Programs & Exhibits > Baby Grand Jazz

 

Thank you to our 2025 presenting sponsor, The Kaman Foundation, for its continuing support. Special thanks to our longtime partners, The Hartford Jazz Society and WWUH 91.3 FM.

 

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January 5

Chloe Madrak

Chloe Madrak is a 17-year-old tenor saxophonist from West Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to being a member of Hall High School’s Concert Jazz Band, she is also a member of Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra in New York City. She has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. She has received awards throughout her high school career, including Outstanding Clarinet Soloist & Woodwind Doubler awards from the Essentially Ellington Festival, Outstanding Soloist Award from the Charles Mingus Competition, and was named a YoungArts Winner in 2024.

 

Chloe Madrak - tenor saxaphone

Carter Bryan - Piano

Jeremy Baun - Drums 

Tim Norton - Bass

 

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January 12

MNM Trio with Josh Bruneau

 

 

Mary DiPaola began her musical career at the Hartt School, where she received degrees in piano performance: jazz studies (BMus) under the direction of the legendary Jackie McLean and music education (MMusEd). She has been performing music throughout CT since, appearing in Litchfield and Hartford Jazz festivals. She has recorded three times as a bandleader: Cat's Cradle, Seventh Sign, and the most recent, Grata.

 

She has worked consistently with bassist Nat Reeves since the 1990s, and their collaboration now includes Molly Sayles on drums.

The trio released Grata in June 2024 and has appeared at the Side Door Jazz Club, The Red Door Jazz series, and the Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz series.

 

The MNM trio will be joined by trumpeter Josh Bruneau, who has appeared with the group several times, including the Parkville Monday Night jazz series, the Paul Brown series in Bushnell Park, and the Jazz at the Red Door series.

 

Mary DiPaola - piano

Nat Reeves - Bass

Molly Sayles - drums

Josh Bruneau - trumpet

Nicky Davis - tenor saxophone

 

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January 19

Charlie Apicella & Alexis Marcelo - “The Inner Teachings of Yusef Lateef”

 

 

Torrington, CT native Charlie Apicella was voted onto the 84th and 86th DownBeat Readers Poll for Guitar. He studied composition and improvisation with musical titans Yusef Lateef and Pat Martino and was trained as a historian by Archie Shepp and Dr. Billy Taylor. As a young guitarist, he met his idol, BB King, who offered advice and shared some stories. He has performed concerts and recorded with jazz legends Dave Holland, Sonny Fortune, John Blake, Jr., and Avery Sharpe, as well as contemporary masters Joe Magnarelli, Vic Juris, Dave Stryker, Don Braden, and Jon Herington of Steely Dan. In 2022, he formed The Griots Speak with bassist William Parker, saxophonist Daniel Carter, and percussionist Juma Sultan, known for his work with Jimi Hendrix. He has written two Woodshed Masterclass lessons for DownBeat and one for Just Jazz Guitar magazine. He is the director of Blues Alive: Ancestral Voices of the Blues and teaches guitar for TrueFire and the New York Jazz Workshop. He has released nine records for Origin, Zoho, and his label, CArlo Music.

 

Charlie Apicella - guitar, madal drum

Alexis Marcelo - piano

Bryce Sebastien - bass

The Mishpaka Drummers, Sareed and Ben - congas

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January 26

Michelle Tucker Quintet + Strings

 

 

Michelle Tucker is a percussionist, composer, and music educator living in the woods of Massachusetts with her two children. Michelle grew up playing in Boston’s DIY punk scene and is an alumna of The Berklee College of Music (BM '13) and The Longy School of Music’s Modern American Music program (MM '17). She was part of the first cohort of the Broadway Musicians Equity Partnership during the Fall of 2023, where she shadowed the Broadway production of Six. Michelle has released two singles with The Michelle Tucker Quintet, Both Can Be True and Leapin’, and she premiered a piece for a jazz quartet and orchestra titled Pieces of Home at The Berklee Performance Center in September 2024. Michelle is a transgender woman and feels it is essential to be visible with the hope that her leading a life in music openly will contribute to the normalization of trans identities.

