CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ
29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319
http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com
between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village
1 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, V, F to West 4th St.
Contact: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services, 845-986-1677, jazzpromo@earthlink.net
Mon Aug 23
6:00PM SUMMER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Cornelia St Cafe Summer Storytelling Festival presents New York’s best storytellers!
TONIGHT Jim O’Grady-Facebook Fiasco and Other Fun Times Leslie Goshko-Vodka Shoes: humorously navigating family journeys through alcoholism, religious zealotry, and childhood. John Grady-Fear Factor: Canine Edition…A man/dog love story. Sherry Weaver, curator. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) Mon 8:30PM August 23 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS:MIKA HARY GROUP
(Mika Hary, vocals; Nir Felder, guitar; Shai Maestro, piano; Sam Minaie, bass; Ziv Ravitz, drums)
The Mika Hary Group embraces the genres of folk, rock and jazz with a touch of the Middle Eastern unique colors, in which Mika has been immersed growing up in Israel. Together with the acclaimed musicians in her band, she explores song-form infused with musical freedom, through improvisation alongside lyrical melodies. All of these elements create the unique and modern sound of her band.
Cover $8 http://www.myspace.com/mikahary Mon 10:30PM August 23 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS:THE HILDEGUNN GJEDREM GROUP
(Hildegunn Gjedrem, vocals; Jordan Perlson-, drums; Michael League, bass)
Norwegian Singer and composer Hildegunn Gjedrem leads this group of amazing New York musicians. Playing Hildegunn’s original compositions, the group blends, jazz, pop and Scandinavian folk music together to create beautiful and artistic music.
"Hildegunn’s voice is soul-lifting" www.plume.com
Cover $10 Tue Aug 24
6:00PM SUMMER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Cornelia St Cafe Summer Storytelling Festival presents New York’s best storytellers!
TONIGHT Michele Carlo-Fish Out of Agua: My life on neither side of the (subway) tracks. Tracy Rowland-Welcome to Zimbabwe! And other stories about growing up in New Jersey. Emily Epstein- Food poisoning in Prague, a mugging in Brazil, and adventures in a self-cleaning toilet in France. Sherry Weaver, curator. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) Tue 8:30 PM BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS: NATALIE JOHN
(Natalie John, vocals; Dominic Fallacaro, keys; Aidan Carroll, bass; Stuart Bidwell, drums)
“Natalie’s music skews folksy and interior, mingling jazz improvisation with drifting lyricism.” Nate Chinen, New York Times www.nataliejohnmusic.com
Cover $8 http://www.nataliejohnmusic.com Tue 10:00 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS: IN ONE WIND
(Angelo Spagnolo, voice and guitar; Mallory Glaser, voice; Lily Claire Nussbaum, voice; Rob Lundberg, bass; Max Jaffe, percussion; Steven Lugerner, reeds)
In what seem like meager beginnings, In One Wind has blossomed from a one man act into a full fledged six piece ensemble, with a sound and reputation all their own.
Though steeped in the tradition of folk music, In One Wind incorporates a wide range of influences from jazz to country, even stretching effortlessly into the world of improvised music and the avant-garde. The ability to start a show with soft guitar strums and whispered vocals while seamlessly breaking into odd-metered grooves and lush three part harmonies enraptures their audiences. In One Wind is truly an idiosyncratic ensemble, an ensemble that appropriately represents their home – Brooklyn, NY – where they have quickly established a solid footing in the greater New York music scene.
Becca Stevens, host. Cover $8 http://www.inonewind.com Wed Aug 25
6:00PM SUMMER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
(DJ Hazard; Kyra Miller)
Cornelia St Cafe Summer Storytelling Festival presents New York’s best storytellers!
