobby Militello and as featured soloist with the SUNY Fredonia percussion ensemble. He teaches percussion and directs the Latin Jazz Ensemble at SUNY Fredonia. He also teaches at UB and Villa Maria College in Buffalo, NY. He holds a PhD. in Music Composition from SUNY at Buffalo and a Masters Degree in Music Performance from SUNY Fredonia. Equally skilled as a percussionist and trap drummer, he has been a member of (hatArt) recording artists The Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble, as well as leading his own ensembles. His music has been performed by a diverse collection of musicians, including The Amherst Saxophone Quartet , Leroy Jenkins, the New Jazz Orchestra of Buffalo, the New York New Music Ensemble, Amanda Deboer and the Colorfield Ensemble, Duo Cuentista, Ensemble Laboratorium and the UB Percussion Ensemble. He has toured in England, Italy, Canada, and the US. A 2004 CD release, "Jack Rabbitt", is an organ trio outing on the Cadence Jazz Records label featuring tenor saxophonist Don Menza and organist Bobby Jones. He performs regularly with the Bobby Militello Quartet and George Jones trio. Recent creative projects include bacbaclove with Jonathan Golove (cello) and Steve Baczkowski (winds), Improv Ork a group of composer-improvisors playing graphic music and free improv, resAUnance with vocalist Esin Gunduz and pianist Michael McNeill and the New Buffalo Jazz Octet. John is a 2013 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Award recipient in Music/Sound, which he was awarded for his musical compositions.
Without question, two spectacular jazz events happening this weekend!
UB Student Jazz Ensemble
Many may not know that George Caldwell is a jazz professor for some very lucky students at UB. For the pat year or so, George has been sharing his experience and wisdom with students of the UB Jazz Ensemble. Here is the description of the event, which takes place on Friday, November 20th beginning at 5:30pm at the Buffalo History Museum:
M&T Third Friday at The Buffalo History Museum, a special concert will be presented by the University at Buffalo Student Jazz Ensemble, conducted by jazz professor and Grammy Award winning musician, George Caldwell. Inspired by Buffalo’s jazz era, the Museum’s grand auditorium will be converted into a nightclub for casual listening. Three bands – a nineteen piece big band and two ensembles will be featured.
Some familiar standards and classic tunes selected for the recital include: Shiny Stockings (Frank Foster), Mr. Fone Bone (Bob Mintzer), So Near, So Far (Bobby LaVell), Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington), Angel Eyes, and Afro Centric (Joe Henderson).
Refreshments will be available for purchase. Plus, holiday gift shopping and self-guided exhibit tours.
The Walter KEMP3-OH With Sharon Bailey
On Saturday, November 21st beginning at 8pm at Pausa Art House, a very special lady of jazz and blues takes the microphone. Sharon Bailey has been one of Buffalo’s prominent rhythm & blues and jazz singers for over two decades. At one point, holding the vocalist spot at the long-running Anchor Bar Friday Night gig led by The Jazz Example. She has traveled the world, singing in Hong Kong and in Bangkok. She will be special guest of Walter Kemp’s trio of Kemp on piano, Rishon Odel Northington on bass, and David Teaspoon Hulett on drums.
Jazz In Town
On Friday, November 20th at 7:30 pm at the Roycroft see Theresa Quinn and the West Side Horns
On Saturday, November 21st, see the Joanna Batt Trio at Saigon Cafe beginning at 8 pm
On Friday, November 21st beginning 10:00 pm see the Freehand Trio at McGarret’s
On Sunday, November 22nd beginning at 6 pm, see DMW Jazz Experience with Dennis Warne, Mike Slomowicz, Brian DeJesus, and Jamie Sunshine at The Colored Musician Club.
On Wednesday, November 25th, check out Wednesday Night Jazz at Mezza beginning at 6:30 pm hosted by Wayne Moose and featuring Phil DiRe.
On Friday, November 27th, see Einat Agmon acoustically with Ben Levitt on bass and Tony Zambito on hybrid percussions at Merge beginning at 7pm
On Saturday, November 28th beginning at 8:30pm at the Blue Bull Tavern you can see the Dave Schaivone Quartet with Joe Brancato on keyboards, John Werrick on bass, Bud Fadale on bass, and Peggy Scalzo on drums
See the Jazz Example at the Anchor Bar at their standing gigs every Friday beginning at 8 pm.
See Sol Y Sombra, Latin jazz, at the Anchor Bar on Saturday’s beginning at 8 pm.
See pianist George Jones with bassist Bill Stiebel and drummer John Bacon, Jr. at Oliver’s every Saturday beginning at 8pm.
Upcoming
The Mark Filsinger Eleventet will be at Pausa Art House on December 3rd with an all-star cast of jazz musicians.
The Mary McMahon Project will be at Pausa Art House on December 5th with Dave Schiavone, Bobby Jones, Bud Fadale, Tom Kasperek, and Tony Zambito
Look for a special event on December 13th at 189 Public House as part of the JazzBuffalo Sunday Jazz Series as we present the # Tenors. Phil DiRe, Dave Schiavone, and Bobby Militello on tenor saxophones along with George Caldwell on keyboards.
Keep Jazz Alive In WNY!!
