Thank you to all who turned out for the JazzBuffalo Poll Awards Celebration held on Monday, January 29th at The Screening Room. A great night of jazz unity and hearing great music by The Blue Note 8. For more about this night, see this JazzBuffalo article: JazzBuffalo Celebration.
The youth movement in our JazzBuffalo community continues to evolve. We will see more evidence this week and beyond.
Highlights
Wayne’s World: The Music of Wayne Shorter, Friday, February 2, Pausa Art House at 8 pm
An ensemble of some of our young rising stars and one of today’s jazz mentors come together to offer interpretations of the music of the legendary Wayne Shorter. The group will be led by Jon Lehning on sax with Alex McArthur on vocals, Harry Graser on electric piano & synthesizer, Anthony Henry on bass, Alec Dube on drums, and guest George Caldwell on piano. The group will draw from Shorter’s catalog of superb jazz compositions.
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, February 1st at 7 pm at Pausa Art House you can catch the Rick Holland Little Big Band with singer Lindsey Holland. Rick Holland, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and director will lead a 10-piece band featuring some of the area’s talented horn players, several who were winners and nominees in the recent JazzBuffalo Poll, and feature his daughter – vocalist Lindsey Holland.
On Thursday, February 1st at 8 pm, the First Thursday Jazz Jam kicks off at Rohall’s Corner on Amherst Street and will be hosted by Ed Croft (bass), Greg Millar (guitar) and Benjamin Jason Clyburn (drums)
On Saturday, February 3rd at 8 pm see Buffalo’s premier gypsy jazz group, The Hot Club of Buffalo, in the relax setting of the Shakti Yoga and Lounge
(Be sure to check the Weekly Jazz on the JazzBuffalo website for ongoing jazz.)
First Saturday Jazz Brunch Returns Saturday, February 3rd
The popular First Saturday Jazz Brunch presented by JazzBuffalo and The Hollow Bistro returns on Saturday, February 3rd with the JazzBuffalo Poll John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year winner Dave Schiavone on sax and JazzBuffalo Poll Honorable Mention George Kane on guitar. See two of the finest jazz artists and enjoy one of the best brunch menus in the area. Call the Hollow Bistro at 716-759-7351 to reserve your jazz brunch spot! (Photo credit: Jack Zuff)
Upcoming
The Carnegie Arts Center Thursday Night Jazz Concert Series, promoted and supported by JazzBuffalo, will begin once again February 8 at 7 pm with Live Music & Live Art: A jazz performance by The Pinnavaia/Mastrantonio Duo and simultaneous sketch session by members of the Buffalo Society of Artists. Below is the full schedule through June:
On Saturday, February 10th you can see the noted and highly regarded jazz bassist Petros Klampanis and his group at the UB Center for the Arts. (Described by JazzTimes as a "formidable bassist and composer," Petros Klampanis grew up in Greece, surrounded by the confluence of the Mediterranean and Balkan folk music. He studied classical and jazz music in Athens, Amsterdam and New York. He now is active in the New York jazz scene, where he has performed alongside some of the city's renowned jazz musicians.) Check out the video. Get tickets here: Petros Klampanis
On February 14th, Valentine's Day, make plans to have dinner at the Irishman Tavern in Williamsville with entertainment by My Cousin Tone' from 6 pm to 9 pm. Catch the 9-piece band with jazz vocalist Mary McMahon for a special date night. There will be a special Valentine's Day menu also – call 716-626-2670 for reservations soon!
On February 15th JazzBuffalo, in association with Buffalo Iron Works, is pleased to present The Jon Lehning Underground. A group that edifies the new movement inspired by the likes of Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Kamasi Washington and others exploring the merged boundaries of jazz and funk. Chris Potter, the noted modern saxophonist exploring new boundaries in jazz, states “you have to have people that really approach funk in a serious way”. The group, Jon Lehning Underground, will perform the repertoire of musicians who fit that description as well as arrangements and originals of their own, drawing inspiration from the music of Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Nate Smith, Donny McCaslin, Kamasi Washington, Bob Reynolds and The Brecker Brothers among others. JazzBuffalo and Buffalo Iron Works are proud to work in association to offer this emerging expansive form of jazz at the forefront.
On Friday, February 23rd, the dynamic jazz trio Carina and the Six String Preacher will release their newest EP entitled "The Great Hideaway" from Hot Vamp Records. Their EP release party gets underway at 8 pm at Pausa Art House with new music and videos.
JazzWednesday @ The Screening Room Begins In February
JazzBuffalo, in association with The Screening Room, will be presenting JazzWednesday @ The Screening Room to take place every last Wednesday of the month. The initial exciting three concerts are set. We will have The Tim Clarke Soul-Tet on 2/28, the Hot Club of Buffalo on 3/28, and Carina and the Six String Preacher on 4/25. The recent JazzBuffalo Poll event was our first test of a multimedia presentation, which seemed well-received. Look for more details regarding these multimedia jazz presentations!
Albright-Knox Art Gallery Art Of Jazz Series
A tremendous concert we all experienced with Monty Alexander! And, it is only getting better! Next up is the 2018 Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Instrumental Album – Billy Childs! This will be one of the first headling performances for the award-winning jazz pianist since winning his most recent Grammy.
His recent Grammy-winning release Rebirth (Mack Avenue), also nominated in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category, marks his long-anticipated return to scintillating hard-bop: “ultra-sophisticated, gracefully crafted jazz, but full of dynamism” (The Guardian). Appearing with Childs will be rising saxophone star Dayna Stephens, bassist Hans Glawischnig, and drummer Ari Hoenig.
Series associate producer Tony Zambito will host a pre-concert discussion, “Art of the Arranger,” at 2 pm. Tickets are $29 and $24 for Albright-Knox Members and can be purchased at the Albright-Knox Admissions Desk or online at https://www.albrightknox.org/artofjazz. Early ticket purchases are highly recommended as Art of Jazz concerts frequently sell out well in advance of the concert date.
Here is Billy Childs describing the compositions of one of his tunes on Rebirth - and you will see why this concert is must see!
Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series Will Return
JazzBuffalo and the Hotel Henry convened recently to plan for the 2018 Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series. Concerts will begin once monthly in March and consist of a variable week or day plus special events. There have been many inquiries regarding the series thus JazzBuffalo and the Hotel Henry are pleased to announce the series will return. Stay tuned for more details in the near future.
April Is Jazz Appreciation Month Returns
Last year, we began the tradition of celebrating April Is Jazz Appreciation Month originated by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2001. Four Saturdays of fantastic jazz concerts. This year, we will kick-off April Is Jazz Appreciation Month with a special "JAM-Eve" concert by the Philippe Lemm Trio. The New York City-based group plays internationally and received rave reviews for their performance at the Northwest Jazz Festival last year. The trio also features Buffalo-area native, pianist Angelo DiLoreto. Look for more details coming soon!!
International Jazz Day Monday, April 30th – Save The Date
The annual global International Jazz Day celebration takes place every year on April 30th. This year, April 30th falls on a Monday. Join JazzBuffalo and The Screening Room as we celebrate this global recognition of jazz with a live concert followed by a live video stream of the global concert of jazz all-stars, led by Herbie Hancock. This year the global concert takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia Stay tuned for more details but save the date!
Keep Jazz Alive!!
