Experience the Timeless Magic of Wes Montgomery’s Music with Renowned Guitarist Dave Hill and Tony Zambito’s Rust Belt Groove
In celebration of Wes Montgomery’s 100th Centennial, JazzBuffalo, in conjunction with Jazz at Chandlerville hosted by Tappo Pizza/Thin Man Brewery, is thrilled to present the Wes Montgomery: 100th Centennial Celebration. This extraordinary performance will feature the renowned guitarist Dave Hill, along with Tony Zambito’s Rust Belt Groove, performing timeless arrangements from the Wes Montgomery Song Book.
During this tribute to the legendary jazz guitarist, we will delve into a repertoire of favorites, including classics like “Four on Six,” “Jingles,” “Road Song,” “Twisted Blues,” “Unit 7,” “Mr. Walker,” and many more.
The Rust Belt Groove ensemble will showcase Dave Hill on guitar, the JazzBuffalo Poll winner for Organ – Doug “Trigger” Gaston, John Troy on sax, Abul-Rahman Qadir on drums, and Tony Zambito on percussion.
The featured guitarist, Dave Hill, has been an active professional musician in Los Angeles since 1985 and is widely known for his exceptional talent. He has performed with renowned artists such as Gregg Karukas, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Max Bennett of the LA Express, and embarked on a world tour with the legendary British singer Englebert Humperdinck. Dave Hill has also published music instructional books through Hal Leonard and released two CDs of his original contemporary jazz, including collaborations with the 2-times Grammy-winning and 17-times Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Jazz group, The Yellowjackets. His performances with the Los Angeles-based “Dave Hill Group” have graced prestigious jazz clubs and festivals in Los Angeles, including the world-famous “Baked Potato.”
John Troy is a rising star saxophonist who has made a name for himself in both New York City, where he studied under the great saxophonist Eric Alexander, and now in Buffalo. Doug “Trigger” Gaston and Abdul-Rahman Qadir are well-established jazz leaders in the community. Tony Zambito, a percussionist, with roots in Buffalo, then performed on the west coast before returning to Buffalo, rounds out the ensemble.
The formation of “Rust Belt Groove” represents a new initiative led by Tony Zambito, the founder of JazzBuffalo, to pay homage to groove jazz music, which originated from the Rust Belt era and region that included cities such as Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit.
About Wes Montgomery
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 6, 1923, Montgomery embarked on his musical journey by playing in a jazz group with his brothers, Charles “Buddy” and William “Monk.” After touring with the Lionel Hampton big band, he went on to establish his own trio featuring organist Melvin Rhyne and drummer Paul Parker.
Throughout his illustrious career, Montgomery achieved significant recognition, securing two Grammy Awards and earning the title of “Jazz Man of the Year” by Record World in 1967. He had the privilege of performing alongside some of the most legendary names in music, including Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Quincy Jones, and fellow Hoosier, Freddie Hubbard. What set Montgomery’s sound apart was his iconic guitar playing style, using the direct touch of his thumb on the strings to produce a softer, more melodic tone.
Join Us at Jazz at Chandlerville
Join us for this momentous occasion as we celebrate the enduring legacy of Wes Montgomery and the profound influence he continues to have on jazz music. Experience the magic of Wes Montgomery and celebrate his 100th Centennial at Jazz at Chandlerville.
