Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Returns President's Day Weekend

 

 Warren Wolf and Joe Locke will be featured at a Vibes Summit on Saturday night February 17.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Returns to Rockville MD, President's Day Weekend, February 16-18, 2018. Presented by the Jazz Academy of Music to support and spotlight Jazz Education as well as present a range of top-notch Jazz performances, this year's Festival will be highlighted by a Jazz Vibes summit, and several stellar Jazz Vocalists. Headline performers include Warren Wolf, Jazzmeia Horn, Buster Williams, Joe Locke, Paul Carr, Carmen Bradford, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Byrd Trio, Matthew Whittaker, Craig Handy and Carmen Lundy It takes place at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

The Festival is held in various stages at the Hotel. The main stage is the Ronnie Wells Main Stage, and on Friday Night will have performances by Warren Wolf and the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate All Stars featuring the Baltimore, Maryland native who is a great vibraphone player, and currently a member of the San Francisco Jazz Ensemble. He played several years with Christian McBride as well as led his own groups. He will be followed by vocalist Jazzmeia Horn (seen in the video above), winner of the 2015 Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition and who has worked with such artists as Winard Harper (with whom she has appeared at a prior MAJF), Junior Mance, Billy Harper, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mike LeDonne, Peter Bernstein, Johnny O’Neal, Vincent Herring, Kirk Lightsey, Frank Wess, and Ellis Marsalis. She thrilled audiences at the Kennedy Center last season and will be joined by saxophonist Joel Frahm for her performance here. Closing out the Friday Night performances will be the great Buster Williams and Something More. Williams, one of the great jazz bassists of all time has worked with a who's who of modern jazz including Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Chet Baker, Chick Corea, Dexter Gordon, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Nancy Wilson, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, the Jazz Crusaders, Ron Carter, Woody Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Golson, Mary Lou Williams, Hank Jones, and so many more.

Saturday afternoon's program on the Ronnie Wells stage will include two Discovery Acts selected from performers who submitted to Paul Carr’s 2018 Discovery Act Competition. There performance will be followed by Lydia Harrell, the Boston-based winner of the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Voice competition. Saturday evening's performance starts with the Paul Carr Quartet with special guest, vocalist Carmen Bradford (Seen above with the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra at the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival). Carr is a strong, hard-bop centered saxophonist as well as educator and will have the great Ms. Bradford, formerly with Count Basie as part of his set.  After his set there will be a Vibes Summit with Warren Wolf, Joe Locke and another player to be announced. The evening closes with a performance by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra.

Sunday afternoon opens with Carmen Bradford and the Jazz Academy Orchestra which is followed by the Eric Byrd Trio. The Baltimore based Byrd is a superb pianist rooted in blues and gospel as well as bop and they will celebrate their new CD release "Saints Are Still Marching." They will be followed by one of my favorite singers from the DMV area, Janine Gilbert-Carter (seen in video above from 2009 where she was backed with Eric Byrd and others) who also has a new release, "My Foolish Heart." Sunday evening opens with a fabulous young pianist, Matthew Whitaker, followed by saxophonist Craig Handy and Second Line Smith with another great vocalist, Carmen Lundy closing out the main stage.

In addition to the Main Stage, there are many performers in the more intimate MAJF Club, including saxophonists Terry Koger and Braxton Cook (seen above), and vocalists Candice Bostwick, Petra Martin, and Chad Carter. Every night the Wes Biles Trio hosts a jam session in the MAJF Club. There are also a number of High School Big Band and Ensembles that perform with the High School Band Competition Finals taking place Saturday Afternoon in the Ronnie Wells Main Stage. There are also Films show, artist interviews and workshops for young musicians offered during the Festival.

The festival is presented by the Jazz Academy of Music. The Jazz Academy of Music Inc, a non-profit 501c3 organization, established in 2002, is a manifestation of a longtime dream of Paul Carr (seen performing at the 2011 Mid-Atalntic Jazz Festival), its Music Director, to extend the music education opportunities afforded him, as an inner city youth, to others. The Jazz Academy programs draw from and build upon the disciplines of music education Paul experienced in his youth. The mission of the Academy is to advance and preserve Jazz music through education. Its website is http://www.jazzacademy.org.

For more information on the performers and the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, including artist bios (and video clips), tickets, accommodations and more, visit https://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/ or email inquiry@midatlanticjazzfestival.org.

