Lionel Hampton News

Throughout its extensive history, the Highlights In Jazz series has made a practice of presenting a spectrum of the most beloved and admired jazz players on the scene. The upcoming 2020 season is no exception, with the exciting four-concert series bringing together stellar musicians including Jimmy Cobb, Jay Leonhart, Bernard Purdie, Art Baron, Russell Malone and others. Count on hearing unforgettable performances from Wycliffe Gordon, Peter and Will Anderson, Victor Lewis, Eddie Daniels, joined by an array of greats.

Craft Recordings is proud to announce the launch of its very first podcast, Prestige 70—a limited series that salutes the legacy and spirit of the venerable jazz label Prestige Records. Produced as part of the label's 70th-anniversary celebrations, Prestige 70 features intimate conversations between acclaimed musicians, composers and producers, and host Scott Goldman—who, as the longtime moderator of the GRAMMY® Museum Public Programs Series, has interviewed hundreds of iconic figures in music. Through the lens of contemporary artists, Prestige 70 not only looks back at the musicians and recordings that made the label so important but also looks to the future, as a new generation continues the tradition of redefining and pushing the boundaries of jazz.

Jazz all-stars salute one of their own a?" the late piano legend and influential music educator Harold Mabern a?" in Giants of Jazz 22 Honoring Harold Mabern, a concert celebration of his life and craft on Saturday, November 16 at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, October 19, Flushing Town Hall and Jazzmobile, Inc. will presentTaylor Made to celebrate the renowned Dr. Billy Taylor and Jazzmobile@55, bringing established NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Owens, Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, other jazz greats and rising stars to the stage together for a hard-swinging concert.

Bay Area Cabaret opens its 16th season on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 7:30 pm with Broadway legend Maurice Hines performing Tappin' Thru Life. Backed by the acclaimed, all-female The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and his tap protégés, The Manzari Brothers, Maurice will tap through his incredible career in a jazzy song-and-dance celebration that pays tribute to his late brother Gregorya?"with whom he appeared on the stage of The Venetian Rooma?"and other artistic influences, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne offering his distinctive take on American standards, like Luck Be a Lady, I've Got You Under My Skin, It Don't Mean a Thing (if It Ain't Got That Swing), and much more. 

Lou Volpe's show is full of good rhythm feel with guitar virtuosity and a unique sound is the backdrop for spirited and soulful versions of songs from the Sinatra era to Clapton & Santana, to Sting & Michael Jackson, with a salute to jazz greats and pop stars (many of whom Lou has played with) along the way. Some exciting originals are also part of Lou's personable & inspiring show, including a sampling of his new music from his soon to be released CD, BEFORE AND AFTER (Jazz Guitar Records), BEFORE AND AFTER will release October/November.

City Parks Foundation's SummerStage is proud to announce the 27th Anniversary celebration of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. In the world of modern music, few figures loom as large or cast as long a shadow as saxophonist Charlie 'Bird' Parker, celebrated as a bebop pioneer and for bringing jazz into the modern era.

On Saturday, July 6, Westchester Collaborative Theater (WCT) continues its Jazz Masters music series with the Marshall McDonald Jazz Project featuring McDonald, a 30-year veteran of the New York jazz scene, and his band. Joining McDonald will be James Weidman on piano, Nori Naraoka on bass, and George Coleman Jr. on drums. The band will perform two sets at 7:30 and 9 pm at WCT, 23 Water Street in Ossining.

New York City has it's wealth of musicians with hectic schedules and commitments, but sometimes the stars align just right and a trio like Sharon K. Janda's trio is formed. Led by Glafkos Kontemeniotis on piano, the trio is rounded out by bassist, Tony Lannen and drummer, Simon Fishburn. This trio was featured in Sharon K. Janda's previous cabaret at Don't Tell Mama as well as performances in Detroit, MI.

New York City has it's wealth of musicians with hectic schedules and commitments, but sometimes the stars align just right and a trio like Sharon K. Janda's trio is formed. Led by Glafkos Kontemeniotis on piano, the trio is rounded out by bassist, Tony Lannen and drummer, Simon Fishburn. This trio was featured in Sharon K. Janda's previous cabaret at Don't Tell Mama as well as performances in Detroit, MI.

Monkey Mind is a family rock musical about a bright, precocious teen driven to thoughts of suicide because of an over active mind. This lesson of life becomes an uplifting and fun experience. Monkey Mind opens June 8th for the Hollywood Fringe Festival at The McCadden Place Theatre at 1157 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood. WriterTerri Weiss sat down recently to discuss the show. 

This afternoon, Santino Fontana, the star of Broadway's hit musical Tootsie, celebrated an important career milestone with the unveiling of his portrait at the famed Sardi's restaurant.

The renowned Greek-Austrian flutist Ria Georgiadou and the Danish pianist Sven Birch will present a unique concert with less-known but very enticing chamber works for flute and piano. They will perform, for the first time in Cyprus, works by F.X. Mozart, Jungwirth, Blahetka and Brahms, as well as two works by Koechlin and Dubois for flute, alto sax and piano, with Yiannis Miralis on the alto saxophone.

Neville Dickie, one of the greatest boogie-woogie and stride pianists to ever come out of Britain, and New Jersey's own Midiri Brothers return to the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum for their annual concert on Thursday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Neville Dickie, one of the greatest boogie-woogie and stride pianists to ever come out of Britain, and New Jersey's own Midiri Brothers return to the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum for their annual concert on Thursday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.

The annual Highlights In Jazz series, a fan fave for almost a half century, can be counted on to deliver concerts that surprise and delight savvy jazz fans. The third event of the 2019 lineup showcases one of the series' most beloved traditions: paying homage to a living jazz great. The Highlights In Jazz presentation Salute to Randy Brecker celebrates the music and contributions of this beloved trumpeter and contemporary jazz icon. “Let's honor them while they can smell the roses,” declares producer Jack Kleinsinger.

Joan Jaffe revisits the classic ladies of jazz in her show, Little Girl Blue, an intimate show of new and classic songs, with a guest appearance by Charles Baran, and actor/comedian, Kuni Mikamion piano. Little Girl Blue, plays at Don't Tell Mama on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 7 pm. Jaffe explores the classic songs and standards of the great female artists June Christy, Carmen McRae, Cleo Laine and Rosemary Clooney, and the music of composers ranging from Rogers and Hart to Leonard Bernstein.

The living legends of jazz, veteran musicians who have achieved greatness in performing jazz are now being honored at The Nash with the creation of The Jazz Beacon Award. Conceived by Lewis Nash as a way to recognize the important role and contributions these musicians have given to the world of jazz, The Nash inducted its first honoree, bassist Ron Carter, during his March 23rd appearance at the downtown Phoenix jazz club.

Witness the unforgettable jazz musician Byron Stripling's electrifying performance in 'Sounds of New Orleans: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong' with the National Philharmonic, led by Maestro Piotr Gajewski, on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore's Concert Hall. Stripling got his start as the lead trumpeter in the Count Basie Orchestra and will perform Armstrong's greatest hits, including his signature version of When the Saints Go Marchin' In. Stripling will perform other Armstrong hits, including Saint Louis Blues, Statchmo Scattin' & Swingin', and What a Wonderful World. Stripling has performed as lead trumpeter and soloist with symphonies around the country, as well as at Carnegie Hall. Ticket prices are $10-$72. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.