Events Calendar

Celebrating its 40th year, the John Coltrane Memorial Concert (JCMC) is the world’s oldest annual performance tribute to the musical and spiritual legacy of the great master. JCMC believes, as did ‘Trane, that music can be a force to make the world a better place. This year's 40th anniversary tribute will include "40 Years of Celebrating 'Trane" : a photographic exhibit documenting the annual JCMC concert. The exhibit, curated by Edmund Barry Gaither, features selected works by photographers Craig Bailey, Bruce Hamilton, Hakim Raquib, and Erin X. Smithers. The exhibit will run from September 7th through October 7th, and can be viewed during the Haley House Bakery Café's regular hours. An artists’ reception will be held on Thurs. Sept. 28, 5-6:30 pm. Check haleyhouse.org/what-we-do/bakery-cafe/ for bakery hours. Representative JCMC Ensemble archival photo was taken in 2015 by Hakim Raquib. Further details on JCMC’s entire milestone week can be found at www.friendsofjcmc.org. [less-]

Julian Moehring unites the depth of world music with the freedom of jazz and the lyrical beauty of folk and chanson. Born in southern Germany, he was very active in the Swiss-German scene, won a first prize in the "Jugend Jazzt" competition and played at the "Jazz Open Festival Stuttgart" as opener for Randy Crawford and David Sanborn. After moving to Boston in 2013 to study at Berklee College of music, he has performed throughout Boston, including several projects at the Goethe Institute, such as the improvised accompaniment for the silent movie "Asphalt". He recently toured in Slovakia and Taiwan and now lives in New York. German pianist-singer/songwriter Julian Moehring is joined by some of Boston's finest world-jazz musicians: Greek lute player Vasilis Kostas, Australian bassist James Hazlewood-Dale and Japanese percussionist Kan Yanabe. [less-]

John Eckert is one of the busiest trumpeters in Manhattan, playing with The Monday Night Village Vanguard orchestra, among other top NYC jazz groups. His second Cambridge appearance will be at The Lilypad in Cambridge, MA 8:30 Sunday evening September 24. Joe Hunt will be on drums along with saxophonist Andy Voelker and bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa. John Eckert and Joe are old friends from the '60's when they played together with fellow New Yorkers, Lew Tabakin, Don Friedman, Bobby Porcelli, Mike Abene, Eddie Gomez and many others. This will be a special one time only jazz performance, not to be missed by serious jazz fans and musicians. [less-]

The Matt Savage Groove Experiment will headline this jazz fusion concert with an exciting improvisational funk set, including both instrumental and vocal pieces.  This will be in preparation for a recording later this year.  Drummer Juan Mejia will open the show with his 'Conspiracy', which will take the audience through various shifting rhythms and complex harmonic interludes. Juan Mejia’s Conspiracy:  Ryan Fedak- vibes, Ori Jacobson – tenor sax, Soso Gelovani – upright bass, Juan Mejia – drums Matt Savage Groove Experiment:  Aaron Gratzmiller- tenor sax, Albino Mbie- guitar, Matt Savage – piano/keyboard, Alex Gasser – bass, Juan Mejia – drums, Robbie Pate – guest vocals [less-]

Music Aid 4 Venezuela with Leo Blanco at Regattabar [less-]

Multiple Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard has traveled many musical paths, delivering adventurous original material, recording more than 30 critically acclaimed albums, and composing more than 50 film soundtracks. His latest project with E-Collective features layered grooves teeming with funk, R&B, and blues. This revolutionary ensemble thrives off the perfect mixture of Blanchard's genius and the innovations of four young musical pioneers: guitarist Charles Altura, pianist Fabian Almazan, bassist David "DJ" Ginyard, Jr., and drummer Oscar Seaton. [less-]