Houston Person, Rene Marie and Etienne Charles Among Headliners For 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

 

 Houston Person

The line up for the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, to be held February 16th through 19th , 2017 at the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, MD has been announced with over 150 artists performing. Artist groups appearing on our main stage include Rene Marie, Houston Person, Etienne Charles, Vanessa Rubin, Kathy Kosins, Paul Carr, The Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra with guest conductor Delfeayo Marsalis, Russell Malone, Bobby Broom and Paul Bollenback and Steve Turre. A first this year for the MAJF Event and its producer the Jazz Academy of Music, is the pre-festival Mardi Gras fundraiser Gala featuring our own Jazz Academy Youth Orchestra opening for Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. This pre-festival gala offers a New Orleans theme with New Orleans Jazz, New Orleans Cusines and New Orleans Fun. The Mardi Gras Galla will be held on Thursday February 16th, 2017 starting at 6pm at the Hilton. Proceeds from the Gala will support the Jazz Academy Education Programs. Also new for this year will be a Discovery Stage for which emerging artists can submit an application to Paul Carr, Executive and Artistic Director of the Festival. 

As stated this year opens with a Festival Gala on Thursday evening February 16 and features Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Also appearing will be the Jazz Academy of Music under Paul Carr's Direction. Friday Night opens on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage with the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Collegiate Orchestra, conducted by Delfeayo Marsalis followed by the wonderful vocalist Vanessa Rubin with tenor saxophonist Houston Person closing this evening's main stage. Herb Scott and Candice Bostwick will be performing in the MAJF Club and David Cole and Main Street Blues will be laying down blues in the MAJF Juke Joint. At Midnight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the MAJF Midnight Jam Session with the Wes Biles Trio takes place in the MAJF Club.

Rene Marie

Saturday Afternoon has the "Mid-Atlantic "2017 Jazz Voice" Finals," the Festivals annual jazz vocal competition on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage. Performing in the MAJF Club in the afternoon are vocalist Chad Carter, the Terry Koger Sextet and Iva Jean Ambush and Ambuscade. Vocalist Iva Jean Ambush will be doing a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.

Saturday evening Kathy Kosins Group opens the Ronnie Wells Main Stage, followed by a Guitar Summit featuring: Russell Malone, Paul Bollenbeck, and Bobby Broom. Etienne Charles and Creole Soul, featuring the marvelous trumpeter will lose the Main Stage this evening. Performers in the MAJF Club this evening include Tacha Coleman Parr and Anthony Compton; and Maija Rejman, while Anthony "Swamp Dog" Clark will be performing in the MAJF Juke Joint.

Sunday morning has the traditional gospel brunch and MAJF Women's Collective featuring Akua Allrich, Janelle Gill, Amy Shook, Savannah Harris are the first afternoon act on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage. Also in the Main Stage will be the Greg Hatza Organization and the Lavenia Nesmith Group who will perform a Tribute to Nancy Wilson. The Lovejoy Group and Petra Martin.

The Festival's last evening has a Tribute to Paul Carr Featuring the Paul Carr's Bantam Orchestra; the Steve Turre Quartet featuring the famed trombonist and conch shell player; and the terrific vocalist Rene Marie. The Festival concludes with the MAJF Midnight Jam Session with the Wes Biles Trio. There are likely some other performers that will be added including those at the Discovery Stage. There are also workshops, interviews with artists, screenings of film, a High School Big Band Competition and more.

Etienne Charles

The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival continues the legacy of the East Coast Jazz Festival that ran for 15 years starting in 1992. The ECJF originated in honor of Elmore “Fish” Middleton, a Washington, DC jazz radio programmer, whose commitment to promoting jazz music and supporting emerging jazz artists became the guiding principle behind the festival. The driving force of the ECJF was the late Ronnie Wells, a Washington DC jazz icon. After her passing, so did the ECJF.

As stated on its website “The Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival (MAJF) represents an auspicious renewal of the spirit and intent of the ECJF, as a showcase for some of the DC area’s finest established and emerging artists, student ensembles, and a healthy dose of renowned touring jazz artists as well. MAJF is designed to take the ECJF mid-winter jazz festival tradition to the next level and to further enhance arts & culture in the Washington, DC region.” Under the auspices of Washington DC area saxophonist and educator, Paul Carr, the Festival has a focus on not simply bringing some of the best local and national jazz performers to the area, but to help nurture and support Jazz Education. As seen in my brief description of the Festival performances, this remains true.

For more information on the Festival, including hotel accommodations, visit http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/tickets.

Sixth Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Stands Up For Real Jazz

Paul Carr

The Sixth Annual Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival returns Presidents’ Day Weekend to the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Put on by the Jazz Academy of Music, the motto of Mid-Atlantic Festival is “Standing Up For Real Jazz.” In this vein, the focus is on hard, swinging jazz with a number of national headliners mixed in with some of the finest musicians in the Washington DC area. The featured performers for this year include vocalists Tierney Sutton, Allan Harris and Carmen Lundy and instrumentalists including trumpeter Sean Jones; saxophonists James Carter, Jimmy Greene, Craig Handy and Marcus Strickland; bassist Rufus Reid; trombonists Delfaeyo Marsalis; and pianists Kenny Barron, Ellis Marsalis and Patrice Rushen. Local jazz favorites include vocalists Sharon Clark and Janine Gilbert-Carter; saxophonist Paul Carr; pianist Eric Byrd, and vibraphonist Warren Wolf. Performances are held both on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage as well as smaller club settings.

