It is hard to believe we have hit the month of November! Which means many of you will have start thinking about the upcoming JazzBuffalo Poll and who you will nominate and who you will vote for. With all the outstanding performances this past year, it will be fun voting!
Highlights
JazzBuffalo Presents: The Green Street Sessions – A Retrospective On The Music Of Grant Green, Saturday, November 5th at 8 pm at Pausa Art House
JazzBuffalo presents a new concept performance and a retrospective on the music of the legendary jazz guitarist Grant Green. Green possessed a recognizable Blue Note sound with a jazz reading of standards, groove, funk, blues, and ballads that were unique among his peers. The arrangements vary from bluesy groove-to-straight-ahead-to-Latin-tinge and were characterized by a unique jazz vibe characteristic of Grant Green's arrangements. Performing as The Green Street Sessions (as part of a continuing series of sessions) will be the superlative George Kane on guitar, Tim Clarke on trumpet, Lisa Hasselback on piano, Wayne Moose on bass, Devin Kelly on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussion. If you are not aware of or you rarely hear Grant Green performed live, then you do not want to miss this. Here is Grant Green’s signature tune, Idle Moment, which is one the classic songs in jazz history:
Dynamo, Friday, November 4th at 10 pm at Nietzsche’s on Allen Street
Buffalo gets a visit from the 9-piece Nashville-based group performing its brand of jazz, funk, fusion, and R&B influenced compositions. Their name is appropriate – a high energy dynamic band with the fusion mix of guitar, Fender Rhodes keyboard sound, and a blasting horn section. Group members include Kevin Gatzke (Tenor sax), Andrew Golden (trumpet), Joshua Blaylock (Keyboard/Trombone), Ryan Connors (Piano/composer), John Murphy (Guitar), Kevin Gift Jr. (Bass), Ross McReynolds (Drums/Perc.) Nathan Felty (Drums/Perc.) and Dain Ussery (vocals). Opening up for Dynamo at 9 pm will be the young jazz fusion group The Truth with Ellen Pieroni, Donny Frauenhofer, Adam Bronstein, Anthony Henry, and Gabe Wells. Here is a video of this group so you can get a sense of the energetic Dynamo sound:
Amirtha Kidambi Elder Ones, Saturday, November 5t at 8 pm at Hallwalls
Elder Ones is NYC-based quartet performing the compositions of vocalist Amirtha Kidambi (Seaven Teares/Elizabeth-Caroline Unit). Born in Buffalo, NY raised in the Bay Area and now based in Brooklyn, Kidambi's music lies nestled in a Venn diagram of musical spheres and communities around New York City. A unique free jazz improvising quartet brought to you by Steve Backzkowski that will feature Amirtha Kidambi (voice, harmonium, compositions), Matt Nelson (soprano saxophone), Brandon Lopez (contrabass), and Max Jaffe (drums). Amirtha's background in Hindu devotional singing or Bhajan led her to use the Indian harmonium as accompaniment and compositional tool. Here is a clip for a taste of her unique form of free improvising jazz:
Amirtha Kidambi’s Elder Ones: Sathya Yuga from EMPAC @ Rensselaer on Vimeo.
The Jacob Jay Quintet, Thursday, November 3rd at 8 pm at Pausa Art House
This event features the young trumpeter Jacob Jay in a quintet format and also featuring the young singer, Shaun Doyle. The group will perform a collection of original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards that are part of the Great American songbook. Encouraging to see young talent stepping into the world of jazz – with Jacob Jay on trumpet, Dalton Sharp on saxophone, Jake Malone-Brancato on piano, Zack Steinberg on bass, Stephen Lattimore on drums and featuring vocalist Shaun Doyle.
Cindy Miller, Rochester-based International Jazz Vocalist at the JazzBuffalo and RLTP Jazz Series, Wednesday, November 9th at 7 pm at Road Less Travel Productions Theatre on 500 Pearl Street
The JazzBuffalo and Road Less Traveled Productions Jazz Series will feature this exciting jazz vocalist who wowed the audience recently this past summer at the Lewiston Jazz Festival and at The Buffalo News Summer Jazz Series on the steps of the AKG. Here is a short bio on Cindy Miller:
Cindy Miller is from upstate New York, received her Master's degree from the Eastman School of Music and is widely known as an exceptional eclectic performer. As well as being a master of musical comedy, she is also recognized as having an extraordinary ability to interpret and present standard jazz material in an exciting and refreshing manner. Her shows, "I've Got The Music In Me", "You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet!" and "Here's To The Ladies", is musical comedy at its best. Each show is filled with superb singing, a little stand-up comedy, witty parodies and delightful characterizations of famous entertainers. In the field of jazz, Cindy has performed, or recorded with, flutist Hubert Laws, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, Chuck Mangione, world famous vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Jay Leonhart, numerous appearances with the Gap Mangione Big Band, Benny Goodman Tribute Band, Central New York Jazz Ensemble, and has appeared many times with Michael Lasser, host of PBS radio's nationally syndicated show "Fascinatin' Rhythm".
