The week ahead ends with our annual celebration of Valentine’s Day. There will plenty of opportunities to share together with friends and love one the love of jazz!
Highlights
Gruvology, Saturday, February 10, Pausa Art House at 8 pm
Buffalo’s top jazz fusion band, four straight years in the JazzBuffalo Poll, make a return appearance at Pausa Art House. They have release 3 recordings; "First Set" (2008), "Unbridled" (2010), and "Freeway" (2014). Each release containing exclusively original material. In this group, Walter Kemp III and Bernard Kunz team up as composers and arrangers of their unique brand of contemporary improvised jazz music. On this date, they are joined by special guests drummer/percussionist extraordinaire Ravi Padmanabha and the group's original bass player Efferin Fuse. Here is a track from their latest CD:
Petros Klampanis, Saturday, February 10, UB Center for the Arts, at 8 pm
On this date, 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
Live Music & Live Art, The Pinnavaia/Mastrantonio Duo, Thursday, February 8 at Carnegie Arts Center at 7 pm
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.
Atomic, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Wednesday, February 14 at 8 pm
Hallwalls continues to bring in world renowned international free jazz artists. This time, the European and Scandinavian free-jazz group, Atomic, makes a visit to Buffalo. Here is a brief description:
Atomic was established in 2000 and already after their first two studio albums Feet Music (2002) and Boom Boom (2003), both their growing audience and music reviewers alike began to perceive them as an original flavor with an entirely individual energy that few Scandinavian jazz groups could match. Even though initially thought of as a sort of rebellion to the quaintness of the "Scandinavian Sound" which had become exemplified by Norwegian artists on labels such as ECM, Atomic found themselves becoming a new sort of unique sound on their own. An explosive blend of American free-jazz with European characteristics is how some reviewers have described them. Or better yet, "part academic lecture, part a fun night out on the town", is how the band describes themselves, and is what makes their sound truly Atomic.
Jaimoe's Jassz Band, Friday February 9, Buffalo Iron Works at 8 pmThe former drummer for the Allman Brothers brings a powerhouse band to put on a show dedicated to the blues of the Allman Brothers but also incorporating an infusion of jazz in the music – hence the reference to Jassz.
Buffalo Brass Machine with Pine Fever, Friday, February 9, 9th Ward at 8 pm
The dynamic brass band that gives us New Orleans style brass jazz with a modern twist will perform with Pine Fever, a 1920's style jazz and Americana band. Their youthful energy is sure to provide a loud and brassy good time.
Jazz In Town
On Thursday, February 8th at 7 pm at Pausa Art House you can catch the introduction of UB student and pianist Marcus Lolo with a lineup of Vocals: Sasha J.Joseph, Sadiyah Jackson, D'ara Smiley, Bass: Erikos Vlesmas, Guitar: Drew Azzinaro, Drums: Nathaniel Cadet, Piano: Marcus Lolo as they perform jazz with Latin and Caribbean influences.
On Friday, February 9th at 8 pm at Pausa Art House, see Wazmopolitan: Play Songs of Love, which features drummer David "The Waz" Wasik, Kevin Doyle on piano, and 2017 JazzBuffalo poll winner for electric bass Jack Kulp. Bring your mate for an early Valentine's celebration to share the music of Jobim, Jorge Ben, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, and many others.
On Sunday, February 11th at 2 pm at the Buffalo History Museum, you can see jazz saxophone great and Buffalo Native Joe Ford perform with the Buffalo Jazz Collective. If you Ford's previous recent appearances with the Buffalo Jazz Octet or at the Historic Colored Musicians Club, this might a good chance to see him.
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, runner up in the JazzBuffalo Poll categories for classic jazz band and large jazz ensemble, 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!
(Be sure to check the Weekly Jazz on the JazzBuffalo website for ongoing jazz.)
Upcoming
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 Saturday, February 17th at 8 pm, the Glen Miller Orchestra will be making an appearance with the BPO and vocalist Katy Miner will perform in an after-show gathering in the Mary Seton Room
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.
Ronnie Fest
Our friend to jazz and beyond, organist Ronnie Davis, has had some unexpected medical issues and bills. On Saturday, February 10th at Sportsmen Tavern beginning at 3 pm, there will be a music festival put on by friends to help raise money for our good friend. Admission is $20. Doug Yeomans, the Willies, Susan Kincaid, and others will perform.
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 Monthoriginated 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!!
