Rubin returned to Cleveland, where she began singing in many of the city’s clubs and hotels and performing with the best of the city’s musicians. She also formed and managed her first group, consisting of organ, guitar, vibes and drums. Soon after she moved to New York City in 1982, she performed at Sweet Basil and the Village Vanguard with the Pharoah Sanders Quartet. She then began to study with pianist Barry Harris at his Jazz Cultural Theatre.[1]

Since that time she has worked with Kenny Barron, Lionel Hampton, the Mercer Ellington Orchestra, Cecil Bridgewater, Etta Jones, Toots Thielemans, Steve Turre, Cedar Walton, and Grover Washington, Jr. More recently she has completed international tours with Herbie Hancock, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and the Jazz Crusaders.

Matoaka Little Eagle
Native singer, dancer, storyteller, and educator
 
Matoaka Little Eagle (Tewa-Pueblo, Apache, and Chickahominy) has spent a lifetime bringing Native cultures to thousands of people here and abroad.  Weaving music, dance, and storytelling, she opens  minds to bring experiences that show the richness, beauty, and truth of our diverse Native cultures to educational and cultural institutions which include:  The American Museum of Natural History,  The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Lincoln Center’s Meet-the-Artist Programs, Symphony Space, the Town Hall and numerous colleges, public and private schools, community centers, and festivals.  She has performed with Pura Fe and Ulali, Pete Seeger, David Amram, Joan Henry, Dennis Yerry, Gus Mancini, Jim Pepper, Forces of Nature, John Sebastian, Liam O’Moanlai, The Swift Eagle Dance Troupe, Spiderwoman Theater Ensemble, and many others.  In 1992, she and brother, Powhatan, were vocalists in John Cage’s “Renga.  Apartment House 1776,” in Dresden and Frankfurt, Germany.  She is a member of the renowned Thunderbird American Indian Dancers in New York City– 2017 recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Dance Guild.  The Thunderbirds raise scholarship funds for Native students and are a hub of Native culture and events in the Metropolitan area.  www.thunderbirdamericanindiandancers.org.  Matoaka has worked in several Native cultural arts programs, community and human service organizations, in the public and private sector, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.  She currently resides in New Paltz and may be reached at matoaka.e@gmail.com.  (845) 977-6146.
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Annette A. Aguilar (born June 28, 1957) is an American percussionist, bandleader, and music educator. She is best known as the leader of the Latin and Brazilian jazz band Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans, which has toured extensively in the United States and Africa. Aguilar is a former percussionist with The Grateful Dead. She is the founder of the annual Women in Latin Jazz Festival in New York, and is also a Latin Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department.
 
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Bertha Hope-Booker is an American jazz pianist and jazz educator. She is the widow of fellow pianist Elmo Hope, with whom she collaborated. She has toured Europe and Japan and played with a diverse group of artists. Her albums:
 1990*           In Search of Hope  SteepleChase         
1991   Elmo’s Fire   SteepleChase          Sextet, with Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Junior Cook and Dave Riekenberg (tenor sax), Walter Booker (bass), Leroy Williams (drums)
1992   Between Two Kings          Minor Trio, with Walter Booker (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums)
1999   Nothin’ But Love    Reservoir      Trio, with Walter Booker (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums)
 
