Tag: Modern Masters Jazz Series

Crosstown Arts presents the Modern Masters Jazz Series: Khari Allen Lee with the Ted Ludwig Trio in The Green Room.

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Doors: 6:00 pm | Show begins at: 6:30 pm
Tickets: $20 in advance | $25 at the door | $10 student tickets at the door

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Khari Allen Lee has arisen as one of the most in-demand saxophonists, educators, composers, and multi-instrumentalists of his generation. He has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Alvin Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, Edward ‘Kidd’ Jordan, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, DeeDee Bridgewater, Stevie Wonder, Raphael Saadiq, the Treme Brass Band, Herlin Riley, Nicholas Payton, the Astral Project, Shannon Powell, Wes ‘Warmdaddy’ Anderson, Jason Marsalis, Bill Summers, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Ravi Coltrane, Kenny Barron & more. In addition to his own the group, the New Creative Collective, he is lead saxophonist & touring member of Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Sextets & Quintets, former lead saxophonist of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra directed by Adonis Rose, and was a faculty member at the University of New Orleans & Loyola University, following his extended tenure at the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). He was recently chosen to become the Auburn University Daniel F. Breeden Eminent Scholar in Residence for the Arts & Humanities.

As leader, Khari Allen Lee & the New Creative Collective has released three albums, Conscious Evolution (2012), Our Great Awakening (2014) & A New Earth (2016), all to enthusiastic praise. In 2015, he was chosen as newest artist endorser of the family of Jody Jazz Mouthpieces, & in 2017 was chosen as newest artist ambassador for the family of Rovner Ligatures.

He is featured on recordings with Grammy & Tony-winner DeeDee Bridgewater & The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (DeeDee’s Feathers, 2015), New Orleans legend Dr. John (Ske-Dat-De-Dat, The Spirit of Satch, 2014), The Treme Brass Band (New Orleans Music, 2008), & recently released albums by octogenarian blues man, Bobby Rush (Porcupine Meat [2017 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album]), multi Grammy-winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard (The Comedian [Original Motion Picture Sountrack], 2017), & NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (Jazz Party, 2019). He was also featured in the Oscar-winning film Green Book (2018).

As an educator, Lee has served as Director of Music at the International School Moshi, Tanzania, East Afrika at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and as a clinician nationally and internationally. In addition to his current faculty appointment at Auburn University as Daniel F. Breeden Eminent Scholar in Residence for the Arts & Humanities, he has served as faculty at Loyola University, the University of New Orleans & Tulane University, as well as a decade’s long appointment at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA).

He earned his Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Auburn University, attended the Berklee College of Music as a scholarship recipient, graduating with an Artist Diploma in Professional Music, & earned his Masters of Music from the University of New Orleans as a member of the Louis Armstrong Quintet.

Crosstown Arts presents the Modern Masters Jazz Series: Pat Bianchi with the Ted Ludwig Trio in The Green Room.

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Doors open at 7 pm | Show begins at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20 in advance | $25 at the door | $10 student tickets at the door

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Grammy-nominated organist, winner of DownBeat magazine’s 2016 rising star poll and Hot Housemagazine’s 2019 poll, Pat Bianchi has established himself as one of the premier organists on the international scene today. His command of the instrument, harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity and versatility are rivaled by few. Bianchi has had the honor of being a longtime member of jazz guitar icon Pat Martino’s trio and also performed with NEA Jazz Master and saxophone legend Lou Donaldson’s quartet for a number of years as well.

He has released eight CDs as a leader and is also a featured artist on over 30 recordings. Building on the success of his 2015 recording A Higher Standard, his 2019 release In The Moment rose to #1 on the Jazzweek Radio Charts and features an array of guests including Pat Martino, Kevin Mahogany, Joe Locke, Peter Bernstein, Paul Bollenback, Byron Landham, Carmen Intorre Jr. Bianchi briefly steps away from his straight-ahead roots on his newest release (2021) Something To Say.

Bianchi, who comes from a musically gifted family, began playing organ at the age of 7, after receiving a Farfisa Compact Duo organ as a Christmas gift. His grandfathers (Pat Bianchi – Saxophone, and Richard Zona – Trumpet) along with his father (Nick Bianchi – Drums) all working musicians, provided a great deal of support and guidance early in his musical development. Recognizing Pat’s continuing affinity for music, his parents enrolled him in classical piano study. While still maintaining a strong interest in organ, he was playing his first professional gigs by the age of 11, eventually performing with dance bands around his hometown of Rochester, NY. Bianchi’s interest shifted in his high school years as he began to also focus more on jazz piano. Enrolling in The Eastman School of Music’s preparatory program for piano and music theory, Pat was also mentored by numerous musicians in the Rochester jazz scene, eventually choosing to continue his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Bianchi never lost sight of his love of Jazz Organ and since a B3 was still out of his reach, he began spending more time on a smaller version of the famed instrument called a Hammond M100. With his passion and dedication, (also not being able to play left hand bass on a Spinet organ) Bianchi taught himself to play bass lines solely with his foot pedals. It was shortly after this time that Bianchi had a chance encounter with his hero (and soon to be mentor) Joey DeFrancesco. This was the moment Pat knew that in time he would leave the piano behind for the Hammond B3. After graduating Berklee cum laude, Bianchi secured the position as the house pianist at the famous El Chapultepec club in Denver, CO. The Pec (as it is known to locals) often brought in guest artists giving Pat the opportunity to play with such greats as Red Holloway, Dakota Staton, Carl Fontana, Javon Jackson, Mark Elf, Bud Shank, Brad Leali, Pete Christlieb, and Conte Candoli. After being at the Pec for six nights a week for almost three years, Pat became an important fixture on the Denver jazz scene.

