Lois Gilbert
June-19th-2008, 04:51 AM
Hartford's bustling summer jazz scene will make a smooth transition into the fall, thanks to the classy Hartford International Jazz Festival, which has just announced its exciting Main Stage lineup for its annual Columbus Day weekend bash.
Inspired by popular European cultural fests and aimed at pumping up the city's nightlife and stimulating its downtown economy, HIJF's bumper crop of top talent opens in high style Oct. 10 with the Danilo Perez Trio and closes with a flourish Oct. 12 with the Wallace Roney Quintet.
Between the opener and grand finale, HIJF lights up the holiday weekend in Hartford with jazz-infused music from Asia, India, Latin America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Netherlands.
Celebrating its seventh season, the three-day festival presents nine ticketed Main Stage concerts and one free Main Stage concert in tandem with post-concert events in more than 20 Encore Stages at designated bars, nightclubs and restaurants, all venues within walking distance of one another in downtown Hartford.
Here's the lineup for the Main Stage headliners:
FRIDAY (OCT. 10)
Danilo Perez Trio, the festival opener, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave.
An exponent of Pan-American jazz music (a blend of music of the Americas, folkloric and world music), the pianist-composer Danilo Perez is making an indelibly fresh, creative imprint on contemporary music, both as a member of the new Wayne Shorter Quintet and as the leader of his own bold, acclaimed ensembles. As in years past, the historic, jazz-friendly Asylum Hill Congregational Church is a collaborative host for HIJF's opening night concert
Badal Roy's Full Moon Quartet with special guests, Sweet Jane's, 88 Pratt St.
One of the world's leading tabla players, Badal Roy, a native of Pakistan, has helped move the Indian drum from its traditional classical role and, with his free-flowing style, ensconce it as a striking rhythmic force in jazz and improvisational settings.
Rounding out Roy's Full Moon Quartet are Kenny Wessel, guitar; Steve Gorn, bamboo flute; and Daniel Moreno, percussion. Roy's special guests are saxophonist Dave Liebman and bassist Michael Henderson, the tabla titan's former bandmates with Miles Davis.
One for All, Black-eyed Sally's, 350 Asylum St.
A powerhouse sextet, One for All features Eric Alexander, tenor saxophone; West Hartford's Steve Davis, trombone; Jim Rotondi, trumpet and fluegelhorn; David Hazeltine, piano; Hartford's Nat Reeves, bass; and Joe Farnsworth, drums.
Packed with highly individual, diverse talents, the band, on its numerous recordings and live dates, plays with such unity and rapport that its motto ought to be: "E Pluribus Unum" (the famous melting pot motto of the United States.)
SATURDAY (OCT. 11)
Chris Bakriges Trio, non-ticketed free Main Stage event, courtesy of the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St.
Combining jazz, Mediterranean elements derived from his Greek heritage and African American influences into a form of musical storytelling, pianist/composer Chris Bakriges creates musical landscapes rooted in multiethnic cultural expressions.
Middle Eastern Magic, a music and dance ensemble, The Russell, corner of Trumbull and Pratt streets.
Accompanied by traditional Arabic, Armenian and Turkish music, former members of the Belly Dance Superstars, Layla Isis and Sira celebrate the ancient art and sensuous rhythms of belly dance. Oudist and vocalist Dick Barsamian, percussionist Michael Gregian on doumbek and violinist Fred Elias accompany the dancers.
Eri Yamamoto Trio, Aetna Theater, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St.
On a visit from her native Japan to New York City in 1995, a young Yamamoto first heard, and was astonished by, pianist Tommy Flanagan. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime epiphanies that inspired her to move to New York and devote herself totally to the music.
Since then, her deft, inventive playing at premier jazz clubs and festivals and her stint with the William Parker Sextet, as well as triumphs with her own trio, has earned her much acclaim, including plaudits from Herbie Hancock. She's accompanied on the Aetna stage by bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Ikuo Takeuchi.
Armando Cairo, Sweet Jane's 88 Pratt St.
