Last April, JazzBuffalo and the jazz community in Buffalo became first-time participants in the annual April Is Jazz Appreciation Month celebration taking place across the United States. Since 2002, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has been promoting this month-long celebration devoted to the American art form.
JazzBuffalo will host 10 concerts in conjunction with Smithsonian National Museum of American History and UNESCO International Jazz Day. Each year, one iconic jazz legend is selected to be the figure of a month-long celebration. This year’s choice iconic jazz figure is Norman Granz. Granz was the founder of the famous Los Angeles-based Jazz At The Philharmonic sessions that began in the late 1940’s and were produced throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. Many of the leading jazz performers of that era performed and were recorded by Norman Granz.
Throughout WNY, JazzBuffalo will be partnering with Pausa Art House, The Screening Room Cinema and Café’, Hotel Henry, and The Hollow Bistro and Brew to host concert and music events celebrating April Is Jazz Appreciation Month.
The concert events line-up:
Philippe Lemm Trio
In a pre-Jazz Appreciation Month concert, the international jazz group based in New York City, Philippe Lemm Trio, will perform at Pausa Art House on Saturday, March 31st at 8 pm. Check out the JazzBuffalo article here, Philippe Lemm Trio, on them and put this on your must-see list!
Rick Strauss Duo
On Saturday, April 7th at 11:30 am, the day will begin with a Jazz Brunch hosted by the Hollow Bistro and Brew in Clarence and feature the duo of Rick Strauss, guitar, and Bud Fadale, bass
Paul Hage Mirage
The Paul Hage Mirage Band will perform their unique style of Mediterranean Jazz at Pausa Art House on Saturday, April 7th at 8 pm. This will mark the Pausa Art House debut for one of the truly creative groups in the area.
My Cousin Tone’
The 2018 Hotel Henry Jazz Concert Series will open up on Wednesday, April 11th at 7:30 pm with a concert by the 9-piece ensemble with vocalist Mary McMahon, My Cousin Tone’, in a tribute to Jazz and the Great American Songbook. A perfect start, given the focus on Norman Granz this April, who helped produced many sessions and recordings for Ella Fitzgerald.
Drea d’Nur
On Saturday, April 14th t Pausa Art House at 8 pm international vocalist and pianist Drea d’Nur, the creator of the Dear Nina performance at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Spirit of Nina produced at Kleinhans Music Hall, will perform in the first of two planned concerts in April. One of Buffalo’s most gifted artists makes her debut at Pausa Art House!
Zach Carr and Friends
The JazzBuffalo Poll Winner for Best Jazz Male Vocalist, Zach Carr, will perform in a special JazzBuffalo Live event at Pausa Art House on Thursday, April 19th at 7:30 pm in a Tribute To The Greats. One of Buffalo’s best male vocalists, making his debut at Pausa Art House, will take us through the repertoire of the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Drea d’Nur
Drea d’Nur will return to Pausa Art House on Saturday, April 21st at 8 pm for the second of her two concerts planned. Don’t make just one – but make both of her concerts!
Carina and the Six String Preacher
On Wednesday, April 25th at 7:30 pm Carina and the Six String Preacher will perform their unique brand of jazz noir in a multi-media event at the Screening Room Cinema and Café where they will play the music from their recent CD, The Great Hideaway.
On Saturday, April 28th at 8 pm at Pausa Art House, JazzBuffalo will host a tribute to Norman Granz and the Jazz At The Philharmonic that will feature principal clarinetist and saxophonist Sal Andolina of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra preceded by a jazz talk on Norman Granz to be presented by Tony Zambito of JazzBuffalo. A special event to pay tribute to this influential figure in jazz and no better than with Sal Andolina, who in addition to his works with the BPO, is well-known for his association with Benny Goodman and his Benny and Me performances.
The Blue Note 8
The month, commonly referred to as JAM, culminates with a special event honoring International Jazz Day. International Jazz Day was created by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to coincide with Jazz Appreciation Month and each year, April 30th is designated as International Jazz Day. This year, International Jazz Day will take place on Monday, April 30th and will feature a special event to take place at The Screening Room Cinema and Café starting with a performance by the 8-piece ensemble The Blue Note 8 at 7:00 pm. To be followed by a Live Streaming of the Global IJD Concert hosted by Herbie Hancock and broadcast live from St. Petersburg Russia featuring jazz all-stars.
And Don’t Forget: Melissa Aldana
One of the most talked about artists in jazz today is the Chilean tenor saxophonist, Melissa Aldana. The Melissa Aldana Quartet will appear on Saturday, April 21st at 8:00 pm at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Art of Jazz Series. Aldana is the first female instrumentalist and first South American to win the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.
And Please Support: Northwest Jazz Festival Fundraiser
The annual Taste of Jazz Fundraiser for the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY will take place on Sunday, April 15th from 4 pm to 8 pm at the Brickyard Brewery on Center Street. Great food and music that will feature sneak previews with Paul Hage Mirage, The Hot Club of Buffalo, and the Jon Lehning Trio. Proceeds help to keep the festival FREE folks!
The thriving and growing jazz scene here in Buffalo gives the community the opportunity to share in these two very special April observances of jazz. JazzBuffalo and its partners are thrilled to offer diverse and exciting concerts that will give jazz fans in Buffalo a chance to show and enjoy their appreciation for jazz!
Keep Jazz Alive!!