TONIGHT August 25 DJ Hazard-Route 16: A teenager’s search for a new tribe. Kyra Miller — The Uses of Disenchantment: A Love Story for Anti-romantics. Sherry Weaver, curator. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) 8:30PM Wed Aug 25 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS: COLIN KILLALEA AND BECCA STEVENS BAND
(Colin Killalea, guitar, surprises, voice; Becca Stevens, guitar, charango, ukulele, voice, compositions; Liam Robinson, piano & accordion; Chris Tordini, acoustic bass, voice; Jordan Perlson, drums)
Hailed by The New York Times as a “best-kept secret” with an “impressively absorbing” debut album, Becca Stevens has established herself as a singer/songwriter of enormous talent whose songs expand and blur the boundaries of folk, jazz, and pop while engaging the the listener through keen poetic observation, rich musical language, and beguiling singing. Her musical roots are in classical guitar, the folk music of her native North Carolina, and jazz, with additional influences ranging from West African rhythms to eccentric pop. Along with being band leader and composer/arranger for the Becca Stevens Band, Becca’s career takes her in many directions – from recording and touring internationally with jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti and as lead singer of Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra, to writing lyrics and recording with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and saxophonist Logan Richardson. Becca began her artistic career while still in diapers, singing and performing with her family band, the Tune Mammals. In 2002 she received her high school diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts where she studied classical guitar, and then went to The New School in New York City where she received a BFA with high honors in vocal jazz and composition. It was at The New School that Becca met the musicians who would eventually make up the Becca Stevens Band.
“Becca is the quintessential total musician.” Jim Black; Drummer, composer and leader of AlasNoAxis $10 cover for both sets
http://beccastevens.com/home.php Thu Aug 26
8:30PM TAKSIM
(Souren Baronian, reeds, percussion; Haig Manoukian, oud; Lee Baronian, dumbek; Mal Stein, drums; Sprocket Royer, bass)
Souren Baronian, reedman/percussionist extraordinaire, is the Prez of Armenian-American musicians. His playing and his writing are a true synthesis of jazz and authentic Near Eastern music, born of his extensive experience in both areas. On the ethnic side, he trained with the renowned Turkish master Safet Gundeger, and on the jazz side with the legendary Lennie Tristano. He recorded with such jazz lights as Phil Woods, Don Jerry, Joe Beck, Arnie Lawrence, Carla Bley, Paul Motian, Joe Farrel, Steve Gadd, Armen Donelian and others, while continuing to lead ethnic ensembles in performance and on recordings. In 1975 Souren Baronian assembled a quintet of kindred spirits capable of pusuing his musical vision, and named this group "Taksim," a word which in the Near East refers to improvised melodic exploration. Before long Souren and his band were surprising audiences regularly at important jazz venues in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and earning a glowing review from Downbeat Magazine. They are now enjoying their third decade of critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic.
"The cheers of five thousand people at the 25th Anniversary of the Montreal Jazz Festival spoke volumes about this band." Dan Behrman, Festival Program Director. "Like two chemicals that flare upon touching, the music is a remarkable hybrid of two cultures." Boston Herald American Oudist Haig Manoukian celebrates the musical traditions of the Middle East, India and Africa in improvisations that combine control of classical form and modern sensibility. His current collaborations with the groups Alba, Orchestra Kef, and Sounds of Taraab express his love for the rhythms and modal structures of Andalusia, Turkey, and East Africa. In addition, Haig is active with Taksim, a Middle-Eastern jazz fusion band, and Transition, an ensemble that regularly performs Armenian, Arab, and Turkish music. For many years, he has taught and performed at Balkan and Middle Eastern camps throughout the United States. Lee Baronian is Souren’s son; he could have had no better grounding for the masterful technique and musical awareness he brings to the dumbek and other percussion instruments. He has a virtuosic young group of his own called Charged Particles, the next chapter in the meeting of East and West. Mal Stein has mastered the complexities of compound meters like no other drummer; his command of that specialty defines the state of the art today. He grew up in the company of jazz greats, his father Richard having been himself both a drummer and a jazz-club entrepreneur. When not powering up Taksim, Mal is very active playing in New York and Europe Mal Stein is Currently playing with Epiphany Project, Mad Juana, and The Mikel Paris Trio. Sprocket Royer has been a professional bass player in New York for over 25 years, playing in a variety of idioms including Latin, Spanish, Swiss, Klezmer, Middle Eastern, Jazz, Blues, Classical and all forms of American popular music. His teachers include Don Palma, Orin O’Brian, and Bassam Saba. He has recorded with Andy Statman, Tommy Tucker, Michael Moore and Yale Strom, and has toured and played concerts and festivals in the U.S. and Europe. Sprocket also has a career as a luthier and restores double basses and other stringed instruments.