Sharon Clark

Friday night, February 13, the Ronnie Wells Main Stage opens with tenor saxophonist Paul Carr, head of the Jazz Academy of Music, and a marvelous player leading a group with vocalist Sharon Clark. Clark, arguably DC’s leading female jazz singer. Writing in the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote that she “evokes not Holiday but rather a less operatic Sarah Vaughan fused with the more animated side of Shirley Horn, a singer who also liked to take her time. Ms. Clark’s voice is rich, her phrasing unfussy, her jazz embellishments minimal.” They will be followed by another terrific singer Tierney Sutton, with trumpeter Sean Jones closing the evening with his group.

Main Stage activities resume late morning Saturday February 14 with the Mid-Atlantic "Jazz Voice"--Vocal Competition with six semi-finalists competing for a $2000 Grand Prize. Shortly afterwards an afternoon session features DC drummer Samuel Prather and Groove Orchestra with the marvelous vocalist Christie Dashiell. They are followed by Chelsey Green and the Green Project, led by the talented violinist. Saturday Evening’s Main Stage performance opens with a Tenor Saxophonist Summit with three of today’s most compelling tenor players: James Carter, Craig Handy and  Marcus Strickland. After their set, vocalist Allen Harris will captivate the audience followed by Ellis Marsalis and son Delfaeyo, on The Last Southern Gentleman Tour.

Craig Handy

Sunday on the Main Stage, Vuyo Sotashe, the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Vocal Jazz Competition winner, opens the afternoon show followed by the great bassist and composer Rufus Reid leading his Quartet. Craig Handy and Second Line Smith closes the session. Handy’s latest project mixes New Orleans grooves with a tribute to the great organist Jimmy Smith.

Sunday evening’s final Main Stage session opens with one of this writer’s favorite vocalists, Janine Gilbert-Carter backed by a trio that includes pianist Eric Byrd with a saxophonist to be named. Carter brings plenty of warmth and a touch of Dinah Washington to a varied selection of material. Next is  tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene whose backing group includes the legendary Kenny Barron on piano and will focus on music from Greene's latest album, “Beautiful Life” on Mack Avenue Records. Greene is a masterful saxophonist with a robust tone and this recording is part of his ongoing grieving process at the sudden and tragic loss of his 6-year old daughter, Ana Marquez-Greene, who fell victim to the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass murder in Newtown, CT. After this performance, vocalist Carmen Lundy will close out the Main Stage with the great Patrice Rushen on piano and keyboards.

Marcus Strickland

Throughout the festival, there will be plenty of music in the MAJF Club and the MAJF Juke Joint rooms. Friday night the Marcus Strickland Quartet performs two sets in the MAJF Club while David Cole will be laying down blues in the Juke Joint. Saturday shows in the MAJF Club include the Terry Koger Sextet, vocalist Chad Carter, and the great drummer Winard Harper, while Memphis Gold will be in the Juke Joint. Sunday evening Shirletta Settles, Anthony Compton, and Sarah McKenzie are among the MAJF Club room performers while Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark will be blowing his harmonica and shouting the blues in the Juke Joint.

Additionally there will be free performances in the Hotel Atrium including Big Band and Combo competition performances. There will also be interviews with a number of the artists and workshops for students that are led by some of the performers. One can see how packed the weekend will be. For more information with fuller artist biographies, information on accommodations and tickets along with special features on several of the performances visit, http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org.

Joey DeFrancesco at the 2013 Mid Atlantic Jazz Fest Day 3-2170738

20130217 Mid Atlantic Jazz Fest Day 3-2170738, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

Capping a Festival that spotlighted the Hammond B-3, this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival concluded with a burning performance from Joey DeFrancesco with his trio that included guitarist Paul Bollenback. In addition to his deep funky organ, Joey DeFrancesco also treated us to a bit of trumpet. It was hard bop, deep fried blues and some ballads with deep soul tinges,

Sharon Clark at the 2013 Mid Atlantic Jazz Fest Day 2

20130216 Mid Atlantic Jazz Fest Day 2-2160280, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

Part of The Vocal Summit that took place Saturday Afternoon, February 16 at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Sharon Clark displayed during her songs as well as that evening as part of a stellar Women in Jazz group why she is a true local treasure and among the finest jazz singers anywhere (the NY Times had a rave review of her recent appearance in the Big Apple). Along with singers Carmen Bradford (ex-Count Basie) and Lynette Washington, she treated the afternoon audience in Rockville, Maryland to some wonderful singing. The three were backed by the wonderful Chris Grasso and his trio.

Later that night Sharon's rich voice was part of the marvelous Women In Jazz group (pictured below).