 

Michelle Tucker - drums/compositions and arrangements

Mark Zaleski - alto saxophone

Haneef Nelson - trumpet

Andrew Wilcox - piano

Devon Gates - bass

 

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February 2

Chris Beaudry Quintet 

 

 

Chris Beaudry hails from Storrs, Connecticut, and has lived in Boston and New York City. He came up in the Hartford jazz scene of the early 2000s and was one of Jimmy Greene's first students at the Greater Hartford Academy of The Arts. He would later complete his full-circle journey at GHAA, becoming a faculty member before heading to New York City to earn his master's degree in Jazz Studies from New York University. In addition to being a performing musician, Chris has held myriad positions in the music business side of the industry, from a booking agent at J. Chriss & Co., a record label manager of Lenny White's IYOUWE Records, to general manager of the Side Door Jazz Club an Old Lyme Inn. He has given masterclasses on music business at the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus, Eastern CT State University. He is frequently hired as a guest soloist at various schools and institutions.

 

Chris Beaudry - tenor saxophone

Haneef Nelson - trumpet/flugelhorn

Tyler Sherman - upright bass

Jesse Hameem II - drums

Earl MacDonald - piano

 

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February 9

Aja Moyé 

 

 

Step into the captivating world of Aja Moyé, a singer/songwriter from Hartford, CT, whose journey spans intimate regional performances and world-class stages worldwide. With a voice as clear as a bell and lyrics that carry a raw, unfiltered intensity, Aja draws inspiration from the tapestry of everyday life, infusing her songs with the essence of human connection and shared existence. Her musical prowess is a testament to the rich influences that have shaped her, from classical training to deep dives into the realms of classic R&B/Soul and the intricate artistry of traditional jazz (Aja is a proud graduate of the renowned Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford). Aja's highlights include singing for President Obama, opening for Grammy-winning artist Melanie Fiona, and headlining the premiere NYE performance at MGM Cotai in Macau, China. As Vocalist-in-Residence at Langham Place Hotel in Hong Kong, she enchanted audiences for months. Aja also toured as the Guest Artist for Belize’s Women in Arts Festival. 

 

Dee Davis - piano

Nat Reeves - bass

Dexter Pettaway, Sr. - drums

 

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February 16

Elan Mehler Trio

 

 

Elan Mehler has released 11 albums as a leader with musicians like Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas, Becca Stevens, Scott Robinson, Francisco Mela, and many more. He has garnered stellar reviews from such publications as The New York Times, The Guardian, Jazz Times, and Downbeat. His latest solo piano record was released on Sunnyside Records, which has garnered significant press. Elan has brought his projects to clubs and festivals worldwide, including Birdland, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the North Sea Festival. In 2016, Elan co-founded the label Newvelle Records, as artistic director of the label, he has signed and produced over 50 records by artists such as Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Dave Liebman, Lionel Loueke, Irma Thomas, and Ellis Marsalis.

Max Ridley is one of the most in-demand bassists in the Boston area. He was awarded full-tuition scholarships to study at Berklee College of Music for undergraduate and graduate degrees. He earned his graduate degree from the highly exclusive Berklee Global Jazz Institute under the direction of master pianist, educator, and humanitarian Danilo Perez. An equally important part of his education was down the street from Berklee at Boston’s historic Wally’s Jazz Cafe. He began attending jam sessions in high school and eventually became the house bass player every Friday and Saturday night. Ridley has played and recorded with renowned musicians of many different styles worldwide.  Max is an incredibly versatile multi-instrumentalist who regularly performs in bands, playing jazz, rock, folk, soul, punk, Klezmer, polka, and more. He serves as the music director for the tap dance company Subject: Matter. He also teaches music as a guest lecturer at different colleges around New England (such as Longy School of Music, University of New Hampshire, and Berklee College of Music).

Dor Herskovits is an Israeli drummer, composer, and educator in Boston. Dor had received his Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music and his Master’s degree in Jazz performance from the New England Conservatory. His playing has been lauded by publications such as Downbeat Magazine, All About Jazz, WBUR, and many others. Dor performs and records regularly as a sideman and bandleader around the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Some of his current projects include the critically acclaimed – Earprint, Tetraptych, and Ridley’s Basement Orchestra. Dor has performed or recorded with some of the most excellent jazz musicians of our time, including Jason Palmer, Daniel Rotem, Bill Frisell, George Garzone, Steve Cardenas, and Jon Cowherd.

