Jazz Festival Week continues in the heart of Buffalo this week! This weekend plan for an abundance of jazz that will be hard to beat anywhere!
Highlights
Pappy Martin Legacy Masten Jazz Festival, Sunday, July 30th at 2 pm
The second of two Sundays of jazz (July 23rd and 30th) begins with a lineup of Neil “Papa” Lucas, Dale Toliver, Charles Reedy and special appearances by jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin and jazz trumpeter extraordinaire, Freddie Hendrix. See the JazzBuffalo review/preview here: Pappy Martin Legacy Masten Jazz Festival – Part 2 More Great Jazz.
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 is in full swing. Headliners to perform include Walter Kemp 3oh, Otis Brown, III, 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
Post-CMC Jazz Festival Concert By The Blue Note 5 Featuring Bruce Johnstone, Saturday, July 29th at 9 pm
After the M&T Bank presents CMC Jazz Festival ends, make a stop at Pausa Art House where the Blue Note 5 will feature jazz saxophonist Bruce Johnstone in a rare Buffalo appearance by the jazz legend. The former saxophonist for Maynard Ferguson, Dexter Gordon, and Stan Kenton also served as the Director of Jazz Studies at Fredonia State University. He was consistently voted into the top 5 baritone saxophonist just behind Gerry Mulligan and Pepper Adams by the Downbeat Reader's and Critic's Poll. The Blue Note 5 will also feature George Kane on guitar, Wayne Moose on bass, Devin Kelly on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussion. A special evening performance after the CMC JazzFest and a special opportunity to see Bruce Johnstone perform in his Pausa debut! (Please note the 1-hour later starting time than normal and also means doors open at 7 pm instead of 6 pm)
POSTPONED: Dave Koz / Larry Graham Duo, Sunday, July 30th at 8 pm at the Riviera Theatre
(PLEASE NOTE – this event was postponed until August 31st due to damage to Riviera Theatre from recent rains!) 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. For contemporary and smooth jazz fans, get your tickets at the Riviera Theatre.
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, July 27th, catch the young jazz vocalist Lindsey Holland and her quartet of Ben Levitt – bass, Harry Graser – piano, and David Phillips – drums at Pausa Art House at 7 pm
On Friday, July 28th at 8 pm you can find the new Latin Jazz group Raices that will feature Hansel Herrera Deschapelles – trumpet, flugelhorn & vocals, Lazara Nelson – violin, vocals and minor percussion, Joey Gonzalez – Keyboards, Gerardo (Tali) Rondon – Congas, bongoes, minor percussion, and RiShon Odel – Bass
On Sunday, July 30th at 2 pm at the step of the AKG for the Buffalo News Summer Jazz Series, you can catch jazz vocalist Laurie Bordanaro with the Bobby Militello Trio
On Monday, July 31st hit the back room of the Allentown Hardware where Kelly Bucheger kicks off the Buffalo Jazz Workshop Mondays
On Tuesday, August 1st, visit the Little Rock on the water-front Canalside and see Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz and then the Jim Bohm quartet with Ronnie Davis, Paul Yates, and Preston Brown
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
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 to 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 4 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 10/2. The festival will celebrate the 100th birthdays of Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. Stay tuned for more details.
Keep Jazz Alive!!!