Sharon Clark at the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival as part of Women In J with Sharel Cassity on saxophone, Amy Shook on bass and Allison Miller on drums. Not pictured, pianist Helen Sung.

Sunday Feb 17 Promises More Great Mid-Atlantic Jazz

Today is the final installment of  my daily previews of this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival for which I had a preview on January 15.  One week from when this is first posted is the final full day of music for this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival.

Standing out on Sunday afternoon is a performance by The Cookers (video clip above), a terrific ensemble comprised of jazz legends pianist George Cables; tenor saxophonist Billy Harper; drummer Billy Hart; bassist Cecil McBee; trumpeter and flugelhorn player Eddie Henderson; flautist and alto saxophonist Craig Handy; and trumpeter David Weiss. Also Sunday afternoon on the main stage will be saxophonist Bruce Williams leading a group with Pat Bianchi on organ. Williams, a Washington DC native, is a member of Ben Riley’s Thelonious Monk Legacy Septet as well as being the newest and youngest member of the World Saxophone Quartet in addition to leading several ensembles on his own. There will also be a performance by San Francisco area saxophonist William O’Neill will lead a group that also features vocalist Kenny Washington.

Sunday evening opens with saxophonist Bobby Watson, and followed by New Orleans vocalist Stephanie Jordan who will be singing a Tribute to Lena Horne. The Ronnie Wells Main Stage will conclude with the multi-award winning organist Joey DeFrancesco (Video clip above) with more hot Hammond B-3 grooves. 

Other highlights of Sunday's program includes Janine Gilbert Carter doing a gospel brunch (and here is a video clip from that). Janine's performance at last year's festival has just been issued on DVD (she used photos of mine for the cover) and it will be a heart-warming time. Performances in the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Club includes Darius Scott, Ivy Ambush and Cloudburst. There will be workshops (for example Stephanie Jordan and Kenny Washington will conduct one on scatting) with a number of performers and interviews with The Cookers and Joey DeFrancesco. And in the JukeJoint, Linwood Taylor, one of the Washington area's finest blues guitarists will be holding forth with some powerful music. Taylor, long a local favorite was recently a member of Joe Louis Walker's Band and certainly during the breaks in the Main Stage, he is someone to check out (and a sample of him can be seen in the clip below). Of course, Sunday night will conclude with the Midnight Jam.

Monday morning as some will be checking out, the keyboards of Jackie Hairston, one-time member of Otis Redding's Band and a local favorite who has played with everybody in DC's blues, soul and jazz scene will be playing. Again for more information on the festival, check out http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org. 

One Week From Today - Full Day of Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

This is the second of my daily previews of this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival for which I had a preview on January 15.  Today I am focusing on the programs that are scheduled to take place next Saturday, February 16.

Today's headliner is one of the legends of the Hammond B-3, Dr. Lonnie Smith (in the clip above),  who will be coming on at 10:PM after a full day of jazz. The main stage starts at noon with bass clarinetist Todd Marcus leading a group which will have as special guest, clarinet master Don Byron. Then there is a vocal summit with Sharon Clark, Lynette Washington and former Count Basie singer Carmen Bradford, backed by the Chris Grasso Trio. Saturday afternoon concludes with the Akira Tsuruga Quartet, featuring the Japanese born organist who is a mainstay on the NYC scene. In  addition to her performance, she will also be interviewed. Other interviews on saturday include Orrin Evans and Tim Warfield being interviewed.

Saturday Night’s on the Main Stage opens with the Larry Willis Quintet (in the clip above) with trombonist Steve Davis, saxophonist Joe Ford, bassist Steve Novosel and Billy Williams on drums. This is quite an impressive grouping including former McCoy Tyner saxophonist Ford and Rashaan Roland Kirk bassist Novosel in addition to the leader. It will be followed by a supergroup, Women In Jazz, which includes vocalist Sharon Clark, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, pianist Helen Sung, bassist Amy Shook and drummer Allison Miller.

Other performances at the Festival on Saturday include saxophonist Marshall Keys, vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter (seen in the clip above) with a group that includes saxophonist Brian Settles and saxophonist Bruce Swaim.  In the Juke Joint, Clarence 'The Bluesman' Turner will be performing. Turner is a past winner of the DC Blues Society's Battle of the Bands, and played the DC Blues Festival and other regional blues events. Like the other nights at the festival, Wes Biles conducts a jam at Midnight.

This promises to be another spectacular program for jazz lovers.

Friday February 15 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Kicks Off

I am getting really stroked about this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and have previously did a preview of it which appeared on January 15 and which is linked here. For me the highlight will finally be seeing Gregory Porter performing backed by the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra directed by Paul Carr. As a taste of what we might expect here is a clip of him with a big band led by Jools Holland doing a Louis Jordan classic that has become a standard done by the likes of B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Clifton Chenier and others, Let the Good Times Roll. This has become my favorite rendition of this song and I am hopeful that this might be included in the repertoire he sings that night.