Cover $10 Fri Aug 27
9:00PM LATHANFLIN & ALI
(Lathan Hardy, saxophone; Sean Ali, bass; Flin Van Hemmen, drums)
LathanFlin&Aliis a trio that celebrates and explores the diverse patterns of improvised music. Lathan Hardy plays alto saxophone, Flin van Hemmen plays drums, and Sean Ali plays the contrabass. Together, they weave a tapestry that is the inheritor of 20th century music; joining lush lyricism with aching dissonance, stoic form with dense abstraction, and the serenity of timelessness with the urgency of the present moment. For improvised music par excellence, don’t miss LathanFlin&Ali.
"Flin, Lathan & Ali are firmly inside the new wrinkle of the zeitgeist. This is the one that will bring us into the coming age of wide-eyed curiosity, fearless love, and billions of mothers living out their dreams. Their music chews on conceptual idolatry, loose limbed awe, and motivic posturing with equal aplomb." (Jonathan Wood Vincent)
Cover $10 http://www.myspace.com/lathanflinali Fri Aug 27 10:30 PM MINERVA
(JP Schlegelmilch, piano; Pascal Niggenkemper, bass; Carlo Costa, drums)
Bassist Pascal Niggenkemper, pianist JP Schlegelmilch and drummer Carlo Costa present an exciting new trio which explores the boundaries between composition and improvisation. Their music ranges from areas of static minimalism to dense and dynamic gestures, embracing both stark dissonance as well as open-hearted lyricism.
JP Schlegelmilch is a Brooklyn-based pianist, accordionist and composer. Current projects he’s involved with include the experimental instrumental rock group NOOK; the jazz quartet Old Time Musketry, and the power-organ-trio Put a Motor in Yourself. Pascal Niggenkemper is a French-German bassist and composer who is gaining recognition as a sought-after sideman and with the two trios he leads: the Pascal Niggenkemper trio with Robin Verheyen on saxophones and Tyshawn Sorey on drums and Pascal’s Newfield with Scott Dubois on guitar and Jeff Davis on drums. Carlo Costa is an Italian drummer and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. He has been involved with several country, rock and folk bands (Oh Liza Jane, Hunter Gatherer, The Dive Bar Dukes, Land of Leland), as well as jazz and avant-garde jazz musicians (in a jazz quartet with Kenny Warren, Robin Verheyen, and Aidan Carroll; a trio with Eli Asher and Nico Soffiato and most recently in a duo with Yukari).
Cover $10 http://www.carlocostamusic.com Sat Aug 28
6:00PM ARUN RAMAMURTHY WITH AKSHAY ANANTAPADMANABHAN
(ARUN RAMAMURTHY, violin; AKSHAY ANANTAPADMANABHAN, mridangam)
ARUN RAMAMURTHY is an exciting violinist who is making his mark in the Indian Classical and World Music scene. While trained in ancient Carnatic (south indian) music, but raised in the United States Arun hopes to bring his musical culture to the mainstream with traditional yet fresh improvisations and compositions. His endeavors have led him to perform at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, Walker Center for Arts and others. Arun is currently performing with Jazz based groups Namaskar (Sameer Gupta, drums; Marc Cary, piano) and Lotus 5 (Richard Bennett, piano). He also leads a group based in NJ, Banyan Tress, a acoustic rock and indian classical blend. Alongside these musical explorations, Arun is growing within Carnatic music. He is privileged to study under one of India’s leading violinist, Dr. Mysore Manjunath, a virtuosic and fresh breath for Carnatic music. He performs with Manjunath in the U.S. and India and will be touring the East Coast with him this fall.
AKSHAY ANANTAPADMANABHAN is a talented mridangist (south indian drum) and student of the world renown T.H. Subash Chandran (ghatam artist). His virtuosic yet musical approach has made him a popular artist for musicians touring from India. He has collaborated with Latin jazz, rock and Brazilian musicians in unique showcases on Indian percussion.
Cover $10 http://www.arunramamurthy.com Sat Aug 28 9:00PM & 10:30PM OHAD TALMOR "NEWSREEL"
(Ohad Talmor, tenor saxophone; Jacob Sacks, piano; Shane Endsley, trumpet; Matt Pavolka, bass; Dan Weiss, drums)
Ohad’s main project is NEWSREEL, a flexible group mirroring his multi-faceted musical identity as a composer and saxophonist features some of New York’s most creative musicians. His other projects include the Steve Swallow Trio (with Adam Nussbaum) and Mass Transformation – a Nonet featuring Austria’s Spring String 4tet, singer Judith Berkson, Pete McCann, Shane Endsley, Mark Ferber focusing on the Music of Anton Bruckner.
