The Cuban pianist and composer Elio Villafranca and the Jass Syncopators, who always play their jazz close to the edge, return to Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola on Oct. 10-14 to celebrate the newly released vinyl/CD recording, “Flower by the Dry River.” There will be two sets each night at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
The Jass Syncopators will be performing original music from “Flower by the Dry River.” This recording features Victor Lewis, JD Allen and Vincent Herring, among others. The proceeds will be donated to support the DirectGrace Fund for children of the world subject to abuse, starvation, and poverty. Villafranca believes that music is a special way to contribute to this honorable cause. Limited-edition pre-sale of vinyl copies will be made available at the performances.
Villafranca layers his musical concepts with Afro-Caribbean music from Puerto Rico, Haiti and Congolese rhythms of Makuta and tambor Yuka, as they are called in his hometown of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He also applies Duke Ellington’s approach to music of the 1940s with his Latin heritage and contemporary jazz idioms.
The pianist will be heavily equipped at Dizzy’s, featuring folkloric dancers Julia Loisa Gutierrez-Rivera and Maria Rivera and the Jass Syncopators, an all-star arsenal with drummer Lewis Nash, trumpeter Terrell Stafford, alto saxophonist Herring, tenor saxophonist Greg Tardy and bassist Carlos Henriquez. His special guests will include percussionists Anthony Carrillo and Jonathan Troncoso. Dancing and musical syncopations come alive as dancers and musicians express their artistic movements through their respective backgrounds.
DirectGrace Records is a unique music recording company that weds a passion for high-end vinyl recording to charitable giving. Dedicated to the world’s most at-risk children, part of the proceeds from the sale of each unique, high-definition record goes to organizations helping children in extreme poverty.
Peter Ledermann is the president, chief designer and executive producer of DirectGrace Records. He designs, manufactures and distributes high-end audio products, including industry-leading products for vinyl enthusiasts worldwide. He manages a wide range of audio specialists in the production and promotion of DirectGrace limited editions and will be responsible for coordinating the music artists and performers central to the unique musical experience required of this project.
The genius pianist Thelonious Monk inspired not only musicians but the creative arts world at large. On Oct. 14, the Thelonious Monk Foundation presents “Reflections of Monk: Inspired Images of Music and Moods,” at the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba, 219 E. 2nd St. at Avenue B. The works of over 40 renowned artists will exhibited, including Romare Bearden, James Denmark, Michael Kelly Williams, Valerie Maynard, Paul Goodnight, Betty Blayton and others. Ed Herman is the curator.
The works range from paintings to photographs, sculpture, works on paper and mixed media that encompass a variety of unique perspectives, which reflect the diverse dimensions of Monk and his distinctive music.
On Nov. 3, there will be an artists’ forum from 2-5 p.m. For more information on these two events, please call 212-674-3939.