Gregory Porter will be interviewed by Miyuki Williams at 6:00PM and his performance with the Orchestra is scheduled at 8:30PM. He is also teaching a Vocal Master Class at 11:30AM on Saturday as part of the Festival. As much as I would love to attend the interview, it is at the same time time as a performance by Elijah Jamal Balbed, one of the Washington area's most acclaimed young saxophonists.   He recently had a wonderful show at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History perforing the pre-Miles Davis music of Wayne Shorter. Here is a video clip of Elijah performing Wayne Shorter's Neferiti.

I am also really looking forward to seeing the terrific pianist Orrin Evans performing with a group featuring saxophonist Tim Warfield, and Paul Carr leading a terrific group with organist Pat Bianchi, guitarist Bobby Broom and drummer Byron Landham.  Others performing include vocalist Chad Carter.

As my preview indicated, one new aspect of this year's festival with be the Juke Joint with some of the DC area's finest blues talent in the MAJF Juke Joint. This night, David Cole and Main Street Blues will be performing. David has been performing with some of the DC area's most celebrated blues and rhythm talent for some time. When not leading Main Street Blues with his fleet guitar and soulful singing he might be heard backing the local legend, Little Royal.  Here is a clip of David Cole and Main Street Blues doing the Roy Hawkins classic most know from B.B. King's monster remake, The Thrill Is Gone.

Anyway it promises to be some incredible music and hope to see some of you there. It takes place at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. For more information visit http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org.

2013 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Will Bring Its Strongest Line-up Yet To Rockville

The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival returns to Rockville, Maryland February 15 through the 18th. This year is the Festival’s 4th edition and takes place at the Hilton Executive Meeting Center in Rockville for a weekend of jazz music, workshops, interviews and a High School Band competition. The festival combines internationally renowned artists along with both established and up-and-coming acts from the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Paul Carr - Photo  Ron Weinstock

This year’s festival will have a special focus on the Hammond B-3 and feature performances by organists Pat Bianchi, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joey DeFrancesco. In addition, there will be performances by pianists Orrin Evans, Helen Sung and Larry Willis; saxophonists Bobby Watson, Paul Carr, Sharel Cassity and Tim Warfield; vocalists Gregory Porter (singing the title track of his album Be Good in video above), Carmen Bradford and Stephanie Jordan; as well as the supergroup The Cookers. That only cracks the surface of the performers appearing.

Friday evening, February 15, the Festival’s Ronnie Wells Main Stage kicks off with pianist Orrin Evans and his trio with special guest, saxophonist Tim Warfield. Evans, a former finalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition, has become one of the most acclaimed young pianists, rooted in the tradition but also quite forward looking. Following Evans will be the Grammy nominated Gregory Porter accompanied by the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Paul Carr, which features some of Paul’s students from the Jazz Academy of Music and special guests from among the Mid-Atlantic’s finest musicians. Porter is among the most talked about new names in the jazz vocal circles and brings a warmth reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway to his soulful jazz styling. The main stage will close with saxophonist Paul Carr with B3, a group consisting of organist Pat Bianchi, guitarist Bobby Broom and drummer Bryon Landham. 

Carmen Bradford

On Saturday afternoon bass clarinetist Todd Marcus will lead his group which will have as special guest, clarinet master Don Byron. That will be followed by a vocal summit featuring Sharon Clark, Lynette Washington and former Count Basie singer Carmen Bradford, backed by the Chris Grasso Trio. Grasso is among the DC area’s most in demand accompanist for singers. Saturday afternoon concludes with the Akiko Tsuruga Quartet, featuring the Japanese born organist who is a mainstay on the NYC scene.

Saturday Night’s performances on the Main Stage opens with the Larry Willis Quintet that includes trombonist Steve Davis, saxophonist Joe Ford, bassist Steve Novosel and Billy Williams on drums. This is quite an impressive grouping including former McCoy Tyner saxophonist Ford and Rashaan Roland Kirk bassist Novosel in addition to the leader. It will be followed by another supergroup, Women In Jazz, which includes vocalist Sharon Clark, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, pianist Helen Sung, bassist Amy Shook and drummer Allison Miller. The Main Stage closes that night with the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith on the Hammond B-3.

Sunday’s Main Stage opens in the afternoon with saxophonist Bruce Williams leading a group with Pat Bianchi on organ. Williams, a Washington DC native, is a member of Ben Riley’s Thelonious Monk Legacy Septet as well as being the newest and youngest member of the World Saxophone Quartet in addition to leading several ensembles on his own. San Francisco area saxophonist William O’Neill will lead a group that also features vocalist Kenny Washington, and the afternoon closes with the Jazz super-group, The Cookers. The Cookers comprise of true jazz legends including pianist George Cables; tenor saxophonist Billy Harper; drummer Billy Hart; bassist Cecil McBee; trumpeter and flugelhorn player Eddie Henderson; flautist and alto saxophonist Craig Handy; and trumpeter David Weiss. 

