Bootsy featuring Kingfish
Creepin’

Amanda Shires
That’s All (Official Lyric Video)

 

Aya Nakamura feat. Stormzy
Plus Jamais (Clip officiel)

 

Laurie Morvan
Build a Potting Table – Hangin’ Out With Laurie

Laurie Morvan
Money Talks (Official Music Video)

SPECIAL MENTION

The Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans presented a special Zoom event, Delfeayo Marsalis & Friends with Special Guest Terence Blanchard! The artists, both from the Crescent City are well acquainted with each other. Marsalis interviewed Blanchard and covered many subjects, first starting with his musical background that began with playing piano at five-years old. When he was in fourth-grade trumpeter Alvin Alcorn did a demonstration and that spurred him to switch to trumpet.

Mostly, though, the trumpeter and Oscar/Grammy-winning composer believes his success is mainly due to him growing up in New Orleans and music being an integral part of life there. Of course, having great piano teachers that taught him theory, sight-reading and ear training for both jazz and classical didn’t hurt either.

Serious composition training in high school occurred through his teachers and never came from a book. Other instructors included Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Baptiste, who were considered top-flight in New Orleans and among many other greats.

Breaking away from conversation, Blanchard’s tune “Oh, By The Way” first recorded with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, among other pieces was played. Further along a video of the trumpeter playing and jamming away with Blakey when he was 19 was shown. He recalled how exciting the tour was, especially the last two weeks in London at Ronnie Scott’s. Blanchard met all his heroes that were alive during the four years with Blakey. He fondly remembered doing a duet with Dizzy Gillespie, in which they played piano and trumpet to back each other.

In the process of playing with Blakey and other jazz titans, while living in New York, the trumpeter/composer influenced by Miles Davis, Coltrane, Cannonball Ball and Nat Alderly, and Clifford Brown was trying to find his own identity. He explained as more records with his compositions were played. They delved into film composing with film director Spike Lee and how different he was compared to other directors, and how he taught him to not be afraid.

Relating to that was the E-Collective, the trumpeter’s fusion band. Marsalis wondered how the emphasis was different from playing acoustically and Blanchard said it was the same, but with more social consciousness. Interestingly, that has drawn audience response and been well received.

Jumping to another segment of the trumpeter/composer’s musical life/identity is his operas. Blanchard cited that he wrote all the parts, except the libretto (vocal parts) for them, which is the fun of it and why he loves it. He thinks of it as the highest form of musical theatre. His opera influences are Puccini, Wagner and several contemporary composers.

Significantly, his Fire Shut Up in My Bones will premiere at the New York Metropolitan Opera in fall 2021 and will be the first by an African American composer to be performed there. The libretto is by Kasi Lemmons and based on the memoir by Charles M. Blow. Closing out the interview was a video of Blanchard’s band playing New Orleans styled “A Tale of God’s Will” in Poland. He recalled that the stoic backing orchestra surprisingly celebrating with the band and audience. For more info go to: https://cacno.org/

 

 


The South Beach Jazz Festival takes places in venues throughout South Beach over three days during January. The festival takes pride in featuring world-renowned musicians who also have disabilities. Classic, Latin and New Orleans styles of Jazz are featured. Most of the performances are free, open to the public and outdoors. The sounds of Jazz enliven the city all weekend long and draw locals and guests from around the world to listen, linger and enjoy.

January 8-10, 2021
https://sobejazzfestival.com/

18th Panama Jazz Festival will be held January 11-23, 2021 on a virtual platform at www.panamajazzfestival.com

 

Solitaire Miles & Howard Levy
Auld Lang Syne

Jazzmeia Horn
Where We Are | Press Play

 

 

 

Jan 07  TBA
Jan 14  Adam Hersh Trio
Jan 21  Chris Potter
Jan 28  Dan Schnelle
www.samfirstbar.com.
In case you miss the show while it’s live, you can watch ALL past Solo Session performances on the Sam First website

 


Just Jazz Concert Series
http://www.justjazz.tv/

Premiere performance of the Ben Rosenblum Trio
Friday, January 15 at 7 p.m. EST 

Presented by The Richland Library, Richland County, SC
Watch here

Virtual debut of a new set of solo piano compositions
Saturday, January 16 at 8 p.m. EST 

Commissioned by MUSAICS of the Bay
Performance of “Symposium Docuseries I: The Death and Rebirth of Hope: Musical Interpretations of Simon Toparovsky” and live post-concert Q&A with Rosenblum and visual artist Simon Toparovsky
Visit MUSIACS’ website for more information