Tenor saxophonist Armando Cairo began forming his earthy, robust style while growing up in the Netherlands. His shamelessly big, billowing tone accentuates the drama of his highly charged, open-ended solo work forged in his own distinctive voice, a style rooted in his deep knowledge of the history of the tenor. He's joined by bassist Johnny Tevreden and drummer Clarence Becton.
Leslie Helpert with special guests, Black-eyed Sally's 350 Asylum St.
A multitalented guitarist-singer-entertainer, Leslie Helpert is an iconoclastic songwriter whose work has been featured in the Sundance Film Festival. Besides being a poet of the spoken word, she's also a dancer and a novelist. One of her specialties is her intricate, self-composed pieces on guitar. HIJF's website describes the cutting-edge performer as "her own jazz outfit, punk-southern belle, stick-pop princess, retro-MC and more."
SUNDAY (OCT. 12)
Agua Marinha Trio, Jazz Brunch, The Russell, corner of Trumbull and Pratt streets.
Featuring acclaimed Brazilian musicians, the trio consists of Nailor Proveta, saxophone and clarinet; Arismar do Espirito Santo, multi-instrumentalist, composer/guitarist; Rogerio Boccato, percussionist. The trio takes a modern, groove-oriented, improvisational approach to choro, a traditional Brazilian style that originated in the late 19th century.
Wallace Roney Quintet, festival finale, City Steam Brewery, 942 Main St.
A top-seeded, swinging trumpeter, Wallace Roney has a profound appreciation of the historic lineage of jazz and a passion for the music of his mentors, including, among others, Art Blakey, Miles Davis and Tony Williams.
But with his many expressive assets — including what Time magazine calls his "amber tone and patient and considered phrasing" — Roney carves his own artistic niche in a modern manner distinctly his own. His quintet associates on his latest album, "Jazz" (HighNote), include his wife, Geri Allen, a splendid pianist; and his brother, Antoine Roney, another gifted family member who works his own magic on tenor and soprano saxophones and bass clarinet.
Lineups for the Encore Stages, which are free and open to the public, and an agent to handle ticket sales, will be announced at a later date, HIJF Artistic Director Domingo Guerra says.
A nonprofit arts organization, HIJF aims to present multicultural jazz from international and regional artists; to expand the Greater Hartford Area's cultural diversity, and to preserve Hartford's enduring legacy of jazz. Information: www.hijf.com.
Smooth Sax Appeal
Dave Koz, sultan of the silken sax, performs Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at The Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville.
His hit-filled, smooth-jazz repertoire for the cabaret crowd will include songs from his Grammy-nominated "At the Movies." Produced by the legendary Phil Ramone, "At the Movies" spent eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart last year. The saxophonist will also tap into other favorites including "Lucky Man," "The Dance" and "Saxophonic."
Admission: $65. For tickets: Mohegan Sun box office or ticketmaster at 860-886-0070 or www.ticketmaster.com. Inform- ation: www.mohegansun.com.
Other Notes
Vocalist Dulce Santana ranges over dulcet renditions of bossa nova, samba, salsa and more tonight at 7:30 at Szechuan Tokyo, 1245 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. With a firm percussive foundation laid down by Alvin Carter Sr. on congas and Michael Scott on drums, the Cornerstone quintet builds its ensemble and solo structures Friday at 8 p.m. at the restaurant. Cornerstone's construction crew also features pianist Dan Scheer, guitarist Sean Clapis and bassist Paul Fuller. Information: 860-561-0180.
Guitarist-vocalist Dave Palla leads his quintet in a free concert tonight at 7 on the Bloomfield Town Green, Bloomfield Avenue. Accompanying Palla on the Green gig are keyboard player Dan Scheer, bassist Paul Fuller, drummer Bill Carbone and conga player Gregg Allen. In case of rain, the concert takes shelter at the Bloomfield Community Center, 330 Park Ave. Information: 860-243-2923.
