Greetings Jazz Gallerians:
This is a truly special week: our newly acquired Hammond B-3 organ will be formally introduced in the hands of one of the instrument's recognized masters; a ground-breaking young guitarist will bring in a potent quintet and a brilliant Cuban percussionist and composer will return with more new music and a polished quartet.
Wednesday, June 11th: $15.00/6:30 p.m. one set only
Early Set @ The Jazz Gallery with Dr. Lonnie Smith-organ, Peter Bernstein-guitar, Fukushi Tainaka-drums.
It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Lonnie Smith to inaugurate our newly acquired Hammond B-3 organ. Since the mid-sixties, both as accompanist for George Benson and on releases under his own name, he has been a major figure in defining this instrument's place in jazz. Whether under the rubric of "soul-jazz" / "funk-jazz" or whatever the designation, Dr. Lonnie Smith can lay into a groove and sustain it in ways that are both viscerally and cerebrally satisfying. His recordings as a leader--most frequently on Blue Note and Music Masters--have, over the years, featured such artists as Fathead Newman, Lee Morgan and Grover Washington Jr. He has for many years now been heard regularly in Lou Donaldson's band. And, in that band, the enormously talented Peter Bernstein has played a lusciously alert guitar. Though clearly influenced by the great Wes Montgomery, Peter's accumulating discography--including five dates as a leader--makes clear that he is defining himself in ways that g! o well beyond that one influence. His righteous chops have been honed through regular work in the bands of Larry Goldings, Jesse Davis and Jimmy Cobb, among many others. As with Dr. Lonnie and Peter, drummer Fukushi Tainaka now has a regular place in Lou Donaldson's band. All in all a wonderful way to welcome the organ to its new home.
So, attendance is required at this last-until-next-Fall edition of The Early Set. We're pleased to again thank Paul J. Weinstein and Friends for their contributions, which have made this series possible. As with previous installments of this series, light refreshments will be served by Kiva Cafe. We look forward to resuming "The Early Set" in September.
Thursday, June 12th: 9 & 10:30 p.m.
Adam Rogers Quintet featuring Adam Rogers - guitar, Chris Potter - saxophone, Edward Simon - piano, James Genus - bass, Eric Harland - drums
When the brilliant guitarist Adam Rogers first appeared here last year, he had just released his first recording as a leader, Art of the Invisible, on Criss Cross. At that time he had already accumulated an impressive resume as a contributor to bands led by others and it was, in fact, as a member of Matt Garrison's lively ensemble that Adam first appeared in the Gallery. The extent to which we were impressed with that performance seemed to match a growing consensus among a long list of fellow musicians who have solicited Adam's appearance on more than 40 separate recordings ranging from Randy Brecker to Norah Jones. Adam has also released three recordings by the group he co-leads, "Lost Tribe." He is clearly becoming a significant voice of his generation and appears on this occasion with a particularly strong band, featuring the wonderful saxophonist Chris Potter in the front line and one of the Gallery's favorite pianists, Ed Simon, leading a great rhythm section.
Fri & Sat, June 13th & 14th: 9 & 10:30 p.m.
Dafnis Prieto Quartet featuring Dafnis Prieto - drums, Dana Leong - cello/trombone, Luis Perdomo - piano, Hans Glawischnig - bass
Dafnis Prieto continues to be an identifying force in the Gallery's development as a significant venue. His presence was very strongly felt last year as part of our "Composers Series" and it has been felt even more recently with his work in Steve Coleman's band, which has appeared very frequently here in recent weeks. A native of Santa Clara, Cuba, Dafnis first came to the Gallery as a regular participant in our "Jazz Cubano" series during the summer of 2000, and subsequently went on to be featured at the Gallery as a leader. To date, he has performed and recorded with a variety of artists including Claudia Acuņa, Eddie Palmieri, Ramon Valle, Andrew Hill, D.D. Jackson, John Benitez, Brian Lynch, Steve Coleman, and Dave Samuels. His development as a composer has been further aided by associations with mentors such as Jane Bunnett, Steve Coleman and--more recently--Henry Threadgill. Moreover, his uncanny skills as a polyrhythmic translator of percussion languages are matched! by his skills as a writer and bandleader. This is a significant band and needs to be heard live.
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Coming Up Next Week:
RKM Music Celebration
Thursday, 6/19: Mike McGinnis Quintet
Friday, 6/20: Ralph Alessi Quintet featuring Don Byron
Saturday, 6/21: Ravi Coltrane Group
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Isabel Chicquor's engaging photo installation Ritmo Delirioso / Delirious Rhythm, comprised of dance images from contemporary Cuba has returned to our walls after a brief hiatus, during which we memorialized the painter and jazz instigator David X. Young. The September 2002 of Jazziz magazine devotes two pages to making note of Isabel's engaging photo essay. Portions of our previous photo exhibit Hank O'Neal's Jazz People: Posed Portraits and Artists in Action, can be viewed on our website(
www.jazzgallery.org/jazzpeople.html). These wonderfully warm and vivid images are also still available for sale at a handsomely reduced price.
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After a brief hiatus, African drumming classes with Ghanaian master drummer Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng have recommenced. Kwaku is an absolutely unique and gifted musician, equipped with uncannily keen ears and an abiding sense of rhythmic nuance that is a wonder to behold. Beyond that, and even more rare, is his ability to devote himself to teaching any and all level of students. For anyone, professional or other, who has ever imagined that they might benefit by improving their ability to hear and produce rhythm, his class will teach you something. Every Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. $15 per class. _________________________________________________
The Jazz Gallery is located at 290 Hudson Street (below Spring), in lower Manhattan and can be reached by the IRT #1 train to Houston Street or the IND C or E trains to Spring Street. General Admission is $12 per set, unless otherwise indicated, $10 for members at all times. For reservations call 212-242-1063.
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The Jazz Gallery's performances are supported, in part, by a grant from The New York State Council on the Arts, Presenting Program, and by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, with additional support provided by the American Music Center's Liberty Initiative for New York.
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