Events

IM ARMACOST, an exceptional saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist reed player, returns to lead a spectacular quintet, one comprised of top-to-bottom musicians of equal prowess. Armacost’s previous visits have come as a member of the cooperative New York Jazz Standards Quartet, a satisfying musical episode to say the least.

   Here, as bandleader oversees those who participated on The Inevitable Note, his most recent release issued earlier this year. Armacost has both the privilege and the challenge of harnessing and directing the power of four other equally astute musicians. Joe Locke, “An A-Number-One” vibraphonist, previous Jazz Series appearances cast him in leadership/co-leadership roles; in this instance, he joins saxophonist Armacost on the front line. The three remaining members of this star-studded quintet – essentially an embarrassment of noteworthy riches –  includes pianist Jim Ridl, a veteran of consequence who makes his first Jazz Series appearance; the venerable bassist Kenny Davis; and the impeccable drummer Rudy Royston, who has made several previous Jazz Series appearances and, as it happens, will return in November to bolster saxophonist Alexa Tarantino’s quartet – aren’t we lucky!

Are you ready to get “#alexafied”?  We sure hope so. The Jazz Series is pleased to welcome talented and acclaimed saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Alexa Tarantino who, making her first Jazz Series appearance, has released numerous well-received recordings to date as well as contributed to numerous others’ efforts from the likes of Diva, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Ulysses Owens Jr., to name but three. The Connecticut native. holds degrees from Eastman and Julliard and is already a New York jazz scene mainstay. Not just a player, Tarantino is also a composer, arranger and educator. She arrives as the leader of a terrific quartet that includes two peers, bassist Phil Norris, who appeared last season as a member of the Amina Figarova Sextet; and pianist Steven Feifke who, like the bandleader, is a Jazz Series first-timer. In a rare coincidence (or is it?) in-demand drummer Rudy Royston, here just two months ago with Tim Armacost, anchors this exuberant quartet.

Philadelphia continues to produce up-and-coming artists who become significant beyond the city’s borders. Alto Saxophonist IMMANUEL WILKINS, making his first Jazz Series visit, continues that tradition. A mid-20-year-old, he is already being recognized – deservedly so - as an original and exceptional composer and musical talent. Wilkins has released a pair of astonishing Blue Note Records releases; Omega, his debut, introduced everyone to what is labeled his “riveting sound.” The New York Times named Omega as the “#1 Jazz Album of 2020.” Given how many titles are released annually – and by who – one should be impressed with such an affirmation.

   Wilkins composes everything from individual pieces to elongated, complex suites. He’ll deliver his work with the assistance of three cohorts: pianist Micah Thomas, another musician receiving a great deal of attention; drummer Kweku Sumbry, Wilkins’ friend and collaborator; and bassist Rick Rosato, who, last season, appeared as a member of trumpeter Hermon Mehari’s ensemble.

Think fresh, different, engaging, entertaining and fun. These are only some of the reasons we wanted to present TIERNEY SUTTON & TAMIR HENDELMAN as part of Season #29. Ms. Sutton, now a nine-time GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist, has not been back to see us in more than a decade; Mr. Hendelman, not since 2017. Each appeared separately; both are consummate musicians, bandleaders, composers and certainly accomplished. Sutton’s original lyricism and approach to her own songs as well as her interpretations of the Great American Songbook remain endearing qualities. Meanwhile, consider Hendelman’s credentials; they can’t help but impress. He was Barbra Streisand’s musical director for years; he continues his long-standing association with the Jeff Hamilton Trio and the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra. He can flat-out play. To say Sutton & Tamir are “on the same page” is cliché, for sure, however, it just happens to be true.

There are a number of U.S. cities that have remarkable jazz lineages: New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and, for that matter, the two that sit on either end of the Show-Me State. Then there’s Pittsburgh; no longer the Steel City it once was, it’s always had a tremendous jazz scene. The Jazz Series has always tried to attract greatness; sometimes, where and how it arrives surprises even us. This is one of those instances as we present a sibling co-led quartet featuring four seasoned musicians that call Pittsburgh home. Guitarist MARTY ASHBY and brother JAY ASHBY, a trombonist, are multi-taskers; both instrumentally talented, they are educators, producers, arts administrators, GRAMMY® winners and much more. The other two members here are in-demand bassist Dwayne Dolphin who, as a leader/co-leader has released some 10 titles, but who also has worked with John Hicks, Arthur Blythe, Stanley Turrentine, Geri Allen among many others. Drummer Roger Humphries drumming intersects with Horace Silver, Nancy Wilson, Joe Henderson, George Benson and a host of other luminaries. We’re pretty sure having the Ashbys and their cohorts are going to surprise the heck out of all of us.

It’s almost as we have chronicled – unintentionally, or perhaps serendipitously – BENNY GREEN’S career. His several Columbia appearances date to the 1980s. His Jazz Series appearances began not long after we did. Now 60, it’s as if, given his immense talent and total command of the piano, that we owe it to the mid-Missouri jazz community to periodically “check in” with Green and see what he is up to in what’s evolved from a wonderfully exuberant chops galore keyboardist into a now four-decade career as a consummate, eloquent, technically impeccable, immensely capable artist. What gave us the idea of presenting Green in what we’re calling “A Solo Piano Excursion,” is derived from his latest release, Solo, whereby the Bay Area native, whose credits at this point as sideman and as a leader impress equally and are too numerous to begin listing here The issuance of Solo underscores Green’s owning great respect for those who preceded him. Hosting Green in solo mode strikes us as the perfect way to conclude Season #29.