Les Davis News

Just announced at The Iridium: Prince's protege LIV WARFIELD on October 15 & 16!

The Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis is cancelling three free outdoor concerts this weekend due to the forecast of heavy rain and winds. Performances by the Byron Colborn Quintet on Friday, October 14; Peter Petty and The Double P Revue on Saturday, October 15; and The Hoots on Sunday, October 16 have all been canceled. 

WQXR's online new-music station Q2 Music will broadcast the 2016 NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute concert, "Scores: New Orchestral Works," on Tuesday, October 18, at 9 pm. The program-a live NJSO performance under the baton of David Robertson, recorded on July 16 at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton-features new works by the four composers of the 2016 NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute, as well as a work from Institute Director Steven Mackey.The broadcast, which will include interviews with the Institute composers, will become available for on-demand listening in the archives at www.q2music.org.

Blue Note Hawaii, the state's premier venue for the world's most celebrated artists, presents Chris Botti in a six-night engagement January 17 - 22, 2017. Tickets for the shows go on sale on October 12 at 10:00 a.m.

THE AYE, a stage show adapted from Ana Isabel Ordonez's internationally acclaim ed book, THE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE STORY OF AYE AYE AND FEDOR, will be performed to celebrate the 85th birthday of Nobel Peace Laureate Monsigneur Archbishop Desmond Tutu as a part of the Sixth Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Conference in Cape Town on 7 October.

The Kennedy Center announced today the roster of artists who will be participating in Jimmy Heath at 90, a concert honoring the 90th birthday of the legendary saxophonist, composer, educator, and bandleader. The celebration will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. in the Concert Hall.

As the leader of the free world ends his eight years in office, a black middle class family risk losing their beloved hotel and cherry orchard, where Martin Luther King once rested and Miles Davis played.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its October 2016 schedule, featuring Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Ron Carter Big Band, Eliane Elias, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Natalie Douglas, Bryce Pinkham, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts have announced THE SIXTIES SHOW on Saturday, October 29 at 8 pm.

On Sunday, October 23 at 4pm at the Princeton Club of New York (15 West 43rd Street), The Town Hall will hold its Annual Gala where they will honor Grammy & Peabody Award-winner Garrison Keillor's acclaimed program A Prairie Home Companion with The Town Hall Friend of the Arts Award (over 150 shows were broadcast live from The Town Hall stage).

Jazz Stories combines the swinging exciting music with legend Bernard Purdie and company plus some great stories retold by David Haney.  Haney talked to each of these artists and had them to recount the following stories for Cadence Magazine: Sonny Rollins, The Bridge Story; John McLaughlin's story about recording with Miles Davis; Annie Ross Meets Sarah Vaughan, Gunter Hampel remembers Thelonious Monk; Steve Swallow recalls his trip to Jamaica with Herbie Nichols; Dominic Duval on Charles Mingus; and of course Bernard Purdie breaks down the Purdie Shuffle.

Bands and trends might come and go, but some of it is meant to stay. Far beyond a mere jolt to the music world or a fad phenomenon, Magma imposed themselves as early as the 1970's thanks to their unconventional and cliche-free approach to music. An unparalleled music, which is as violent as it is clever. Founded by drummer and singer Christian Vander, the band quickly set itself apart from its contemporaries through heavy and ruthless polyrhythmic beats. With a wide range of contemporary musical greats at his side, Vander remains a fine mentor from the likes of Miles Davis.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its nightly performances for September 28 - October 9, 2016. Scroll down or visit www.joespub.com for a complete list of shows!

Just announced at The Iridium: Prince's protege LIV WARFIELD on October 15 & 16!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for September 26-October 2, featuring Ron Carter Big Band, Miss Coco Peru, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its October 2016 schedule, featuring Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Ron Carter Big Band, Eliane Elias, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Natalie Douglas, Bryce Pinkham, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!

Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, Kerry Michael today announces the cast for the world premiere of Bonnie Greer's new play The Hotel Cerise, directed by Femi Elufowoju, jr. Inspired by Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard the production is a key part of the theatre's focus on commissioning new work and adaptations. Ellen Thomas leads the company, with El Anthony, Madeline Appiah, Michael Bertenshaw, Nicholas Beveney, Andrew Dennis, Abhin Galeya, Lacharne Jolly, Corey Montague-Sholay, Claire Prempeh, Alexis Rodney and Angela Wynter. The production opens on 25 October with previews from 20 October and runs until 12 November.  

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for September 19-25, including Coltrane Revisited With Steve Kuhn, Steve Smith, Eric Alexander, Jaleel Shaw and Lonnie Plaxico, Amanda Green With Constantine Maroulis, Will Chase, Alice Ripley, Jarrod Spector, Alysha Umphress, Miss Coco Peru, and more!

When you have a chance to see a seasoned actor like Craig Wallace, gifted with quiet charisma, performing a one-man show and embodying three inimitably American characters, all I can say is - stop reading this drivel, just go see the man. Director Eleanor Holdrige has collaborated with Wallace to create a timely meditation on fame, race, music, and the tragedy of a generous soul trying to survive in a cynical, brutal world.  Mosaic Theater has launched its second season with a quietly powerful show that should leave audiences with a renewed appreciation for an American legend whose depth of character is rarely acknowledged.

The Drama Book Shop will welcome playwright and critic Terry Teachout (Wall Street Journal) and actor John Douglas Thompson for a discussion and signing of SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF on Wednesday, October 12th at 5:00pm. The discussion is free to the public and copies of the play will be available for purchase.