We have a lot to be appreciative of this Jazz Appreciation Month! The amount of high-quality jazz that will be available in the next two weeks will be hard to beat for sure. Get out – and get others out – to appreciate jazz this month!
Highlights
Robert Glasper Experiment, Buffalo State Performing Arts Center, Thursday, April 20 at 8:00 pm
A major force in the world of music makes a visit to Buffalo. Robert Glasper has been turning heads with his creative interweaving of jazz, R&B, soul, rap, and hip-hop into intricate compositions. His music makes profound statements, whether he is writing the score for the Miles Davis picture or appearing on a Kendrick Lamar recording. The Experiment group will be playing music from their latest release – ArtScience. Expect to hear a vibe that is filled with soul. Tickets are still available. Check it out:
Buffalo Jazz Octet CD Release, Thursday, April 20 at 8:00 pm at Pausa Art House
The octet returns to the house where the live recording for the Buffalo Jazz Octet's debut CD "@PausaLive" (Cadence Jazz Records 1262) took place. The group plays original compositions that give the ensemble an edge, pushes boundaries, and yet leaves you with an immense appreciation for what went into their arranging, patterns, outlying movements of sound, and yes – the talent! The octet will consist of: Kelly Bucheger, alto & tenor sax, Nelson Rivera, tenor & soprano sax, Steve Baczkowski, baritone sax, Tim Clarke, trumpet, Phil Sims, trombone, Michael McNeill, piano, Brian DeJesus, bass, John Bacon, drums, and Brendan Fitzgerald, conductor. Here’s the promo clip:
The Hot Club Of Buffalo CD Release, Friday, April 21 at 7:30 pm at Shea’s Smith Theater
Buffalo’s premier gypsy jazz band releases their self-entitled CD at this event. A CD that is intended to take listeners for a trip around the globe with multiple influences seeping into the band’s gypsy jazz repertoire. Check out the JazzBuffalo interview article: The Hot Club of Buffalo: A Gypsy Jazz Treasure to get background on the CD. Doors will open at 6:30 pm for the CD Release celebration. See Kevin O’Brien, EJ Koepell, Joshua Asaad, and Dean Gionis in concert as the Hot Club of Buffalo. Here is a Gionis composition that will be on the CD:
JazzBuffalo Presents Jazz Appreciation Month: What Would Mingus Do? Celebrates Mingus Birthday, Saturday, April 22 at 8 pm at Pausa Art House
One thing you can do is celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month and the birthday of Charles Mingus with the appropriately named group – What Would Mingus Do? Indeed – what would Mingus do if he were alive? Probably check out the new original Mingus-influenced compositions and arrangements by group founder and saxophonists, Kelly Bucheger. This time, Kelly introduces a new cast of ensemble-mates to carry on the vision that resulted in the House of Relic CD. See Bucheger with Joseph Goehle on bass, Alec Dube on vibes, Joe Goretti on drums, and Jared Tinkham on guitar. Perhaps Kelly may lead us in the Happy Birthday Mingus rap Joni Mitchell did in 1979:
Anna Weber’s Simple Trio, Sunday, April 23 at 8 pm at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
The noted saxophonist/flutist from New York City makes a visit – Anna Weber. Here is what Steve Baczkowski shared:
Anna Webber is an integral part of a new wave of the Brooklyn avant-garde jazz scene. A saxophonist and flutist who strives for the unexpected, she has furthermore consistently proven herself to be a unique and forward-thinking composer with releases such as 2014's SIMPLE (Skirl Records) and 2013's Percussive Mechanics. Binary, the follow-up to SIMPLE which features bandmates John Hollenbeck and Matt Mitchell, further establishes Webber as a compelling improviser and composer. It was released in October 2016, also on Chris Speed's Skirl Records.
Here is a sneak preview of what is to come:
Bob Holz and Vision Forward, Monday, April 24th at 7:30 pm at Sportsmen Tavern
Drummer Bob Holz and Vision Forward will be making a visit to Buffalo on April 24th as part of their CD Release tour. They will be doing a special tribute to Larry Coryell and Alphonse Mouzon on Monday, April 24th at the Sportsmen Tavern. On this latest CD Visions and Friends, it proved to be the last appearance of Larry Coryell on a CD. Check out this trio:
Jazz In Town
On Friday, April 21 at Pausa Art House at 8 pm there is another outing for Star People – The Miles Davis Project as they continue to explore and play the music of Miles Davis.
