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 […]
On two weekend Sundays in July (July 23rd and July 30th), Buffalo pays tribute to the legacy of the revered Pappy Martin, the legendary jazz artist. Produced by Dawn Martin Berry-Walker, who is keeping the legacy of her father alive, the annual festival promises special performances this year. The Pappy Martin Legacy Masten Jazz Festival […]
Festivals become the theme over the next few weeks. Starting with the 21st Annual Pappy Martin Legacy and Masten Jazz Festival, which brings some special guests from the jazz world. Highlights Etienne Charles, Sunday, July 24th at the Pappy Martin Legacy and Masten Jazz Festival In what may be the coup of the summer jazz […]
This weekend marks the 19th Annual Masten District Jazz Festival held at M.L.K. Park across from the Buffalo Museum Of Science. The festival runs two consecutive weekends, this Sunday July 20th and next Sunday July 27th from 3pm until 8pm. Scheduled to appear are musicians from Buffalo, Toronto, and New York City. Closing performances includes […]
