Saturday, June 20 - Musician Bios
78 RPM Big Band A 16-piece band based out of Dansville, 78 RPM brings big band music all through Western New York. The band has been playing since the 1970's, performing classic jazz orchestra music as well as original arrangements of contemporary tunes. (NP) 78rpmband.com
Andrew McCormack Quartet Hailing from England but now based in New York, Andrew McCormack has absorbed the technique and style of generations of jazz pianists and emerged with his own gorgeous sound. McCormack, who has worked with Eric Alexander, Kyle Eastwood, and many others, will be joined by Lucas Pino on sax, Peter Slavov, bass, and Colin Stranahan, drums. (RN) mccormackmusic.com
Benny Green Trio In his teen years, pianist Benny Green was already playing in a band with veteran bassist Chuck Israels. After moving to New York, he lent his talents to Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and others. In 1993 the great Oscar Peterson recognized his prowess when he selected Green as the first recipient of the City of Toronto's Glenn Gould International Protégé Prize in Music. (RN) bennygreenmusic.com
Blood, Sweat and Tears with Bo Bice Bo Bice ranks heavy on his own. He was runner-up on season four of "American Idol" and charted number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. He joined brass-heavy rockers Blood, Sweat and Tears (named after a Johnny Cash record) in 2005 and now belts out the band's hits like "You've Made Me So Very Happy," and "Spinning Wheel." (FD) bloodsweatandtears.com
Chet Catallo & the Cats You can rant and rave all you want about Spyro Gyra and its smooth guitar thanks to Chet Catallo, but have you heard this cat play the blues? This Grammy-nominated guitar player plays mean and means it whether he's burning down a concert hall or rockin' a beer joint. (FD) chetcatallo.com
Dontae Winslow & Winslow Dynasty Dontae Winslow is on the frontline of young talents in modern jazz. As a trumpeter, producer, and rapper he has racked up a slew of high-profile credits with the likes of Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, and so on. As a bandleader in his own right, Winslow has proven deft at presenting a myriad of musical influences in a cohesive package. A longtime performer, Winslow's confidence is apparent in his musicianship and artistic reach. (NP) facebook.com/dontae.winslow
Eric Revis Trio A versatile bassist of remarkable dexterity and sensitivity, Eric Revis has enhanced the bands of Betty Carter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Lionel Hampton, McCoy Tyner, and many others. He may be best known for his work with Branford Marsalis, but Revis has demonstrated his ability to bring the bass into the spotlight on four albums as a leader. (RN) ericrevis.com
goodbyemotel See listing for Friday, June 19.
Grace Kelly In the middle of her solo during a festival appearance, guitarist Russell Malone took out a handkerchief and used it to fan saxophonist Grace Kelly. She was 15 at the time, and the solo she was unwinding was definitely smokin'. Now 23, she's got nine albums under her belt. In addition to multiple woodwinds, Kelly is an excellent singer. Aside from jazz standards, she's just as likely to throw in an original or a tune by the Beatles or Stevie Wonder. (RN) gracekellymusic.com
Herb Alpert with Lani Hall See feature on page XX.
The Honeycutters This here is sawdust floor and longneck honky-tonk. The band swings gentle to and fro with the knockout punch of steel guitar and a rhythm section that adheres gloriously to the 2/4. And country purity gets redefined by vocalist Amanda Anne Platt. All around beautiful. (FD) honeycutters.com
Jeremy Pelt Quartet When jazz aficionados debate who is the heir-apparent to the hard bop trumpet throne once occupied by Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Lee Morgan, one name is sure to come up: Jeremy Pelt. After playing in the Mingus Big Band, the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, and the Roy Hargrove Big Band, Pelt has emerged as one of the most fiery trumpet players on the scene. (RN) jeremypelt.net
Joey Alexander It's not unusual to start playing piano at 6, but Joey Alexander is now wowing audiences at the ripe old age of 11. He's capable of gorgeous sensitivity on songs like "Over the Rainbow" and furious intricacy on no less a tune than "Giant Steps." Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, Alexander has been called a genius by Wynton Marsalis. (RN) joeyalexandermusic.com
Nancy Kelly For a career that spans over 40 years, this lady is a study in jazz's cool; its phrasing, its nuance, and its sophistication. A Rochester native, Kelly has wowed 'em all over the globe with her timeless, classic swing and elegance (FD) nancykelly.com
The New Mastersounds See listing for Friday, June 19.
The Rad Trads See listing for Friday, June 19.
The Splendor There is a healthy amount of splendid Swedish reserve in The Splendor's splendiferousness. The band explores and innovates with its collective ear to the ground as much if not more than the audience, that way, everyone is surprised. (FD) thesplendor.nu
XRIJF Nightly Jazz Session with The Bob Sneider Trio See listing for Friday, June 19.