April is jazz appreciation month. A time to celebrate and appreciate the truly original American art form we call jazz. This coming week will give us all plenty to appreciate as jazz events take place throughout the Greater Buffalo region.
Highlight
The Bad Plus With Joshua Redman Friday, April 22nd at 8 pm at Buffalo State Performing Arts Center
Joshua Redman, the dynamic saxophonist, and son of legend Dewey Redman, visits Buffalo with one of his most intriguing projects in years. The notable west coast jazz artist helps brings The Bad Plus to town. Noted by the Downbeat Critics Poll in 2015 as #2 Best Jazz Group, the group has been receiving well-deserved notice in the jazz world for their improvisational and ambitious compositions. The original group of bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King have been together for more than a decade with Joshua Redman beginning to join in during a performance at Blue Note in 2011. Here is a snippet of what the band promises to deliver:
Jazz In Town
A reminder that Wednesday Night Jazz happens weekly at Mezza beginning at 6:30 pm hosted by bassist Wayne Moose. This week (April 20th) see the dynamic vocalist Janice Mitchell and keyboardist Jim Beishline are joined by Wayne Moose on bass and Dan Hull on drums.
On Thursday, April 21st at 7 pm drop by Merge to see vocalist Einat Agmon with David Pinchoff on keyboards and Tony Zambito on percussion.
On Thursday, April 21st at 8 pm you can catch True Blue at Pausa Art House with Andrew Weinzler on tenor sax, Tim Clarke on trumpet, John Hasselback, Jr. on trombone, Lisa Hasselback on piano, Jim Colemon on bass, andcJohn Bacon, Jr. on drums.
The Hamburg High School jazz band is hosting a jazz gala Saturday, April 23rd from 4:30 pm to 9 pm. It will feature the high school jazz band as well as the fabulous Mark Filsinger Eleventet Jazz Band. The gala is a fundraiser supporting the jazz band's trip to Japan in November of 2016. The gala is at the Hamburg Grange Building at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. The tickets are $25. It includes a buffet dinner, music, dancing, and Chinese auction.
The annual Jazz and Pasta Fundraiser (see article here), to support the needed funding to put on the Lewiston Jazz Festival annually, takes place on Sunday, April 24 from 1 pm to 6 pm at Water Street Landing. Tickets are $20 / $25 day of the event. Performers will include Ron Corsaro Trio (with Phil DiRe), vocalist Laurie Bordonaro, Tony Zambito / JazzBuffalo introduces Einat Agmon, Anthony Henry, Dave Pinchoff, and the Luke Ciminelli Quartet.
See the Jazz Example at their weekly Friday spot at the Anchor Bar beginning at 8 pm.
See Kevin Doyle led Sol Y Sombra, Latin jazz, at the Anchor Bar on Saturday’s beginning at 8pm.
See pianist George Jones with bassist Bill Stiebel and drummer John Bacon, Jr. at Oliver’s every Saturday beginning at 8 pm.
A reminder that the Joe Baudo Big Band performs every Tuesday at the Sportsmen Tavern from 12 pm to 2 pm.
Upcoming
The JazzBuffalo / 189 Sunday Jazz Series will begin once again on Sunday, May 15th with none other than Phil DiRe and Friends once again kicking the year off. Phil has good friends in John Hasselback, Jr, George Caldwell, John Bacon, Jr., Wayne Moose, and Dave Schiavone. Put this on your calendar and note the new start time now of 6pm. Look for additional jazz throughout the summer with The Hard Bop Project with Kelly Bucheger, Jon Lehning’s Got A Match? Chick Corea electric project, and The Devin Kelly Trio with Eastman guitarist Bob Sneider. Stay tuned for more details.
On Thursday, May 12th at UB Center for the Arts, drummer Kendrick Scott's group Oracle will make an appearance with saxophonist John Ellis, keyboardist Taylor Eigsti, guitarist Mike Moreno, and bassist Joe Sanders. Get Tickets at UB Center for the Arts online or at box office.
On Thursday, May 19th at Williamsville East High School, this year’s annual Legends of Jazz Series will host one of the top jazz pianists in the jazz world today, Bill Charlap. This annual event exposes the high school students to the brilliance of a major jazz artist and culminates with a concert. Stay tuned for more details.
Make plans to see, direct from New York City and fresh off of their Moonglow: The Magic of Benny Goodman headline performance at the Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Peter and Will Anderson Trio presented in partnership by JazzBuffalo and MusicalFare Theatre Cabaret Lounge. Be sure to reserve your seats for Sunday, May 22nd beginning at 7 pm.
In June, look for two exciting series presented by JazzBuffalo and partners The Hollow Bistro and MusicalFare Theatre to begin:
The First Saturday Jazz Brunch, which will begin in Clarence at The Hollow Bistro on June 4th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Kicking off this series will be a trio consisting of George Kane on guitar, Tim Clarke on trumpet, and Wayne Moose on bass.
The Premier Cabaret Jazz Duo Series, which will take place every Second Sunday, kick-offs with Janice Mitchell and Jim Beishline at MusicalFare Theatre Cabaret Lounge on Sunday, June 12th. Stay tuned for more details in the near future.
Keep Jazz Alive In WNY!!