Stephanie Jordan
Photo © Ron Weinstock

The final night on the main stage opens with saxophonist Bobby Watson. New Orleans vocalist Stephanie Jordan will be singing a Tribute to Lena Horne, but hopefully she will also sing her wonderful rendition of Shirley Horn’s Here’s To Life. The Ronnie Wells Main Stage closes with the multiple poll-winning organist Joey DeFrancesco for more hot Hammond B-3 grooves. The Festival’s Main Stage Line-Up is arguably the strongest yet, and a musical feast for those who want to hear real, straight-ahead jazz.

In addition to the main stage line-up, the Festival hosts a High School Jazz Band competition and performances by a number of up and coming performers in MAJF Club room. Friday night saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed performs. He has just released his first album, “Checking In,” which is certainly going to gather much attention for his robust playing and his thoughtful, impassioned solos. Also in the Club that night is vocalist Chad Carter. Saturday in the club will be saxophonist Marshall Keys, vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter and saxophonist Bruce Swain. On Sunday Janine Gilbert Carter will be doing a gospel brunch show in the Hotel Atrium along with performances in the MAJF Club by Darius Scott, Ivy Ambush and Cloudburst.

For the first time, the Festival will have a Juke Joint with blues performances over the weekend from David Cole, Clarence ‘The Bluesman’ Turner and Linwood Taylor. There will be workshops by some of the performers and interviews with Gregory Porter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Cookers and Joey DeFrancesco. Each night will conclude with Wes Biles leading a midnight jam. 

It is a music packed weekend with much more details on the performers as well as the schedule, ticket information, accommodations info and more at www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org. Hope to see many of you there.

Roy Haynes at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Day 2

2012 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Day 2-2184799, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

The great Roy Haynes leading his Fountain of Youth Band this past Saturday at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. He is going to be 87 next month but plays with as much enthusiasm and vigor as if he was in his twenties.

A link to days of 52nd Street, Roy has played and recorded with about every significant jazz artist from Lester Young, Charlie Parker and Sarah Vaughan to Gary Burton, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Eric Dolphy, and John Coltrane.

Famous for his distinct style, 'snap, crackle and pop,' it was his second appearance in the Washington DC area in a few months, and this performance was perhaps even better than his one at the Kennedy Center, in the less staid atmosphere at this event.

Long may Roy Haynes continue to inspire and amaze us.

Thank You Paul Carr For Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

Joey Calderazzo and Paul Carr

Paul is the moving force behind the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival that just completed its third yearly happening this past President's Day weekend. Sunday, February 19, Paul and his saxophones led a terrific band of Joey Calderazzo on piano, Terrell Stafford on trumpet, Michael Bowie on bass and Lewis Nash on drums that in part was a celebration of Paul's superb new recording, Standard Definition, on which they all play. The live performance was a stunning cap to the weekend's varied program. Perhaps the highlight of this set was a duet between Carr and Calderazzo on Cheek To Cheek. Here are some photos from that set.

Michael Bowie, Paul Carr, Lewis Nash (obscured) and Terrell Stafford

I will be posting more on 2012 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in the next few days.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Bring the Real Jazz to DC area

Paul Carr and Randy Brecker at 2011 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

It is about 5 weekends from the 3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival revives the legacy of the East Coast Jazz Festival that ran for 15 years starting in 1992. The ECJF originated in honor of Elmore “Fish” Middleton, a Washington, DC jazz radio programmer, whose commitment to promoting jazz music and supporting emerging jazz artists became the guiding principle behind the festival. The driving force of the ECJF was the late Ronnie Wells, a Washington DC jazz icon. After her passing, so did the ECJF.

Bassist Michael Bowie

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival takes place at the Rockville, Maryland Hilton Hotel over the President’s Day Weekend. Under the auspices of Washington DC area saxophonist and educator, Paul Carr, the Festival has a focus on not simply bringing some of the best local and national jazz performers to the area, but to help nurture and support Jazz Education. Besides such notable performers like Roy Haynes, Terrell Stafford, Carmen Bradford and Nicholas Payton, the festival spotlights local artists like vocalist Sandra Johnson, guitarist Mark Mosely, and bassist Michael Bowie. There are master classes for aspiring jazz musicians, a jazz for mall boppers class, jam sessions, band competition for high school bands and more. There are also artist interviews, and much more.