Ohad collaborates with musicians such as Jason Moran, Josh Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Cheek, Dave Douglas, Carla Bley, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Billy Hart and many others, most of whom do not have major recording contracts, which is just as well.Ohad has a privileged relationship with his old friend and mentor Lee Konitz, with whom he co-leads three projects: the Lee Konitz New Nonet, the Konitz-Talmor String Project and the Konitz-Talmor Big Band. As a Composer and Arranger, Talmor is equally involved in writing for Jazz and Classical idioms. His music has been performed by various Jazz ensembles all over the world, including: Portugal’s OJM Big Band, Switzerland’s Big Band de Lausanne, Brazil’s SoundScape Orquestra, the Brecker Brothers, Steve Swallow 6tet “L’histoire du Clochard” or Belgium’s Bruxelles Jazz Orchestra. His contributions in the Classical idiom include music for pianist Martha Argerich, Sao Paulo’s Symphonic Band, the Spring String Quartet from Austria or Portugal National Orchestra. Ohad’s latest Composition is a Concerto for Piano/Drums and Double Orchestras premiered in February 2010 by the Porto National Orchestra, the OJM Big Band with soloists Jason Moran and Dan Weiss.
Cover $10 http://www.ohadtalmor.com Sun Aug 29
8:30PM SIMON MULLIGAN DUO
(Simon Mulligan, piano; Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello)
British pianist Simon Mulligan celebrated his début aged 19 at London’s Barbican Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; a month later he recorded his first compact disc under the direction of Yehudi Menuhin. This led to a seven-year collaboration and friendship, culminating in what was to be Lord Menuhin’s final concert in Dusseldorf, March 1999.
Described by The Times of London as ‘the most abundantly gifted of pianists’, Simon performs and records internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. His most recent recordings include a disc of Beethoven sonatas and a live recital in Switzerland for Alexis Weissenberg’s Birthday. His first solo album for Sony Classical, “Piano” won great acclaim throughout Europe, South America and the Far East, and featured in various television, radio, and internet campaigns. He has made over twenty recordings for compact disc, including performances of Martinu’s Triple Concerto (conducted by Menuhin), Rozsa’s Spellbound concerto with the BBC Symphony conducted by Slatkin, Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition, his own Suite for Piano and Orchestra, and the Nocturnes of Chopin. He has made four discs for the Nimbus label, including a première recording of music by pianist Alexis Weissenberg. Simon’s performances with orchestra include the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony under Slatkin, Warsaw Sinfonia (Menuhin), Brno Philharmonic (Menuhin), Modesto Symphony (Lockington), Reading Symphony (Rothstein), Hong Kong Philharmonic (Atherton), the Hallé, Bournemouth Sinfonia, Malaysian Philharmonic and English Symphony (Boughton). Simon’s love of improvisation has led to articles in numerous music publications, including Downbeat, JazzTimes, International Pianist and Gramophone magazines. Simon will be joined by the ‘cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach. The duo will present an eclectic mix for ‘cello and piano.
Cover $10 http://www.SimonMulligan.com Mon Aug 30
8:30PM MEM3
(Ernesto Cervini, drums; Michael Cabe, piano; Mark Lau, bass)
MEM3 is a piano trio based out of New York City, and it is the culmination of 7 years of close musical and personal friendship between three musicians from three different parts of the globe (Seattle Washington, Toronto Canada and Sydney Australia.) Their debut album, "Pennsylvania Grey" is made up of original compositions from all three musicians as well as one traditional hymn. The group’s sound is influenced by the trio sounds of the great Oscar Peterson, Peter Erskine and EST. The group has recently concluded a Candian tour, and are working towards recording their second album.
"Each member of MEM is equally important—equally influential. Each is presented as a composer and a performer; a soloist and an accompanist; a leader and a supporter. Each role is handled with delicacy and intensity; taste, style and a sense of exploration. It is the contrasts between the contributions of each of the members of MEM3, as well as the homogenous nature of all that contrast, that makes Pennsylvania Grey such an engaging CD."Dave Miele, Jazz Improv
Cover $10
29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319
http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com
between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village
1 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, V, F to West 4th St.