At this time, Bianchi decided to focus exclusively on the organ making his national debut as an organist, appearing on two recordings as a member the Denver based organ trio, 3osity. The national release of Art of The Jazz Organ Trio and the subsequent recording Tri-O-City brought Bianchi wider recognition and onto a larger stage as a rising star of the organ.

Moving to NYC, Bianchi quickly established himself in the competitive New York scene. At this time, legendary saxophonist Lou Donaldson immediately took notice of the young organist. Bianchi then joined the faculty of the University of Colorado at Boulder Jazz Studies Program teaching piano, theory, and ensembles to undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. During this time he recorded his first album as a leader, East Coast Roots, which features Mark Whitfield on guitar and Byron Landham on drums. At the same time, Bianchi began working closely with drummer Ralph Peterson Jr. on collaborative projects, including and co-leading The Unity Project (a tribute to organist Larry Young and his album Unity).

Upon returning to New York City in June of 2008, Pat officially joined The Lou Donaldson’s quartet in 2009. Continuing to play with Lou, Bianchi also joined Pat Martino’s working trio in 2011 while taking on the responsibilities as musical director. Bianchi is featured on numerous recordings such as Tim Warfield’s Sentimental Journey, a follow up to Warfield’s recording One For Shirley (on which he also appears) as well as guitarist Chuck Loeb’s release, Plain and Simple. At this time Bianchi also continued to perform with drummer Ralph Peterson Jr., forging ahead with The Unity Project. Bianchi was featured, recording much of this material on Peterson’s CD Outer Reaches. Soon after Bianchi released his second recording as a leader, Back Home. This recording features Terell Stafford, Ralph Peterson Jr., Wayne Escoffery, Carmen Intorre Jr. and Gilad Hekselman.

Bianchi not only continues to collaborate, tour and record with many well known musicians, he is also very active in the educational front. Pat has been on faculty at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) and Queens College (NYC), and is currently on faculty at Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA).

Crosstown Arts presents Modern Masters: Paul Carr with the Ted Ludwig Trio in The Green Room.

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Doors at 7 pm | Show at 7:30 pm
$25 | $20 in advance ($10 student tickets at the door)

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Paul Carr, a Houston native and 1985 Howard University graduate, has dedicated his professional career to performing and promoting jazz through education and community outreach. He carries on the Texas tenor tradition espoused by great heroes such as the late Houstonians Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson who served as his early idols and mentors. He grew up in inner-city Houston, Texas and was a member of the Kashmere High School Stage Band, whose director, the late Conrad Johnson, is the subject of a documentary, Thunder Soul, produced by actor Jamie Foxx. Though never having had private music lessons, Paul has received several outstanding musician awards at high school and college jazz festivals.

Paul has recorded 8 CD’s, which have been well received by critics and jazz fans alike. His new CD “The Real Jazz Whisperer” features Allyn Johnson, Michael Bowie, Lewis Nash and will be released September, 2020. His CD “DC-NYC Organ Sessions” reached #9 on the Jazz Week radio play charts. His CD released in 2013, “Standard Domain,” reached #3 on the Jazz Week radio play chart and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks. Paul has toured Russia, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Central and South America and has shared the stage with many of the greatest names in jazz. Paul was a favorite of President Clinton during his term in office and Paul performed at many of the Clinton’s private events. He also did a special performance for the late King Hussein and Queen Noir of Jordan at their residence in Aqaba, Jordan.

Paul is passionately committed to the education of children and young adults, particularly as it relates to the preservation of jazz. In 2002, he founded the Jazz Academy of Music, which hosts summer camps and jazz ensembles for kids throughout the year. Paul also serves the Director of the Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble. Paul has changed the lives of hundreds of his students by selflessly sharing his knowledge of music and life. Several of his students have been admitted and even received full scholarships to some of the top music schools and conservatories in the country. In fact, five of Paul students have been admitted to the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York. Many of his former students are touring and performing all over the world, sharing the stage with some of the top names in jazz music today. Paul’s work was acknowledged in 2012 by ABC Channel 7 News when he was selected as a “Harris Hero” for his amazing work with music students across the area. In March 2014, Paul received the prestigious, Howard University, “Benny Golson Jazz Master Award”, for his outstanding work as a performer, presenter and educator. He also served as a panelist at the 2014 Congressional Black Caucus where he spoke on the importance of jazz education and advocated for a Bill that was circulating in Congress that to offer federal support toward the advancement and preservation of traditional Jazz. In March, 2015 Paul received the County Executive’s “Education Award” for Montgomery County Maryland. Finally, in 2019, Paul was selected as a “Jazz Hero” by the Jazz Journalist Association.

