Music & Events

Give a thought to these names:  Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Brian Blade, David Sanborn, Maceo Parker, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Diana Krall, Al Jarreau, Dr. John.   These artists and many others will be appearing in Cleveland, just a 2 hour ride down I-90.   Thursday, June 23 through Saturday, June 15.  8 concerts in all, over the three days.  All venues are in Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.   A pass covering all eight concerts is $250.  Tickets for individual concerts won't go on sale until Fri., April; 8, and prices have not yet been posted.

SCHEDULE:

Thurs., June 23

7:30 p.m. at Connor Palace Theater.  Tommy LiPuma's Big Birthday Bash

     Participating Artists: , the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, with Diana Krall, Al Jarreau, Dr. John and Leon Russell.

What an assembly of musicians!   Bassist/arranger/educatoor John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton form the rhythmic backbone of this band, one of the great mainstream ensembles playing today.  The vocalists: Diana Krall, a fine jazz pianist, and an exquisite vocalist and stage presence (sample below), is one of the few jazz-pop crossover artists performing today who sticks with her jazz roots.  Winner of five Grammys and 8 Junos.

 

 

Al Jurreau,an unarguable standout jazz/soul vocalist in any crowd.  21 Grammys. World recognition.

Dr. John (John

Rebbenack), former session musician, winner of six Grammys, songwriter, pianist, guitarist singer.

Singer, songwriter, sideman, session musician Leon Russell,was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.  He has participated in many projects, bands, recordings and shows since beginning his career at age 14.

LiPuma, the celebrant of this occasion, is a music producer, representing the participants and many others, including Miles Davis and Paul McCartney.

Fri., June 24, 

6:00 p.m. at the Ohio Theater:  Chick Corea, with Christian McBride and Brian Blade

Corea has been a source of inspiration since his emergence as Herbie Hancock's replacement in the Miles David Quintet, his flowering in the Return To Forever band that launched a whole new style of jazz music, and in recent years, his composition of many fine duos, trios and small groups with originality, style and proficiency.

McBride is simply the bassist who can do anything.  He plays stuff with a smile that other bassists don't even dare dream about.  Brian Blade is part of the heartbeat of the Wayne Shorter Quartet, a band leader in his own right, a creative musician.

Here are Chick Corea and Christian McBride, this time with Kenny Garrett & Roy Haynes in 2010.

  8:00 p.m. at Conner Palace Theater:  Saxophonists David Sanborn and  Maceo Parker

Six-time Grammy winner Sanborn has serious contemporary jazz chops to go with his ability to connect with audiences.  Soul and funk legend Maceo Parker has played the gamut from James Brown to Prince.

   10:15 p.m. at OutcultTheater:  Big Sam's Funky Nation.

Enthusiastic New Orleans based ensemble.

Saturday, June 25  

1:00 p.m., Hanna Theater:  Saxophonist Melissa Aldana and singer Rosa Passos.

Aldona was the first female instrumentalist to win the coveted Thelonious Monk competition in

 

4:45 p.m., Hanna Theater:  Dominick Farinacci

From the Tri-C Jazz Program, via Wynton Marsalis, to international fame, with frequent tours in Japan and other points Far East.

7:15 p.m., Connor Place Theater:  Contemporary Jazz, with Lala Hathaway, vocals and Brian Culbertson, keyboards.

Featuring Rick Braun -- trumpet, Kirk Whalum -- saxophone, and Norman Brown -- gujitar; BWB.  R&B and Soul Jazz.