Jazz News

Syncopation, "The Manhattan Transfer of the 21st Century", Releases New CD

Source: All About Jazz
April 15, 2008

The Boston Globe calls Syncopation the “Manhattan Transfer of the 21st Century," and it is easy to see why. Like that legendary vocal group, Syncopation performs jazz and pop music that is both timeless and up-to-the-minute. The style of Syncopation includes bebop, latin, and pop influences. The group performs a cappella as well as with a band. Each of the four singers is also an instrumentalist and is occasionally featured playing trumpet, trombone, piano, and percussion. Syncopation's new CD, Wonderful ...

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Buster Williams Quartet at Cachaca Jazz Club, May 16-18, 2008

Source: All About Jazz
April 15, 2008

May 16-18, 2008, bassist Buster Williams performs at Cachaca Jazz and Samba Club with his “Something More" Quartet, featuring Lenny White, Steve Wilson, Casey Benjamin, and Jeff Pitson. Sets begin at 9:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Cover is $20.

Praised by Jazztimes for “the beauty of his tone and sound, along with the consistent quality of his writing and recordings," the bassist, bandleader, and composer Buster Williams has performed, recorded, and collaborated with jazz giants such as Art Blakey, Betty ...

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Organist Papa John Defrancesco Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
April 15, 2008

A performer's public persona can sometimes be quite different from reality. AAJ's youngest contributor, Mikayla Gilbreath, needn't have worried about meeting renowned jazz organist Papa John DeFrancesco. The only surprises were pleasant ones.

For the second installment of her Mikayla's Totally Jazzed column, which brings a youthful perspective to all things jazz, Mikayla spoke with the father of another renowned organist, Joey DeFrancesco, about his lengthy career, and rubbing shoulders with jazz legends including Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff ...

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Firehouse 12 to Present the Brotzmann/Bennink Duo This Friday 4/18

Source: Improvised Communications
April 15, 2008

On Friday, April 18th, New Haven's Firehouse 12 will present two of the founding fathers of European free jazz, Peter Brotzmann and Han Bennink. First heard together on late- 1960's recordings such as Brotzmann's seminal Machine Gun (FMP), these frequent collaborators have been making music for more than 40 years and working as a duo since 1976. This two-set performance is part of a rare two-week American tour.

Brotzmann is a self-taught musician and co-founder of the groundbreaking FMP label ...

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A Musical Salute to Minton's Playhouse, 5/08/08

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2008

On Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts will honor the historic jazz club Minton's Playhouse with a guitar extravaganza entitled A Musical Salute to Minton's Playhouse. The multi-media presentation features performers including the jazz guitarists Peter Rogine, Joe Carbone, and John Kelly; the Tony Mottola and Al Caiola guitar ensembles; the poetry of the Beats; and a surprise musical guest.

Founded by tenor saxophonist Henry Minton in 1938, Minton's Playhouse quickly became ...

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Making Music: Frederic Rzewski at Carnegie Hall, 5/1/08

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2008

Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m., Carnegie Hall presents composer and pianist Frederic Rzewski in an evening of music and conversation as part of its Making Music series in Zankel Hall. Moderated by Ara Guzelimian, Provost and Dean of The Juilliard School, the program features Mr. Rzewski, pianist Stephen Drury, actor Steve ben Israel, and new music ensemble Opus 21 performing on an all-Rzewski program that includes the seminal Attica, as well as the New York premiere of Natural Things ...

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Patrick Langham's CD Debut Features Final Studio Appearance by Jazz Master Frank Morgan

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2008

University of the Pacific jazz professor Patrick Langham recently recorded a debut CD that marks historical significance as the final studio appearance by legend Frank Morgan. After spending over 30 years within the California prison system, saxophonist Frank Morgan began a new chapter in life. His release in 1985 signaled a comeback to the jazz scene and a strong desire to warn young jazz musicians about the hazards of drug use. During his participation in the 2007 Brubeck Institute Summer ...

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Beat Kaestli @ Smoke Jazz Club, Sunday May 4th

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2008

After returning from his fifth European tour, concerts in Canada, the EUROJAZZ Festival in Mexico City and the Goois Festival in Holland, internationally acclaimed vocalist Beat Kaestli presents his renowned CD “Happy, Sad and Satisfied" at Smoke Jazz Club in New York, backed by his stellar trio. His unmistakable blend of Jazz, classical and contemporary vibes thrills audiences everywhere and his sets will include new songs from his upcoming release “Far From Home", dedicated to European composers, like Kurt Weill, ...

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