Christian Sands, Hendrik Meurkens & James Tormé @ Jazz Forum This Weekend!

Christian Sands Trio
Not yet 30, Christian Sands is currently one of the most in-demand pianists working in Jazz. Wynton Marsalis named him a “Jazz star of the future,” and he’s enjoyed a position in Christian McBride’s trio for the last several years. He takes a fresh look at the entire language of Jazz: stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban. See the Christian Sands Trio feat. Christian Sands, piano, Noah Jackson, bass and Ryan Sands, drums at the Jazz Forum!

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Hendrik Meurkens Samba Jazz Quartet
“Hendrik Meurkens has long doubled successfully on vibraphone and the chromatic harmonica. Now, more than 25 years into his recording career as a leader, he stands as arguably the most fluid and fluent Jazz harmonica player this side of the great Toots Thielemans…” – JazzTimes May 2016 – Philip Booth

Hendrik Meurkens 24 CDs have received rave reviews and established his immediately recognizable style of Brazilian Jazz. In 2014 he won the Brazilian International Press Award. Critics and Jazz fans alike have recognized Meurkens’ incredible talent, listing him repeatedly in the Downbeat and Jazziz Polls. Meurkens has worked with Ray Brown, Paquito D’Rivera, Oscar Castro-Neves, Herb Ellis, Herbie Mann, James Moody,  Charlie Byrd, Jimmy Cobb, Ivan Lins, Monty Alexander, Manfredo Fest, Herb Ellis, Dori Caymmi, Toninho Horta, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Buddy Tate, Joyce, Astrud Gilberto, Roberto Menescal, Antonio Adolfo, Emilio Santiago, and many others.

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James Tormé Quartet
According to Jazz FM, “If you get a chance to see James Tormé you should beg, borrow, even steal a ticket”. Son of one of the all-time great Jazz vocalists, Mel Tormé, James grew up spending time with a myriad of Jazz Legends including Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Buddy Rich, Peggy Lee and Duke Ellington. James’ smooth singing style draws from the “old school”, but has a very modern versatility. His unique interpretation using his clean-toned vibrato, Jazz sensibility and charismatic stage presence are fast making this multi-award winning singer one of the most talked about artists of his generation. “… an extraordinary singer with immense resources… his phrasing …audacious and brilliant,” raves London Jazz News.

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Catherine Russell
Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born into musical royalty. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was born in Panama, emigrated to New Orleans and then to Chicago and New York City, becoming a legendary pianist/bandleader/arranger/composer, and Louis Armstrong’s long-time collaborator and musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering bassist/guitarist/vocalist and holder of advanced degrees from Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music, who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Ruth Brown. Not surprisingly considering her pedigree, Catherine Russell is a one of a kind musician and vocalist. A graduate of American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Catherine has toured the world, performing and recording with David Bowie, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, Paul Simon, Rosanne Cash, Carrie Smith, Toshi Reagon, Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John, Joan Osborne, Vince Giordano, and many others, appearing on over 200 albums.

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Maggie Gould/Nanny Assis
Todo Amor Album Release
In her early years, Maggie started out performing musical theatre in London and won parts in shows including Cats and Folies Berger. Maggie’s repertoire covers standards by Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole, Ivan Lins, Chet Baker, Bernstein to dance numbers by Stevie Wonder and lately, Brazilian Jazz.

Maggie was offered residency to sing Jazz with a trio in London at Reubans Hotel. Based in New York, she works with Nanny Assis, John di Martino, Tommy Campbell Jay Rodriguez, Leo Traversa, Kevin Filed, Ron Samson, Alex Griffith.

With a great ability to perform Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz, Forro and a myriad of Afro-Brazilian sounds, Nanny Assis has cheered audiences around the world and has shown particular skills in engaging the public with personal charisma and unique stage interaction. 

See Maggie Gould & Nanny Assis with Alex Foster on sax at the Jazz Forum!

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Ted Rosenthal Trio
Acclaimed pianist Ted Rosenthal has performed worldwide as a soloist, with his trio, and as a sideman with many Jazz greats including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, James Moody, Bob Brookmeyer and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He has also been a featured soloist with several major American orchestras including the Detroit Symphony. Winner of the 1988 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, Rosenthal has released 15 CDs as a leader. His latest, Rhapsody in Gershwin (2014), reached #1 in Jazz album sales at iTunes. It features his arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue for Jazz trio. A recipient of three NEA grants, Rosenthal also composes music ranging from Jazz tunes to orchestral works and ballet scores, including for Alvin Ailey. He is a faculty member at Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School and is a published author.

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Monty Alexander Trio
In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring the worlds of American Jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. He’s toured the world relentlessly with various projects falling under the genres of calypso, blues, reggae, bebop, etc. His endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, and sophisticated harmonies and rhythms set Monty Alexander apart from almost all other artists.

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Mauricio de Souza’s Bossa Brasil
Born in Brasília, Brazil, drummer Maurício de Souza performs both traditional Jazz and Brazilian Jazz exceptionally well. His finesse has allowed him to play in numerous settings with various accomplished musicians. De Souza was a pupil of world-renowned jazz drummer Joe Morello and is strongly influenced by Buddy Rich, Airto Moreira and Roy Haynes. De Souza’s group Bossa Brasil® performs a wide range of Brazilian jazz styles including Bossa Nova, Samba, Baião, Maracatú, and Chorinho. The group’s repertoire features arrangements of compositions by Brazil’s most outstanding artists including Tom Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal, Ary Barroso, Egberto Gismonti, Hermeto Pascoal, Baden Powell, Luiz Eça, and Pixinguinha.

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Brian Q. Torff & New Duke
Brian Q. Torff is a renowned bassist, harmonica player, composer, author and educator.  New Duke is his new project – an acclaimed eight-piece band that performs Torff’s updated arrangements of Duke Ellington’s music and other more eclectic repertoire. The band features Darryl Tookes, vocals, Jamie Finegan, trumpet/flugelhorn, Rick Sadlon, alto sax/flute, Steve Moran, tenor, soprano, and baritone saxes and clarinet, John Fumasoli, trombone, Dave Childs, piano/keyboards and Greg Burrows, drums.

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