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Trumpeter Edwina Thorne  is an international recording artist and entertainer with 5 albums, Edwina has a degree in composition and trumpet performance. Edwina then obtained an MBA in New York where she lived for 5 years, performing extensively in Europe and the Caribbean. A trained teacher, Edwina has led many successful jazz bands and combos, and has been HOD of music of two schools.
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Carol_Sudhalter was a nominee for Best International Jazz Flutist in Down Beat Magazine’s 77th Annual  Jazz Readers’ Poll 2012, and was voted within the top 10: 9th place.She moved to New York from Boston in 1978 to join the first all-female Latin band, Latin Fever, which played the 1978 Salsa Festival at Madison Square Garden alongside Tito Puente. [Another of Carol’s ‘firsts’: she was first graduate of Smith College to become a jazz musician.] In 1986 she founded the Astoria Big Band, in which she plays baritone sax. In its present 13-piece formation, the band plays original arrangements by Charlie Camilleri, Stan Bielski, Mickey Tucker, Ray Loring, Keith Gurland, and Chris Rinaman. The band has received more than 20 Development and Performance Grants from Queens Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
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Vocalist Lucy Blanco’s family roots began in a small fisherman’s village in Santa Rosa de Aguan, Honduras Central America. Her parents migrated to the Bronx, New York in 1964 where she was born. She is a proud descendant of the Garifuna people who settled in Central America from the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent. She has relocated back to her hometown of New York City from Los Angeles where she had been living for the last 20 years.Her musical influences are varied and include Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Hector Lavoe, Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz Her life was forever changed when she got a chance to attend an Artist in Residence program @ The Conservatory of Music in Den Hague with Dr. Barry Harris as a member of The Radiant Voices. She credits The World Stage, The late Billy Higgins, the late Dahl Scott, pianist/composer/arranger the late Michael Andrews and many other artists and friends who graciously opened the door and provided wonderful opportunities to learn about the art of jazz.
Since relocating to New York City in August ’09, she has worked with some of the best musicians the East Coast has to offer such as Benito Gonzalez, Mala Waldron, Mimi Jones and Danny Mixon. She recently collaborated with Garifuna musician and educator James Lovell and formed The Afri-Garifuna Jazz Ensemble. Ms. Blanco is currently producing her debut album with International Pianist Warren Byrd. “My goal is to make music that speaks to the love I have for Jazz and Latin music and reflects the Garifuna/Afro/Latina heritage I am proud to have.”
 
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 BLU JAZZ Recording artist Whitney Marchelle Jackson is an international award winning exceptional vocal performer.  New York Based originally from Newton Iowa. Headiner and opening act artist. A BMI songwriter who also plays piano & guitar. Studio session singer demanded by many. Whitney Marchelle’s eclectic style encompasses many aspects of  the American Music Art form to Contemporary,Straight-Ahead Jazz ,Taditional, Bebop,  BAM, Pop, Classical Jazz with a 4 octave vocal range ,reads, sings leads and all female harmonies. If you heard her once, you have not heard all of her numerous approaches and vocal textures. Tour de force performance shows! You will swing, laugh, dance, become knowledgeable, and leave with an unexplainable great spiritual feeling taking you on a musical journey. Receives Air play on Wbgo, Sirus-XM,National and International radio stations. Jazz Times quotes” She is a formidable singer with praiseworthy scat and vocalese skills, impressive range and an appealingly scorched soul-jazz sound, a fearless scat artist !” Other reviews! Prolific Pop and Jazz artist! Awesome!  LA Jazz Weekly Swinging Voices Blog- Dig Dis cd ”  her delivery of “Hope” along with a harp support is a jaw dropper ! She sings like she means it, and she means a lot! She knows how to bop!”  Works with Top Grammy Players at renowned venues internationally, including: New York Blue Note, Dusit Thani Dubai, Rutgers Clements Jazz Series, Apollo, Lewiston Jazz Festival , Art Deco Festival, The Velvet Note, Copacabana, Eastman, Carnegie Hall, World Cup Polo Televised ,Tonight Show (Don Rickles -host). Rochester Memorial Art Gallery. Drake University Big Band .Women In Jazz Festivals. Lady Got Chops Festival,Several Alpha  Phi Alpha Events! Sold Out Shows! Tribute shows!
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Goussy Celestin dancer,pianist,vocalist
 
Goussy Célestin’s personal mission is to stir up all her musical influences into a moving experience, incorporating Jazz elements, and dance influences.  She has studied/performed music and dance for the last two decades with such esteemed names as Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, C. Scoby Stroman, Max Roach, Donald Byrd, Barry Harris, and Sheila Jordan as a jazz pianist-vocalist, while studying with Pat Hall, Jean Leon Destiné, and Camille Yarbrough, as a dancer.

Guitarist Deborah Knapper is a native of Kanawa West Virginia.She grew up in Brooklyn NY, a self taught Musician,she  has performed extensively in Europe, New Zealand and Japan, has her own band, Knappertime, and has recorded with Mtume, toured with Kelis , Kit McClure,the Manhattans, Cuba Gooding  and many others in the R&B world.
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Yayoi Ikawa
 
Yayoi Ikawa is a jazz pianist living and working in New York City. After moving there from Japan to attend the Jazz and Contemporary Music program at The New School, she formed both her own trio and big band. Recent projects include a tour of Japan and her first album as a leader.She performs with the Harlem Renaissance Jazz orchestra,Reggie Workman,Lenny Pickett  and Haitian vocalist Emeline.

