Drea d’Nur, the multi-talented soulstress from Buffalo, sees herself as more than just a concert performer. Often exclaiming “I am not an entertainer; I am a master healer through music and sound.” At the 710 Shea’s Theatre last night, d’Nur lived up to her proclamation as she unveiled new music and sound in her most […]
Drea d’Nur is a myriad of many things. A mother, a healer, a community organizer, a vocalist, a musician, a composer, and a mentor. To name just a few. Consistent in all is a voice of truth and love. Most especially, this voice is pursuant in her concert performances. In perhaps one of her most […]
(Photo Credits: Jack Zuff) Due to a computer glitch that meant several lights needed to stay on in the Burchfield Penney Art Center auditorium, it meant the lighting was brighter than usual for the Coltrane Celebration concert on Saturday, September 21. The concert and weekend celebration is presented by the Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective […]
This year, the annual John Coltrane Birthday Celebration will take place for three days in September. The annual event has evolved from a one-day event to a three-day event. Keeping alive a wish by the late Pappy Martin to honor the jazz legend’s birthdate each year. The Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective continues this annual […]
Gary Bartz has an easily recognizable profile. Long flowing white hair, tall, and slim (in talking with him last night, I learned he still trains for marathons!). At the age of 77, Bartz is every bit an elder statesman of jazz. His association with pillars of jazz history includes Charles Mingus, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach, Abbey […]
With the release this year of Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album, the archived recordings demonstrated the continued relevancy of John Coltrane. His impact on jazz, 51 years after his death, remains forceful. The 2017 release of the documentary Chasing Trane gave us a humanized view of Coltrane. The film provided us with in-depth insight into […]
The moment vocalist Carmen Lundy stepped out on the stage, her radiant persona emanated out to the audience in an electrifying manner. The word command comes to mind. As it is often used to describe how a vocalist has command of an audience. However, it doesn’t feel right. The audience was immediately drawn to her. […]
For the second consecutive year, the Greater Buffalo Community will have the opportunity to enjoy jazz every day for a full week. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Pappy Martin Legacy-Masten Jazz Festival and the CMC Jazz Festival, jazz fans will be treated to performances from local and international jazz artists. The performances will […]
James “Pappy” Martin was a legendary and much-revered jazz musician, bandleader, and community organizer who left an admired body of work when he passed in March of 2015 at the age of 82. During his musical career, “Pappy” Martin played with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ruth Brown, Johnny Griffin, Billy Taylor, and Betty Carter. […]
The highlight of this week is the 91st Birthday Celebration of the late great jazz legend, John Coltrane. Organized by the Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Society and hosted by Burchfield Penney Museum, the 3-day festivities promises to be a special time. (Get your glasses on – this edition of Jazz In Town is lengthy!) Highlight […]