Contact: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services, 845-986-1677, jazzpromo@earthlink.net
This Week At Cornelia Street Cafe
Mon Aug 23
6:00PM SUMMER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Cornelia St Cafe Summer Storytelling Festival presents New York’s best storytellers!
TONIGHT Jim O’Grady-Facebook Fiasco and Other Fun Times Leslie Goshko-Vodka Shoes: humorously navigating family journeys through alcoholism, religious zealotry, and childhood. John Grady-Fear Factor: Canine Edition…A man/dog love story. Sherry Weaver, curator. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) Mon 8:30PM August 23 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS:MIKA HARY GROUP
(Mika Hary, vocals; Nir Felder, guitar; Shai Maestro, piano; Sam Minaie, bass; Ziv Ravitz, drums)
The Mika Hary Group embraces the genres of folk, rock and jazz with a touch of the Middle Eastern unique colors, in which Mika has been immersed growing up in Israel. Together with the acclaimed musicians in her band, she explores song-form infused with musical freedom, through improvisation alongside lyrical melodies. All of these elements create the unique and modern sound of her band.
Cover $8 http://www.myspace.com/mikahary Mon 10:30PM August 23 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS:THE HILDEGUNN GJEDREM GROUP
(Hildegunn Gjedrem, vocals; Jordan Perlson-, drums; Michael League, bass)
Norwegian Singer and composer Hildegunn Gjedrem leads this group of amazing New York musicians. Playing Hildegunn’s original compositions, the group blends, jazz, pop and Scandinavian folk music together to create beautiful and artistic music.
"Hildegunn’s voice is soul-lifting" www.plume.com
Cover $10 Tue Aug 24
6:00PM SUMMER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Cornelia St Cafe Summer Storytelling Festival presents New York’s best storytellers!
TONIGHT Michele Carlo-Fish Out of Agua: My life on neither side of the (subway) tracks. Tracy Rowland-Welcome to Zimbabwe! And other stories about growing up in New Jersey. Emily Epstein- Food poisoning in Prague, a mugging in Brazil, and adventures in a self-cleaning toilet in France. Sherry Weaver, curator. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) Tue 8:30 PM BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS: NATALIE JOHN
(Natalie John, vocals; Dominic Fallacaro, keys; Aidan Carroll, bass; Stuart Bidwell, drums)
“Natalie’s music skews folksy and interior, mingling jazz improvisation with drifting lyricism.” Nate Chinen, New York Times www.nataliejohnmusic.com
Cover $8 http://www.nataliejohnmusic.com Tue 10:00 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS: IN ONE WIND
(Angelo Spagnolo, voice and guitar; Mallory Glaser, voice; Lily Claire Nussbaum, voice; Rob Lundberg, bass; Max Jaffe, percussion; Steven Lugerner, reeds)
In what seem like meager beginnings, In One Wind has blossomed from a one man act into a full fledged six piece ensemble, with a sound and reputation all their own.
Though steeped in the tradition of folk music, In One Wind incorporates a wide range of influences from jazz to country, even stretching effortlessly into the world of improvised music and the avant-garde. The ability to start a show with soft guitar strums and whispered vocals while seamlessly breaking into odd-metered grooves and lush three part harmonies enraptures their audiences. In One Wind is truly an idiosyncratic ensemble, an ensemble that appropriately represents their home – Brooklyn, NY – where they have quickly established a solid footing in the greater New York music scene.
Becca Stevens, host. Cover $8 http://www.inonewind.com Wed Aug 25
6:00PM SUMMER STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
(DJ Hazard; Kyra Miller)
Cornelia St Cafe Summer Storytelling Festival presents New York’s best storytellers!
