Posts Tagged ‘Jazz’

Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival (Day 2): Nature’s Playlist

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013
Michael Wolff, former music director for the Arsenio Hall show, was part of an All-Star Jam Session to close out the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival on Saturday night.

Michael Wolff, former music director for the Arsenio Hall show, was part of an All-Star Jam Session to close out the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival on Saturday night.

The Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival ended with die-hard fans dancing beneath their umbrellas Saturday night.

Despite the steady shower, the fans that remained were treated to superb musicianship of and All-Star Super Jam band that included Gerald Veasley, Michael Wolff, Gil Parris, Dave Hanlon, Mark Nanni and more.

The session was recorded by Syracuse-native Tom Emmi, producer of Studio Jams.

Soggy, Stage Left

Soggy, Stage Left

Bassist Gerald Veasley made his second straight visit to Syracuse for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

Bassist Gerald Veasley made his second straight visit to Syracuse for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival. He applauded the Syracuse audience for not being detered by the weather.

Dave Hanlon added some local flavor to the All-Star Jam Session.

Dave Hanlon added some local flavor to the All-Star Jam Session.

Blame it on the Rain: A die-hard fan dances to a rendition of Mr. Magic by the All-Star Jam Session Band.

Blame it on the Rain: A die-hard fan dances to a rendition of “Mr. Magic” by the All-Star Jam Session Band.

Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival (Day 1): Friday Night Dance Party

Saturday, July 27th, 2013
A couple dances during the final set for the band Brownskin on Friday.

A couple dances during the final set for the band Brownskin on Friday.

Day One for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival was all about dancing. From the early shows to the finale, and almost everywhere in between (including an impromptu session by some young dancers), bodies just seemed to be in motion.

Some folk from the Syracuse Dance Project, along with some freelancers, occupy the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Clinton Sqaure between the World Beat and Mardi Gras Pavillions.

Some folk from the Syracuse Dance Project, along with some freelancers, occupied the landing of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Clinton Sqaure (between the World Beat and Mardi Gras tents).

Eric Blackwell (right) dances during the Blowin in the Wind set that included an Outkast cover song.

Eric Blackwell (right) dances during the Blowin in the Wind set that included an Outkast cover song.

Atlas celebrated it's 33rd year by turning Clinton Square into on big Jungle Boogie to close the show Friday night.

Atlas celebrated it’s 33rd year by turning Clinton Square into on big Jungle Boogie to close out Friday night.

Northeast Jazz & Wine Fest (Day 1): Family Affair

Saturday, July 27th, 2013
Smooth Sax artist Al Cutri (second from right) comes from a family of talented musicians. He took time to chill with his family after playing a white hot set with his band Blowin' in the Wind on the opening day of the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival (Clinton Square).

Syracuse smooth jazz saxophonist Al Cutri (second from right) comes from a family of talented musicians. He took time to chill with his relatives after playing a white hot set with his band, Blowin’ in the Wind, on the opening day of the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival (Clinton Square) yesterday.

Throwback Thursday: Here comes the Jazz

Thursday, July 18th, 2013
Marc Cary played the Jazz in the Square (now called the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival) in Syracuse with Marcus Printup in 2005.

Jazz pianist and composer Marc Cary played the Jazz in the Square (now called the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival) in Syracuse back in 2005.

The Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival will invade downtown next weekend. The fest was formerly called Jazz in the Square, and composer Marc Cary visited with Marcus Printup’s band in 2005.

Cary’s latest album is a musical tribute to singer Abbey Lincoln.

Devotion: Jazz Fest, Day 3

Monday, July 8th, 2013
Ronnie Laws (sax) and Perry Hughes

Ronnie Laws (sax) and Perry Hughes

Day Three of the 2013 Syracuse Jazz Festival kept it hot. Ronnie Laws (with a voice every bit as rich as Lou Rawls) and Taylor Dane gave the fans all they could handle. Laws provided a great East Coast vs. West Coast love fest by blowing a tribute to the late Grover Washington, Jr. And from the looks of it, you’d never know Dane had her breakout hit, “Tell it To My Heart” over two decades ago. She announced that she’ll be returning to Central New York later to play a role in the Musical Cats.

Also, one of the cool things about the final installment of this year’s edition was getting to see collaboration with folk from the local scene such as Neva Pilgrim (co-founder of the Society for New Music).  Fans also got to hear the superior skills of supporting musicians like Chuck Lamb (Brubeck Brothers Quartet) and Perry Hughes (Michigan State University educator and guitarist for Ronnie Laws).

 

Brubeck Brothers Quartet (pictured Mike DeMicco, Dan Brubeck and Chris Brubeck) playing Jamesville Beach.

Brubeck Brothers Quartet (pictured Mike DeMicco, Dan Brubeck and Chris Brubeck) playing Jamesville Beach.

Vintage: Taylor Dane first hit the pop music scene 25 years ago.

Vintage: Taylor Dane first hit the pop music scene 25 years ago.