 

SF Jazz Fridays at Five & Alone Together

Fridays at Five

Jan 1
Maceo Parker
5:00 PM | SFJAZZ Digital
Members Only Streaming Event

 

Jan 8
Chris Botti
5:00 PM | SFJAZZ Digital
Members Only Streaming Event

Jan 15
Kenny Garrett Quintet
5:00 PM | SFJAZZ Digital
Members Only Streaming Event

Jan 22
Catherine Russell
5:00 AM | SFJAZZ Digital
Members Only Streaming Event

Jan 29
Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Pedrito Martinez
5:00 PM | SFJAZZ Digital
Members Only Streaming Event

SFJAZZ Center
201 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
www.sfjazz.org
866.920.5299

Living Jazz
1728 San Pablo Ave Oakland, CA 94612
www.livingjazz.org

Multi-Grammy Award Winner Marcus Miller and Entertainment Cruise Productions Launch New Original Streaming Concert Series
Saturday Night with Marcus Miller & Friends, with the Iconic George Benson as a Special Guest and Guest Bandmembers Patrice Rushen and Joey DeFrancesco
www.SaturdayNightWithMarcusMiller.com

Village Vanguard

Chris Potter Quartet

NYE & NEW YEAR’S DAY

December 31 ‑ January 3

Chris Potter – Saxophone

David Virelles – Piano

Joe Martin – Bass

Marcus Gilmore – Drums

https://villagevanguard.com

Recorded Live At Birdland Theater

January 14    Haley Swindal: To New York, With Love

Birdland Jazz Club
315 West 44th St
New York, NY 10036
https://www.birdlandjazz.com/
(212) 581-3080

 

 

JAN. 12 NOAH BROOKS COALITION

Noah Brooks- Drums
Devonte Merrick – Vocals
Isaac Armstead – Trumpet
Karli Bunn – Saxophone
Jackson Frosch – Guitar
Milan Blissett – Bass

JAN. 13 CONSTANTINE ALEXANDER SEXTET

Constantine Alexander – Trumpet
Roy McGrath – Sax
Matt Attfield -Trombone
Julius Tucker – Piano
Ben Dillinger – Bass
Greg Essig – Drums 

JAN. 14

JAZZ RECORD ART COLLECTIVE (rescheduled from Oct. 22)
KATHERINE ANDRICK GROUP
perform MANHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA’s 1971 release INNER MOUNTING FLAME
Katherine Andrick – Violin
Zoey Smulewitz – Guitar
Paul Mutzabaugh – Keys
Chris Clemente – Bass
Frank Alongi – Drums

JAN. 18

JULI WOOD’S LITTLE ROOTIE TOOTIE MONK TRIBUTE
Juli Wood – Alto
Dustin Laurenzi – Tenor
Katie Ernst – Bass
Greg Artry – Drums

JAN. 19

RUNERE BROOKS GROUP
Lineup TBA

JAN. 20

LENARD SIMPSON/AIDAN LOMBARD QUINTET
Lenard Simpson – Alto
Aidan Lombard – Trumpet
Julius Tucker – Piano
Clark Sommers – Bass
Neil Hemphill – Drums

JAN. 21 

ALEX LOMBRE & the MIDTOWN STRINGS
Alexis Lombre – Piano/Vocals
Natalie Frakes – Violin
Caitlin Edwards – Violin
Michelle Manson – Viola
Kelsee Vandervall – Cello

JAN. 26

FISSION
Kabir Dalawari – Drums
Kyle Brooks – Sax
Eric Arroyo – Piano
Lucas Coker – Guitar
Vince Espinoza – Bass

JAN. 27
GREG DUDZIENSKI QUARTET
Gregory Dudzienski – Saxophone
Chris White – Piano
Kelly Sill – Bass

Jeff Stitely – Drums 

JAN. 28

JAZZ RECORD ART COLLECTIVE
CHRIS MADSEN SEXTET PERFORM WAYNE SHORTER’S 1965 RELEASE
SOOTHSAYER
Chris Madsen – Tenor
Brent Griffin Jr.– Alto
Victor Garcia – Trumpet
TBA – Piano
Clark Sommers – Bass
Eric Binder – Drums

JAN. 29

SOUL MESSAGE
Chris Forman – B3 Organ
Lee Rothenberg – Guitar
Greg Rockingham – Drums

Fulton Street Collective
1821 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago IL, 60622
773-852-2481
www.fultonstreetcollective.com


National Jazz Museum in Harlem
http://jazzmuseuminharlem.org
https://www.facebook.com/pg/nationaljazzmuseum/events/?ref=page_internal

  Live from Van Gelder Studio

Van Gelder Studio, the legendary recording studio home to hundreds of jazz icons from John Coltrane to Herbie Hancock, has announced the launch of “Live from Van Gelder Studio,” a new virtual music series that will stream live from VanGelder.live.