TONIGHT August 25 DJ Hazard-Route 16: A teenager’s search for a new tribe. Kyra Miller — The Uses of Disenchantment: A Love Story for Anti-romantics. Sherry Weaver, curator. Cover $10 (plus $ 7 Drink Minimum) 8:30PM Wed Aug 25 BECCA STEVENS PRESENTS: COLIN KILLALEA AND BECCA STEVENS BAND
(Colin Killalea, guitar, surprises, voice; Becca Stevens, guitar, charango, ukulele, voice, compositions; Liam Robinson, piano & accordion; Chris Tordini, acoustic bass, voice; Jordan Perlson, drums)
Hailed by The New York Times as a “best-kept secret” with an “impressively absorbing” debut album, Becca Stevens has established herself as a singer/songwriter of enormous talent whose songs expand and blur the boundaries of folk, jazz, and pop while engaging the the listener through keen poetic observation, rich musical language, and beguiling singing. Her musical roots are in classical guitar, the folk music of her native North Carolina, and jazz, with additional influences ranging from West African rhythms to eccentric pop. Along with being band leader and composer/arranger for the Becca Stevens Band, Becca’s career takes her in many directions – from recording and touring internationally with jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti and as lead singer of Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra, to writing lyrics and recording with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and saxophonist Logan Richardson. Becca began her artistic career while still in diapers, singing and performing with her family band, the Tune Mammals. In 2002 she received her high school diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts where she studied classical guitar, and then went to The New School in New York City where she received a BFA with high honors in vocal jazz and composition. It was at The New School that Becca met the musicians who would eventually make up the Becca Stevens Band.
“Becca is the quintessential total musician.” Jim Black; Drummer, composer and leader of AlasNoAxis $10 cover for both sets
http://beccastevens.com/home.php Thu Aug 26
8:30PM TAKSIM
(Souren Baronian, reeds, percussion; Haig Manoukian, oud; Lee Baronian, dumbek; Mal Stein, drums; Sprocket Royer, bass)
Souren Baronian, reedman/percussionist extraordinaire, is the Prez of Armenian-American musicians. His playing and his writing are a true synthesis of jazz and authentic Near Eastern music, born of his extensive experience in both areas. On the ethnic side, he trained with the renowned Turkish master Safet Gundeger, and on the jazz side with the legendary Lennie Tristano. He recorded with such jazz lights as Phil Woods, Don Jerry, Joe Beck, Arnie Lawrence, Carla Bley, Paul Motian, Joe Farrel, Steve Gadd, Armen Donelian and others, while continuing to lead ethnic ensembles in performance and on recordings. In 1975 Souren Baronian assembled a quintet of kindred spirits capable of pusuing his musical vision, and named this group "Taksim," a word which in the Near East refers to improvised melodic exploration. Before long Souren and his band were surprising audiences regularly at important jazz venues in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and earning a glowing review from Downbeat Magazine. They are now enjoying their third decade of critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic.
"The cheers of five thousand people at the 25th Anniversary of the Montreal Jazz Festival spoke volumes about this band." Dan Behrman, Festival Program Director. "Like two chemicals that flare upon touching, the music is a remarkable hybrid of two cultures." Boston Herald American Oudist Haig Manoukian celebrates the musical traditions of the Middle East, India and Africa in improvisations that combine control of classical form and modern sensibility. His current collaborations with the groups Alba, Orchestra Kef, and Sounds of Taraab express his love for the rhythms and modal structures of Andalusia, Turkey, and East Africa. In addition, Haig is active with Taksim, a Middle-Eastern jazz fusion band, and Transition, an ensemble that regularly performs Armenian, Arab, and Turkish music. For many years, he has taught and performed at Balkan and Middle Eastern camps throughout the United States. Lee Baronian is Souren’s son; he could have had no better grounding for the masterful technique and musical awareness he brings to the dumbek and other percussion instruments. He has a virtuosic young group of his own called Charged Particles, the next chapter in the meeting of East and West. Mal Stein has mastered the complexities of compound meters like no other drummer; his command of that specialty defines the state of the art today. He grew up in the company of jazz greats, his father Richard having been himself both a drummer and a jazz-club entrepreneur. When not powering up Taksim, Mal is very active playing in New York and Europe Mal Stein is Currently playing with Epiphany Project, Mad Juana, and The Mikel Paris Trio. Sprocket Royer has been a professional bass player in New York for over 25 years, playing in a variety of idioms including Latin, Spanish, Swiss, Klezmer, Middle Eastern, Jazz, Blues, Classical and all forms of American popular music. His teachers include Don Palma, Orin O’Brian, and Bassam Saba. He has recorded with Andy Statman, Tommy Tucker, Michael Moore and Yale Strom, and has toured and played concerts and festivals in the U.S. and Europe. Sprocket also has a career as a luthier and restores double basses and other stringed instruments.