Wednesday September 27 2017, 7:00-10:00 pm. Harvey Diamond, piano; Jon Dreyer, bass; Joe Hunt, drums. Asian fusion food and a full bar at Thelonious Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA. Reservations recommended. The legendary jazz pianist Harvey Diamond has graced the Boston area for decades with his music which is at once both deeply technical and deeply emotional to even the most casual listener. Over the years he has performed across the U.S. and in Europe. He was among Lennie Tristano's last students in the 1970's, and has done concert appearances with NEA Jazz Masters Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, and Art Farmer, and also with Charles Neville, Harvie S, Jay Clayton, Joe Hunt, Don Alias, Jason Palmer, Cameron Brown, Marcus McLaurine, and many others. After decades of patience by his fans, he has finally released his first CD as a leader, The Harvey Diamond Trio. Critic Steve Elman of The Arts Fuse says that pianist Harvey Diamond … is almost as revered among Boston musicians as the Dalai Lama is in Tibet. Harvey has been described as one of the unsung heroes of the Boston jazz scene since the mid-1960's, and is also a revered teacher. Speaking of legendary, drummer Joe Hunt combines complexity with relentless swing and sensitivity to what's happening around him. this is why Bill Evans invited him to join his trio, why Stan Getz invited him to join his quartet, and why almost the entire history of jazz has shared the stage with him, including George Russell, Chet Baker, Eric Dolphy, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Charles Mingus, Bob Brookmeyer, and Herb Pomeroy. It's also why Harvey invited him to this performance. Bassist Jon Dreyer is one of Harvey Diamond's closest collaborators. He also performs regularly with James Merenda, both as a member of his band TickleJuice and also in more mainstream jazz settings, and has performed with most of the Boston jazz community, including Adam Janjigian, Yoko Miwa, Frank Wilkins, Phil Grenadier, Jason Palmer, Joe Hunt and Steve Langone. There will be no set list and no charts. Anything can happen. Listen to what Warne Marsh called "the spontaneous creation of beauty." [less-]

Regatta Noir: Ran Black & Christine Correa [less-]

Hailing from Manchester in the UK, acoustic-electronica trio GoGo Penguin are pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner. Drawing on a heady brew of influences from Brian Eno, John Cage, Massive Attack and Aphex Twin to Manchester’s grey rain-streaked urban streets, they create a brave new sound that is wholly their own. [less-]

Formerly called Taste of Roslindale, Savor the Square showcases Roslindale’s amazing foodie culture, bringing together new and long-time residents, neighbors, and local businesses for a fun night that revels in Rozzie-ness. There will be food, drinks, live music, and a silent auction. Each of the 14 participating restaurants will prepare a signature bite, in exchange for purchased "taste tickets." [less-]

As the 2016 DownBeat Critics Poll "Rising Star Female Vocalist" and a runner-up in the 2014 Made In New York” Jazz Competition, Thana Alexa is at the forefront of an auspicious group of young jazz singer/composers. Her debut album Ode to Heroes (Harmonia Mundi, 2015) featured her striking original compositions and vocal arrangements, along with her vibrant takes on jazz standards like Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Charles Mingus’ “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.” Most importantly, the album showcased the artist’s ability to engage in rewarding and illuminating musical conversation with some of the music’s most renowned and forward–thinking players. Thana Alexa is an active member of drummer Antonio Sanchez’s touring ensemble Migration and has recorded two critically acclaimed albums with the group, New Life and The Meridian Suite; she also appears on three recordings by guitarist Gene Ess. [less-]

Kevin So has moved back… to Framingham, Massachusetts! After 14 years of ‘living the dream” in Brooklyn and Nashville, and having shared the stage with musical luminaries Keb’ Mo’, Amos Lee, Patty Larkin, Little Richard and Aaron Neville, Kevin has finally returned home to the Northeast. Please join Kevin in his triumphant return and official homecoming concert, as he shares stories and songs, new and old, performing on the grand piano and acoustic guitar. He will be accompanied by a fantastic band and some very special guests TBA. Kevin So has earned the respect of 3-time Grammy award winner Keb’ Mo’, singer/activist Billy Bragg and Tony Award winning playwright David Henry Hwang, and has built a loyal fan base around the world for the past 25 years. He has performed recently at The Wiltern Theater, as well as Carnegie Hall and The Ryman in Nashville. Kevin was also recipient of the 2007 NYC Fringe Festival Award (Best Music & Lyrics) for “Great Wall” – a semi-autobiographical musical. His songs have been recorded by India Arie (“Crush On You”), Keb’ Mo’ (“Talk”), and Shemekia Copeland (“Sounds Like The Devil”). He is blues, folk & soul in its finest blend. [less-]

The 18 piece big band led by Grammy-winning arranger Bill Cunliffe  and featuring vocalist Denise Donatelli plays jazz versions of famous classical pieces, including the Bach Goldberg Variations and the Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto. Also performed will be versions of Bach's "Sleepers Wake," and his son Carl's famous "Solfeggietto." Cunliffe is known for his innovative and swinging recordings and compositions. A winner of the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition (1989), Cunliffe began his career as pianist and arranger with the Buddy Rich Big Band and worked with Frank Sinatra, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson and James Moody. Cunliffe has been nominated for a Grammy five times and was awarded a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement for “West Side Story Medley,” on the album “Resonance Big Band Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson” (Resonance Records, 2009). His latest effort, BACHanalia, featuring big band versions of classical standards, was recently given four stars by DownBeat magazine. [less-]