Erena Terakubo is a brilliant young alto saxophonist from Japan who has recorded with legendary musicians like Ron Carter,Jimmy Cobb and others. She had the honor of having the number one Jazz album in Japan.

Lucianna Padmore, is the youngest member of the group and a second generation drummer, bandleader and composer of unparalleled rhythmic skill. Enjoy this exciting performance of music from the African-American Diaspora, the American songbook of Blues, Gospel, R&B and some of today’s dance music.

LADY GOT CHOPS Women’s History Month Music and Arts Festival Inc, organizer ,bassist Kim Clarke is a composer/bandleader and  was the recipient of 3 National Endowment Study Grants in the early 1980s.She also studied with Dr.Barry Harris the keeper of the Bebop Flame.
Originally self-taught she has formed bands since the first year she picked up the bass. Kim has  toured Europe extensively,as well as Pakistan,Japan and most recently China. The majority of these travels were as a member of Joseph Bowie and Defunkt.She has also toured with Joe Henderson,Bertha Hope,Teri Thornton,Michael Urbaniak, Ursula Dudziak,George  Gruntz Concert Jazz band, locally with Art Blakey,Dr Billy Taylor and Jimmy Heath .Kim has been featured on 28 albums.
She formed the LADY GOT CHOPS Women’s Jazz  FESTIVAL  with a mother and daughter café owner team in 2003 and created their website to draw attention to their business. When it closed she continued the festival in various venues  and various idioms. It stands today as a platform of encouragement of women in the arts  to foster fellowship as well as enhance the community at large. http://Ladygotchops.com
 
Kim Weston-Moran (Producer). Ms. Weston-Moran’s first passion is acting; she is a veteran Actress known for her character work. Her most recent acting credit are Negro Ensemble Company’s Workshop Production of SWING at La MaMa Theatre and Crossroads Theatre Company’s’ premiere of AUTUMN by Richard Wesley. Kim produces, directs, coaches and is an Acting Teacher with a focus on Basics for new and returning actors. In the 90’s Kim was Founding Artistic Director for OUTTA CONTROL – Raw Comedy Cabaret, an multi-cultural sketch comedy troupe for which she began flexing her directing and writing muscles and discovered a new passion: Producing. Over the years, between acting gigs, she presented several projects and supported several playwrights, including PJ Gibson, OWA, PhD and Sabura Rashid. Projects include: The Second Black Theatre In America Conference (Medgar Evers College); Eclectic Tuesday Nites (Perk’s Supper Club), for which she Hosted and presented over 200 comedians, singers, actors, Jazz and R&B groups; WE IN HARLEM, BABY! a performance and visual arts salon; ANOTHER SIDE OF A KING – Films and Literature of Woodie King, Jr. (received ART NY Award). Currently, Kim is the Founder/Producing Artistic Director for POTPOURRI! World Women Works Series – New Works in Development by Global Women Playwrights and Screenwriters, in its’ 7th year.
For more information: http://www.rhythmcolorassociates.weebly.com
 

The New York Times said of BOSCO …”On acoustic guitar, he was masterly picking out the subtle syncopation of ‘Samba’ rhythms..a musician complete within himself..a ferocious performer with a kind of trans-state of precision and energy!”

He grew up in a musical family, his mother a concert Pianist and his brother a Composer.  Bosco concentrated on American Jazz, influenced by Miles Davis, Charlie Parker,  Duke Ellington and the great Brasilian musicians Dorival Caymmi and Antonio Carlos Jobim.  He worked with Vinicius de Morais and later Aldir Blanc who wrote his lyrics.  Joao Bosco  made many recordings, especially with the amazing vocalist Elis Regina, one of the greatest Brasilian vocalists of all time.

Bosco is revered for writing the protest song “O Bebaido e a Equilibrista” which became the theme song for Amnesty International.  He has made many recordings and has collaborated with greats  Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, and  Dorival Caymmi  among so many others such as American guitarist Lee Ritinour.     Bosco tours  the world and carries on  the legacy of this important music of his country with his extraordinary  talent.

