As the December holidays approach, drummer, percussionist, and composer Ulysses Owens, Jr. and his big band return to Dizzy’s Club with early cheer for a swinging five-night engagement from Dec. 3–7.
In a relatively short period of time, Owens has created a sparkling repertoire of both original compositions and arrangements of works by Mulgrew Miller, John Coltrane, and Terence Blanchard. His big band sound is a bright sky of improvisation and orchestrations that dance in the tradition of those drummers who inspired him from that earlier swing era.
The native of Jacksonville, Fla,. will take his audiences on a stimulating voyage that will capture the essence of Harlem clubs like the Savoy Ballroom. Some of his exceptional big band members will include saxophonists baritone Jason Marshall, Bruce Williams (leader of Roy Hargrove Big Band) on alto, Erena Terakubo, pianist Luther S. Allison, and special guests organist Matthew Whitaker (12/7) and vocalist Charles Turner III (12/6–12/7).
Two shows each night at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. For more specifics and reservations, visit jazz.org.
Eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer Christian McBride brings his distinctive boundless jazz to the Village Vanguard (178 7th Avenue South) for a residency that goes from Dec. 3–8, featuring his experienced colleagues to make his quartet: saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, guitarist Mike Stern, and drummer Marcus Gilmore.
Of the bassist’s five standing bands, this is yet another configuration he has formed with skilled musicians who are part of his inner circle of first-call musicians. McBride’s music can swing harder than his Philadelphia roots or groove in hard-bop rhythms.
On Dec. 10–15, McBride appears at the Village Vanguard with Inside Straight, one of his working five bands. He says the name represents a badge of intent and maybe a deflective maneuver: He’ll brand this music as conventional before you ever have the chance. By now, though, we all know that none of McBride’s music is conventional — it sparks attention like a quick sun shower or bolt of lightning. Inside Straight features the talents of alto sax Steve Wilson, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, pianist Peter Martin, and drummer Carl Allen.
For tickets to both performances, visit the website: villagevanguard.com.
92NY’s Lyrics & Lyricists 2024–2025 season continues from Dec. 7–9 with a tribute to the uncompromising singer/songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist Nina Simone with Rebel with a Cause: The Artistry and Activism of Nina Simone. The 2024 Tony nominee singer/actress Amber Iman celebrates Simone’s legacy in this new show, written by Tony-nominated playwright Jocelyn Bioh (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”) and directed by actor/artist/educator Reggie D. White (“The Inheritance”), with musical direction and arrangements by Michael O. Mitchell (“MJ: The Musical” and “A Wonderful World: The Life and Music of Louis Armstrong”). Iman will provide gems from Simone’s songbook, from standards like “I Put a Spell on You, “I Loves You, Porgy,” and “My Baby Just Cares for Me” to ballads like “Plain Gold Ring” and protest anthems like “Mississippi Goddam” and “Four Women.”
“I made my Broadway debut in 2013, playing the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone,” said Iman. “I’ve been carrying her with me ever since. I’ve read every book, listened to (almost) every song, and watched every video I could find, to understand who she was. She was put on this Earth as an artist, to use her voice. I’m looking to build a conversation with Nina — about and around her. These songs feel timely and necessary, with a softness in her lyrics we don’t always acknowledge. Who she is as a Black woman has inspired, encouraged, and challenged me, and I hope it does that to the audience.”
For times and ticket information, visit 92ny.org.
Percussionist Tito Puente, Jr., who’s carrying on his father’s musical legacy in grand fashion around the globe, comes to Tarrytown’s Jazz Forum (1 Dixon Lane) from Dec. 6–7 with two shows each night, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
In an interview with Aspen Public Radio (2024), Puente said he never really cared about Latin mambo music, although his father was known as the “Mambo King.” His interest, like most his age during the 1980s (Gen X), was fixed on pop, rock, and hip-hop. “I was into, of course, Metallica, Def Leppard, Guns and Roses — all those great, great rock bands,” he recalled.
Once Puente began traveling with his influential father and those spirited mambo and Afro Cuban beats hit the teenager, he quickly understood that he was also part of this great music that his father played so well. “My father was known as the king of Latin music, ‘el rey de los timbales’ — the king of timbales, which is the percussion instrument that he played, but for sure, I am not the prince,” said Puente.
Puente, Sr. was a pivotal force in the history of Latin music in America, with the likes of Celia Cruz, Mario Bauzá big band leader Machito, his sister Graciella Grillo, percussionist Chano Puzo, and contemporaries like Eddie Palmieri and the Fania All Stars.
Puente enjoys a dual role as performer of this great music of his award-winning father while introducing a younger generation who may not be aware of his music. “I think that the newer generation is catching onto it. I’m really aiming toward those fans who might not know too much about Afro Cuban music or mambo. Today, they call it salsa, salsa music.”
The sound and cultural history of Latin music is alive and swinging with Tito Puente, Jr., catch him live and be ready to dance or at least move and groove in your seat.
For reservations, visit jazzforumarts.org.
Harlem-born pianist and composer Danny Mixon makes his way to Brooklyn on Dec. 14 for a one-night-only performance at Sistas’ Place (456 Nostrand Avenue, Frederick Douglass Square; formerly Nostrand and Jefferson Aves.) ±— the jazz club where music represents the three R’s: Resistance, Resilience, and Resurgence.
Mixon’s piano voice has been a force in bands such as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and with Kenny Dorham, Frank Foster, Joe Williams, and Grant Green. Over the last 20 years, he has gained recognition by leading his own bands, mainly quartets and trios, playing in a traditional straight-ahead vein. Being a Harlemite, he has had a long association with the storied Lenox Lounge, and is committed to the blues and soulful runs.
For this one-night stand, Mixon will be joined by his quartet, featuring award-winning vocalist, educator, jazz activist, and radio host Antoinette Montague with saxophonist James Stewart, bassist Bryce Sebastien, and drummer George Gray.
Mixon and Montague are longtime collaborators with magical chemistry that ignites an explosion of swinging soul and blues. The singer goes home with her radiant gospel-toned songs. Gospel-woven tunes spiked with blues and hard bop are surely needed during these times.
Two shows, at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For reservations, call 718-398-1766.
