This week, we take time to celebrate the 100th Birthdays of some of most fondly remembered Jazz Icons in the history of jazz. Celebrations include remembering Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. Highlighted by the appearance of international jazz artist and star, jazz pianist Elio Villafranca.
Highlights
JAZZ 100 Festival Presented by JazzBuffalo, in association with PAUSA Art House, Thursday, October 19 through Saturday, October 21
The JAZZ 100 Festival, taking place over the course of 3 evenings, will celebrate the 100th Birthdays of Jazz Icons Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie with mention given to Buddy Rich and Mongo Santamaria through 3 fantastic events. All 3 evenings will take place at PAUSA Art House in the heart of Allentown.
The 3 celebratory events are:
The Mary McMahon Project Remembers Ella, Thursday, October 19, at 7 pm
On this first evening of the JAZZ 100 Festival, we will remember the great First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald. The band will feature Mary McMahon on vocals, Dave Schiavone on sax, Rick Strauss on guitar, Bud Fadale on bass, and Abdul-Rahman Qadir on drums. Hear The Mary McMahon Project perform jazz standards that were part of Ella Fitzgerald's repertoire as we kick-off the JAZZ 100 Festival! Mary is one of the area’s best jazz vocalist having performed at the Northwest Jazz Festival (Lewiston), at MusicalFare Theatre, and is the previous winner of the JazzBuffalo Poll for Best Female Jazz Vocalist. Find out why over 100 people came to see her perform at a recent Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series performance.
Star People Plays The Music of Thelonious Monk, Friday, October 20 at 8 pm
When the JAZZ 100 Festival was first conceived several months ago, the idea was hatched to have the George Caldwell led Star People: Plays the Music of Miles Davis to give us a special night of Star People: Plays the Music of Thelonious Monk. A good idea indeed! On this special evening, they will present and perform the iconic music and songs of Monk. See and hear George Caldwell, John Bacon, Bobby Militello, Mark Filsinger, Brian Tervo, and Bill Staebell of Star People play the music of Thelonious Monk as part of the JAZZ 100 Festival!
Elio Villafranca with Special Guests Brownman Ali and Vladimir Espinosa, Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 pm
Villafranca is at the forefront of the latest generation of remarkable Cuban pianists, composers, and bandleaders that for several years has been making major creative contributions to the international development of modern jazz. In the 2010 Grammy Awards, he was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year, for his performance, composition, and co-production in the album Things I Wanted To Do by Chembo Corniel. "Villafranca emotes an expressive, emotional quality enhanced by his technically brilliant approach to the keyboard and his rhythmically complex original compositions…" Villafranca challenges the boundaries of Jazz by fusing it with the syncopated nature of Afro-Caribbean music. Villafranca will be joined by special guest and one of the most sought-after trumpeters today, Brownman Ali from New York City/Toronto. Brownman Ali is a previous winner of the Canadian National Jazz Award and is known for fusing jazz with the music of pop stars such as Missy Elliott and Jay-Z. In addition to leading outstanding straight-ahead jazz groups – including recent tributes to Miles Davis. The event will also feature Cuban master percussionist Vladimir Espinosa visiting us from Virginia. Rounding out this all-star ensemble will be former Ahmad Jamal bassist Sabu Adeyola on bass and the highly regarded Sean Jefferson on drums. (This event is SOLD OUT now!)
Jazz In Town
On Sunday, October 22nd for 2 shows at 7 pm and 9 pm, the Pat Martino Trio with Pat Martino, Pat Bianchi, and Carmen Intorre, Jr. makes another appearance in Buffalo at the Smith Theatre on Main Street. Go to Ticket Master for seats.
On Monday, October 23rd at 6 pm, My Cousin Tone' returns to the Tappo Restaurant for a fall series of Monday concerts.
On Monday, October 23rd at 6 pm at Flying Bison Brewery you can catch Mark Filsinger's Eleventet with guest Don Menza
On Wednesday, October 25th at 8 pm, Hallwalls will be hosting a Monk Piano Summit featuring Lisa Hasselback, Kevin Doyle, and Joe Rozler taking turns on piano with Ed Croft on bass and John Bacon, Jr. on drums.
(Be sure to check the Weekly Jazz on the JazzBuffalo website for ongoing jazz.)