JOAO BOSCO says, “Music is everything to me.  I am alive because I am singing and playing .” ..
 
Also sponsored by:  The  Row Hotel, 44^th Street  and Eighth Avenue, located in mid -Manhattan and newly  renovated. 
 
Birdldand:  315 West 44^th Street
Reservations”  212 581 3080 or www.birdlandjazz.com
Full Dinner Menu, Parking Nearby

To celebrate the music of two of the most influential, inspirational, and beloved forebears in jazz, producer Jack Kleinsinger brings together David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band; Bechet’s leading disciple, Olivier Franc; stride-piano master Jean-Baptiste Franc; and Sidney Bechet’s son, percussionist/drummer Daniel Bechet, along with a host of other jazz greats, including a surprise special guest.

The New Orleans-born trumpeter, composer and singer Louis Armstrong was among the most recognizable entertainers of the 20^th century. Armstrong, aka Pops or Satchmo, was mentored by hometown cornet hero King Oliver. Raised in an orphanage, he went on to perform for presidents and royalty, traveling the world on State Department tours, and attaining mainstream success with hits spanning “Stardust” to “Hello, Dolly.”

Clarinetist, saxophonist and composer Sidney Bechet was another child of New Orleans with roots reaching directly to the source of jazz. In the words of Duke Ellington, “Of all the musicians, Bechet was to me the very epitome of jazz. He represented and executed everything that had to do with the beauty of it all, and everything he played in his entire life was original.” A skilled improviser, by his mid-teens Bechet had established a strong reputation through his work with popular regional bands, and went on to greater recognition playing with King Oliver, Clarence Williams, Noble Sissle and Ellington. He achieved global acclaim, and was especially beloved in France.

The March 28 lineup of musicians for the Highlights In Jazz presentation Satchmo and Sidney Revisited includes David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, featuring:

Tuba player David Ostwald hadn’t yet reached his teens when he bought his first jazz LP, which featured the iconic jazz pioneer trumpeter Louis Armstrong. It was an appropriate start for a boy who grew up to found and lead the Louis Armstrong Eternity Band. A vital presence on the NYC jazz scene for almost four decades, Ostwald counts Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, and Jelly Roll Morton among his early inspirations. Wynton Marsalis, Dick Hyman, Nicholas Payton, Clark Terry, Benny Waters, Woody Allen, Jon Hendricks, and Leon Redbone are just a few of the legendary artists with whom Ostwald has performed. He’s also taken part in jazz education programs for children at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and at the Louis Armstrong House in Corona, Queens, where he also serves on the board.

Trumpeter Alphonso Horne hasn’t wasted any time in making a positive impression on jazz listeners. The Juilliard grad is a regular at prominent venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, and has played with Marcus Roberts, Ted Nash, Michael Dease, Catherine Russell, Joey Alexander and other current jazz luminaries. A Grammy nominee, Horne was also a Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Trumpet Competition semifinalist.

Multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cunningham has proved his expertise and creativity on saxophone, flute, clarinet and vocals. Since moving to the Big Apple about a decade ago, the Australia-born Cunningham has appeared and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Jon Batiste, Vince Giordano, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Ted Rosenthal, Chris Potter and René Marie.

Trombonist Dion Tucker has played for a pope (Benedict) and a president (Barack), appeared on Broadway and at Kennedy Center, on TV (The Oprah Winfrey Show, Harry, and others), and with musical royalty including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and Clark Terry. A composer and educator as well as an in-demand sideman, Tucker demonstrated his versatility through stints with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Charles Tolliver Big Band, David Berger and The Sultans of Swing, and many more.

Banjoist, Guitarist, Vocalist and Songwriter Arnt Arntzen fell into playing jazz when his grandfather Lloyd bought him a banjo. Learning from his older brother Evan Arntzen, as well as his mother, father and grandfather, he has since begun leading his own band, A Pluckin’ Good Time, and various trios and quartets playing everything from Jazz to pop and rock covers in a jazzed up fashion. After obtaining his degree in music performance from Vancouver Community College, Arnt is now co-leading the Arntzen Rhythm Review, the Brothers Arntzen, and Three Generations of Jazz. Arnt has also produced his own album of original material, called Banjo Hymn. 

Philadelphia-born drummer David F. Gibson has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, the Sun Ra Arkestra, the Odean Pope Saxophone Choir, the Diane Schuur Trio, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Woody Herman Orchestra and others.