It has become eminently apparent that Kenny Garrett is the most consistently scintillating and inspiring alto/soprano saxophone force in the genre. The multi-Grammy nominee brings a muscular yet lyrical eloquence to everything he lends his artistry to. Garrett always delivers galvanizing and forceful work, digging deeper into composing while bringing a crackling vibrancy to his performances. “Someone should post a storm warning prior to a Kenny Garrett concert” – Washington Post "Nothing quite compares with the experience of hearing and seeing Kenny Garrett 's storm-force alto saxophone playing live for the first time." - londonjazznews.com (Luke Pinkstone) [less-]

WZLX Music Director, Carter Alan's Beverly Blues Series welcomes Nick Moss.  Nick Moss is one of the most acclaimed blues guitarists of his generation, with 16 Blues Music Award nominations to his name. Moss began his career working with some of the greats of the Chicago blues sound, including Jimmy Dawkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Jimmy Rogers. Over the years, Moss' style has evolved from classic Chicago blues to the more rock-influenced sound of his albums like Privileged (2010) and Here I Am (2011), but fans and experts agree he's still playing some of the hottest blues in America. [less-]

The Boston Soul Revue takes you on a musical journey, tracing the roots of this uniquely American art form from the Blues, the early music of Ray Charles, on to the Doo Wop beginnings of the James Brown and the origins of Funk, then Memphis Soul featuring classics by Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, and Sam and Dave. Turning northward to Detroit, tribute is paid to the glory days of Motown with hits from the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder. Each song is put in context with a brief introduction by veteran frontman, Ronnie “Mr. Motion” Valentine. Winding up in the 1970’s with a “Philly Sound” set, a Harold Melvin classic features the original Bluenotes’ saxophonist Reginald Gaylord Grant performing live on stage. in the aisles. Of course a night of Soul music would not be complete without something by the great Tina Turner, and the Boston Soul Revue will have everyone dancing in the aisles with their rendition of “Proud Mary”!” [less-]

13 year old award winning Gypsy Jazz Guitar prodigy Henry Acker blazes through a set of Django-Style jazz. [less-]

Described as an “impressive talent” by All About Jazz, Ben Rosenblum is a jazz pianist, accordionist and composer based in New York City, and a recent graduate of the joint program between Columbia University and Juilliard School of Music. His work has garnered numerous awards, including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award and two Downbeat Student Music Awards for composition and arrangement. Ben was a finalist at the 2015 American Jazz Pianist Competition in Melbourne, Florida, and at the 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. He has played with the Bachiana Brasileira Orchestra at Lincoln Center (conducted by Joao Carlos Martins and featuring Dave Brubeck), as well as in Delhi, India, and at the Masten Jazz Festival (Buffalo), Richmond Jazz Festival (Richmond), Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (Maryland) and Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival (Manhattan). He has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the Allen Room at Lincoln Center, Ryles Jazz Club, Webster Hall, Symphony Space, The Blue Note and a host of other locations throughout the northeast. Ben has worked extensively with such jazz luminaries as Curtis Lundy, Neal Smith, Winard Harper, Wayne Escoffery and Deborah Davis, and he has shared the stage with Houston Person, Dave Stryker, Steve Nelson, TS Monk and many others. Ben is currently celebrating the release of his debut album, entitled Instead. The album has been released to critical acclaim, including 4 stars from Downbeat Magazine. Opening in Charles Berthoud! ​British bassist, Berthoud (pronounced BEAR-too), is changing the way we think about the bass guitar. Already being recognized as one of the masters of the two-handed tapping technique, he plays the bass like a piano, accompanying himself with multiple parts. A classically trained pianist and muiti-instrumentalist, Charles uses contemporary guitar techniques to play astonishingly fast, almost flamenco-like passages. Words don’t do it justice, as it truly needs to be seen to believe. [less-]

If you love jazz, or just music in general, this concert is for you!  With Berklee Professors John Baboian and Dave Clark, Lance Martin (Wellesley) and special guest Zeke Martin (North Eastern) on drums will play any request you have.  The evening should be very fun and one you will not forget for a long time. [less-]