June 2009 Buzzz

…a sampling of Jazz news deserving of a post rather than a roll, a blogroll that is

The 21st Century Band of Dion Parson and Ron Blake, both of the United States Virgin Islands, beat a path to Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York, New York for a June 16, 2009 concert and live recording. Playing the supporting role were Parson and Blake’s compatriot Reuben Rogers (bass), Carlton Holmes (piano), Victor Provost (steel pan) and Alioune Faye (percussion).

Trumpeter Terell Stafford joined the band on Friday, June 19 for their 2nd and 3rd sets, and again on Saturday, June 20 for all sets.

That stint at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola ran from June 16-21, 2009.

As to whether or not the 21st Century Band had any other gigs between then and now, we do not know. What we are aware of is that the band performed again on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Carl Schurz Park at 84th Street and East End Avenue New York, NY 10001 . This performance was scheduled to coincide with Jazz Mobile’s 45th Anniversary Celebration at Gracie Mansion. Dr. Billy Taylor was expected to make a guest appearance at the show.

On Wednesday, July 8 2009, 21st Century sashayed to The Shrine located at 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd (133-134th Streets). This free event was part of the Jazz Mobile Harlem International Jazz Festival ‘Late Night Concerts.’

Trombonist Reginald Cyntje (Dominica/United States Virgin Islands) celebrated Jazz and Family at the 2009 Duke Ellington Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 6.  Joining Cyntje at the Phillips Collection for an hour-long set of Chamber-Jazz on 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC were Janelle Gill on piano and Herman Burney Jr. on bass.

Michael J. West of washingtoncitypaper.com saw Cyntje and company spice up the Bop (Body and Soul) with some Caribbean seasonings (St. Thomas).  West’s sense was that whereas Cyntje‘s romance was “sensitive and graceful,” Burney’s bass playing was skillful and imaginative while Gill’s piano gauge was set to light and feathery.

Cyntje returned to performing live at a show on July 8 2009 at The Shrine in New York, NY for the 45th Annual Jazz Mobile Harlem International.

Next stop for Cyntje was at the NJPAC’s Sound of the City 2009 with the 21st Century Band.  Here’s looking at you Victor Provost.

This free music performance takes place at the NJPAC’s Theater Square at One Center Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102 on July 23, 2009 at 5:00pm.

(Source: http://www.reverbnation.com)

————————————————————

The Ocho Rios Jazz Festival opened in mid-June with Jazz and Coffee in the Blue Mountains then moved to the main stage on the grounds of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.  The Outfests were located on the coasts of Port Antonio, Treasure Beach and Negril.  Additionally, the usual school band competition was organised to wean fresh talent for the festival.

The premier attractions at this year’s fest, which carried the theme “The Preservation and Promotion of Black Classical Music – Jazz” were an All Jamaica Jazz band led by pianist Marjorie Whylie and the Desi Jones & Skool.

As expected the All Stars included leaders in their own rights, not the least of whom were pianist Dr. Kathy Brown, Peter Ashbourne and vocalist Myrna Hague whose husband, Sonny Bradshaw serves as the patron saint of Ocho Rios Jazz.

———————————————————–

Sean Thomas Trio featuring Dave Marcellin

S.T. Jazz Incorporated Limited presented the Sean Thomas Trio featuring Dave Marcellin on piano (and Douglas Reddon on bass) performing Jazz and Calypso standards plus more at The Corner Bar on 20 Ariapita Road, Woodbrook, Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, June 09, 2009.

————————————————————

Fifth Annual Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival, June 4-7

The Fifth Annual Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival passed through the audiosphere between June 4 and 7, 2009. Didn’t you notice?

The festival looked inward more than ever, preferring to create a platform for Dutch artists from Bonaire, Curacao and Suriname instead of depending on a long line of acts of international standing.

The Monty Alexander Quartet was, therefore, the lone major draw atop a secondary line comprising of a leaders from Venezuela in Alfredo Naranjo (vibraphone, xylophone, piano and other percussion instruments); Puerto Rico (Dave Ronchi Matthew, piano); and the Netherlands (Hans Dulfer, tenor saxophone).

On the ‘home front’ were local musicians from Bonaire, pianist Gabby Saleh and his quartet, the Cabaco Trio and the Dikazz Group; Suriname/Dutch vocalist, Denise Jannah with a Curacao quartet; and Curacao upright bassist, Pierre Dunker.

The festival opened on June 4 with a Jazz & Poetry night, yet another piece of evidence that Jazz and Art collaborations are developing into a new standard for creativity. (Source: Bonaire Jazz)

In the same vein, Martiniquan sculptor, Jérome Radigois, engaged Barbados’ C4 – The Band in late May for a series of four dates under the theme, Music and Sculpture, Live! Sound Skultur was a presentation of Alliance Francaise at the Waterfront Cafe in Bridgetown, the Restaurant Lounge in Holetown and at the Lancaster Gallery. (Source: Bajan Reporter)