JazzBuffalo Presents The Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series
Next up in the series will be Buffalo’s premier gypsy jazz band, The Hot Club of Buffalo on Wednesday, November 15th. The Hot Club of Buffalo is nearing capacity already so act soon. And, be sure to get tickets for the dynamic Joe Policastro Trio, the band from Chicago making a tour stop here in Buffalo:
Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series include:
The Hot Club of Buffalo on November 15: Tickets
The Joe Policastro Trio on November 29: Tickets
Art of Jazz Series: An Evening with Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan (Saturday, December 2nd at 8 pm)
Named “Jazz Guitarist of the Year” 15 times, multiple Grammy Award winner Bill Frisell has established himself as one of the most admired and influential musicians across contemporary music. With his unmistakable trademark sound, his collaborations with a staggering range of artists from jazz, rock, film, and beyond—including Paul Motian, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Charles Lloyd, Bonnie Raitt, and John Scofield—have produced dazzling results, as evidenced by Small Town (ECM), his acclaimed recent release recorded live at New York’s famed Village Vanguard with rising bass phenom Thomas Morgan. Individual tickets are now on sale. Go here: AOJ: Bill Frisell
Here is a clip of this super duo:
Upcoming
On Thursday, November 2nd as part of the Carnegie Arts Center Thursday Jazz Series, catch Carina and the Six String Preachers at 7 pm
On Friday, November 3rd at 8 pm, JazzBuffalo, in association with the Revolution Gallery on Hertel, will present the Midnight Blue Experience for another session of the music of Kenny Burrell.
On Friday, November 10, JazzBuffalo, in association with Pausa Art House will present the Institute For Creative Music Collective: Plays the Music of Bjork, which will feature a rising star in the New York City jazz scene, Nick Finzer on trombone. Mark the date.
On Saturday, November 11, JazzBuffalo, in association with Pausa Art House, will host a special Veterans Day Concert with music by My Cousin Tone'. Mark the date.
JazzBuffalo Presents International Jazz Artists
JazzBuffalo, in association with MusicalFare Theatre, presents one of the most iconic jazz legends in jazz history, alto saxophone great Richie Cole, who will make an appearance at MusicalFare Theatre Premier Cabaret Lounge on Saturday, October 28th. Joining him will be the Rich Thompson Trio with Bill Dobbins on piano, Dan Vitale on bass, and Rich Thompson on drums. Get your reserved seats early – go here and reserve today - Richie Cole Seats! Check out Richie Cole in a recording session for his latest album being released October 20th – Latin Lovers:
The Julliard and New York City-based Pete and Will Anderson Trio, who have wowed audiences throughout the country and through their performances at the Jazz At The Lincoln Center make an appearance at Pausa Art House for the first time on November 24th. Below is a clip of the trio performing an amazingly uptempo version of Cherokee. Get your reserved seats here: Pete and Will Anderson
Presented by JazzBuffalo, the dynamic The Amos Hoffman/Noam Lemish Quartet will be making a rare appearance in Buffalo on Sunday, November 26 at Pausa Art House for two shows at 3 pm and 6 pm. In 2013 Amos Hoffman was awarded one of Israel’s most prestigious prizes – The Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in the field of Jazz. The quartet performs unique jazz arrangements of traditional Israeli and Jewish songs with Hoffman on the traditional Oud. In addition, they perform hard swing jazz music. Below is a video of their upcoming CD/Album, in which Buffalo will be one of their first stops presenting this album! Get your reserved seats here: Hoffman/Lemish 3 pm or Hoffman/Lemish 6 pm
EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT/SAVE THE DATE:
French-born Scott Tixier returns to the Buffalo area after his terrific performances at the 2017 CMC Jazz Festival. The jazz violinist has gained award-winning recognition in the jazz world for his unique vision for the violin and his stellar performances. Noted by the prestigious Downbeat Critic's Poll as one of today's Rising Stars in jazz. Tixier will be accompanied by the BluJazz Recording trio – the Walter Kemp 3oh! Receiving rave reviews and airplay on jazz radio stations across the country for their "Dark Continent" CD, the trio has performed in Toronto and Philadelphia to packed audiences. Garnering recognition for their modern jazz sound. A special blending of jazz not to be missed! Look for ticket availability for 2 shows – 7:15 pm and 9:15 pm plus a VIP option for both shows and meet and greet with Scott Tixier – soon!
"Keep JazzBuffalo Alive" Fundraising Campaign
Since JazzBuffalo launched this website in April of 2014, we have seen a tremendous growth in the visibility of jazz in Greater Buffalo. And, we have experienced significant growth in the availability of jazz events that enrich the Buffalo Arts and Cultural Scene. As you can see by this lengthy newsletter, we have fast outgrown this website platform. We are in need of funding to create a robust website that will allow for news, event listings, ticket purchases, and more. Our goal is to design and create user-friendly means (website plus app) for audiences to become aware of jazz events in the Greater Buffalo Region. And, to continue to create fantastic jazz series introducing local and international jazz artists to our area.
If you believe in the JazzBuffalo dream, appreciative donations are being accepted by clicking on the link below:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE "KEEP JazzBuffalo ALIVE" CAMPAIGN!
Keep Jazz Alive!!!!!!!!