The Festival opens on Friday night February 17 with highlights on the main stage being Winard Harper and the great vocalist Carmen Bradford backed by the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra conducted by Paul Carr. Saturday afternoon a highlight will be the Jazz Ain’t Dead Jazz Troupe featuring Maurice Chestnut. Saturday evening features the acclaimed Baltimore vibraphonist (and much more) Warren Wolf and the legendary Roy Haynes and the Fountain of Youth band with the terrific Jaleel Shaw on saxophone. Sunday afternoon has a focus on gospel with a play, “The Mahalia Jackson Story’ featuring vocalist Lavenia Nesmith. Sunday evening includes a Trumpet Summit featuring Brain Lynch, Nicholas Payton and Terrell Stafford and the evening concludes with Festival director Paul Carr’s Quintet with Terrell Stafford, Joey Calderazzo, Michael Bowie and Lewis Nash.

Nicholas Payton will be part of the Trumpet Summit.
He is seen here at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

As can be seen, this year's Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival will present another full weekend of great music. I had a blast at last year's Festival and look forward to more of the same. I hope to see some of you there. For more information check out the website, http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/. Here is a preview of the Festival.

2011-0211 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival-2189165

2011-0211 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival-2189165
Originally uploaded by NoVARon

First night of the 2nd Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and among the featured performers was Nasar Abadey & Supernova. I first met and watched Nasar play while living in Buffalo where he was a member of Birthright. Supernova, named after the Wayne Shorter recording, was formed in 1976. After relocating to Washington DC in 1977, Nasar continued the group with various personnel over the years. The current line-up includes saxophonists Gary Thomas and Joe Ford, Bassist James King and pianist Allyn Johnson. Thomas was not part of Supernova as they performed to open the main stage for the Festival and performed a terrific set mostly with selections taken from his newest CD, "Diamond in the Rough."

Nasar Abadey Will Be at Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

091007 Duke Ellington Fest Gala-1143
Originally uploaded by NoVARon

Its less than 24 hours from when I post this, when the terrific Nasar Abadey (seen here at the 2007 Duke Ellington Festival Gala) will be leading his band, Supernova at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. Its a terrific line-up with Jimmy Heath, Kirk Whalum, Janine Gilbert-Carter, Randy Brecker, Paul Carr and so much more. I am looking for some terrific music and hope to post some blog entries about it. All this takes placing at the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, MD. For more information visit http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Standing Up For Real Jazz

Its less than two weeks until this year’s Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival taking place at the Rockville, Maryland Hilton Hotel over the President’s Day Weekend. Under the auspices of Washington DC area saxophonist and educator, Paul Carr, the Festival has a focus on not simply bringing some of the best local and national jazz performers to the area, but to help nurture and support Jazz Education.

The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival was attempt to continue the legacy of the East Coast Jazz Festival that ran for 15 years starting in 1992. The ECJF originated in honor of Elmore “Fish” Middleton, a Washington, DC jazz radio programmer, whose commitment to promoting jazz music and supporting emerging jazz artists became the guiding principle behind the festival. The driving force of the ECJF was the late Ronnie Wells, a Washington DC jazz icon. After her passing, so did the ECJF.

Jimmy Heath will be featured at the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. He is seen here at the 2005 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with brother, Albert 'Tootie' Heath as The Heath Brothers.

As stated on its website “The Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival (MAJF) represents an auspicious renewal of the spirit and intent of the ECJF, as a showcase for some of the DC area’s finest established and emerging artists, student ensembles, and a healthy dose of renowned touring jazz artists as well. MAJF is designed to take the ECJF mid-winter jazz festival tradition to the next level and to further enhance arts & culture in the Washington, DC region.”


This year’s MAJF has an auspicious program and here are links to the overview (http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/news/mid-atlantic-jazz-festival-2011-february-18th-21st)of the activities the festival website as well as a full schedule (http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/schedule).


Here are some acts of special interest to me.


Friday night, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Ronnie Wells Main Stage will be the explosive Nasar Abadey & Supernova, celebrating their brand new release Diamond in the Rough. This group with Joe Ford, James King and Allyn Johnson was also one of the group’s that participated in 2010 in “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad,” a program that Jazz at Lincoln Center administers for the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.


At 10PM that night, the great Jimmy Heath will be performing. One of the giants of modern jazz as a saxophonist, composer, big band leader, he has truly walked with giants which alludes to his recently published autobiography and he is an NEA Jazz Master. Earlier in the day Jimmy will be doing a JazzTimes magazine Before & After blindfold test with Larry Applebaum. Heath will be signing his autobiography, I Walked With Giants, on Saturday.


Saturday has many events.


Williard Jenkins will be signing African Rhythms, the autobiography of Randy Weston (Composed by Randy Weston, Arranged by Willard Jenkins).

Janine Gilbert-Carter at 2008 DC Blues Festival

At 1:30 the Festival presents an acclaimed program of the essence of jazz song: “Sistas Can Sang,” a tribute to female legends of jazz & blues featuring the voices of Lavenia Nesmith, Janine Gilbert-Carter, Bonnie Harris, Kristine Key, and Dottye Williams. I look forward to this. Of these ladies, I have only had the pleasure of seeing Janine Carter-Gilbert perform.