On Saturday at 8 p.m., Palla performs with his trio, featuring Scheer and Fuller, at 2 Hopewell, 2 Hopewell Road, Glastonbury. Information: 860-633-9600.
Inspired by popular European cultural fests and aimed at pumping up the city's nightlife and stimulating its downtown economy, HIJF's bumper crop of top talent opens in high style Oct. 10 with the Danilo Perez Trio and closes with a flourish Oct. 12 with the Wallace Roney Quintet.
Between the opener and grand finale, HIJF lights up the holiday weekend in Hartford with jazz-infused music from Asia, India, Latin America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Netherlands.
Celebrating its seventh season, the three-day festival presents nine ticketed Main Stage concerts and one free Main Stage concert in tandem with post-concert events in more than 20 Encore Stages at designated bars, nightclubs and restaurants, all venues within walking distance of one another in downtown Hartford.
Here's the lineup for the Main Stage headliners:
FRIDAY (OCT. 10)
Danilo Perez Trio, the festival opener, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave.
An exponent of Pan-American jazz music (a blend of music of the Americas, folkloric and world music), the pianist-composer Danilo Perez is making an indelibly fresh, creative imprint on contemporary music, both as a member of the new Wayne Shorter Quintet and as the leader of his own bold, acclaimed ensembles. As in years past, the historic, jazz-friendly Asylum Hill Congregational Church is a collaborative host for HIJF's opening night concert
Badal Roy's Full Moon Quartet with special guests, Sweet Jane's, 88 Pratt St.
One of the world's leading tabla players, Badal Roy, a native of Pakistan, has helped move the Indian drum from its traditional classical role and, with his free-flowing style, ensconce it as a striking rhythmic force in jazz and improvisational settings.
Rounding out Roy's Full Moon Quartet are Kenny Wessel, guitar; Steve Gorn, bamboo flute; and Daniel Moreno, percussion. Roy's special guests are saxophonist Dave Liebman and bassist Michael Henderson, the tabla titan's former bandmates with Miles Davis.
One for All, Black-eyed Sally's, 350 Asylum St.
A powerhouse sextet, One for All features Eric Alexander, tenor saxophone; West Hartford's Steve Davis, trombone; Jim Rotondi, trumpet and fluegelhorn; David Hazeltine, piano; Hartford's Nat Reeves, bass; and Joe Farnsworth, drums.
Packed with highly individual, diverse talents, the band, on its numerous recordings and live dates, plays with such unity and rapport that its motto ought to be: "E Pluribus Unum" (the famous melting pot motto of the United States.)
SATURDAY (OCT. 11)
Chris Bakriges Trio, non-ticketed free Main Stage event, courtesy of the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St.
Combining jazz, Mediterranean elements derived from his Greek heritage and African American influences into a form of musical storytelling, pianist/composer Chris Bakriges creates musical landscapes rooted in multiethnic cultural expressions.
Middle Eastern Magic, a music and dance ensemble, The Russell, corner of Trumbull and Pratt streets.
Accompanied by traditional Arabic, Armenian and Turkish music, former members of the Belly Dance Superstars, Layla Isis and Sira celebrate the ancient art and sensuous rhythms of belly dance. Oudist and vocalist Dick Barsamian, percussionist Michael Gregian on doumbek and violinist Fred Elias accompany the dancers.
Eri Yamamoto Trio, Aetna Theater, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St.
On a visit from her native Japan to New York City in 1995, a young Yamamoto first heard, and was astonished by, pianist Tommy Flanagan. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime epiphanies that inspired her to move to New York and devote herself totally to the music.
Since then, her deft, inventive playing at premier jazz clubs and festivals and her stint with the William Parker Sextet, as well as triumphs with her own trio, has earned her much acclaim, including plaudits from Herbie Hancock. She's accompanied on the Aetna stage by bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Ikuo Takeuchi.
Armando Cairo, Sweet Jane's 88 Pratt St.
