Jazz will be plenty in the Allentown area and throughout the Greater Buffalo community this week. We’ll get visitors from afar as well.
Highlights
Saxophonist Brad Leali Visits, Thursday, May 11 at 7 pm at Pausa Art House
The noted alto saxophonist Brad Leali visits Buffalo this week. Leali resume’ includes that of Professor of Jazz at the University of North Texas and Director of the Three O’Clock Lab Band. Through the invitation of the legendary Frank Foster, he joined the Count Basie Band in 1995 and served as the lead alto sax and musical director for the Harry Connick, Jr. Orchestra. Enjoying an illustrious journey performing with the likes of Joe Williams, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Foster, and more. Brad visits to join up with his former student, saxophonist Elliott Scozzaro, who recently graduated from the University of North Texas. Elliott was also a member of the famed Three O’Clock Lab Band. Joining Brad and Elliott will be George Caldwell on piano, Emiliano Lasansky on bass, and Mike Melito on drums. Leali has had a prolific recording career since his debut of Priority Soul in 1998 and includes a Grammy Nomination for his solo on a Billy Strayhorn tune for the award-winning album Count Plays Duke by the 1999 version of the Count Basie Orchestra. An evening of Teacher and Student reuniting to make jazz. Here is a clip of Brad Leali on I Guess I Hand My Tears Out To Dry, where you can hear his searing alto saxophone:
Pierre Bensuan, Wednesday, May 17 at 8:00 pm at Burchfield Penney Museum
On Wednesday, May 17 from 8 pm to 10 pm Buffalo gets a visit from the world renowned Pierre Bensuan, considered to be one of the world's most prolific and best acoustic guitarists. Blending musical structures from classical and jazz to create improvisational interpretations. He will be making a stop at the Burchfield Penney Museum as part of his global 40th Anniversary Tour. Visit the Burchfield Penney website for tickets ($18 students/seniors, $22 pre-sale, $26 day of show) or they can be purchased at Music City and Northtown Music. Here is a clip, where you can see and hear his exceptional talent:
Jazz In Town
See the Becky Davis Trio at Wegman's Amherst at 6 pm on Friday, May 12th with John Hasselback, Paul Zapalowski, and Matt Felski.
On Friday, May 12th, the Bobby Militello quartet makes another of their monthly appearances at Pausa Art House beginning at 8 pm.
On Friday, May 12th at 8 pm at Schnitzel Swiss and German Pub in East Amherst, JazzBuffalo presents the Tim Clarke Trio, which will feature Tim Clarke on trumpet, George Kane on guitar, and Wayne Moose on bass. If you caught this trio at The Meeting House a few months back, you know how unique it is with Clarke on the coronet.
On Saturday, May 13th at 8 pm, the Williamsville East High School singers Adam Kluge and Elena Pilar Izquierdo perform in concert at Pausa Art House. Both are prolific in musical theater and will present an evening of various jazz standards, paired with an eclectic mix of modern pieces. They will be backed by the trio of Alec Dube – drums, Harry Graser – piano, Tim Mroz – bass. Admission is $12 for prime seating and $7 General Admission.
On Saturday, May 13th at 8 pm at the Historic Colored Musicians Club, see singer Zoe Scruggs with Vincent Fossitt on saxophone and Billy Brandau on piano. Admission is $7.
The Fredtown Stompers will make an appearance at The Twilight Room on Saturday, May 13th at 10 pm
On Monday, May 15th at 7 pm, JazzBuffalo presents The Katy Miner Quartet featuring vocalist Katy Miner with Paul Zapalowski, Harry Graser, and Tom Kasperek. Katy performs from a vast repertoire of songs selected from the Great American Songbook. She recently appeared in Sophisticated Ladies at MusicalFare Theater in a tribute to Duke Ellington and will have performed a tribute to the 100th Birthday of Ella Fitzgerald. Whether it is Broadway tunes or jazz vocal standards from the Great American Songbook, you are in for an enjoyable evening of song and jazz. We will be back at the Road Less Traveled Productions Theater and back with $5 Mondays to continue our efforts to bring jazz to downtown Buffalo. Plenty of free parking on Mondays at the corner of Pearl and Tupper.
On Wednesday, May 17th at 7 pm at Pausa Art House Griot master percussionist Alassane Sarr from Dakar, Senegal, West Africa and master Afro-Cuban drummer Vladimir Espinosa from Havana, Cuba will join forces in a concert. (Alessane performed with Les Ballet Africains and Silimbo D'Adeane, among many other groups, before immigrating to the U.S. The Griot tradition combines storytelling and musical performance to communicate the history of the Senegalese people.) The ensemble will feature Alessane Sarr – Djembe, Reginald Holloway – Guitar, Ras Jomo Akono – Dun Dun, Vladimir Espinosa – congas, batás, and Lazara Nelson – guest violinist.
2nd Annual Nietzsche’s Jazz Festival
The second annual Nietzsche's Jazz Fest will be held at Nietzsche's on Allen Street this year from May 10-14. Organized by saxophonist and talent buyer for Nietzsche's, Ellen Pieroni, the festival will feature an eclectic variety of jazz. Here's the lineup with most nights you will find the music performed up until 1 am:
6 p.m. May 10: Tyler Wescott & Dr. Jazz, Jon Lehning Quartet featuring Dave Schiavone, Mark Filsinger Quintet featuring Elliot Scozzaro, The Freehand Band, and Donny Frauenhofer Trio. $5
8 p.m. May 11: Susan Peters, Saranaide, Jacob Jay Quintet, Carina & the Six-String Preacher, Anthony Re & the Flat Five and Einat Agmon. $5.
10 p.m. May 12: Lost Wax, Acid Cats, Fredtown Stompers and The Truth. $10
8 p.m. May 13: Cinamon Jones; Lindsay Holland; John Troy Organ Group; Elliott Scozzaro Quintet; Alex McCarthur Quintet. $10
2 p.m. May 14: John Bacon Ensemble Plays Monk, What Would Mingus Do?, Jared Tinkham trio and Mark Filsinger Eleventet. $10
Upcoming
On Saturday, May 20th there will be a special presentation of the Bobby Watson Quartet at The Sanctuary (360 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY) in a conversation and concert format with conversation beginning at 7:15 pm and concert at 8 pm. The noted jazz saxophonist and former member of Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers makes a stop in Buffalo with Curtis Lunday, bass, Winard Harper, drums, and Ben Rosenblum, piano. Tickets are $40 and available at Ananse Ntontan (394 Genesee – can call 716-491-0994) or at the door. Click on the poster for more details.
This year's Legends of Jazz Series at Williamsville East High School, scheduled for Wednesday, May 24th at 7:30 pm, will feature jazz violinist Regina Carter with drummer Alvester Garnett. This annual event showcases jazz legends with the jazz ensemble and orchestra of the high school. Click on the poster on how to get tickets for this not to be missed event!
On Thursday, May 25th, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center will begin a month of significant concerts with the presentation of In The Sea which will feature Tristan Honsinger - cello, Nicolas Caloia - doublebass, and Joshua Zubot - violin. Legendary cellist Tristan Honsinger started improvising in Montreal more than forty years ago, prior to his decisive move to Europe, where he’s been at the center of improvised music activity ever since.
On Saturday, June 17 mark your calendar as JazzBuffalo Presents Song For My Father: A Father's Day Celebration with My Cousin Tone'. We will be honoring Dads on this night at Pausa Art House and Dads get in free. Sons and Daughters, plan to bring your Dads out for an evening of jazz the night before Father's Day!
JazzBuffalo Presents International Jazz Artists
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 that shows their immense talents:
Keep Jazz Alive!!!
