Who said jazz is only performed after the sun goes down? For some time now, the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) has presented some of the music’s most influential jazz artists during their Thursday afternoon series “Live from Harlem — JFA Presents” at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (58 West 129th Street).
On September 25, JFA presents the Harmony Bartz Experience. The Harlem native brings a wealth of music to the stage with her vocal stylings that encompass straight-ahead jazz, blues, and a taste of R&B. When not touring the country, she has become somewhat of a welcomed-regular on the Harlem scene and in the tri-state area. One of her main influences is her father, multi-Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz, who introduced her to a wide variety of music at an early age. She remains inspired by the magic of Harlem and her tours around the world. Showtime is 2–3 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public.
Later in the evening, at 7 p.m., the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMH) presents its Showcase Series, featuring vocalist and composer Candice Hoyes and her quintet as they explore the urgent need of compassion and communal love through songs of liberation, protest, and rebirth. Having recorded with composer and pianist Philip Glass and Wynton Marsalis, her repertoire is a combustion of songs rarely travelled by her peers, infused with original material. This event is also free but please RSVP.
On October 2, the afternoon series brings Live from Harlem — JFA Presents: Spaceman Patterson and the Celestials. Guitarist and composer Patterson is an unsung hero — an artist who should be seen by the masses. His repertoire is boundless, more colorful than a rainbow after the storm.
His music experience was ignited by assorted fuses, like playing the high-octane group the Jamaica Boys (from Jamaica, Queens). Some of those local visionaries included Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Mark Stevens, and Bernard Wright. Although Spaceman is a native of New Brunswick, NJ., he was adopted by the Queens cats, making him one of the pioneers of that early Queens sound that gravitated around the world. He has enhanced the recordings of Miles Davis, James Blood Ulmer, Sly & Robbie (Jamaican reggae legends), Hamiet Bluiett, Frank Ocean (R&B singer songwriter), Roberta Flack, Robert Glasper, LL Cool J, Nancy Wilson, Sly Stone, Dave Saborn, Alicia Keys, Sun Ra, the Isley Brothers, La India, Bootsie Collins, James Brown, and Michael Henderson.
He;s produced projects for Melvin Van Peebles, Monifah, and Bill Cosby, and his television credits cover the Cosby Show and its spinoff, “A Different World.” He was the bandleader and music line director for the TV series “New York Undercover.”
“I originally came to New York for two weeks, to work with Hamiet Bluiett in Charles Mingus’ Band and it lasted for three years,” said Spaceman. “So much happened during that period — it was amazing. My first recording date took place at Sam River’s Studio Rivbea with musicians Hamiet, Olu Dara, and Juney Booth.”
Spaceman left his studies behind at Berklee College of Music to tour with renowned organist Larry Young. This association led to his playing with James Blood Ulmer and meeting Ornette Coleman, who gave the guitarist insight into his concept of harmolodic music. The illustrious composer of film, classical music, dance, and jazz Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson gave him the fundamentals of film scoring. Early on, as Miles moved to fusion and technology, Herbie Hancock informed the young Spaceman that technology was going to be the new thing. He also informed me that Hancock appeared on Stevie Wonder’s album “Songs in the Key of Life,” (Tamia 1977) and he can be heard on the song “AS” in that hard-hittin’ Fender Rhodes piano solo.
For this afternoon gig, Spaceman’s Celestials will include his working band with deep ties: drummer Victor Jones, bassist Barry “Son John” Johnson, saxophonist Jay Rodriguez, and percussionist Chuggy Carter. “We have an understanding of each other’s sensibilities, and we keep moving forward like Miles — he was always about change,” Spaceman said. “I was so honored to have worked with him.”
Spaceman’s soon to be released album (three-volume set) is entitled “Welcome to My World.” A short list of all-star guest artists includes Wallace Roney, Gary Bartz, Will Calhoun, Alex Blake, and Don Bradon.
“We will be playing music from the new album,” said the guitarist. “I am a student of the music and consistently growing, so it will be a combination of all I’ve experienced over the years, so it might be anything. I’ve always been searching to find the secret to connect to people. That is so important — we play to have a good time, pat your foot, or take you on a journey in that creative spiral.”
This will be Spaceman’s maiden voyage to NJMH and he’s very excited about his upcoming performance. “I’m thankful to JFA for creating this venue for musicians to express themselves, as well as helping those in need,” he said.
All three events at NJMH are free and open to the public.
It’s only fitting that someone of Kenny Kirkland’s piano virtuosity be celebrated in honor of would have been his 70th birthday at Dizzy’s jazz club by trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Etienne Charles and the Creole Orchestra on September 25–28.
Kirkland played a role in influencing the sound of jazz through his extended collaborations with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Sting, and his own inventive recordings. Charles and the Creole Orchestra will combine these classics with fresh arrangements and a big taste of his Caribbean roots, inspired by rhythmic energy, generating an evening of memorable tribute and a spirited party.
In Kirkland’s brief life, dying at the age of 43 (1998), he was an instrumental force in the jazz community, particularly during his work with the Marsalis brothers, appearing on some of their memorable albums that included Branford’s quartet on the “Mo’ Better Blues” soundtrack for Spike Lee’s film (Sony Music, 1990) and “Requiem,” Kirkland’s last recording before his transition in November 1998; it was dedicated to his memory. The album included band members Eric Revis and Jeff “Tain ” Watts.” Kirkland also appeared on Wynton’s Grammy-winning album “Hot House Flowers” (Columbia, 1984).
Kirkland recorded and toured with Sting, playing alongside Branford, which took them outside the jazz realm. He later became the pianist under Branford’s role as bandleader for NBC TV’s “The Tonight Show with David Letterman.” For many years, Kirkland worked alongside drummer Watts in the Marsalis brothers’ bands and recording together on various projects. Watts performed on Kirkland’s self-titled debut album (GRP, 1991). The album featured critically acclaimed the Gonzalez brothers, Branford, Christian McBride, Steve Berrios, Charnett Moffett, Don Alias, and Rodrick Ward.
For ticket info, visit the jazz.org. Two shows are scheduled for each night.