Caramoor Jazz Fest

[Lois Gilbert]

Caramoor will also host two day-long jazz festivals on July 29 and Aug. 5. July 29 will open with the Rodney Kendrick Trio and will also see performances by the Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Renee Rosnes and the Django Reinhardt Festival featuring Dorado Schmitt. John Hicks, Jeremy Pelt, Steve Kuhn and McCoy Tyner will perform at the Aug. 5 festival.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.caramoor.org or by calling (914) 232-1252.

[Lois Gilbert]

The 2006 Caramoor Jazz Festival has announced the addition of pianist Kirk Lightsey to its August 5th all-day event. Lightsey will travel from Paris to perform a tribute to his old friend, the much beloved pianist John Hicks, who passed away on May 10th. John Hicks was to be featured at this year’s Caramoor Jazz Festival, two full days of jazz on July 29th and August 5th.

Kirk Lightsey, who has lived in Paris for the last decade, developed his sound within the hard bop tradition in the US, working with some of the major headliners in jazz. He gained some attention in 1965 when he recorded with Sonny Stitt and appeared on five Prestige records with Chet Baker, and became even more well-known when he toured with Dexter Gordon from 1979 to 1983 and became part of The Leaders in the late '80s. Lightsey has played and recorded with such jazz starts as Yusef Lateef, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Jimmy Raney, Clifford Jordan, Benny Golson, and Woody Shaw, and has led his own sessions for the Criss Cross and Sunnyside labels, including piano duets with Harold Danko. He released the duo album The Nights of Bradleys with bassist Rufus Reid on Sunnyside in 2004.

For a complete schedule of 2006 Caramoor Jazz Festival events, visit: http://www.caramoor.org/html/jazz.htm

[Valerie]

this is so lovely to hear. i have been assuming that kirk was still living in europe and now i know. a very sweet, talented guy.

[Lilsis]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

The 2006 Caramoor Jazz Festival has announced the addition of pianist Kirk Lightsey to its August 5th all-day event. Lightsey will travel from Paris to perform a tribute to his old friend, the much beloved pianist John Hicks, who passed away on May 10th. John Hicks was to be featured at this year’s Caramoor Jazz Festival, two full days of jazz on July 29th and August 5th.

Kirk Lightsey, who has lived in Paris for the last decade, developed his sound within the hard bop tradition in the US, working with some of the major headliners in jazz. He gained some attention in 1965 when he recorded with Sonny Stitt and appeared on five Prestige records with Chet Baker, and became even more well-known when he toured with Dexter Gordon from 1979 to 1983 and became part of The Leaders in the late '80s. Lightsey has played and recorded with such jazz starts as Yusef Lateef, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Jimmy Raney, Clifford Jordan, Benny Golson, and Woody Shaw, and has led his own sessions for the Criss Cross and Sunnyside labels, including piano duets with Harold Danko. He released the duo album The Nights of Bradleys with bassist Rufus Reid on Sunnyside in 2004.

For a complete schedule of 2006 Caramoor Jazz Festival events, visit: http://www.caramoor.org/html/jazz.htm

What an appropriate selection!! In 1983, Kirk Lightsey played at the funeral of John Hicks' father upon John's request. Kirk is a gifted pianist.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Valerie

this is so lovely to hear. i have been assuming that kirk was still living in europe and now i know. a very sweet, talented guy.

He recently performed with fellow expat Ricky Ford at a festival in Europe, I believe.

[Lilsis]

Greetings,
Did anyone catch the set on Saturday, August 5th featuring Kirk Lightsey doing a tribute to John Hicks? If so, please post your thoughts about the set and what other musicians were there, the playlist, and the overall tone of the concert. I would appreciate it. Thank you. If you took pictures, please post.
Thanks.

[Lilsis]

I would REALLY appreciate the playlist from the program. What portion of the set was solo piano and what other musicians performed?
Thanks.
Li'l Sis

[Lois Gilbert]

From what I understand, it was a beautiful program. Kirk played solo for quite a bit of the program and then brought Elise Wood out for Naima's Love Song and Joe Lovano joined in on several tunes, I believe.

[Lilsis]

Thanks, Lois. I appreciate the info.
Li'l Sis