Friday, June 29
Buried Treasure feat. Bari Koral (Rock, pop) Hailing from the Hudson Valley, Buried Treasure comes with its take on hits of the 1970's, goosed with four-part harmonies. Dig hits by JJ Cale and Chuck Berry to mention two. (FD) facebook.com/buriedtreasuretheband
Community Soul Project (Funk, soul) It's too powerful to be simply called a band; Community Soul Project is an extended explosion, offering up funkified interpretations of soul, new and old. (FD) communitysoulproject.com
Geoffrey Keezer Trio (Straight-ahead jazz) So prodigious was pianist Geoffrey Keezer, he was recruited by the legendary Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers when he was 18 years old. Over the decades, Keezer has lent his keyboard talents to a wealth of jazz giants, including Art Farmer, Benny Golson, and Ray Brown, and branched out to play with pop stars like Sting. (RN) geoffreykeezer.com
Gwyneth Herbert (Vocal jazz) Click here for a bio.
Jazz is Phsh (Phish interpretation) More than just a Phish cover outfit, Jazz is Phsh interprets the music of Phish through a jazz lens. Interesting to say the least, what with Phish's jazz leanings. It's jazz interpreting jazz. Better pack a lunch. (FD) jazzisphish.com
Jean-Michel Pilc (Straight-ahead jazz) Since coming to New York from Paris in 1995, Jean-Michel Pilc has been one of the most in-demand pianists on the scene. With his gorgeous style and his wickedly fast fingers, Pilc has lent his talent to greats like Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Kenny Garrett, and John Abercrombie. Aside from his own excellent tunes, get ready to hear anything from Duke Ellington to Robert Schumann. (RN) jeanmichelpilc.com
Jerry Granelli Band feat. Robben Ford (Blues) Talk about a jazz legend. Jerry Granelli has worked with several generations of jazz greats, including Ornette Coleman, Sonny Stitt, and Mose Allison. When you listen to the Vince Guaraldi Trio play "A Charlie Brown Christmas," that's Granelli on the drums. At the XRIJF he'll be joined by Robben Ford, one of the great blues guitarists of the last half-century. (RN) jerrygranelli.com; robbenford.com
HEADLINER | Jill Scott (Pop, soul) Grammy Award-winner Jill Scott has studied to be an English teacher. She's worked construction, and she's served ice cream. Now this Philly native is serving up deep-dish, double scoop, cherry-on-top soul with a little pop on top. While she hasn't released an album since 2015, this soul shouting diva is focusing her energy on her "Live in the Moment Tour." (FD) missjillscott.com
The Klick (Funk, pop, soul) Made up of some of Rochester's heaviest heavy hitters, The Klick emits thunder from all eight members. I've seen them before, nobody in the audience could sit down. (FD) theklick.net
Maciej Obara Quartet (Progressive jazz) For the last half-century, Germany's ECM Records label has been known for jazz artists engaged in relentless experimentation. On his latest album, "Unloved," Polish saxophonist Maciej Obara fits the bill, exploring the contours of his instrument in a variety of harmonic settings. Obara's quartet features some of Europe's finest players: Dominik Wania, piano; Ole Morten Vaagan, bass; and Gard Nilssen, drums. (RN) maciejobara.com
Nicholas Payton Front & Center (Straight-ahead jazz, funk) Born in New Orleans to a musical family, Nicholas Payton received his first trumpet at the age of 4. By 9 he was sitting-in with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band, and by 12 he was touring with the All Star Brass Band. After studying with Ellis Marsalis he played with greats like Ray Brown, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, and many others. As a leader, Payton covers a wide swath of territory from jazz to funk. (RN) nicholaspayton.com
Pokey LaFarge (Roots rock) Check out an interview with Pokey LaFarge by clicking here.
Robin McKelle (Vocal jazz) Singer Robin McKelle is tough to pin down. One minute she sounds like a pop diva singing Steve Miller's "Abracadabra," the next minute she's off on a burning scat solo over the chords. From Gospel to R&B, roots music to soul, McKelle covers a wide range of territory, sometimes in the same song. (RN) robinmckelle.com
Rochester Jazz All Stars (Straight-ahead jazz) All of them have played in a variety of settings at the XRIJF, but what if some of Upstate New York's best players got together to showcase the prowess of Rochester's jazz scene? The Rochester Jazz All Stars are Bill Dobbins on piano; Danny Vitale, bass; Mike Melito, drums; Bob Sneider, guitar; Vince Erocolamento, saxophone; and Mike Kaupa, trumpet. (RN)
Ryan Johnson Project (Funky jazz) This energetic Rochester-based band morphs mid-song to augment its funky curiosity with straight-ahead jazz explorations. It's a search that mixes well in the brassy punch. Come to think of it, the band is not so much funky as it is lively. Yeah, that's it. (FD) facebook.com/coexistencemusic
Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles (Rock 'n' roll) She's sweet and congenial when you first meet her, that is until she picks up her guitar, plugs in, and peels out. Sarah Borges and her band stamp out some real longneck-drinkin', tight denim and leather, barroom rock. Have mercy. (FD) sarahborges.com
St. Germain (Techno, world) sporting a mix of organic, indigenous instruments with clean techno beats, St Germain plays his music for those who are awake enough to witness when night time turns to day. It's got a jazzy chill. (FD) stgermain-music.com
Stephane Wrembel (Gypsy jazz) When Woody Allen wanted to conjure up the early decades of the 20th century in "Midnight in Paris," he used more than winding streets and magnificent boulevards. To evoke the zeitgeist, he offered generous helpings of the Django Reinhardt-evoking music of one of the best Gypsy jazz guitarists playing today, Stephane Wrembel. (RN) stephanewrembel.com
TFunk Crew (Funk) At the heart and soul of this outfit is the heart and soul of Toronto powerhouse Soul Stew's rhythm section. This is the band's American debut, playing their own tunes along with stuff by The Meters, The Headhunters, and The Crusaders. (FD) facebook.com/soulstewtoronto