 

Elan Mehler - piano
Max Ridley - bass
Dor Herskovitz - drums
 

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February 23
O3 featuring Zaccai Curtis
 

 

O3 is a collaborative trio that sits on the edge between the known and the unknown. Born out of a mission that started at the Hartt School's Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, Matt Dwonszyk, Corey Garcia and Brian Simontacchi have been developing a group sound since 2009, adding Corey to the mix in 2013. Because of their shared musical values and experience, the trio operates with trust and explosiveness. Corey has the honor of being the last drummer for the late Charnett Moffett and can be heard with Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Jon Elbaz, and Mike Troy. Matt Dwonszyk is the bassist in Jonathan Barber's Vision Ahead and has been a Connecticut staple for over 15 years. Brian Simontacchi can be heard with straight-ahead groups, avant-garde ensembles, and salsa and merengue bands from New Jersey to Hartford, and has been employed by Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Josh Evans Big Band, Mark Johnson, Allen Lowe, Fabio Morgera, and more. Special guest Zaccai Curtis is one of the world's foremost Latin jazz and jazz pianists, having recorded and toured with Brian Lynch, Donald Harrison, Ralph Peterson, Christian Scott, Cindy Blackman Santana, Abraham Burton, Lakecia Benjamin, and more.

Brian Simontacchi - trombone
Matt Dwonszyk - bass
Corey Garcia - drums
Featuring Zaccai Curtis - piano
 

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March 2
Leala Cyr Group


 

Leala Cyr is fast becoming one of the most sought-after jazz vocalists of her generation. A rare “double threat,” Cyr complements her impeccable vocals with a warm, golden tone on the trumpet. As a touring member of Esperanza Spalding’s “Radio Music and Chamber Music Societies,” she has performed around the world and has appeared on The Late Show, The

Tonight Show, The View, The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Austin City Limits, and more. In February 2019, Cyr released her debut album, First Instinct. A blend of originals and standards, the album showcases her unique talent for vocal improvisation as well as her ingenuity as a songwriter and arranger. Leala has appeared with her own group at highly regarded venues such as Cornelia Street Café, National Sawdust, Zinc Bar, and Rockwood Music Hall in New York City; Ryles Jazz Club, the Bee Hive, and the Beat Brew Hall in Boston; the Egg in Albany, NY; the Blue Opus in Green Bay, WI; and at the Baby Grand Jazz Series and Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz in Hartford, CT. Her collaborations range from membership in Jody Redhage Ferber’s group Rose and the Nightingale to an upcoming album with Milton Nascimento, Ricardo Vogt, and Pedro Bernardo. Over the years, Leala has shared the stage with the likes of Milton Nascimento (in front of 100,000 people at “Rock in Rio”), Terri Lyne Carrington, Ivan Lins, Gretchen Parlato, Nicole Zuraitis, Jamey Haddad, Jeff “Tain” Watts, James Genus, Paul Winter, Guinga, Tia Fuller, Darmon Meader, and Ray Angry. Highlights from Cyr’s college and high school days include being named Down Beat Magazine’s 2005 “Best Jazz Vocalist” in the college division, receiving the World Tour Scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and performing with her high school jazz band at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln Center in NYC. A native of Pulaski, WI, Leala now resides in Connecticut where she is actively involved in a number of music scenes and is adjunct faculty at the Hartt School of Music.

 

 

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March 9
Tony Davis
 

 

Hailing from Hartford, CT, Tony Davis is an internationally acclaimed New York City guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer. Tony has performed extensively at prestigious venues such as The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Smalls, Mezzrow, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Birdland. He has showcased his talents at major festivals, including the Newport Jazz Festival and the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival, and was celebrated as a rising star guitarist at the 2016 Wes Montgomery Tribute Festival in Indianapolis, IN. Tony’s musical journey extends internationally, having recently led his group with notable performances throughout Mexico and Chile. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Christian McBride, Sullivan Fortner, Abraham Burton, George Coleman, Joe Farnsworth, and Larry Willis. Tony’s innovative approach to music seamlessly blends elements of singer-songwriter, Latin, rock, and classical music with jazz, contributing a unique and compelling sound to contemporary music. In 2020, he signed with the acclaimed record label Posi-Tone and released his debut album, Golden Year. This album features an all-star lineup including Dezron Douglas, Eric McPherson, Steve Davis, Alina Engibaryan, Steve Wilson, and David Bryant. His unique style and musical prowess quickly garnered attention, cementing his place as a significant contemporary artist. In 2022, Davis furthered his career by signing with La Reserve Records, one of the leading labels in modern music. This partnership led to the release of a duet album with Brazilian vocalist Jamile Ayres titled Daring Two Be. His ongoing contributions to the music scene reflect his dynamic artistry and commitment to pushing contemporary jazz's boundaries and beyond.

