Robert Glasper, the daring music explorer and five-time Grammy winner, concludes his month-long “Robtober” residency at the Blue Note jazz club (131 West 3rd Street), October 29–31 with an ensemble of fellow adventurers: Derrick Hodge, Isaiah Sharkey, and Chris Dave. Their credentials, even without mentioning music, are extremely impressive; their music soars into another stratosphere.
Two-time Grammy-award winner Derrick Hodge, bassist, composer, producer, and bandleader, received the Motif Award — one of the nation’s highest honors for child advocacy — and his playing on Common’s “BE” has been officially recognized as one of top 20 basslines in hip-hop history. Hodge describes his career as “speaking existence into possibility.”
Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, educator, and activist. He has created his own original sound of soul with a blend of his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, and funk.
There’s a good chance you’ve heard Chris Dave play drums, even if you didn’t know it was him. Over the last 20 years, the Houston-born percussionist, bandleader, and producer has offered his unique drumming style to songs by D’Angelo, Justin Bieber, the Robert Glasper Experiment, and Adele.
Of course, the sonic traveler Glasper himself, is now in his seventh year of his acclaimed Robtober residency at the Blue Note. His unique collaborative configurations have become a source of spontaneous combustion that are not to be missed. Music enthusiasts across the board, from R&B to neo-soul, hip hop, and jazz, will want to catch these last three days of Robtober. Two shows each night, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
For reservations, visit bluenotejazz.com.
Jazzcultural (349 West 46th Street) stands out on the NYC jazz circuit with two acts per night plus their afternoon (2 p.m.) Jam in the Café. From Oct. 30–Nov. 1, it’s the Warren Wolfe Quartet; two shows each night, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Wolfe will be joined by pianist Alex Brown, bassist Richie Goods, and drummer Anwar Marshall. The Baltimore-native Wolfe, when not leading his own ensemble, is a first-call artist for the likes of pianist composer Aaron Diehl and Willie Jones III; he’s a member of Christian McBride’s eclectic Inside Straight and the SFJAZZ Collective. Wolfe and fellow vibraphonist Joe Locke have redefined the art of playing vibraphone in this 21st century with their enthralling duos.
Jazzcultural’s 10:30 p.m. Late Show on Oct. 30–31 will feature Winard Harper and the Jeli Posse. Harper, like the legendary Elvin Jones, and Jeff “Tain” Watts among the hardest-working drummers in jazz. As a native of Baltimore, he also throws funk and shoutin’ soul into his jazz pot.
For a complete listing and reservations, visit jazzcutural.com.
The Billy Childs Trio performs at the Smoke Jazz & Supper Club (2751 Broadway) Oct. 29–Nov. 1. The trio features bassist Matt Penman, drummer Ari Hoening, and renowned pianist and composer Billy Childs.
The Los Angeles native merges jazz improvisation with classical traditions, having been influenced by Herbie Hancock and Keith Emerson, and classical composers Igor Stravinsky and Paul Hindemith. The trio will be joined by special guest trumpeter Michael Rodriguez (Oct. 29–30). The special guest Oct. 31–Nov. 1 will be saxophonist and flutist Steve Wilson.
At age 16, Childs was discovered by trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard, with whom he embarked on a performing and recording tour. In 2001, he branched out of his jazz restraints by forming a chamber jazz ensemble combining piano, bass, drums, acoustic guitar, harp, and woodwinds, sometimes augmented by strings. He has recorded with a variety of artists, from Dave Holland, J.J. Johnson, and Jack DeJohnette to Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, the Kronos Quartet, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
For reservations, visit smokejazz.com.
