Jazz Festival Week in the heart of Buffalo begins this coming weekend starting on Sunday. Gear up for a week-long fill of jazz.
Highlights
Pappy Martin Legacy Masten Jazz Festival, Sunday, July 23rd at 2 pm
The first of two Sundays of jazz (July 23rd and 30th) begins with a lineup of Love Supreme Ensemble, Rodney Appleby, Bilal Nugavree, and special appearances by rising star Camille Thurman and jazz legend Wallace Roney. See the JazzBuffalo preview here with the full schedule: Pappy Martin Legacy Masten Jazz Festival – Part 1.
CMC Jazz Festival Presented by M&T Bank, Monday, July 24 to Saturday, July 29
The first-ever week-long jazz festival produced by the Historic Colored Musicians Club takes place starting Monday, July 24. Headliners include Walter Kemp 3oh, Otis Brown, III, Scott Texier, and The Baylor Project along with a host of local and regional talent. Refer to the JazzBuffalo preview here with a downloadable PDF of schedule: Week-long CMC Jazz Festival
Also, view the JazzBuffalo Video: The Historic Colored Musicians Club and CMC Jazz Festival Presented by M&T, which was produced by JazzBuffalo, directed by Sloan Brooks of JazzBuffalo and SUNY Purchase, and filmed and edited by 68Shots:
Spirit of Nina Simone, Saturday, July 22 at 7 pm at Kleinhans Music Hall
The very talented Drea d'Nur will perform a musical tribute to Nina Simone called The Spirit of Nina Simone on Saturday, July 22 at 7 pm. This will be Drea's second tribute event at Kleinhans Music Hall with a program highlighting the life and music of Nina Simone. She recently visited the birthplace of Sione in North Carolina and will show footage from that visit. Tickets at Kleinhans.
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, July 20th at 6 pm catch My Cousin Tone' at Irishman Tavern as they play for Williamsville Music On Main
On Thursday, July 20th, catch the young sextet group BJCRO at Pausa Art House at 7 pm
On Friday, July 21st at 8 pm you can find the Star People: Miles Davis Project at it again at Pausa Art House
On Saturday, July 22nd at 8 pm see The Katy Miner Quintet and her tribute to Ella Fitzgerald at Pausa Art House
On Sunday, July 23rd in Olcott Beach, NY, (about a one hour drive from Buffalo) there will be the first-ever Olcott Beach Jazz Trail starting at noon (until 10 pm) and it will feature local jazz performers such as the Ralph Fava Quintet, Bobby Militello Quartet, Phil Sims and Katy Miner, as well as, featuring as headliner Jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly from Syracuse who will be joined by drummer Carmen Intorre.
On Sunday, July 23rd at 2 pm the Buffalo News Summer Jazz Series continues at the steps of the AKG with an annual visit from noted tenor saxophonist Don Rice
On Sunday, July 23rd say congrats to DeeAnn Dimeo Tompkins for her upcoming EP Release at her release concert at the Sportsmen Tavern at 6 pm – entitled Desperately Seeking DeeAnn – and produced by Rishon Odel Northington
On Monday, hit the rooftop of Tappo Restaurant downtown and see My Cousin Tone' beginning at 6:30 pm
On Monday, July 24th hit the back room of the Allentown Hardware where Kelly Bucheger kicks off the Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop Mondays at 8 pm
On Tuesday, July 25th at 7 pm, catch Carmen Intorre, Buffalo native and drummer with the Pat Martino Trio, visit the area at 189 in East Aurora
Cyro Baptista Residency at ArtPark, through July 30
Internationally renowned percussionist Cyro Baptista will be in residence at Artpark from July 19-30 for a series of workshops, collaborations, and performances supported by the UB Creative Arts Initiative. Cyro Baptista arrived in the U.S. in 1980 from his native Brazil and has emerged as one of the premier percussionists in the world. A veteran of stage and studio work with the likes of Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, Laurie Anderson, Cassandra Wilson, Sting and many others, Baptista is one of the most sought-after players around. His visionary approach to music-making stresses inclusion, community, and pushing past boundaries, while remaining refreshingly fun and accessible. The residency will include daily Sound of Community workshops and a concert on July 30th. For more information visit www.artpark.net.
Upcoming
July ends with a performance by the contemporary jazz duo of Dave Koz and Larry Graham. Both are Grammy Nominated contemporary jazz and R&B artists with number one ranked albums on Billboard. Look for them at the Riviera Theater on Sunday, July 30th at 8 pm with reserved seats available online at the Riviera Theater.
The next JazzBuffalo and Hollow Bistro First Saturday Jazz Brunch is scheduled for August 5 at 11:30 am and will feature guitarist Drew Azzinaro with bassist Rayon Eamon both with Lady Lush and the Vinyls out of New York City – call 716-759-7351 for reservation
In Erie, PA, the 25th Annual Erie Arts Museum Blues and Jazz Festival takes place on August 4 and 5 and will feature Russell Malone and Trio 3 (jazz giants Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman, and Andrew Cyrille) – for more info: Erie Arts Museum Blues and Jazz Fest
On Thursday, August 11th JazzBuffalo, in association with Pausa Art House, presents the legendary jazz guitarist Eric Johnson. Thanks to Ed Croft and his Pittsburgh connection, the guitarist who was a former sideman for the likes of Lou Donaldson, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Stanley Turrentine, and more makes a visit to Buffalo.
The Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, scheduled for August 25 and 26, is creeping up on us. Be sure to check out the website updated with the full schedule, as well as, all bios/photos for the musicians performing. Visit www.lewistonjazz.com!
On September 29th, Jazz At The Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis will be at the UB Center for the Arts. Be sure to visit the UB Center For the Arts Website for tickets for this event – here: JLCO.
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 nearly all reserved so act fast on reserving seats here: RFQ Reserve. Only 17 tickets available – gypsy jazz fans do not miss out!
In the fall, JazzBuffalo will be presenting the Julliard and New York City-based Pete and Will Anderson Trio, the highly-regarded Cuban-born and Julliard jazz pianist Elio Villafranca, alto sax legend Richie Cole, and the Joe Policastro Trio out of Chicago. Stay tuned for more details soon.
In October, JazzBuffalo and Pausa Art House will team to host the Jazz 100 Festival running on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10-19 to 10/21. The festival will celebrate the 100th birthdays of Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. Stay tuned for more details.
Keep Jazz Alive!!
