The Billy Taylor Jazz Series at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

For tickets, call the Concerts & Lectures Department at 212-570-3949. Updated schedules and programs are available at the
Museum's Web site, www.metmuseum.org

Student discount tickets are available for some events; call 212-570-3949.

The Billy Taylor Jazz Series

March 27, 2003
The Russell Malone Quartet
Tickets: $35
7:00 p.m.
Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

Jazz guitarist Russell Malone headlines this second event in The Billy Taylor Jazz Series, two events of which feature artists who have been associated with Dr. Taylor. Regarded as one of today's finest jazz guitarists, Russell Malone was in Robert Altman's 1996 movie Kansas City, and has been a member of Harry Connick, Jr.'s band and Diana Krall's studio and live band. The Georgia native has been featured in recording with such artists as Roy Hargrove and Gary Bartz, and has recorded his own release, Sweet Georgia Peach. On this program, he will be joined by a jazz ensemble.

Russell Malone has shared the stage with artists representing a diversity of musical idioms. They include Patti Austin, Little Anthony, Regina Belle, Peabo Bryson, Kenny Burrell, and Clarence Carter. He spent two years with master jazz organist Jimmy Smith and joined the band of Columbia label mate Harry Connick Jr., in 1989. Malone is known for his versatility, comfortable in styles ranging from down-home, gut-bucket blues to a lush, melodic ballad. Malone's musical journey began in his church, continued with the study of the blues and country sounds of his native Georgia, and drew insights from some of jazz's great mentors. Malone learned much of his technique by listening to records by guitarists like George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Charlie Christian. Despite being largely self-taught, he includes among his mentors John Collins, who played with the Nat King Cole Trio and pianist Art Tatum, and Freddy Cole.

April 24, 2003
Kevin Mahogany
Tickets: $35
7:00 p.m.
Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

Jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany headlines this final event in The Billy Taylor Jazz Series, two events of which feature artists who have been associated with Dr. Taylor. Kevin Mahogany is considered one of the top jazz vocalists of this generation. On this program he performs a selection of jazz standards and new work, joined by an ensemble.

For the last four years, Kevin Mahogany has been voted the number-one male singer in several American jazz polls including the Down Beat Critics and Readers Poll. He was a featured singer in Robert Altman's film Kansas City, portraying a character inspired by Big Joe Turner, and has collaborated in recording with Elvin Jones, T.S. Monk, and others. Kansas City-born Kevin Mahogany spent his high school years mastering saxophone, piano, clarinet, and drums. His interest in singing did not materialize until he attended Baker University in Kansas, where he founded a jazz choir and from which he graduated with a BFA in Music and English Drama in 1981. After college, Mahogany established two groups, ensembles focusing on contemporary R&B, crossover jazz, and classic '60s soul music. At the same time, he was very attracted to the styles of, and influenced by, singers such as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, and Eddie Jefferson. He has six solo recordings to his credit