Tuesday, June 26
All Our Exes Live In Texas (Indie folk) All their exes live in Texas, that's why they hang their hats in Australia. These four Aussie women harmonize regally over original compositions that threaten to break the singer-songwriter mold and the listener's heart along the way. The quartet has played around the world with everybody and recently lent their harmonies in the studio to Kesha. (FD) allourexesliveintexas.com
HEADLINER | Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (Bluegrass, jazz) Grammy Award-winning banjo picker Béla Fleck and his band, The Flecktones, sold out Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre back in 2011, and it looks like there could be the possibility of that happening again. Fleck's single note dexterity and whirlwind fingerpicking will astound and amaze. (FD) flecktones.com
Bill Tiberio Band (Smooth jazz, funk) Bill Tiberio is well known for his work in music education, leading jazz bands and other ensembles at Fairport High School. But he also has a vital role as a sax man with a funky sound, often reminiscent of Maceo Parker. Over the years, Tiberio has shared the stage with Fred Wesley, Lou Gramm, The Four Tops, and many more. (RN) billtiberioband.com
Brubeck Brothers Quartet (Straight-ahead jazz) Recording together since 1966, brothers Chris (bass, trombone) and Dan (drums) are jazz royalty. Having played with their legendary father, Dave Brubeck, the brothers have gone on to appear as staples at jazz festivals around the globe. I wonder if they take five to "Take 5." (FD) brubeckbrothers.com
BuJazzO (Jazz ensemble with film) Find more information by clicking here.
Dmitri Matheny Group (Jazz noir) A punk demands your wallet through clenched teeth. Somewhere in the distance, a woman lets out a scream, before it's stifled. Just another Saturday night in flugelhorn master Dmitri Matheny's world, dark and dangerous. Matheny is a disciple of the late flugelhornist Art Farmer and plays his mentor's horn — his actual horn — live on stage. It's swingin'. (FD) dmitrimatheny.com
Fat City (Funk, soul) Fat City is a party band for sure, with the big, bad funk and soul components to get tail feathers shaking. But as opposed to other heavy-hitting funksters and soulsters, Fat City also takes a swing at swing. It'll knock your block off. I blame the pumpin' piano and B3. (FD) facebook.com/FatCityMusic
Gary Versace Trio (Straight-ahead jazz) After moving to New York in 2002, organist, pianist, and accordionist Gary Versace became the keyboardist of choice for greats like John Scofield, John Abercrombie, and Lee Konitz. Now on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music, Versace has played on Grammy-winning recordings by the Maria Schneider Orchestra. The late piano icon Marian McPartland called Versace "endlessly inventive." (RN) garyversace.com
House of Waters (World music) Moto Fukushima (six-string bass) and Luke Notary (drums) are both extraordinary musicians, but what really sets House of Waters apart from the crowd is Max ZT and his wonderfully crazed Hammered Dulcimer playing. These three musicians create a sound that is not only huge, it's like nothing you've ever heard before. (RN) houseofwaters.com
Joe Locke Group (Straight-ahead jazz) Click here for a feature on Joe Locke.
Johannes Linstead's Guitar of Fire (Guitar virtuoso) Whether on electric or acoustic guitar, virtuoso Johannes Linstead coaxes the notes out to release them to the night sky. He also has the hardware to prove his talent: He has been named "Guitarist of the Year" in the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards and won a UK "People's Choice" award. Now he's your choice. (FD) facebook.com/johanneslinsteadmusic
Junior Brown (Country) Junior Brown refuses to choose. A pedal steel and guitar virtuoso, Brown has built his own Guit-Steel, best described as a Frankenstein hot rod. He bops, pops, and twangs, and sings with a voice from somewhere down in Ernest Tubb country. (FD) juniorbrown.com
Lucia Cadotsch "Speak Low" (Vocal jazz) It seems every year, the XRIJF acquaints us with another great ethereal singer from across the ocean. This year it's Zurich-born Lucia Cadotsch and whether she is singing the Kurt Weill song in the group's name or another classic, her vocals are simply gorgeous. No shortage of the appeal lies in the eccentric and spare backing of Otis Sandsjö on sax and Petter Eldh on bass. (RN) luciacadotsch.com
Mike Melito (Straight-ahead jazz) This extraordinary jazz drummer lists his faves: greats like Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, and Max Roach. But he leaves one out: himself. Not only does Melito play all over with everyone, but he teaches the rising young stars of the future. (FD) mikemelito.com
Partikel (Progressive jazz) With Duncan Eagles on saxophones; Max Luthert, bass; and Eric Ford, drums, the London-based group Partikel might sound like your standard saxophone trio. But the band's approach to every aspect of composition, texture, rhythm, and harmony belies that notion at every turn. Get ready for a structured free-jazz excursion. (RN) www.partikel.co.uk
VickiKristinaBarcelona Sings the Music of Tom Waits (Vocal jazz) These three women are treating the music of Tom Waits as an actual genre — which it is. It's also risky. Covering Tom Waits is like wrestling an alligator: if you win, you've got a new pair of shoes, but if you lose, Jack, you dead. (FD) vickikristinabarcelonaband.com