A rare treat for jazz fans here in Greater Buffalo and certainly deserves to be heard in the theater district of downtown Buffalo! Here is a montage clip of her singing simply jazz for you:
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, November 3rd at 8 pm at Nietzsche’s on Allen Street you can see Mark Filsinger’s Eleventet ensemble for their 1st Thursday performances in the back room area.
On Friday, November 4th at 9 pm Toney Rhodes Jazz Funk Fusion will be at Sidebar on Hertel
The next JazzBuffalo and Hollow Bistro First Saturday Jazz Brunch will take place on Saturday, November 5th and will feature Jazzline with Dennis Warne, guitar, and Jennie Jones, sax/vocals. Enjoy the splendor of a fall day in the Clarence Hollow and excellent brunch menu. Call for reservations soon – this popular jazz brunch fills up!
On Sunday, November 6 at 3 pm see R&B, soul, and jazz singer Sharon Bailey at the Carnegie Arts Center in North Tonawanda
Dr. Rick Fleming leads the talented students of the Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble in the Buffalo Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 8th at 7:30 pm. Here’s a clip, provided by Jack Nossavage, of Dr. Rick Fleming leading the ensemble:
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.
On Tuesdays at 727 on Elmwood, Adam Bronstein leads a trio for jazz beginning at 7:30 pm with Anthony Henry and Alec Dube
On the third Tuesday of every month at Shannon's Pub, the River Dogs Dixieland Band performs beginning at 7 pm
On various Wednesdays and Fridays, GiGi's on Kenmore will have jazz. Check their schedules.
On various Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Merge on Delaware host jazz, in addition to folk and other forms of acoustic music, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Check their schedule.
On Saturdays beginning at 1 pm until 4 pm, you can find jazz for Beats and Brunch at Hot Mama Canteen. Check their schedule weekly.
On the first Sunday of every month, you can catch Jazz Cache’ at Nietzsche’s beginning at 9 pm
On the first and third Wednesday of every month, at Mason’s Grille in Hamburg at 7:30 pm, you can catch the Frank Gerard and Ray Chamberlain Group with vocalist Cheryl Ferris.
On the last Wednesday of every month, the Gypsy Jazz Jam takes place at the Gypsy Parlor at 8:30 pm
On the first Wednesday of every month, the band Fountain Head hosts a Jazz Jam at McGarret’s on Elmwood beginning at 8 pm
On the first Sunday of every month, you can catch Jazz Cache’ at Nietzsche’s beginning at 9 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 Carol McLaughlin Big Band. Sundays typically have a performance at 6 pm followed by jazz jam at 7 pm.
Upcoming
The next JazzBuffalo and 189 Public House Sunday Jazz Series performance will feature the popular gypsy jazz group, The Hot Club Of Buffalo, on Sunday, November 13th at 6 pm. For an experience that only jazz can provide, make plans to make it. (Please note this is a date change from November 20th.)
The JazzBuffalo and Road Less Traveled Productions Theatre Jazz Series will present Carina and the Six String Preacher on November 16th at 7 pm. Catch this inventive throwback trio specializing in the art of jazz noir.
On Thursday, November 17th, Smooth and Soul Jazz fans can see former Tower of Power saxophonist Richard Elliott at the Buffalo State Performing Arts Center.
On Saturday, November 19th the next Art of Jazz Series at the AKG will feature percussionists extraordinaire Dafnis Prieto and his Sextet.
On Tuesday, November 22nd, catch trioPayazzo with Bernard Kunz, Andy Peruzzini, and Harry Fackleman at the next JazzBuffalo presents Jazz At The Meeting House Concert Series
Pausa Art House will have upcoming jazz by Star People, Why Not?, and ThreeO in the next couple of weeks.
Tony Bennett! At UB Center For The Arts! To benefit Ronald McDonald House. December 17th! Tickets on sale Friday, November 4th.
JazzBuffalo Development
JazzBuffalo will be evolving its current partnership with Pausa Art House to produce and program additional concept performances and to create Jazz Appreciation Concert Events as we look ahead to 2017. JazzBuffalo is appreciative of this partnership to have a “home” for such programming, as well as, build jazz awareness and appreciation!
If you are currently not subscribed to the Jazz In Town email distribution, please sign up here and get it delivered to your email box.
JazzBuffalo has partnered with several venues and organizations to create fantastic ongoing jazz series. Be sure to visit the JazzBuffalo Jazz Series page here to see the series underway.
For musicians and venues, please begin to submit your events through the event listing page on jazzbuffalo.org.
Sponsors are currently being sought for the annual JazzBuffalo Poll. If you are a venue or organization supporting music and jazz, please sponsor the 2016 JazzBuffalo Poll!
JazzBuffalo is now accepting donations to help grow the organization and the services provided to the Greater Buffalo Community. Visit here to learn more and please donate and help grow JazzBuffalo!
Keep Jazz Alive In WNY!!
On Thursday November 17, 2016 the Tin Roof Jazz Band will be performing at the Polish Villa II. 1085 Harlem Rd., Cheektowaga. Traditional Dixieland music begins at 6:30 PM.