Live from Van Gelder Studio is expected to continue through 2021 with a 10-show immersive and interactive program. The series will feature talent from original seminal recordings joined by multi-generational artists who will pay tribute to important records that were originally put to tape within the four walls of the studio. Tickets can be purchased directly on the site for $15. 2021 shows will be announced in the near future.

Performances will be live streamed using a new technology built from the ground up that is true to the Rudy Van Gelder sound. It will allow audiences to fully experience the unique studio and its sound in their homes. Upcoming experiences will be crafted to make the audience and musicians feel like they are at an actual live performance.

Live from Van Gelder Studio is created and produced by a team of jazz industry veterans including:

• Five-time Grammy Award-winner Don Sickler, who produced many Van Gelder-recorded artists including Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Cindy Blackman Santana.
• Phil Coady, producer of The Ultimate Blue Train, which was created while he was the lead producer in the Microsoft MS4Music Group and where he and Van Gelder first connected.
• Sam Kaufman, who as a talent agent worked with Van Gelder-recorded artists including Ray Charles, Pharoah Sanders and Jason Moran.
• Maureen Sickler, distinguished associate and long-time assistant engineer for Van Gelder, who now carries on the traditions forged in their 30+ year collaboration.

Live from Van Gelder Studio
www.vangelder.live

 

 Kat Edmonson  
New live shows every Sunday night:
https://linktr.ee/katedmonson

Adam Hawley 
Back on FB Live: Adam will be back at the same time, same place this Mondays at 7pm PST/10pm EST.  He’ll be back with your requests, do another show-and-tell on his studio and recording process, and we’ll definitely see an encore performance from his wife and vocalist extraordinaire Kat Hawley.
Just go to his Facebook page!

Loston Harris
Live shows every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
https://vimeo.com/423489809
https://www.facebook.com/LostonHarris/


During the entire quarantine period, Qwest TV also broadcasts a flagship program from its catalog every day at 9pm (CET) / 3pm (EST), available from the platform’s Facebook and YouTube accounts. Among the Qwest TV gems, Internet users will discover next week:
For more information on Qwest TV, visit qwest.tv.

 

Jazz on the Tube provides five free services:

1. A searchable archive of thousands of carefully hand picked and annotated jazz videos

2. A free Video-of-the-Day service. Love jazz? We deliver a great jazz video to your mailbox every day. You can subscribe here free.

3. The Internet’s only free up-to-date world-wide directory of jazz clubs, jazz festivals, jazz radio stations, and jazz organizations.

4. A podcast series, unique in jazz, that features in-depth interviews on the history – and future – of jazz with jazz scholars, educators, and presenters.

5. One of the most detailed educational resources available anywhere on the music of Cuba and other Latin countries and their under reported, and often under appreciated, impact on jazz past, present and future.

www.jazzonthetube.com

 

Save CATALINA JAZZ CLUB amid COVID-19!

In response to the citywide closures, the Catalina Jazz Club has set up this digital tip jar in our fight to survive. Their doors have been closed since  March 14th, and each day the fight grows harder to pay faithful staff, the talented tech crew and consummate chefs what they’re worth — which is everything. But there are some blues you just can’t sing away, so they humbly ask that you contribute whatever you can to help cover the rent of our Sunset hot spot and spare us from having to go dark for good. While great music can soothe the soul, it’s your gracious donation, no matter the size, that fills their heart.
Please contribute at GoFundMe.com/SaveCatalinaJazzClub
They’ll be sure to have your table ready.
All their love,
Catalina, Manny, and the Staff


SPECIAL REQUEST

Guitar legend Kenny Burrell took a fall two years ago. He is still recovering and on sabbatical from UCLA. Essentially, he is still unable to play and/or teach. Help is needed and welcomed. Here’s the link for donations setup by his wife Katherine:
https://www.gofundme.com/support-kenny-burrell?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email%2B2300-co-team-welcome