Tenor saxophonist Armando Cairo began forming his earthy, robust style while growing up in the Netherlands. His shamelessly big, billowing tone accentuates the drama of his highly charged, open-ended solo work forged in his own distinctive voice, a style rooted in his deep knowledge of the history of the tenor. He's joined by bassist Johnny Tevreden and drummer Clarence Becton.
Leslie Helpert with special guests, Black-eyed Sally's 350 Asylum St.
A multitalented guitarist-singer-entertainer, Leslie Helpert is an iconoclastic songwriter whose work has been featured in the Sundance Film Festival. Besides being a poet of the spoken word, she's also a dancer and a novelist. One of her specialties is her intricate, self-composed pieces on guitar. HIJF's website describes the cutting-edge performer as "her own jazz outfit, punk-southern belle, stick-pop princess, retro-MC and more."
SUNDAY (OCT. 12)
Agua Marinha Trio, Jazz Brunch, The Russell, corner of Trumbull and Pratt streets.
Featuring acclaimed Brazilian musicians, the trio consists of Nailor Proveta, saxophone and clarinet; Arismar do Espirito Santo, multi-instrumentalist, composer/guitarist; Rogerio Boccato, percussionist. The trio takes a modern, groove-oriented, improvisational approach to choro, a traditional Brazilian style that originated in the late 19th century.
Wallace Roney Quintet, festival finale, City Steam Brewery, 942 Main St.
A top-seeded, swinging trumpeter, Wallace Roney has a profound appreciation of the historic lineage of jazz and a passion for the music of his mentors, including, among others, Art Blakey, Miles Davis and Tony Williams.
But with his many expressive assets — including what Time magazine calls his "amber tone and patient and considered phrasing" — Roney carves his own artistic niche in a modern manner distinctly his own. His quintet associates on his latest album, "Jazz" (HighNote), include his wife, Geri Allen, a splendid pianist; and his brother, Antoine Roney, another gifted family member who works his own magic on tenor and soprano saxophones and bass clarinet.
Lineups for the Encore Stages, which are free and open to the public, and an agent to handle ticket sales, will be announced at a later date, HIJF Artistic Director Domingo Guerra says.
A nonprofit arts organization, HIJF aims to present multicultural jazz from international and regional artists; to expand the Greater Hartford Area's cultural diversity, and to preserve Hartford's enduring legacy of jazz. Information: www.hijf.com.
Smooth Sax Appeal
Dave Koz, sultan of the silken sax, performs Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at The Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville.
His hit-filled, smooth-jazz repertoire for the cabaret crowd will include songs from his Grammy-nominated "At the Movies." Produced by the legendary Phil Ramone, "At the Movies" spent eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart last year. The saxophonist will also tap into other favorites including "Lucky Man," "The Dance" and "Saxophonic."
Admission: $65. For tickets: Mohegan Sun box office or ticketmaster at 860-886-0070 or www.ticketmaster.com. Inform- ation: www.mohegansun.com.
Other Notes
Vocalist Dulce Santana ranges over dulcet renditions of bossa nova, samba, salsa and more tonight at 7:30 at Szechuan Tokyo, 1245 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. With a firm percussive foundation laid down by Alvin Carter Sr. on congas and Michael Scott on drums, the Cornerstone quintet builds its ensemble and solo structures Friday at 8 p.m. at the restaurant. Cornerstone's construction crew also features pianist Dan Scheer, guitarist Sean Clapis and bassist Paul Fuller. Information: 860-561-0180.
Guitarist-vocalist Dave Palla leads his quintet in a free concert tonight at 7 on the Bloomfield Town Green, Bloomfield Avenue. Accompanying Palla on the Green gig are keyboard player Dan Scheer, bassist Paul Fuller, drummer Bill Carbone and conga player Gregg Allen. In case of rain, the concert takes shelter at the Bloomfield Community Center, 330 Park Ave. Information: 860-243-2923.
On Saturday at 8 p.m., Palla performs with his trio, featuring Scheer and Fuller, at 2 Hopewell, 2 Hopewell Road, Glastonbury. Information: 860-633-9600.