The concert’s Bechet contingent includes:

Soprano saxophonist and composer Olivier Franc aka Bechet’s leading disciple, who plays Bechet’s saxophone as well as music from this classic repertoire along with originals. A favorite at festivals and international venues, Olivier has performed with Wynton Marsalis and other greats.

Stride-piano master Jean-Baptiste Franc is a second-generation Bechet expert who frequently performs with his father, Olivier. In addition to the great saxophonist and clarinetist, the pianist’s influences include James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. Jean-Baptiste has also released several well-reviewed albums as a leader.

Percussionist/drummer Daniel Bechet is the son of the early jazz icon Sidney Bechet. A master of his father’s repertoire, as well as funk, fusion and straight-ahead jazz, Daniel is also the author of Sidney Bechet: My Father.
This concert is produced in association with the Sidney Bechet Society.

With the Highlights In Jazz series nudging the half-century mark, Kleinsinger is justly proud of his ongoing legacy as a producer. Since the very first Highlights in Jazz event, “Every concert in the series has been integrated, has included a variety of younger artists and veterans, and has featured a renowned surprise guest. And every year we honor a living jazz great—let’s honor them while they can smell the roses,” he declares. This year’s honoree, Randy Brecker, will be feted at the May 16^th concert.

The HIJ series is a favorite destination for New York jazz fans and in-the-know out-of-towners. Besides the lineup of jazz icons onstage, there are often stars to be found in the audience as well—sports greats Venus Williams and Willie Randolph, actors Bette Midler and Alan Alda, and author Kurt Vonnegut, to name just a few.

The secret to the longevity of the beloved Highlights In Jazz series? “We’re doing the concerts other producers don’t do,” Kleinsinger says, “and in the process we’ve outlasted everyone who’s ever done jazz concerts in the history of New York.”

You won’t want to miss a single event in this new season of Highlights In Jazz!

Born in Memphis, Tennessee Bobby LaVell gained an interest in music while in high school. He became proficient on the Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet and Piano while pursuing formal musical studies at Memphis State (now the University of Memphis), and Shelby State College. Bobby also studied and became proficient as an arranger and composer during that time. Bobby’ s formal education continued with composition studies with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam at the B.M.I. Jazz Composers Workshop.

Bobby studied improvisation with Fred Ford of Memphis, Tennessee, and he credits Ford with shaping his musical philosophy. . . “He was the best teacher anyone could have, because he taught me to teach myself. However, his first and foremost influence was his father, the late Bob (Honeymoon) Garner, a pianist and organist in the Memphis area.

During Bobby’s early professional career, he performed, arranged and conducted for Memphis singer Lee Stone.

 He continued to develop his performing career by serving long stints as a regular with the phenomenal BB King and Ray Charles. Bobby has also performed with such fixtures as The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Nicholas Brothers. Additionally, there have been performances with Harold Mabern and George Coleman. Mr. Coleman once said of LaVell, “He’ s an excellent musician and an exceptional saxophonist”.

In Ohio and New York Bobby performed as leader of The Bobby LaVell Octet and Quartet. He spent ten years with the late Cab Calloway. And performed with the late Pete (Laroca) Sims Swing Time All Stars,

He is regular member of The Jimmy Heath Big Band. For a while he performed with The Chico O’Farrill Big Band. He performed with Slide Hampton’s Jazz Masters for three years until the band was shut down. Bobby still maintains a close working relationship with Mr. Hampton. He is also a member of The Manhattan Symphony Jazz Orchestra conducted by Dennis Mackrel. He was a member of The Duke Ellington Orchestra for almost 20 years. With his own intuition Bobby founded and leads “The Bobby LaVell Jazz Orchestra”, formally “The Hudson River Jazz Orchestra”.

He worked with a Big Band conducted by Benny GoIson. And for the last four years he has been a member of Ron Carter’s Great Big Band.

Bobby is continuously busy throughout each year, performing venues all over the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and the Caribbean.

Bobby’ s talents are to say the least, a man who is full of inspiration and enormous talent, as a saxophonist, Bobby LaVell’s sound, technique and articulation are second to none. As a composer his works are poignant and inspiring.  As a person, he is solid, and as an artist he is phenomenal.