Brooklyn sax man Curtis Haywood made a visit to Syracuse last week and played his sophisticated sounds in Eastwood for the Jazz in the City series. He was joined on stage by Habbert Cheeks, Steve Rodriguez, Barry Dee and Yasu.
Yasu Hitosasaki on guitar
The Jazz in the City series concludes with the West Side concert on Thursday.
The ladies of KC-Cuse Line Dance are working to get our city in shape using the power of dance. The performed last night at Jazz in the City (Southside) at Dunk & Bright along with the Blacklites and the ImagineSyracuse Drum and Dance Troupe.
During his first visit to Syracuse, NY flautist Wouter Kellerman also put on his dancing shoes. Here’s a brief clip from his finale at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival (Day 1).
Jessy J, the Spanish-speaking smooth jazz saxophonist who grew up in Cali, showed she was a triple threat during her peformance in Syracuse on Saturday. Jessy J played (accompanied by Urban Coalition), she danced, and she sang to close out this year’s 2012 Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.
Urban Jazz Coalition, a Syracuse Jazz in the City alumni band, prostate made their return to Syracuse and played the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival on Saturday. The band, featuring Richard Randolph on sax and Phil Raney on Bass, especially pleased the crowd when the played a rendition of the Luther Vandross hit “Never Too Much.”
Hector Maldanado, percussion for Urban Coalition
The band also backed the featured act of the night, Jessy J.
Last weekend three events were held in downtown Syracuse: The Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, the Arts & Crafts Festival and the Blue Rain Eco/Stage 0f Nations. Thousands of people braved the uncertain weather (especially on Saturday) to see the various stage events and performances.
These two photos show an interesting age range of those we saw in attendance at the various venues.
Artist Doug Jones (picture above) was a vendor in Hanover Square, where he was selling his Native American art pieces. He’s been working with recycled material and wood for nearly a half century. His intricate carvings (he uses a jewelers saw) are used to tell stories. Jones’ work is in the collection at the Smithsonian and also at the White House.
Below, Maxwell Brown, 4, was having a good time out with his dad at work Saturday afternoon. His father Nate Brown, aka Peanut (on drums), leads the band Brownskin. Brownskin brought their high velocity soul to the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival’s World Beat Pavilion.
Fresh off of a gig at Washington,DC’s Kennedy Center, SAMA-award winner Wouter Kellerman and his band came to Syracuse on Friday evening. They were a late add onto the schedule at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Fest, but they quickly won new fans with their a mix of with traditional folk songs, melodic World beat and jazz during their set. They will be going to New York City and LA before returning home, according to drummer Lamine Sonko.
Guitarist Michael Bester
Members of the band watch as Kellerman performs a solo
Eddie “Wall St” Brown dances during a set at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival on Friday night.
The Black Lites are celebrating 40 years in the music business this year. Their story is familiar to Syracuse residents, but many outside the area do not know that the group recorded a song with New England Producer Maurice Starr that later became a hit for New Edition. They never signed with Starr due to a previous contract obligation.
James Patterson, lead vocalist
Eddie gives some love to horn player Dave Frateschi
Fans, including Sen. John DeFransicso, give applaud the Black Lites