Festival weekend will soon be upon us. Not one but two festivals happen in the same weekend. Both representing homecomings and paying tribute to the legacies who represent the rich history of jazz in Buffalo.
Highlights
James Brandon Lewis, Friday, July 29th at the Colored Musicians Club Jazz Festival at 7 pm and 9 pm
Buffalo native and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis returns to Buffalo as the headliner for the CMC Jazz Festival. James Brandon Lewis is fast rising in the jazz world as a formidable tenor saxophonist. Pushing the boundaries of jazz with unique compositions and arrangements. His latest project, Days of Freedom, representing his challenging forays into experimental jazz music. Bringing to light shades of Ornette Colemon and James Blood Ulmer. Here is a video on the project Days of Freedom:
CMC Jazz Festival, Friday and Saturday, July 29th and July 30th at the location of the Colored Musicians Club on Broadway and Michigan
Taking place from Friday Happy Hour through Saturday evening, the festival brings a host of musicians and bands. Including headliners James Brandon Lewis on Friday night and trumpeter Kamal Abdul Alim on Saturday. Alim is highly regarded for his infusion of African diaspora rhythms into his jazz compositions. Walter Kemp 3 Oh band kicks off the festival on Friday night at 5:30 pm. Highlights of local performers include the George Scott Big Ban, Toney Rhodes, Janice Mitchell and Jim Beishline, Greg Millar Quartet, Rick Strauss, Carol McLaughlin and several more. The festival ends with Kenny Hawkins and the All Stars. Go to the CMC Jazz Festival Web Site for more information and ticket purchases. Here is a clip of Kamal Abdul Alim:
21st Annual Pappy Martin Legacy and Masten Jazz Festival, Sunday, July 31st from 3 pm to 8 pm at the side lawn of the Buffalo Science Museum
This will be the second Sunday of the two weekends of jazz remembering the legacy of Pappy Martin. Highlights include the superb tenor saxophonist Herbie Small paying tribute the local great legacy of Elvin Shepard. Small was a former student of the late Elvin Shepard. The headliner for Sunday is Nasar Abadey and SUPERNOVA. Joining the drummer and composer will be saxophonist extraordinaire, and Buffalo native, Joe Ford. Here is a clip of Abadey and SUPERNOVA:
Jazz In Town
On Wednesday, July 27th, see Bobby Jones and Colleen Williams at GiGi’s in Kenmore at 7:30 pm.
On Wednesday, July 27th, the monthly Gypsy Jazz Jam takes place at the Gypsy Parlor beginning at 8 pm
On Thursday, July 28th see the band true at Pausa Art House at 8 pm with Tenor Sax – Andy Weinzler, Trumpet – Tim Clarke, Trombone – John Hasselback Jr., Piano – Lisa Hasselback, Bass – Jim Colemon, and Drums – John Bacon Jr.
On Friday, July 29th at Pausa Art House at 8 pm see the band Why Not? with Tim Clarke – trumpet, Kevin Doyle – piano, Brian DeJesus – bass, Dave Phillips – drums, and vocalist Alexandra McArthur
On Saturday, July 23rd at Hot Mama’s Canteen beginning at 1 pm you can see the Luke Ciminelli Trio for Beats and Brunch followed by Andrew Nixon at 5 pm.
On Sunday, July 31st the Buffalo News Summer Jazz Series continues at 2 pm with the Bobby Militello Quartet with Bobby Jones, Jim Colemon, and John Bacon, Jr.
This summer, Nietzsche’s on Allen will host a Summer Happy Hour Series on Mondays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Click on the photo for the schedule of the dates and performers throughout the summer
See the Jazz Example at their weekly Friday spot at the Anchor Bar beginning at 8 pm led by Bilal Abdullah on sax and Doug “Trigger” Gaston on piano
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. And, the Joe Baudo Organ-based group performs on Wednesday between 12 pm and 2 pm.
Don’t forget the Historic Colored Musicians Club has open rehearsals on Mondays with George Scott Big Band and on Thursdays with the Charles McLaughlin Big Band. Sundays typically have a performance at 6 pm followed by jazz jam at 7 pm.
Upcoming
On August 6, make reservations for the JazzBuffalo / Hollow Bistro and Brew Saturday Jazz Brunch featuring Janice Mitchell and Jim Beishline.
On Sunday, August 21st at 6 pm do not miss the Devin Kelly Trio with Rochester guitar great Bob Sneider, organ great Dino Losito, and drummer extraordinaire Devin Kelly.
Keep Jazz Alive In WNY!!