At 7:00PM, The Bobby Broom Trio will be performing on the Main Stage. I recently reviewed his CD of Sonny Rollins recordings and greatly anticipate this performance.


At 10:00PM the great Freddie Cole performs. Freddie is also participating in a JazzTimes magazine Before & After blindfold test during the Festival.


Sunday afternoon will include a gospel brunch and a performance by saxophonist Kirk Whalum who has a recent recording that is a tribute to the music of Donny Hathaway.


Sunday night the Jazz Academy Orchestra featuring special guest, trumpeter Randy Brecker, will perform at 7:00 PM.


Sharon Clark, one of the Washington area’s finest vocalists will be on the main stage at 8:30PM

Sharon Clark at 2007 Duke Ellington Jazz Festival

Paul Carr will lead his quintet featuring Bobby Broom, Allyn Johnson, Michael Bowie, and Harold Summey at 10PM.


Local High School Big Bands will be performing in the Hotel Atrium throughout the Festival and also a smaller venue, MAJF Club that will feature a number of performers.


As can be seen, this will be a pretty full weekend of music. The website for the festival with all the details is http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/.


I am looking forward to it and hope to post on the shows (hopefully with some photos).


I took the photos on this page.

Bobby Broom's Guitar Meets The Music Of Thelonious Monk

Having spent the past few years in Sonny Rollins Band, guitarist Bobby Broom certainly had a certainly pronounced visibility. It was his second stint with the jazz titan, and certainly establishes his credentials as a musician. He has a recent (2009) trio album as a leader “Bobby Broom Plays For Monk” (Origin Records) where he is joined by Rollins drummer, Kobie Watkins and bassist Dennis Carroll. As the title in dictates, this album is devoted to the music of Thelonious Monk with renditions of eight Monk compositions and two numbers that Broom associates with Monk. This Monk tribute album even has the cover art as a take-off on the cover of the classic album, “Monk’s Mood.”

This is an album that it pays to listen to attentively and appreciate how beautifully recorded it is and some of the subtleties in the performance and the interaction between the three. Broom plays pretty straight here without any feedback or other guitar effects. Broom’s approach to Monk’s music is with an ear to the melodies and the performances likely will not appeal for those looking for high energy guitar. This approach works best with certain of Monk’s melodies like “Ruby, My Dear,” where his deliberate use of chords and single notes runs heightens the beauty of Monk’s music. Broom will quote other songs in his solos like “Chicago, Chicago” during “In Walked Bud.” He softly comps behind bassist Carroll on the latter solos while Watkins keeps the steady pulse. “Lulu’s Back In Town” is as good an example of his tone and their is some trading of fours with Watkins. Most of the compositions, such as “Bemsha Swing,” and “Evidence," should be familiar to many and the least familiar composition by Monk on this is “Work,” with some intricate playing. “Work” is followed by a lively rendition of “Rhythm-a-ning.” The album concludes with Bobby solo on "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes."

This is a splendid, thoughtful treatment of Monk’s music by guitarist Broom and his trio Bobby Broom is performing as part of the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival just outside of Washington, DC during President’s Day weekend and I look forward to catching his performance at that event.

Bobby Broom has discussed Monk's music on a short video which the Jazz Video Guy has uploaded on youtube.

I purchased this CD.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Revives DC Area Tradition

A heads up for those in the Mid-Atlantic Region

For years Jazz was prominent in the Washington DC area during the middle of February. The East Coast Jazz Festival became an important event in the DC area musical calendar. With the passing of Ronnie Wells, The East Coast Jazz Festival’s founder, the festival which benefited jazz education, unfortunately ended. Now friends of the late jazz diva are reigniting the tradition with the First Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. The festival will take place the weekend of February 19-21, 2010, at the Hilton Executive Meeting Center in Rockville, MD (formerly the Doubletree Hotel), for three days of good vibes, great socializing, and opportunities to hear the music.

The Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival will be the flavor and style of that ECJF, and in honor of ECJF founder Ronnie Wells. It will share the strong commitment to jazz education and the exceptional artistry of DC metro region musicians and build upon the legacy of ECJF in presenting jazz to the region by perpetuating, nurturing and sustaining the jazz art form, engaging and teaching young musicians, and presenting top flight musicians.

There will be 8 programs over the course of the weekend and performers including the Jazz Academy Orchestra, The Paul Carr Quintet (with Terell Stafford, Mulgrew Miller, Michael Bowie, and Lewis Nash); a tribute to Ronnie Wells with Janine Carter, Bonnie Harris, Felicia Carter, and Delores King-Williams; The Andersen Twins; a saxophone summit with Bobby Watson, Bruce Williams, and Fred Foss; jazz video screenings by Bret Primack; and more. The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Feestival is presented by the Jazz Academy of Music. For more information check out the Festival web-site, http://www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org/.