This week, Buffalo gets a rare visit from a true jazz legend and icon, Richie Cole. And, there is the annual MIA High School celebration as well. Despite the gray and gloom of rain, the area will be bright with jazz!
Highlights
Jazz Legend Richie Cole, Saturday, October 28th at 8 pm at MusicalFare Theatre Premier Cabaret Lounge
JazzBuffalo, in association with MusicalFare Theatre Premier Cabaret Lounge, is proud to present the legendary and one of the most iconic jazz artists in jazz history – alto saxophonist Richie Cole. Richie Cole has performed with the likes of Sonny Stitt, Eddie Jefferson, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, The Manhattan Transfers, Phil Woods, Nancy Wilson, and more. Becoming known for his "alto madness" sound, big bands, and productions. Producing a long list of over 50 albums – including his hits Hollywood Madness and the theme from I Love Lucy. Buffalo is the first stop on his CD Release Tour of his latest project – Latin Lover. Cole will be joined by the jazz drummer extraordinaire Rich Thompson Trio that will also feature the superlative jazz pianist Bill Dobbins and bassist, Dan Vitale. Be sure to reserve your seats in the today for this special appearance up close in the Premier Cabaret Lounge. Call the box office at 716-839-8540 or go online here: https://musicalfare.com/page/premiercabaret/ Here is a clip of Cole working on a tune for his latest project, Latin Lover:
Music Is Art Youth Festival, Saturday, October 28th at 7 pm at the Riviera Theater
The Music Is Art Youth Jazz Festival featuring 8 local high schools throughout WNY, including Jazz Ensembles. Special guest for the festival will be pianist Pete Malinverni and the SUNY Purchase Jazz Combo. Proceeds support Music is Art’s educational programs. For more information visit the Music Is Art website www.musicisart.org.
Gruvology, Thursday, October 26 at 7 pm at Pausa Art House
It seems like it has been a while since the jazz fusion group Gruvology has performed. If you’ve missed their originals and unique sound, this Thursday is your chance to catch them. The group has consistently been recognized as the JazzBuffalo Poll winner for best jazz fusion group, as well as, by the Art Voice reader’s poll. From the group’s posting: Through writing and musical performance, the group's range spans the spectrum from the earthy blues and gospel, to the r&b inflected swing and ethereal, open-floating, free improvisation. Their recording "FREEWAY" was released in 2014 and features all original material. The band features Walter Kemp III, Bernard Kunz, James Bender, and David "Teaspoon" Hulett. Here is a fantastic tune(s) from the FREEWAY CD to give you a window into their spiritual jazz fusion sound:
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, October 26 at 9 pm at Nietzsche's you can get your last fill of Monk in October as John Bacon, Kelly Bucheger, Bobby Jones, and Ed Croft perform Monk.
On Friday, October 27 at 5:30 pm you can catch the Winelight Duo of Jim Bohm and David Calire at Patina 50.
On Friday, October 27 at 7 pm see the Hot Club Express with Deano Gionis and E.J. Koeppel
On Friday, October 27 at 8 pm the Bobby Militello makes another of their monthly appearance at Pausa Art House
(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. The band will feature George Kane on guitar with Dave Schiavone on sax, Wayne Moose on bass, and Tony Zambito on percussion.
On Saturday, November 4th, the JazzBuffalo and Hollow Bistro First Saturday Jazz Brunch will feature Bernard Kunz and Marc Cousin in a special themed brunch celebrating French Teachers and Education. Look for a special time of these great performers and French-themed foods. Call for reservations – 716-759-7351.
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. Here is a video from one of their recent projects:
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 for this special night of honoring veterans.
JazzBuffalo Presents World-Class Music This Fall
JUST ANNOUNCED
A JazzBuffalo Presents ANNOUNCEMENT: Two spectacular evenings are planned for the CD Release of "El Coco" featuring an all-star line up of world-class musicians. Two shows on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18 at 8 pm! The concerts will feature world-renowned pianist, arranger, and composer Michel Ferre, who currently tours and arranges for the R&B Star, Lauryn Hill. The concert will also feature international Cuban-born master percussionist Vladimir Espinosa, Cuban-born percussionist and vocalist Armando Arce, the classically trained Cuban-born Lázara Martínez, and Buffalo's own Rishon Odel Northington who tours with Grammy winner NAJEE and the Walter Kemp 3Oh! If you enjoyed the recent world-class concert presented by Elio Villafranca – then this is a must see!! Below is a neat video of Ferre and Arce performing together on a Stevie Wonder tune. Get your reserved seats early! For Friday, November 17 go here: "El Coc" 11/17 and for Saturday, November 18 go here: "El Coco" 11/18 where you can reserve your seats!
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
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! Get to know Tixier in the video below. 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 – by going here: Tixier/WK3Oh! Tickets
"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!!!!!!!!
(I have received several emails regarding the book referenced in my opening remarks for the JAZZ 100 Festival and the celebration of Thelonious Monk on Friday, October 20th. The title of the book is Thelonious Monk: The Life And Times Of An American Original. Available on Amazon. A good read for jazz appreciators!)