Cover $10 Fri Aug 27
9:00PM LATHANFLIN & ALI
(Lathan Hardy, saxophone; Sean Ali, bass; Flin Van Hemmen, drums)
LathanFlin&Aliis a trio that celebrates and explores the diverse patterns of improvised music. Lathan Hardy plays alto saxophone, Flin van Hemmen plays drums, and Sean Ali plays the contrabass. Together, they weave a tapestry that is the inheritor of 20th century music; joining lush lyricism with aching dissonance, stoic form with dense abstraction, and the serenity of timelessness with the urgency of the present moment. For improvised music par excellence, don’t miss LathanFlin&Ali.
"Flin, Lathan & Ali are firmly inside the new wrinkle of the zeitgeist. This is the one that will bring us into the coming age of wide-eyed curiosity, fearless love, and billions of mothers living out their dreams. Their music chews on conceptual idolatry, loose limbed awe, and motivic posturing with equal aplomb." (Jonathan Wood Vincent)
Cover $10 http://www.myspace.com/lathanflinali Fri Aug 27 10:30 PM MINERVA
(JP Schlegelmilch, piano; Pascal Niggenkemper, bass; Carlo Costa, drums)
Bassist Pascal Niggenkemper, pianist JP Schlegelmilch and drummer Carlo Costa present an exciting new trio which explores the boundaries between composition and improvisation. Their music ranges from areas of static minimalism to dense and dynamic gestures, embracing both stark dissonance as well as open-hearted lyricism.
JP Schlegelmilch is a Brooklyn-based pianist, accordionist and composer. Current projects he’s involved with include the experimental instrumental rock group NOOK; the jazz quartet Old Time Musketry, and the power-organ-trio Put a Motor in Yourself. Pascal Niggenkemper is a French-German bassist and composer who is gaining recognition as a sought-after sideman and with the two trios he leads: the Pascal Niggenkemper trio with Robin Verheyen on saxophones and Tyshawn Sorey on drums and Pascal’s Newfield with Scott Dubois on guitar and Jeff Davis on drums. Carlo Costa is an Italian drummer and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. He has been involved with several country, rock and folk bands (Oh Liza Jane, Hunter Gatherer, The Dive Bar Dukes, Land of Leland), as well as jazz and avant-garde jazz musicians (in a jazz quartet with Kenny Warren, Robin Verheyen, and Aidan Carroll; a trio with Eli Asher and Nico Soffiato and most recently in a duo with Yukari).
Cover $10 http://www.carlocostamusic.com Sat Aug 28
6:00PM ARUN RAMAMURTHY WITH AKSHAY ANANTAPADMANABHAN
(ARUN RAMAMURTHY, violin; AKSHAY ANANTAPADMANABHAN, mridangam)
ARUN RAMAMURTHY is an exciting violinist who is making his mark in the Indian Classical and World Music scene. While trained in ancient Carnatic (south indian) music, but raised in the United States Arun hopes to bring his musical culture to the mainstream with traditional yet fresh improvisations and compositions. His endeavors have led him to perform at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, Walker Center for Arts and others. Arun is currently performing with Jazz based groups Namaskar (Sameer Gupta, drums; Marc Cary, piano) and Lotus 5 (Richard Bennett, piano). He also leads a group based in NJ, Banyan Tress, a acoustic rock and indian classical blend. Alongside these musical explorations, Arun is growing within Carnatic music. He is privileged to study under one of India’s leading violinist, Dr. Mysore Manjunath, a virtuosic and fresh breath for Carnatic music. He performs with Manjunath in the U.S. and India and will be touring the East Coast with him this fall.
AKSHAY ANANTAPADMANABHAN is a talented mridangist (south indian drum) and student of the world renown T.H. Subash Chandran (ghatam artist). His virtuosic yet musical approach has made him a popular artist for musicians touring from India. He has collaborated with Latin jazz, rock and Brazilian musicians in unique showcases on Indian percussion.
Cover $10 http://www.arunramamurthy.com Sat Aug 28 9:00PM & 10:30PM OHAD TALMOR "NEWSREEL"
(Ohad Talmor, tenor saxophone; Jacob Sacks, piano; Shane Endsley, trumpet; Matt Pavolka, bass; Dan Weiss, drums)
Ohad’s main project is NEWSREEL, a flexible group mirroring his multi-faceted musical identity as a composer and saxophonist features some of New York’s most creative musicians. His other projects include the Steve Swallow Trio (with Adam Nussbaum) and Mass Transformation – a Nonet featuring Austria’s Spring String 4tet, singer Judith Berkson, Pete McCann, Shane Endsley, Mark Ferber focusing on the Music of Anton Bruckner.
