The George Caldwell Band

This event welcomes home Buffalo resident and jazz pianist, George Caldwell.  George has been on the “road” traveling with the Count Basie Orchestra and for other projects. Caldwell is an alumnus of both the Count Basie Orchestra (he toured this spring with the orchestra in Canada and Europe) and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Caldwell has made a name for himself throughout the jazz circuit as a hip, swinging pianist. While his orchestral contribution has brought crowds to their feet all over the country, his gift to young students has garnered him a number of awards; including the W.C. Handy Blues in Education Award for a curriculum, he designed using the blues idiom to teach music theory. With George Caldwell at the piano, The Count Basie Orchestra won a Grammy Award (“Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance” – 1996) for the CD ‘Live At Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’.

(Here is a recording of George in a unique trio setting with flutist Sandy Suskind on the Miles Davis tune Half Nelson – a personal favorite of hearing George – Tony Zambito)

Appearing at the Sportsmen Tavern, George will be joined by Cameron Kayne (Airmen of Note), Nelson Rivera, Tim Clarke, and Rochester/Eastman’s Rich Thompson on drums.