The BRIC JazzFest, which has been running since Oct. 19 in Brooklyn, culminates with its well-anticipated three-day Marathon, Oct. 24-26. It features more than 20 artists, who are well worth seeing although some of their names may not be familiar but like them you have to be adventurous and check them out. The three-night, three-stage live music marathon is an arrangement of overlapping sets by global legends, groundbreaking artists and exciting newcomers to jazz.
The performances take place in the intimate jazz club-like Artist Studio, the expansive Stoop overlooking the Gallery, and the state-of-the-art Ballroom—all within BRIC House. It is basically standing room except on the Stoop so be prepared or get there early.
On Oct. 24 BRIC JazzFest Marathon Night 1 will feature Ravi Coltrane’s Universal Consciousness: The Melodic Meditations of Alice Coltrane, Dayramir González & Habana enTRANCé (one of my favorite Cuban young pianists/composer, who swings from salsa to the roots of Cuba, classical and sounds of the Bronx), Cousin from Another Planet (is the brainchild of pianist/composer Aaron Whitby offering an outrageous approach to life and music rooted in Brooklyn but born from a host of musical journeys from jazz to jam sessions and back it is a musical and visual experience), among other performers.
Marathon Night Oct. 25 will feature the soul and blues of vocalist Amina Claudine Myers, the vibraphonist Joel Ross’ Good Vibes, María Grand (the young tenor saxophonist continually adds new concepts to her stage forum), and more performing artists.
Oct. 26, the final evening, will feature Ben Perowsky (who just performed at the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg), the producer, drummer, rapper, composer Kassa Overall; the drummer Antonio Sanchez; the intriguing vocalist Claudia Acuña; and tenor saxophonist swinging from blues to spiritual to jazz Tia Fuller.
For more information on all the artists performing and performance times visit the website bricartsmedia.org. All performances will take place in BRIC House at 647 Fulton Street.
On Oct. 26 at Brooklyn’s revolutionary jazz front Sista’s Place (456 Nostrand Avenue), the multi-reed instrumentalist (alto, tenor, soprano saxophones, flutes, composer and producer) Rene McLean plays “Music of the Spirit,” featuring Ancestral Calling: trumpeter Josh Evans, pianist Hubert Eaves III, bassist Nat Reeves, drummer Will Calhoun, African percussions Neil Clarke, with spoken word artist Kweulay Kamara.
McLean, like his step-father Jackie McLean, is a hard-bop traditionalist; straight-ahead hardcore melodies bullet riffs that push you to the edge of your seat and make listeners say “well damn that’s some hip stuff.” His abled band will surely extend the music to a higher stratosphere.
Two sets at 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. For advanced reservations of $20 call 718-398-1766.
On Oct. 27 Harlem 100 featuring Mwenso & The Shakes Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, at Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street in Morristown, New Jersey, at 7 p.m.
The vocalist and bandleader Mwenso notes, “Jazz was at its peak during the Harlem Renaissance when legendary artists such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes and Billie Holiday made Harlem the cultural center of the country. Our singers, dancers and band captures the essence and spirit of 125th Street that shaped the music of a nation.”
Mwenso and the Shakes will be joined by special guests Brianna Thomas, Vuyo Sotashe and Michela Marino Lerman.
Created in collaboration with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, this multi-media show captures the sights and sounds of Harlem. Hosted by Michael Mwenso, Harlem 100 presents Harlem musicians and dancers in a modern variety show, and pays homage to the presentations made famous in the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club and other celebrated venues of the Harlem Renaissance.
For reservations and information call 973-539-8008 or visit the website www.mayoarts.org.
The baritone saxophonist, arranger, and composer Jason Marshall is one of the primary performers on his instrument whose playing journey encompasses the soul creative aspects of avant garde in a context of the Black music spectrum. Like his former instructor Hamiett Bluiett, he leads the music, he doesn’t follow.
For the month of October Marshall’s Big Band will perform two sets every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Harlem at the historical Minton’s Playhouse (206 West 118th Street). During his musical travels the native of Washington, D.C. has performed with Aretha Franklin, held a weekly chair in Manhattan’s Birdland jazz club playing Latin jazz with the Arturo O’Farrill Big Band, the Charlie Mingus Big Band, and rock music with the Young Presidents.
The admission price is $20 per set PLUS a 2-drink minimum. For reservations call 212-243-2222 or visit the website contact@mintonsharlem.com
The Jazzmobile residency continues at Minton’s Playhouse on Oct. 31 with the saxophonist and composer TK Blue, two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. “Coming to Jazzmobile in New York City is what did it for me,” said Blue. “I got involved with Jazzmobile where we studied jazz theory and big band performance. It was like going to school. I studied with Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Sonny Red, Jimmy Owens and Billy Taylor.”
Blue recently returned from a tour of Africa, where he has toured on many occasions during his long stint with the legendary pianist and composer Randy Weston as a member of his group African Rhythms. Blue pulls the heartstrings on ballads both originals and standards that have become his signature while still blowing audiences away with his hard-bop high-powered chords and rapid riffs.
No cover charge for this show.