Jazz takes on the spirit of the holidays. A festive amount of jazz will be available to dedicated jazz fans. After a couple of rough wintery days, the roads will be clear to fabulous jazz.
Highlights
JazzBuffalo presents Midnight Blue Christmas: Have Yourself A Soulful Little Christmas, Saturday, December 17th at 8 pm at Pausa Art House
In 1966, the legendary jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell released an instrumental jazz Christmas album entitled Have Yourself A Soulful Little Christmas. The album was a breakthrough at that time in terms of soulful instrumental jazz arrangements of Christmas songs. The group, Midnight Blue Experience, named after the famous Kenny Burrell album Midnight Blue, will perform instrumental jazz arrangements in the spirit of this classic 1966 album. A special holiday performance featuring George Kane on guitar, Dave Schiavone on sax/flute, Wayne Moose on bass, Devin Kelly on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussion. Here is one of the groovier tunes from this album:
JazzBuffalo Presents Jazz Vibes: Remembering Bobby Hutcherson, Friday, December 16th at 8 pm at Pausa Art House
The legendary jazz vibraphonist left the earthly jazz world in August of this year. Leaving behind a legacy of influential jazz compositions, arrangements, and recordings that cement his legacy as a jazz giant. On this date, JazzBuffalo presents another Legacy Jazz Series Event at Pausa Art House that will be a retrospective on the music of Bobby Hutcherson. The ensemble will feature Joanne Lorenzo on vibes with Lisa Hasselback on piano, John Hasselback, Jr. on trombone, Dave Schiavone on sax/flute, Sabu Adeyola on bass, Devin Kelly on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussion. Read the Jazz Buffalo article here: Bobby Hutcherson. And, here is a video of a classic Hutcherson composition, Montara, the ensemble will perform:
Ladies First Jazz Big Band Christmas Dance, Friday, December 16th at 7 pm at UB Newman Center
WNY premier all-woman jazz big band will perform Christmas songs and dance tunes at the UB Newman Center. For those who enjoy a big band Christmas and dancing, this may be the ticket. Admission is $10 with refreshments available.
Jazz In Town
On Friday, December 16th at 7:30 pm, you can catch The Hot Club of Buffalo at the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora
On Friday, December 16th at 7:30 pm, see the Jacob Jay Quintet, a young but promising group, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo on Elmwood in Buffalo
Catch the jazz-funk group Winelight, led by Jim Bohm, on Friday, December 16th at 9 pm at the Twilight Room
On Monday, December 19th at 6 pm Custode and Parisi will be performing Christmas jazz at Brennan's Bowery Bar in Williamsville
On Wednesday, December 21st at Pausa Art House at 7 pm see saxophonist Elliott Scozzaro, the returning young graduate of the University of North Texas where he was a member of the One O'Clock Lab Band and Director of the Seven O'Clock Lab Band.
Weekly and Ongoing Jazz
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 8 pm.
See pianist George Jones with bassist Bill Staebell and drummer John Bacon, Jr. at Oliver’s every Saturday beginning at 8 pm.
On Thursdays 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 Thursdays at Dick and Jennys on Grand Island, you can catch Don Burns at 6:30 pm
On the last Thursday of each month, the Tin Roof Jazz Band plays at the Polish Villa II. The band typically includes Willie Wilson (Banjo/Vocals), Jim Pace (Tuba), Pim Liebman (Trombone), Ivan Docenko (Piano), Phil Nyhuis (Trumpet/Flugelhorn – vocals) Joe Hochulski (Drums Set), and Richard Sowinski (Tenor Sax/Clarinet – vocals)
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
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. This week see the Fredtown Stompers.
Upcoming
Pausa Art House will be closing out the year with Elliott Scozzaro, Bobby Militello Quartet, and Nelson Starr and the Franciscans
On Tuesday, December 27th the next JazzBuffalo Jazz At The Meeting House presentation will feature the Rust Belt Trio with Walt Sopicki on guitar, Ron Peterson on the Hammond B3 organ, and Tony Zambito on percussion
Tickets are now available for the January 20th JazzBuffalo presentation of A Jazz Tribute To Michael Jackson that will feature musical direction by Mark Marinaccio. Call to reserve seats!
JazzBuffalo Development
It is almost that time of year to begin thinking about nominees for the 2016 JazzBuffalo Poll where readers, fans, and audiences vote for and recognize jazz musicians, venues, and performances in the past year. Look for a chance to nominate soon and then the chance to vote! JazzBuffalo is seeking sponsors for the poll this year from venues and businesses throughout the year. Please visit here to help: JazzBuffalo Poll
Keep Jazz Alive In WNY!!