Tony Davis - guitar
Chris McCarthy - piano
Dezron Douglas - bass
Eric McPherson - drums
 

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March 16
Jonathan Suazo & RICANO
 

 

Jonathan Suazo is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, cultural advocate, and educator who leads his RICANO project. This unique Afro Caribbean Jazz concept blends the sounds of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Jonathan was named one of the top ten emerging Jazz artists of 2023 by the GRAMMYS, and his debut album “Ricano” (Ropeadope Records) was listed at #6 in the best Jazz albums of 2023 by The New York Times. A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, he’s received many honors, including the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, The WBUR Makers Series Award for generating impact in Boston's community, The Winter 2023 South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, the 2023 New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, A full tuition Scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program, The Project Support Grant for Program Alumni by the Fundación Banco Popular for his Ricano album, and the Berklee Urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism. In connection with his Ricano project, Jonathan has become an ally of several organizations like Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Escuela Libre de Música San Juan, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Fundación Banco Popular, and Music Project to impact more than 600 students since 2023. Catalina Maria Johnson of Downbeat Jazz Mag describes his music as “a soundscape propelled by lyrical sax playing,” and Giovanni Rusonnello from the New York Times describes his music as “richly built, written from the heart and packed with complexity, always seeking the next level of altitude.” Suazo’s resume includes collaborations/performances with Miguel Zenón, Terri Lyne Carrington, David Sánchez, Charlie Sepúlveda, Gonzalo Grau, Danilo Perez, Ricky Rodriguez, Ileana Cabra (iLÉ), Calma Carmona, Rakalam Bob Moses, Joe Lovano, Paoli Mejias, Humberto Ramirez, David Rivera, Tito Matos, Ricardo Pons, William Cepeda, Jon Secada, Pedro Capó, Obie Bermudez, Hans Glawischnig, Humberto Ramirez, Silverio Perez, Tony Escapa.
 

Jonathan Suazo - Alto Sax
Zaccai Curtis - Piano
Luques Curtis - Bass
Lee Fish - Drums 

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March 23

Temidayo Balogun + AKÉDE

 

 

Temidayo Balogun is a talented and versatile pan-African musician with a strong background in jazz and contemporary music. He hails from Osun state, Nigeria, and has a diverse skill set that includes playing the saxophone, piano, and talking drum. His musical journey has taken him through a rich education at the Muson School of Music(Lagos, Nigeria), and later on at the Longy School of Music (Cambridge, Massachusettes), where he had the opportunity to study with renowned artists such as Noah Preminger, Eric Hofbauer, and Ben Schwendener.

 

Temidayo is not only a solo artist but has also had the privilege of collaborating with various notable musicians and bands, both in Nigeria and Boston. These collaborations include artists like Yinka Davies, Taye Mayegha, Tosin Aribisala, and groups like The Lagos Jazz Series Quintet, Generayshun, The Native Brains, Ope and the Stereo Choir, Jazz in My Room, and most notably, The Makanda Project in Boston.

 

His involvement in The Makanda Project led by John Kordalewski has allowed him to work alongside jazz legends such as Chico Freeman, Avery Sharpe, Dee Alexander, Ricky Ford, Warren Smith, Bill Lowe, and others, which is a significant achievement in the world of jazz music. In addition to his live performances and collaborations, Temidayo Balogun recently released his debut studio album titled "Ìbà," which is available on various digital platforms. This album reflects his deep connection to his Yoruba cultural roots and West African musical influences, both rhythmically and harmonically. It's a testament to his skills as a composer and his dedication to exploring and sharing the rich musical traditions of his heritage.

 

 

 

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March 30
NALEDI

 

Submerging audiences in spirited and deeply rooted encounters is how South African born, New York based vocalist, composer, and teaching artist NALEDI, is making her mark in the global music industry. NALEDI's voice roots itself in exploring the jazz tradition, storytelling, and influences of her African heritage. She speaks and sings in over seven languages and uses dance and spoken word as a means of her artistic practice. NALEDI's band combines virtuosic performances by young artists worldwide with original music and storied covers influenced by South African Jazz and Black American Music, each prioritizing a full-bodied sonic journey. Her highly anticipated debut EP, BATHO, was released in the summer of '24.
 