On Saturday, April 22 at Fiero Restaurant at 8 pm you can catch the Joe Baudo Quartet.
(Ongoing weekly jazz you can check here: Weekly)
Upcoming
JazzBuffalo will be pleased to present on Monday, May 1 at 7 pm the Montreal-based jazz ensemble, The B's Bees. In partnership with Jazz Beyond Borders, the band will make a stop here as part of their US National Tour at the Road Less Traveled Theater downtown. They will be performing with special guest Dave Schiavone. Expect an evening of original hard bop jazz from this notable group from Canada. To get a taste of the evening, here is the title track from their CD, Dark Matter:
We are going to give Mondays a try at the Road Less Traveled Theater. No other events, plenty of parking and $5. On Monday, May 8th we will have the Tim Clarke/Tom Marinaro - TnT Project. And, on May 15th, we will be entertained by the Katy Miner Quintet.
On Friday, May 5th at 7:30 pm at the Screening Room Cinema Cafe, see the Buffalo Premier of Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary with opening remarks by JazzBuffalo
On May 11th, noted alto saxophonist Brad Leali will visit Buffalo and perform with the Elliot Scozzaro Quintet. Leali had Scozzaro as a student and has a resume including lead alto sax with the Harry Connick, Jr. Band and the Count Basie Orchestra.
The JazzBuffalo and Hollow Bistro First Saturday Jazz Brunch Spring and Summer lineup from May through September are set beginning on May 6 with two of the area's best jazz musicians – the duo of Ralph Fava on guitar and Bud Fadale on bass. Click on the poster to expand and to see the rest of the schedule.
April Is Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day
April is Jazz Appreciation Month is winding down yet more great jazz to appreciate remains in our partnership with Pausa Art House!
Thursday, April 27 at 7:00 pm: 100 Years: Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald performed by the vocalist Katy Miner and her Katy Miner Quintet
Saturday, April 29 at 8 pm: A Retrospective on Erroll Garner performed by Doug "Trigger" Gaston with Sabu Adeyola, Abdul-Rahman Qadir, and Tony Zambito
International Jazz Day
Jazz Appreciation Month also ends with International Jazz Day scheduled for Sunday, April 30th. Started in 2012 by UNESCO to coincide with Jazz Appreciation Month, different international cities have hosted what is called Jazz Day. Herbie Hancock has served as the UNESCO Ambassador to Jazz for International Jazz Day. JazzBuffalo, in association with Pausa Art House, will be hosting a FREE event for International Jazz Day from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The event will also shine a spotlight on Multiple Sclerosis and the upcoming MS Walk. Performers will bring an international focus to this day and will include:
- The Hot Club of Buffalo
- The Buffalo Brass Machine
- The French ConeXion
- My Cousin Tone'
- Pianist Harry Graser
- Jazz vocalist Katy Miner
International model and singer Suzanne Fatta will serve as the event's honorary Master of Ceremonies. Suzanne is a testament to succeeding in life while managing MS, having graced photos in magazines throughout the globe and supporting women causes through her modeling. She will sing a song or two in Portuguese /Italian to add to the international flavor of the event.
Donations will be accepted with all proceeds going to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, in which the annual MS Walk is on the following Saturday, May 6. Come out and support UNITY through jazz and support finding a cure for MS!
JazzBuffalo Presents International Jazz Artists
JazzBuffalo, in partnership with MusicalFare Theatre Premier Cabaret Lounge, is pleased to present two outstanding internationally recognized jazz artists and ensembles. On Saturday, June 24th, The Tierney Sutton Band will perform. The 8-time Grammy Nominee, Tierney Sutton, is one of the top jazz vocalists in the world today. THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT!! Thank you to JazzBuffalo Community!
On Sunday, August 13, one of the best gypsy jazz bands internationally will visit Buffalo for a night of gypsy jazz. The Rhythm Future Quartet is rewriting the book on gypsy jazz with innovative compositions and arrangements. Opening the show will be the Hot Club of Buffalo. This show is already half-way reserved so act fast on reserving seats here: RFQ Reserve. Here is a clip of the RFQ on a gypsy jazz tune:
Keep Jazz Alive!!
