Hotel Henry, located on the historic National Landmark Richardson Olmsted Campus, is partnering with JazzBuffalo to present Hotel Henry’s Jazz Concert Series. The jazz concert series will present five performances this fall beginning Wednesday, August 23rd and enable audiences to experience the urban resort while enjoying live jazz.
Hotel Henry’s inaugural Jazz Concert Series produced by JazzBuffalo, the nonprofit organization dedicated to building jazz awareness and appreciation in the region, will feature five diverse styles of jazz music. Presenting both local and regional award-winning jazz artists in the styles of jazz standards, traditional hot jazz, jazz groove, uniquely arranged jazz, and gypsy jazz. The jazz concert series will also provide audiences with the opportunity to experience live jazz in Buffalo’s innovative urban resort conference center hotel.
“The JazzBuffalo Concert Series is a perfect example of Hotel Henry’s programming initiative – Hotel Henry strives to offer a variety of programming and activities that will invite the public in to explore, enjoy, and activate Hotel Henry’s spaces, showcasing the urban resort as a true cultural amenity for the city of Buffalo.” Says Kristie Pottle, Director of Programming at Hotel Henry
Through the late summer and fall of 2017, the jazz concert series will be held on select Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm. The inaugural schedule and artists are as follows:
Mary McMahon Project, Wednesday, August 23rd 7 pm to 9 pm
Mary McMahon is a jazz vocalist and winner of the 2015 JazzBuffalo Poll for best female vocalist. Mary has performed at the Lewiston Jazz Festival (Now Northwest Jazz Festival) and to sold-out audiences at MusicalFare Theatre Premier Cabaret Lounge. She will be joined by an all-star ensemble that will feature Dave Schiavone, sax, Rick Strauss, guitar, Bud Fadale, bass, and Abdul-Rahman Qadir, drums. The quintet will perform jazz standards from the Great American Songbook.
The Fredtown Stompers, Wednesday, September 13th 7 pm to 9 pm
The Fredtown Stompers began as an ensemble of students from The State University of New York at Fredonia in January of 2006. The band is renowned for performing traditional Dixieland and Hot Jazz hits that span from old classics to non-traditional modern staples. They have also been highly sought after all over NY state. Winners of JazzBuffalo's 2016 Best Performance (at the Lewiston Jazz Fest) and winners of the JazzBuffalo’s Poll best traditional band, their spirited New Orleans style of playing attracts young and old to create an infectious enthusiasm that gets your feet tapping and sends the whole crowd into a dancing frenzy.
Eric Johnson Quintet, Wednesday, October 11th 7 pm to 9 pm
Eric Johnson, who calls Pittsburgh home, is one of the legends of jazz guitar in modern jazz history over the past 30 years. Having performed as a sideman for Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, Ramsey Lewis, Hank Crawford, Jimmy McGriff, Brother Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and more who played the groove style of jazz. In addition, Johnson produced two highly acclaimed CD’s, Supahighway and Makin’ Whoopie. His musical performances and style are often compared to the full body guitar playing of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, and George Benson. Accompanied by an ensemble of Doug "Trigger" Gaston on piano, Ed Croft on bass, Robert Garrett on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussion, it is sure to be a groovy time.
The Hot Club of Buffalo, Wednesday, November 15th 7 pm to 9 pm
The Hot Club of Buffalo is the region’s premier gypsy jazz band. A jazz art form often hard to come by even in large cities, the group is fast becoming a cultural asset in Buffalo. Performing music in the style of gypsy jazz originator Django Reinhardt, the group performs original compositions, as well as, tunes made popular by Django Reinhardt. The group recently released a widely acclaimed self-titled CD and recently performed to a sold-out audience at MusicalFare Theatre Premier Cabaret Lounge.
The Joe Policastro Trio, Wednesday, November 29th 7 pm to 9 pm
The Joe Policastro Trio will visit Buffalo’s landmark urban resort from the windy city of Chicago while on tour. The trio is led by bassist Joe Policastro (sideman for Phil Woods, Diane Schuur, and Jeff Hamilton) featuring guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. While firmly rooted in jazz, the band's open-minded, inclusive nature also brings rock, soul, funk, and Brazilian jazz to the surface while keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic jazz trio intact. Their third album, Screen Sounds (JeruJazz Records, August 11, 2017), is an assemblage of movie/TV music reimagined by the trio. Previous uniquely arranged album concepts included Pops!, a collection of arranged pop hits, and West Side Story, an intricately produced album of jazz arrangements scored to this iconic Broadway musical. The band takes aim at uniquely arranging familiar tunes into artistic jazz arrangements and hits the mark to the rave review of critics.
“We are excited to produce a diverse live jazz experience, featuring local and regional jazz artists, in one of Buffalo’s most iconic cultural assets and preservation sites. Giving audiences a truly unique live jazz experience right here in Buffalo.” says Executive Director of JazzBuffalo, Tony Zambito
Admission
Admission to each series jazz concert will be $10 and Hotel Henry will provide a menu of drinks and light foods during the event.
Full poster of series is below. Print and save! Tickets for the first event and others can be purchased in advance here (space constraints may limit attendance to 100): Hotel Henry Mary McMahon Jazz Concert
Keep Jazz Alive!!