Ohad collaborates with musicians such as Jason Moran, Josh Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Cheek, Dave Douglas, Carla Bley, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Billy Hart and many others, most of whom do not have major recording contracts, which is just as well.Ohad has a privileged relationship with his old friend and mentor Lee Konitz, with whom he co-leads three projects: the Lee Konitz New Nonet, the Konitz-Talmor String Project and the Konitz-Talmor Big Band. As a Composer and Arranger, Talmor is equally involved in writing for Jazz and Classical idioms. His music has been performed by various Jazz ensembles all over the world, including: Portugal’s OJM Big Band, Switzerland’s Big Band de Lausanne, Brazil’s SoundScape Orquestra, the Brecker Brothers, Steve Swallow 6tet “L’histoire du Clochard” or Belgium’s Bruxelles Jazz Orchestra. His contributions in the Classical idiom include music for pianist Martha Argerich, Sao Paulo’s Symphonic Band, the Spring String Quartet from Austria or Portugal National Orchestra. Ohad’s latest Composition is a Concerto for Piano/Drums and Double Orchestras premiered in February 2010 by the Porto National Orchestra, the OJM Big Band with soloists Jason Moran and Dan Weiss.
Cover $10 http://www.ohadtalmor.com Sun Aug 29
8:30PM SIMON MULLIGAN DUO
(Simon Mulligan, piano; Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello)
British pianist Simon Mulligan celebrated his début aged 19 at London’s Barbican Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; a month later he recorded his first compact disc under the direction of Yehudi Menuhin. This led to a seven-year collaboration and friendship, culminating in what was to be Lord Menuhin’s final concert in Dusseldorf, March 1999.
Described by The Times of London as ‘the most abundantly gifted of pianists’, Simon performs and records internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. His most recent recordings include a disc of Beethoven sonatas and a live recital in Switzerland for Alexis Weissenberg’s Birthday. His first solo album for Sony Classical, “Piano” won great acclaim throughout Europe, South America and the Far East, and featured in various television, radio, and internet campaigns. He has made over twenty recordings for compact disc, including performances of Martinu’s Triple Concerto (conducted by Menuhin), Rozsa’s Spellbound concerto with the BBC Symphony conducted by Slatkin, Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition, his own Suite for Piano and Orchestra, and the Nocturnes of Chopin. He has made four discs for the Nimbus label, including a première recording of music by pianist Alexis Weissenberg. Simon’s performances with orchestra include the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony under Slatkin, Warsaw Sinfonia (Menuhin), Brno Philharmonic (Menuhin), Modesto Symphony (Lockington), Reading Symphony (Rothstein), Hong Kong Philharmonic (Atherton), the Hallé, Bournemouth Sinfonia, Malaysian Philharmonic and English Symphony (Boughton). Simon’s love of improvisation has led to articles in numerous music publications, including Downbeat, JazzTimes, International Pianist and Gramophone magazines. Simon will be joined by the ‘cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach. The duo will present an eclectic mix for ‘cello and piano.
Cover $10 http://www.SimonMulligan.com Mon Aug 30
8:30PM MEM3
(Ernesto Cervini, drums; Michael Cabe, piano; Mark Lau, bass)
MEM3 is a piano trio based out of New York City, and it is the culmination of 7 years of close musical and personal friendship between three musicians from three different parts of the globe (Seattle Washington, Toronto Canada and Sydney Australia.) Their debut album, "Pennsylvania Grey" is made up of original compositions from all three musicians as well as one traditional hymn. The group’s sound is influenced by the trio sounds of the great Oscar Peterson, Peter Erskine and EST. The group has recently concluded a Candian tour, and are working towards recording their second album.
"Each member of MEM is equally important—equally influential. Each is presented as a composer and a performer; a soloist and an accompanist; a leader and a supporter. Each role is handled with delicacy and intensity; taste, style and a sense of exploration. It is the contrasts between the contributions of each of the members of MEM3, as well as the homogenous nature of all that contrast, that makes Pennsylvania Grey such an engaging CD."Dave Miele, Jazz Improv
Cover $10