In 2010, Paul re-established the East Coast Jazz Festival as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and serves as its Executive and Artistic Director. The festival enjoys over 3,000 attendees that travel from states across the U.S. and beyond. Held every Presidents Day weekend in Rockville, MD, the festival incorporates a strong educational component, with a high school band competition and free master classes for students as well as an entertainment component with performances by NEA Jazz Masters, such as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Ellis Marsalis, Roy Haynes and Branford Marsalis, just to name of few.

In 2015, Paul presented his teaching technique for improvisation, “The Theoryless Approach to Jazz Improvisation”, at the JEN Conference in San Diego, to a standing room only audience. The presentation was well received by the audience with many questions and request for a copy of the presentation. Paul also present the techniques at the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival to the high school band directors in attendance.

When you think of an ambassador for jazz music today, you have got to include Paul Carr in that grouping, as his work touches all fronts including jazz education, performance and presentation.

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Doors at 7 pm | Show at 7:30 pm
$25 | $20 in advance ($10 student tickets at the door)

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

An exceptional guitarist with a beautiful sound and great fluidity, a unique composer that blends Brazilian music, classical music, and jazz, Chico’s been nominated twice for the American Grammy Awards (in 2019 & 2020).

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, he started playing the guitar when he was 6 years old. At 14, he started working as a studio session guitarist and soon began to be called to collaborate with a wide range of artists in his hometown, then in Brazil, then abroad. In 2002 Chico put together a band of his own and started recording as a leader. His first album, ‘Meia Noite Meio Dia’ (Sony Music/ 2003), was released in 2003 with great reviews at all the most important newspapers and music magazines in Brazil and abroad and was included in the ‘Top 10 Brazilian albums of the year’ in the major newspapers of Brazil: ‘O Estado de São Paulo,’ ‘A Folha de São Paulo’ and ‘O Globo.’ This well-received debut included special guest vocalists Lenine, Ed Motta, Chico César, and Maria Rita.

His second release, ‘Chico Pinheiro’ (Biscoito Fino/ 2005), enjoyed great critical and audience acclaim, once more being included in the ‘Top 10 Brazilian albums of the year’ by newspapers’ O Estado,’ ‘O Globo’ and ‘Folha de São Paulo.’ The third album, NOVA, was released in Dec/ 2007 in collaboration with the American guitarist and composer Anthony Wilson. It was, again, celebrated by critics and the audience.

His fourth album, There’s a Storm Inside (CT Music Japan/ Sunnyside Records, NY, 2010), was released in 35 countries. It included guests such as Dianne Reeves and Bob Mintzer. It was featured on the downbeat, Revista Veja, O Estado de São Paulo, Folha de São Paulo, Jornal O GLOBO, and Revista Rolling Stone among the ‘best albums of the year.’ This record also won prizes as Best Brazilian Jazz Álbum of the year and Best Latin Jazz Composition of 2010 with ‘Mamulengo’ in the Latin Jazz Corner Association, USA. Chico also won as Best Latin Jazz Guitarist in the same association.

In 2012 he released the CD’ TRIZ’ in partnership with the pianist and composer André Mehmari and singer and composer Sergio Santos. Meanwhile, in the Downbeat Magazine Annual Critics Poll, Chico has been listed (three times) as “Rising Star – Guitar.” In 2017 Chico released “Varanda,” a unique collaboration project which all major papers and magazines in Brazil and abroad included as ‘best of the year’ again. His composition “Varanda” is performed by Vince Mendoza and the WDR Big Band on the Project “Focus on Brazil”, along with Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Gilberto Gil, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Villa Lobos.

Today Chico is considered a leading figure in – and outside the Brazilian music scene, who has distinguished himself as a guitarist, composer, and arranger. Alongside with his main projects as leader, he also has collaborated with artists such as Placido Domingo, Brad Mehldau, Dave Grusin, Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling, Danilo Pérez, Nnenna Freelon, Bob Mintzer, Herbie Hancock, Brian Blade (IJD), Ron Carter, Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, The Israel Chamber Orchestra, The Bob Mintzer Big Band, The Paris Jazz Big Band, The Swiss Jazz Orchestra, The Danish Radio Big Band, The Seasons Guitar Quartet with Anthony Wilson, Julian Lage & Steve Cardenas, Esperanza Spalding, Joyce, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, Dori Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi, João Donato, Johnny Alf, Chico César, Ed Motta, César Camargo Mariano, Elza Soares, Luciana Souza, Monarco, Mark Turner, Tom Scott, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, Eddie Gomez, Gary Novak, Lee Ritenour, Abraham Laboriel, Paulinho da Costa, Sammy Figueroa, Cachaíto Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club), Roberto Fonseca, Ari Hoenig, Claudio Roditi, Duduka da Fonseca, Peter Erskine, Giovani Hidalgo, amongst others.