The Jazz Gallery (1158 Broadway, 5th floor), whose repertoire reflects the eclectic side of jazz beyond its ordinary confines, welcomes multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey for a moving four-day engagement June 11–14. The 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer is known for his shimmering virtuosity; as an explosive drummer (instrument of choice) who never overpowers. He blends his often-complex compositions and improvisation into an inventive experience.
While he performs globally with his own ensembles, he remains in constant demand, having performed with the likes of John Zorn, Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran, King Britt, Claire Chase, Roscoe Mitchell, and Steve Lehman, among many others. “Downbeat” magazine recognized Sorey with its 2023 Critics Poll Award as a Rising Star Producer, while frequently placing him near the top of its Composer and Drum Set performance lists.
“I attempt to challenge the audience to see the music from a different perspective, rethink how they view the music,” Sorey said in a 2024 interview with the AmNews.
Two shows each night at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For tickets, visit jazzgallery.org.
Craig S. Harris is one of the most imaginative trombonists of his era. Over the years, he has effortlessly removed genre categories from his creative repertoire. The prominent composer and arranger embraces a modern Black/African Diasporic perspective that speaks through his various-sized ensembles, which include Nation of Imagination, Tailgater’s Tales, Harlem Nightsongs, and his former large ensemble Cold Sweat — a tribute to the music of James Brown. These ensembles are entrenched in the reservoirs of R&B, funk, swing, spoken word, blues, shout and holla, jazz, and improvisation.
The native of Hempstead, Long Island, adopted Harlem as his second home more than three decades ago and has been a committed community activist, using his music as a voice for change. Some of his inspired original works reflecting social justice and human rights include “Brown Butterfly,” a tribute to the dazzling movements of Muhammad Ali; and “BREATHE,” a sonic statement in response to the long-term and current injustices inflicted on African American people.
For these tumultuous times, Harris titled his weekly Thursday music series “Rhythms of Resistance.” He leads his Harlem Nightsongs Big Band at the Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church (15 Mt. Morris Park West) from 7 p.m.–8:15 p.m.
“This concept is in the spirit of rehearsal bands during the 1940s, when musicians wrote music and gathered together each week to rehearse. It is in this tradition that we come together,” said Harris. “We are here to share the music.”
His regular collaborators include trumpeters Eddie Allen and Franz Hackl; woodwinds, Jay Rodriguez and Frank Vacin; keyboards, Yayoi Ikawa; bassist Jordyn Davis; drummer Gary Jones; and vocalists Milton Suggs and Sista Zock.
The big band is in full swing as Harris plays and conducts, giving ample opportunity for band members to stretch out with expressive solos that reach out and touch. There is feeling in the music. In these unusual times of political anarchy led by an authoritarian president, the music serves as a soothing, healing call to action and spiritual force.
At the same location every Friday at 7 p.m., Harris presents the Harlem Jazz Series — on June 13, award-winning cellist and composer Akua Dixon; June 20, guitarist and composer Bruce Edwards, longtime member of the Sun Ra Arkestra, along with Gary Bartz, James Carter, and pianist/keyboardist, composer, arranger Rod Williams, whose resume includes stints with David Murray, Henry Threadgill, Oliver Lake, Lester Bowie, and Olu Dara.
Harris is a sonic shaman, a conceptualist expanding the music far beyond the restrictive confines of jazz. He is the only artist in Harlem who promotes improvisational progressive music — a music of the spirit that inspires and invigorates the soul. “Organize, strategize, mobilize,” said Harris.
This Black American Music requires and deserves community support, not just tourists! Let’s attend these weekly dynamic, uplifting performances, supporting the artists who have dedicated their lives to making music for the masses.
For more information, visit harlemjazzboxx.com or artsandeducationcontinuum.org.
On June 14, master percussionist Chief Baba Neil Clarke pays homage to his longtime friend and bandleader pianist NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston, at Sista’s Place (456 Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn). Two shows at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Clarke performed with Weston’s acclaimed African Rhythms ensemble (known for its Pan African core) for more than 30 years. “The day before Father’s Day, I wanted to celebrate Randy because to us, he was the Father of Brooklyn Jazz,” Clarke said during a phone interview. “We originally named this project ‘Westonism’ and performed it in April 2018, to celebrate Randy’s birthday. We were so happy that he attended the concert and really liked our interpretation of his music without piano. We wanted the music to be reviewed on its merit, not on a comparison of pianos.”
The original members of Westonism remain intact: bassist Alex Blake (another longtime member of Weston’s ensemble), vibraphonist Bryan Carrot, and Khuent Rose on steel pan. “We continue the exploration of Randy’s music without piano,” said Clarke.
For reservations, call 718-398-1766.
It may be too late, but Dionne Warwick enthusiasts best run to the Apollo Theater to pick up your tickets for her upcoming one-night-only show on June 27.
To commemorate Black Music Month, Grammy-winning icon/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Warwick will perform her one-woman show, “Don’t Make Me Over, One Night Only.” Backed by a four-piece band, the legendary singer will perform memorable classics like “Walk on By,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “That’s What Friends Are For” as well as her first hit record, “Don’t Make Me Over.”
Her son, manager, and Grammy-winning producer Damon Elliott will join her on stage for an insightful evening of Warwick sharing stories about her stellar career and achievements, and the creation of her music. The event incorporates a multimedia show featuring rare archival footage (with Warwick working behind the scenes with the longtime songwriting/production team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David).
This serves as a homecoming: She first appeared on the world-famous stage Apollo in the late 1950s in her late teens.
For tickets, visit apollotheater.org.
As we celebrate Black Music Month, there is one album/CD that must be heard. It turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime performance and experience for those present. America’s most influential song stylists in music history — Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McRae — appeared on the same stage for the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival, recorded live (Verve release, 1958). The noted ladies of song performed on separate days, accompanied by their own trios. What a festival that was: three consecutive nights of Billie, Ella, and Carmen!