Naledi Masilo - vocals
Lumanyano Mzi - drums/MD
Aaron Rimbui - piano
Ciara Moser - bass
Roy Ben Bashat - guitar
 

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April 6

Lewis Porter/Phil Scarff Group

 

 

Lewis Porter, pianist, keyboardist, and composer, appears on 30 albums with Dave Liebman, Marc Ribot, Gary Bartz and many others, and his 2018 album Beauty And Mystery features John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Tia Fuller. His latest are the exciting jazz-rock album Transcendent with guitar virtuoso Ray Suhy, on Sunnyside, and Solo Piano on the new label Next To Silence. AllAboutJazz writes that Porter’s music draws from many sources to make “a beautifully creative whole" and that he is “a first-rate pianist," to which NYC Jazz Record adds that he has “a mind-boggling array of approaches at his ...fingertips.” He received a Grammy nomination in 1995. He has performed across the USA and Europe with Liebman (who premiered one of Dr. Porter's saxophone concertos), Joe Lovano, Wycliffe Gordon, Ravi Coltrane, Ribot, and many others. "Lewis Porter… Technique, imagination and feeling are all at his disposal." – Jazz Journal.
 

Phil Scarff has pioneered the performance of North Indian classical music on soprano saxophone, and exquisitely captures the music's subtlety and depth. His performance at the famed Tansen Samaroh, Gwalior, India, with Saskia Rao de Haas was "The highlight of the festival." [Dainik Bhaskar]. Indian classical appearances include India's Nehru Center and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai); Saptak School of Music (Ahmedabad); Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Kolkata); ICCR Theater and India Habitat Centre (Delhi); JKK (Jaipur); and Pt Chatur Lal Festival (virtual); as well as in USA, LearnQuest Festival (Boston), Raaga Inc. (virtual), Dhvani (Columbus, OH), Sangeet Mahotsav (New York City), Rocky Mountain Thyagaraja Utsavam (virtual), and Kalakendra and Portland Balaji Temple (OR). Phil is a master jazz saxophonist, and leads world-jazz ensembles, Natraj and the Lewis Porter-Phil Scarff Group. Phil performs and records with creative jazz ensembles including Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Composers Alliance, Filmprov, and OddSong. Phil is featured on 45 acclaimed CDs/DVDs. "Phil Scarff… delirious tenor sax solo… heady solos by… Scarff on soprano." - All About Jazz. “Phil Scarff… weaving magic through his saxophone with Raga Puriya… soul-stirring… sonorous” – Deccan Herald, Bengaluru, India

Ken Filiano is a bassist, composer, improviser, and teacher who performs around the world, fusing the rich traditions of the double bass with his own seemingly limitless imagination. A “creative virtuoso” (JazzValley), Ken has performed and recorded with a veritable who's who in multiple genres, from Anthony Braxton to Pablo Ziegler. Ken leads two quartets, Quantum Entanglements and Baudolino's Dilemma, and is co-leader of The Steve Adams/Ken Filiano Duo and other collective ensembles. He is also an integral member of groups led by Taylor Ho Bynum, Jason Kao Hwang, Fay Victor, Vinny Golia, Diane Moser, Karl Berger, and others, and was a key member of groups led by the late Roswell Rudd and Connie Crothers. Ken's extensive discography includes the solo CD, "Subvenire"(Nine Winds) and Quantum Entanglements's "Dreams From a Clown Car" (Clean Feed). He is a Guiding Artist and on the Board of Advisors for Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, NY. “What is rare among today’s arco soloists is Filiano’s mixture of absolutely pitch-perfect intonation and precise bowing hand motion alongside an openness of phrasing that is beholden to very few of his predecessors. His staccato is furious, his legato weeps, and he is able to alternate within the space of a few measures.” (Charles Walker)



