The trombonist, composer and artist Dick Griffin, who usually leads small ensembles down interesting paths, will take another exciting journey this time with his 18-piece Big Band, making an appearance on July 17 at Hudson River Park, Pier 84 (555 12th Avenue) at 7 p.m. This show is free and open to the public.
“I have been writing music for big band since I was in college,” said Griffin. “Last year at this venue I had the opportunity to present some of it, but I have so much more of this music to share.” Griffin has extensive experience playing with big bands led by Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Frank Foster, Illinois Jacquet and Sun Ra. “I love big bands, I hear it in different possibilities outside of what Duke and Count Basie were doing,” said Griffin. “But I also hear some traditional styles as well.
Big band is about the whole sound, it’s more about highlighting instrumental sections as opposed to solos in smaller groups.” The Mississippi native was in New York during the 1970s downtown “Loft jazz scene,” and was a long-time member of Sam Rivers’ Rivbea Orchestra.
Griffin has been rehearsing variations of his big band for over a year at the Musicians Union Local 801. He said, “these rehearsals and the upcoming gig at the pier allows me to extend the music with multiple possibilities.” Some of the band members will include trombonist Frank Lacy, trumpeters James Zoller and Jon Mark McGowan. This event is sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America.
92NY (1395 Lexington Avenue) is set to present one of New York’s favorite music events, Jazz in July, under the artistic directorship of pianist Aaron Diehl, who was hand-picked by its previous artistic directors Dick Hyman and Bill Charlap. This 39th season of concerts are in person and online with six concerts from July 17-27. Building on what his predecessors established, Diehl is presenting an expanded jazz vocabulary with fresh colorful interpretations of the American Songbook.
The piano has been a centerpiece of Jazz in July with a legacy of performances by the instrument’s most renowned artists, including Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Marian McPartland, and Barry Harris, along with the festival’s first artistic directors, Dick Hyman and Bill Charlap.
The happening kicks off on July 17 with Kenny, Benny & Bop! Featuring NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron and Benny Green leading a five-pianist celebration in two piano configurations featuring the creative imagery of Helen Sung, Joe Block and Diehl with the lively rhythm support of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Willie Jones III.
Some highlights of Jazz in July include: July 20, Singers and the Song with three generations of remarkable jazz vocalists Marilyn Maye, Catherine Russell, and Ekep Nkwelle, accompanied by the Aaron Diehl Trio.
The unmatched Marilyn Maye at age 96 is far from retiring with her illustrious career swinging over eight decades with big doses of cabaret, pop and jazz.
Catherine Russell is a song stylist and a storyteller, who sings the blues in vivid vignettes that hug your emotions and grab your attention. Her magical artistry allows her to take rarely heard jazz tunes and turn them into polished gems. She was influenced by her father, the great bandleader Luis Russell, and her mother, vocalist and guitarist Carline Ray, former member of early all-female band the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
The 25-year-old Cameroonian American Ekep Nkwelle is a vocalist of the futureNow. She effortlessly reconstructs jazz standards and sings the blues in her own unique style. She was a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. Nkwelle has opened for both Cécile McLorin Salvant and Regina Carter, performed with classical musician Lang Lang,
Jazz in July bows for its finale on July 27 with the inventive visionary, composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Warren Wolf.
The drummer will be playing with his ongoing collaborator vibraphonist Wolf and bassist Yasushi Nakamura rounding out the trio. Pianist Diehl, another longtime associate of Sorey’s, will also add his creative perspective to the trio. “I will be pushing some boundaries of the great American Songbook which is a living document from Gershwin to Wayne Shorter,” said Sorey during our recent interview.
This season’s concerts are in 92NY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall and the recently renovated Buttenwieser Hall at the Arnhold Center. Shows are 7:30 p.m. For a complete schedule and ticket information visit www.92ny.org/jazzinjuly.
The borough of Queens has a long history of jazz dating back to those days when such jazz royalty as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne and Roy Haynes (now living on Long Island).
That vibrant legacy continues on July 20, (4 p.m.- 10 p.m.) at the St. Albans Annual Jazz & R&B Festival at St. Albans Park/Archie Spigner Park (co-named after the longrunning New York City councilman), on Merrick Blvd & Sayres Avenue in Jamaica, Queens.
The festival’s guest performer will be saxophonist and composer Najee. Although he is basically known for his smooth jazz niche, he studied early on in Jazzmobile’s education program, under the tutelage of saxophonist greats Jimmy Heath and Frank Foster. Let’s not let the category of smooth jazz fool you. Najee is a well-equipped musician, who plays good music as confirmed by those who have requested his playing diversity such as vocalists Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry and Patti LaBelle, a three-year stint with Prince and straight-ahead with Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke and George Duke.
For his contribution to the world of music, Najee, a former Queens resident, will be presented with the Key to the City by NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Others on the roster will include the Earth Wind & Fire Tribute Band, “My Shining Star Tribute,” co-founded by vocalist Kevin Morris and drummer Frank Bellucci. “We have been playing the music of our favorite group for over seven-years,” explained Morris. “We formed the band out of our love for EWF and a desire to share their music and keep their legacy alive. The ensemble consists of 10-members, who regularly play throughout the New York region. Also on board will be DJ Hollywood and esteemed radio personality Dr. Bob Lee.
This event is free and open to the public for further information call Black Spectrum Theatre at 718-723-1800.