A to Z: Jazz

Today's letter is J so I thought I would dedicate it to jazz and take a look back at some of the jazz concerts I have reviewed. Of course not only will I share my reviews but I will try to find some neat videos to share as well.

My first jazz concert review..


Isaac Bryd Jr and the Judah Tribe (picture above-video below)

Coincidentally my first jazz review was published three years ago. The Alhambra Dinner Theater in Jacksonville, Florida had a jazz night that I went to while I was on vacation. The show highlighted some of North Florida's best jazz bands including The Derryk Lawrence Project, The Fusion Band, and Isaac Byrd Jr. and the Judah Tribe.  Local comedian Nick Harvey was the MC. You can read my review here.

Here is Allana Southerland-Prince of The Fussion Band...

Probably one of the best shows I have covered was the Monterey Jazz Festival 55th Anniversary concert at the The Kennedy Center. Dee Dee Bridgewater and Christian McBride were incredibele. Throw in the rest and wow! You can read my review here. Below is a taste...

There was John Tesh and his Big Band last summer. You can read my review here. Tesh is a talented musician. Here he is in action with the band...

Diana Krall and her special guest Denzal Sinclaire  was an exceptional night of jazz at Wolf Trap. You can read my review here.

I was really impressed by Sinclaire's voice take a listen...

Diana Krall..

I have covered some artists that blur the lines of jazz as well Norah Jones, Al Di Meola, and the California Guitar Trio to name a few. Bluring the lines of musical categories doesn't bother me, if the musci sounds great it is all good. I even covered a play called Side Man which was about a jazz musician. You can read my review of the award winning production here.

Hope you enjoyed and I will be back tomorrow for the letter K.

The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration concert

I knew I hadn't been to a concert in January I didn't realize I hadn't been to one in nearly two months. Well I picked a great one to go to on Friday at the Kennedy Center! It was called the The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55^th Anniversary Celebration concert. Featuring the vocals of the incredible Dee Dee Bridgewater and bassist extradonaire Christian McBride. Both of those talented musicians have won three Grammy Awards.

Here is Dee Dee in action singing "Bye Bye Blackbird"

Here is Christian McBride..

If that wasn't enough they had Benny Green on piano...

Drummer Lewis Nash who was outstanding specially with the brushes...

Then they added saxophonist Chris Potter, who has been Grammy nominated...here he is performing "Work"

It was rounded out with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire...

When you put all these musicians together and they went on stage and had fun together the results were incredible. You can read my review here. 

Stayed tune I will be back soon with more. I haave at least a play and a concert confirmed this month. I am waiting for a few more that are up in the air.