Eminent Indian classical saxophonist Priyank Krishna has delighted audiences in India and abroad. In India, he has been featured in festivals and venues including Taj Mahotsav, Agra; Uttaradhikar, Bhopal; India International Centre and India Habitat Centre, New Delhi; Swami Haridas Sangeet Mahotsav, Vrindavan; Mahakumbh, Allahabad; and Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Jalandhar. His appearances abroad include Dranouter Festival, Belgium; Confluence/Festival of India, Australia; Embassies of India, Ukraine and Berlin; India by the Nile/Festival of India, Cairo, Egypt; Klangtage Festival, Berlin; Institut Francais de Madagascar, Madagascar; Shared History Festival, Johannesburg, South Africa; and JLF, London. He is the first and only North Indian classical saxophonist to be awarded the rigorous “A” grade from All India Radio. His recognition and awards include “Samraat Yuva Puraskar,” “Sangeet Kala Gaurav,” “Naad Sadhak;” Scholarship for Young Artiste from Ministry of HRD, New Delhi; first prize in Shree Baba Harivallabh Music Competition in Senior Category (Non-Percussion), Jalandhar, Punjab; second prize in Inter-University National Youth Festival, Kalyani University, Kalyani, W.B.; and first prize in saxophone and flute at Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy Competition.

Anoop Banerjee is one of India's foremost tabla artists of Faukhabad Gharana (style of tabla), He has performed with stalwarts including Padma Shri Singh Bandhu, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Kashinath Bodas, Chhanu Lal Mishra, L.K. Pandit, Manilal Nag, Bhajan Sopori, and Ritesh and Rajnish Mishra. He has been awarded “Taal Mani” by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai; won the silver medal in the Delphic Games in South Korea; and has garnered All India Radio's stringent "A” grade in tabla. His appearances include All India Music Conference (Allahabad), Pt. Viren Phukan Memorial Concert (Guwahati), Sankalp Saptak Samaroh (Ahmedabad); in addition to touring India, he has thrilled audiences in Norway and Denmark. Anoop studied tabla with Laljee Srivastava. “Reverberating percussion by Anoop Banerjee in Sankalp Saptak Samaroh," raves Newsline, Ahmedabad, India.
 

Lewis Porter - piano
Phil Scarff - saxophone
Priyank Krishna - saxophone
Pt. Anoop Banerjee - tabla

Ken Filiano - bass

 

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April 13
Dave Potter & Retro Groove
 

 

A native of North Carolina, Dave began playing drum set in high school and performing with his elders in the Triangle area at 16. Following his graduation from Florida State University, he was chosen from a national pool of applicants to be a member of the Louis Armstrong Quintet at the University of New Orleans. Unfortunately, the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina temporarily ended his hopes for a career in Louisiana. Soon after, Dave was awarded a full scholarship to the prestigious Julliard Jazz Program in New York City. However, after several days of intense meditation, he declined the offer. He returned to Florida State University, receiving his Master’s Degree after further collaboration with his mentor Marcus Roberts. In 2010, Potter was featured in a novel entitled The New Face of Jazz, about the younger generation of jazz musicians making an impact in the current scene. Dave is now located in Atlanta, where he maintains a busy teaching and performing schedule while also touring with The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, Greg Tardy, Eric Reed, and Marcus Roberts, as well as his new project as a leader, Retro Groove.
 

 

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April 20 - No Concert
 

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April 27
Chembo Corniel Quintet
 

Grammy Nominated Percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel, Jr. studied music at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York City, Pastore Music in New Jersey, and also attended La Escuela National de Arte (ENA) in Havana, Cuba in 1997 and 1999 under the direction of Chucho Valdez. Chembo was a faculty member at Purchase College and teaches percussion privately. Chembo had the pleasure of working/touring and or recording with many artists such as Chucho Valdes, Larry Harlow, Tito Puente, Machito, Celia Cruz, Grady Tate, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Hilton Ruiz, Dave Valentin, Willie Colon, Angela Bofill, Steve Wilson, Ray Vega, Buddy Montogmery, Bob Baldwin, Chico Freeman and many more. Chembo led his own Latin Jazz quintet in October 2001 and started his record company, Chemboro Records, Inc., in 2004. Chembo Corniel has been nominated for the 52nd NARAS GRAMMY AWARDS for the CD Things I Wanted To Do for BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM 2010. His fifth and latest 2016 CD, Land Of The Descendants, with guests Kat Gang (vocals) and James Zollar (trumpet) on this CD, got great reviews worldwide. Chembo Corniel has been endorsing Latin Percussion (LP) products since 1982; he also endorses REMO Heads, Vic Firth Sticks, and Sabian Cymbals.

Wilson "Chembo" Corniel - leader/percussion
Hery Paz - tenor sax/flute
Carlos Cuevas - piano
Ian Stewart - bass
Joel Mateo - drums
 

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