Neva Pilgrim on stage with Frank Malfitano before the Brubeck Brothers set.

Neva Pilgrim on stage with Frank Malfitano before the Brubeck Brothers set.

Below check out a clip from the gospel sounds of Five to Life, who provided a spiritual set with the sounds from the sanctuary.

Chuck Lamb plays during a hot sunset, then visits with fans.

Chuck Lamb plays during a hot sunset, then visits with fans.

Taylor Dane's told the crowd she was born to sing.

Born to Sing: Taylor Dane

Ronnie Laws goes double barrel in a short tribute to Grover Washington, Jr.

Ronnie Laws goes double barrel during a short rendition of Grover’s “Mr. Magic.”

Sons of the South: Friends & Strangers

Sunday, July 7th, 2013
Old School Sunday Host Rick Wright (born in North Carolina) meets up with Saxophonist Ronnie Laws (born in Texas) after a set at the 2013 Syracuse Jazz Festival.

Old School Sunday producer/host Dr. Rick Wright (from North Carolina) meets up with saxophonist Ronnie Laws (from Texas) backstage at the 2013 Syracuse Jazz Festival.

Extension: Jazz Fest, Day 2

Saturday, July 6th, 2013
Napoleon Murphy Brock of the Grandmothers of Invention and Festival Producer Frank Malfitano hug it out during a lengthy rain delay.

Napoleon Murphy Brock of the Grandmothers of Invention and Festival Producer Frank Malfitano hug it out during a lengthy rain delay.

At Day Two of the Syracuse Jazz Festival the weather almost trumped the music. After lightning flashes, a near monsoon, and baseball-length rain delay, however the music continued and the GrandMothers of Invention (formed in 2002 from Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention) gave those remaining a high-impact show.

Earlier in the day, Sophistafunk and the Yellowjackets, as well as Giacomo Gates, were on stage.

William Kennedy, Drummer, Yellowjackets

William Kennedy, Drummer, Yellowjackets

Adam Gold, Keyboardist, Sophistafunk

Adam Gold, Keyboardist, Sophistafunk

Don Preston, who started with Frank Zappa in 1967, is showing no signs of slowing down on this "One Size Fits All" US Tour. He came to the Syracuse show from Chapel Hill, NC. Tommorrow the GrandMothers of Invention play Annapolis, then NYC, before heading back Upstate to Rocheter on July 10.

Don Preston, who started with Frank Zappa in 1967, is showing no signs of slowing down on this “One Size Fits All” US Tour. He came to the Syracuse show from Chapel Hill, NC. Tomorrow the GrandMothers of Invention play Annapolis, then NYC, before heading back Upstate to Rochester on July 10.

WAEF FM 88's GM Joe Lee brings on the Yellowjackets.

WAEF FM 88’s GM Joe Lee brings on the Yellowjackets.

Sophista-Fan

Sophista-Fan

Piano Tuner Kenny Williams has been working festivals and concerts in Syracuse for more than a half century.

Piano tuner Kenny Williams has been working festivals and concerts in Syracuse for more than a half century.

Napoleon Murphy Brock (red) from the Mothers of Invention shows off his Suavenicity during an opening number.

Napoleon Murphy Brock (left),who started with Zappa in 1974 and now is the lead vocalist for the GrandMothers of Invention, shows off his Suavenicity during an opening number.

Dimension: Jazz Fest, Day 1

Friday, July 5th, 2013
Ben Jaffe, Creative Director, Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Ben Jaffe, Creative Director, Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Day One of the 2013 Syracuse Jazz Festival at Jamesville Beach featured The Doobie Brothers, Kat Wright & the Indomitable Soul Band, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and a fireworks display to celebrate July 4th.  Preservation dedicated their set to the memory of New Orleans icon Lionel Batiste.
Taking it all in

Taking it all in

Mark Braud

Mark Braud (PHJB)

Joe Lastie, Jr.

Joe Lastie, Jr. (PHJB)

Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band

Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band

Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers)

Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers)

Charlie Gabriel

Charlie Gabriel (PHJB)

Doobie Brothers from some other mothers

Doobie Brothers from some other mothers

Live and Let Jam

Monday, June 17th, 2013
Dave Solazzo

Dave Solazzo

Lemon Elefant features a new generation of jazz cats putting in work in-and-around Syracuse.  The band is headed by Bill Horrace and Dave Solazzo, who have been fixtures for the past year or so at Connective Corridor music spots (teaming up with various musicians from the area). Last Friday Lemon Elefant was the closing act for Sitrus on the Hill, where they played their original cuts, as well as some pop tunes.

Bill Horrace

Bill Horrace

Horrace and Solazzo were joined by Josh Dekaney (drums).

Aqua Boogie

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013
Squid: Kellman...

SQUID (Noah Kellman, Conor Szymanski & Max Calkin) performed as the headline act at MPH Jazz Fest X on Sunday afternoon. Their experimental/fusion sound is too funky to ignore.