To carry on its many projects that promote jazz to Harlem and beyond, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem will present its fall benefit concert on Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in El Teatro at El Museum del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave. at 104th Street in Manhattan.
The concert will feature the highly inventive jazz bassist for all seasons Christian McBride (artistic advisor of NJMH). The young pianist-composer who recently joined the museum as associate artistic advisor, Jonathan Batiste, will lead his exciting Stay Human Band.
Since arriving from New Orleans, Batiste has kept the city in standing ovation mode. The National Jazz Museum All-Star Big Band, led by conductor-saxophonist and NJMH Artistic Director Lorn Schoenberg, with special guest vocalist Janis Siegel, will also appear.
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem (104 E. 126th St.) has its eyes set on its new home, which will be located in the now-defunct 125 Mart on 125th Street across from the world-famous Apollo Theater.
Despite its new home on the horizon, continued fundraising is a necessity for its many free community programs, such as Harlem Speaks, a live interview series with writers, artists and noted musicians like Roy Haynes, Lou Donaldson and Jimmy Heath; Jazz for Curious Listeners, which explores the history of jazz through recordings and film; and live performances at various locations.
Tickets range in price from $250 to $40 for students. For more information, visit jazzmuseuminharlem.org or call 212-348-8300 ext. 106.
The little scenic town by the sea in the City of Cape May, N.J., will return to hosting a jazz festival under new management, but great jazz musicians will reign supreme over the city from Nov. 9-11 for the inaugural edition of the Exit 0 International Jazz Festival.
More than 100 internationally known musicians will perform more than 50 shows over the course of the festival, with performances taking place in intimate club venues and on the main stage of the Cape May Convention Hall during this three-day event.
Opening the festival on Friday at 8 and 10:15 p.m. will be Philadelphia native son and Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride and his quintet, Inside Straight. His live performances are rides of passion with movements of adventure.
Headlining the festival on the main stage at Convention Hall will be the Sun Goddess Tour starring the jazz pianist with funk Ramsey Lewis, a three-time Grammy Award-winner, and his electric band on Saturday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
A very special and rare jazz session will take place on Saturday at noon when Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuna, who has made quite a name for herself in Gotham, performs with her quartet, followed by the 17-man strong Captain Black Big Band, led by jazz pianist Orrin Evans and featuring Nicholas Payton.
Club venues up and down Beach Avenue in Cape May will provide intimate settings throughout the three-day festival, including Boiler Room @ Congress Hall, Carney’s, Carney’s Other Room, Martini Beach, Sea Salt @ Ocean Club and Aleathea’s @ Inn of Cape May. Performing in the clubs will be world-class artists like Nicholas Payton, Mark Murphy, Bobby Broom Deep Blue Organ Trio, the Pedrito Martinez Group, Henry Cole & Afrobeat Collective, Ben Williams & Sound Effect, the Stooges Brass Band, Antonio Sanchez Migration, Joe Krown Organ Trio, Marcus Strickland and more.
This is one of those festivals with great musicians that is close enough to the city not to be missed. “Music has such a great capacity to bring people together, and the festivals that resonate with their audience seem to be able to bring out what is best in both the audience and the musicians,” stated Michael Kline, concert promoter and president of Spy Boy Productions.
For more concert information, visit www.exit0jazzfest.com or call 609-849-9202 or 888-943-1864 toll-free.
Abyssinian Jazz Vespers continues its monthly jazz series on Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. featuring the Christian McBride Trio at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Place (138th Street between Seventh and Lenox avenues). The trio includes the 23-year-old protege of Dr. Billy Taylor, pianist Christian Sands, whose notes always seems to shine, and drummer Ulysses Owens Jr.
In 2010, Owens received his first Grammy Award for his performance on Kurt Elling’s “Dedicated to You.” In 2012, he won his second Grammy Award for Christian McBride’s Big Band album “The Good Feeling” (Mack Avenue Records).
This trio is yet another configuration that offers up the diverse musical tastes of McBride. From his big band to his quintet, Inside Straight–which can swing from funk to jazz and fusion–he has over 300 recordings and performances with such jazz notables and ensembles, including Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones, Lewis Nash, Joshua Redman and Ray Brown’s “Superbass” with John Clayton, as well as with hip-hop, pop, soul and classical musicians like the Roots, Kathleen Battle, Carly Simon, Sting and Bruce Hornsby.
This trio is an all-star cast of young guns and a slightly older gun all playing close to the edge of jazz tradition. The guest host will be Sheila Anderson from jazz radio station WBGO-FM.