This week will be another week of getting visits from jazz royalty and legends. And, we get prominent jazz being exposed to our high schools in the area also. A chance to support jazz education.
Highlights
The Bobby Watson Quartet, Saturday, May 20th at 8 pm at The Sanctuary
The much heralded and legendary saxophonist Bobby Watson makes a visit to the Buffalo area. He will be joined by bass legend Curtis Lundy with Winard Harper on drums and Ben Rosenblum on piano. Watson brings his Made in America project to Buffalo. Here is how the Urban Music Scene described this project:
Made in America offers a musical portrait gallery of nine influential African-Americans. Listeners may be familiar with some — surely everyone knows the name Sammy Davis, Jr., while Grant Green, Butterfly McQueen and Madam C.J. Walker will ring a bell with many — most of them remain obscure despite their history-making achievements. -The Urban Music Scene
Bobby Watson has had a storied journey in jazz. A former member, as well as, music director of Art Blakely and the Jazz Messenger, Watson and Lundy share a legacy as members of the famed Horizons jazz band a couple of decades ago. Horizons is considered one of the most influential ensembles in jazz. The evening begins with a conversation with Bobby Watson at 7:15 pm and then the concert at 8 pm. Click on the poster for details on where and ticket information. Here is a clip from the Bobby Watson Made in America project: paying tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr.:
Regina Carter, Williamsville East HS Legends of Jazz Series, Wednesday, May 24th at 7:30 pm
The preeminent jazz violinist of today comes to Williamsville East HS annual Legends of Jazz Series. This annual event cast the school's jazz ensemble and orchestras with Regina Carter and her husband, Alvester Garnett. Carter is considered the finest jazz violinist of her generation by critics worldwide. Heralded by reviewers from the New York Times to the venerable Downbeat Magazine. Throughout her musical journey, she has received Grammy nominations and recognition from throughout the jazz world. The annual concert also shines a spotlight on one of the best high school jazz programs in the country. Click on the poster to get more information and read the JazzBuffalo article here: Regina Carter. Here is a clip from her recent and much-acclaimed tribute to Ella Fitzgerald-Accentuate The Positive:
Trumpeter Marcus Printup, JFK HS, Saturday, May 20th at 7 pm
The long-time trumpeter and the member of the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra visit JFK High School in West Seneca with proceeds supporting jazz education. Printup has been with the JALC Orchestra since 1993 when Marcus Roberts introduce him to Wynton Marsalis. Printup has performed and/or recorded with Betty Carter (he was inducted into Ms. Carter's first Jazz Ahead class in 1994), Dianne Reeves, Eric Reed, Cyrus Chestnut, Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Roberts among many others. Printup will perform with an all-star group of faculty and alumni. Here is a clip of Marcus Printup from a recent album:
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, May 18th at 7 pm check out the highly regarded Fredtown Stompers perform their style of Dixieland and Hot Jazz at Pausa Art House
On Friday, May 19th at 6 pm you will find the trio of Bob White on keyboards, John Murphy on guitar, and Bill Bates on drums at Wegmans located at Transit and Robertson Road.
On Friday, May 19th beginning at 6 pm you can catch Custode & Parisi at the Como Restaurant in Niagara Falls
On Friday, May 19th at 8 pm at Pausa Art House, the George Caldwell led Star People: The Miles Davis Project makes its monthly appearance. The lineup has varied monthly but the music is still that of Miles Davis.
On Sunday, May 21st, you can see the Mount St. Mary Jazz Ensemble at 2 pm you can see River Grill in Tonawanda
For those seeking to hear The River Dogs Dixieland Jazz Band you can hear them at Shannon Pub on Niagara Falls Blvd.- every third Tuesday of the month and the River Grill on Aqua Lane- every fourth Tuesday of the month
Be sure to check the weekly and ongoing jazz on JazzBuffalo here: Weekly
Upcoming
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 - double-bass, 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.
Upcoming at Pausa Art House this month and into June will be The Truth, Alex McArthur Quartet, Carina and the Six String Preacher, Melissa Kate Project, Jon Lehning Quartet, trioPayazzo, and the Hot Club of Buffalo.
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! Dads are admitted free on this special night and Moms only $5. Also, note the earlier start time of 7:30 pm for this evening!
Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary
If you have missed the recent run of this documentary, you have one more chance to see it at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center on Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:30 pm. This important documentary film about the life and music of the influential jazz legend, John Coltrane has reverberated in the minds of many who have seen the documentary thus far. JazzBuffalo provided the opening remarks for the film and you can read here: Coltrane. Here is a trailer of the film:
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!!
