The No Walls Express returned to Boston’s City Council Chamber to preview International Jazz Day with a mini-concert for the 5th consecutive year, the Arlington Jazz Festival marked its 7th anniversary, distinguished panels dissected Eric Jackson’s teaching and broadcasting legacies, JazzBoston and Wally’s Café co-hosted a free International Jazz Day celebration, and house concerts in several neighborhoods connected artists and audiences for an up-close experience with the music.
The No Walls Express was formed in 2014 expressly to play Aardvark Jazz Orchestra director Mark Sumner Harvey’s composition the first time JazzBoston was invited by the Boston City Council to celebrate International Jazz Day (IJD) in the Council Chamber. Trombonist Bill Lowe was the leader 5 years ago and again this year, when he was joined by Carlos Pino on bass and Dan Zupan on saxophone. (Don Carlson photo)
The Wednesday noon Council meetings are open to the public, and a lunchtime audience began collecting as the staff and councilors completed their preparations. (Don Carlson photo)
Michelle Wu, Vice Chair of the Council’s Arts, Culture & Special Events Committee and former Council President, presented JazzBoston President Pauline Bilsky with an Official Resolution expressing appreciation and congratulations for “JazzBoston’s exceptional work in promoting jazz to the diverse communities in the city” as Committee Chair Kim Janey and Council President Andrea Campbell looked on. (Don Carlson photo)
Pauline thanked the Councilors for their consistent friendship and praise, concluding by declaring, “Two City Council presidents in a row who love jazz!” That’s beyond our wildest dreams! (Don Carlson photo)
Bill Lowe spoke about the origin and importance of No Walls, which has come to be called an anthem of inclusivity and hope. The music was composed by Mark Sumner Harvey, founder and director of the inimitable Aardvark Jazz Orchestra and a musical warrior for social justice who counts the legendary Boston abolitionist and U.S. Senator Charles Sumner among his ancestors. (Don Carlson photo)
We believe No Walls has a message for America today, powerfully expressed in the universal language of jazz. Full disclosure: Mark is a founding member of JazzBoston’s Board of Directors and the inspiration for our work to bridge divides and build community. (Don Carlson photo)
JazzBoston’s annual IJD mini-concert always concludes with a photo of the energized group: 13 Boston City Councilors, JazzBoston’s band – the No Walls Express – and JazzBston’s president. (Don Carlson photo)
Eric Jackson’s outstanding contributions as both an educator and a broadcaster were celebrated in two panel sessions at Northeastern University. Seen here is the Broadcasting Legacy panel, moderated by ¡Con Salsa! host José Massó. Panelists included Kevin Ball and Al Davis, former WGBH jazz hosts and current alternate hosts for Eric; Ron Della Chiesa, long-time hst of Music America, currently host of Strictly Sinatra and the voice of the BSO; Bonnie Johnson, host of Colors of Jazz on WICN; Steve Pearl, WGMC DJ; and John Voci, long-time colleage of Eric’s at WGBH, current Director of Programming for New England Public Radio. Best way to summarize: It was a lovefest.
The Arlington High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Richard Guillen, opened the third and final evening of the Arlington Jazz Festival at Arlington City Hall. The Jazz Machine laid down a collection of swing tunes with tight horn lines and a solid rhythm section. They were joined by two vocalists for a high energy finale. (Jon Taubman photo)
The second act was the Kevin Harris and Steve Langone Duo. With playful arrangements of standard tunes it was clear these two have a strong musical partnership and some serious chops. (Jon Taubman photo)
Headlining the Arlington Jazz Festival was the John Patitucci Trio with John Patitucci on bass, Jay Azzolina on guitar, and Nate Winn on drums. The trio was joined by singer/songwriter, and John’s daughter Grei, for a collection of her original songs. (Dan Fox photo)
In the Jazz Week tradition of presenting free events open to all ages, JazzBoston and the Wally’s Café family welcomed Boston jazz lovers to join millions more around the world in watching the IJD All-Star Global Concert streaming live from St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 30. Frank Poindexter, the family techie, had a laptop tuned in, linked to a movie projector, and fully tested when we arrived. (Don Carlson photo)
As always, Paul Poindexter made everyone feel welcome – even, briefly, behind the bar. (Don Carlson photo)
Friends stopped by despite the rainy afternoon. Lynn DuVal Luse and David Jazman Johnson were among the early arrivals, in time to hear Herbie Hancock remind the global audience that we are all one race – the human race. (Don Carlson photo)
Trumpeter, Wally’s jazz jam host, and JazzBoston Vice President Jason Palmer arrived by bicycle despite the rain. (Don Carlson photo)
At an artist studio near Porter Square friends and jazz lovers gathered during a house concert to listen to the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble Quartet perform. From left, Blake Newman, acoustic bass; Ken Field, alto & soprano sax; Phil Neighbors, drums; Dave Harris, trombone – shown here with penny whistle. (Cecily Miller photo)