Singer/lyricist/pianist Dave Frishberg is not doing well at all. If you who have enjoyed the gift of Dave’s music, please feel inspired to help him now that he needs it.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dave-frishberg

 

 

 

Beyond Symphonic Jazz explores where the worlds of jazz and classical music meet with interviews with some very special composers and performers. The show also features rare recordings along with new works that continue the great American tradition of symphonic jazz. Where the musical lines start to blur, is where things get Interesting.
Hosted by SJO Music Director Mitch Glickman,  the Beyond Symphonic Jazz radio show features in-depth interviews. The 2-hour radio show on KKJZ 88.1 FM airs every Sunday evening from 9 – 11 pm (PST). The broadcasts are archived and can be listened to anytime you’d like. (The archives are available for two weeks following the broadcast.)

The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s CD with commissioned works by George Duke, Dark Wood: Bass Concerto for McBride, Lee Ritenour Symphonic Captain’s Journey, along with George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue can be purchased on the website.

January Special Guests:


January 3    Lyne Carrington
January 10  Michael Feinstein
January 17  John Patitucci 
January 24  Leonard Slatkin
January 31  Leonard Slatkin (part 2)

Jazz at LACMA

January 3    The Lao Tizer Band
January 10  Andrea Miller
January 17  Teodross Avery Quintet
January 24  Greg Reitan
January 31  Dwight Trible

www.SJOmusic.org/kkjz.org

For extra offers and info, go to Facebook!


JAZZED

Don’t miss the biggest online jazz education event of the year!

Over 125 exclusive performances, clinics, & presentations for all ages from the best in jazz, streaming directly to you (or your students), on any device!

PLUS ON-DEMAND REPLAYS
of over 40 clinic sessions for all full ($96/year) members.*
REGISTER NOW https://jazzednet.org/

New England Conservatory’s Jazz Studies and Contemporary Improvisation Departments Feature Array of Livestream and Virtual Concerts
https://necmusic.edu/concerts

Music Habit
https://www.musichabit.com/

My Music Master Class
https://www.mymusicmasterclass.com/

NAMM

The NAMM Show, held in Anaheim, CA will be completely online for all sectors of the music products, pro audio and entertainment technology industries; and NAMM Foundation education for music educators and administrators, nonprofit professionals and college-aged students and faculty, among others. Education and training tracks include Business, Audio Production and Technology, Entertainment Technology and Artists, as well as others.

In total, Believe in Music week will offer 150-plus interviews; professional development and training sessions through a variety artists that includes Chick Corea.

Believe in Music week (January 18, 2021) is the online, global gathering to unite and support the people who bring music to the world. To register for free or to learn more, please visit https://attend.believeinmusic.tv

 

DANCE/FILM

Los Angeles’ Dance Camera West Film Festival
January 7-31, 2021

Virtual and In-Person Screenings
Featuring 40 films from over 35 countries!
Each film makes its World, U.S. and/or L.A. Premiere

International Dance: Los Angeles includes virtual screenings of 19 films in three programs streaming Jan. 7, 8, and 9, 2021 at 8 p.m. with primarily French language artists and Q&A’s in French at Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz. The three-night presentation explores groundbreaking international talent and visits a variety of styles, scenery, music, stories and storytelling techniques.

Also The Broad Stage Presents Dance Camera West DRIVE-IN – BEST OF THE FESTIVAL Jan, 30 & 31, 2021. Celebrate the energy, vitality and passion of dance in the age of social distancing—at the Drive-In! The Broad Stage partners up with  Dance Camera West to bring you the very best dance films from around the world, shown in their full glory outdoors on the big screen while you enjoy the comforts of your car.

January 7-9, 2021 

Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz
www.theatreraymondkabbaz.com

Jan, 30 & 31, 2021

The Broad Stage
www.thebroadstage.org
www.dancecamerawest.org/

 

PASSING

Beloved saxophonist and bandleader Jeff Clayton, brother John Clayton and uncle of Gerald Clayton, died on December 16, 2020 (not from Covid-19) and was 66 years old. He was co-leader/founder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Band. In addition to groups with his brother, the reedist recorded and toured with a myriad of artists in many styles. They ranged from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Madonna and Kenny Rogers to Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Woody Herman and the Count Basie Orchestra. Besides being an outstanding player and composer, Clayton was equally witty, comedic and often had audiences laughing profusely. He definitely will be missed…

 

Any information to be considered for this column can be sent to:
chrisjwalker1@earthlink.net