My friends play music! (March Newsletter)
Due to the positive feedback of last month's newsletter, I've decided to continue the series of posts geared towards showcasing events featuring my friends in the younger NYC music scene. I've decided to keep it on my blog so readers can just bookmark the page rather than try to track down an old Facebook status to stay posted. Let's get started!
The month begins with an incredible first few days featuring the always exciting Secret Mall this time at Club Bonafide on 3/2. Secret mall killed it last month at Nublu and if you missed it definitely go check it out! 8pm.
3/3 brings us an incredible quartet led by Stephen Boegehold featuring my bass clarinet and woodwind friend Yuma Uesaka, Jessica Ackerley on guitar, and Lim Yang bass. Opening for the quartet will be Nick Dunston playing Solo Double Bass.
Rockwood and NYC for that matter is blessed with the incredible Kyle Wilson's group SHWILSON. Live at Rockwood Music Hall at 9pm on 3/4! Shwilson's albums are my go-to moral support albums that make me feel better no matter what the circumstances. Also great music for going to the gym. Don't expect to want to sit down if you hear them play.
As much as I tend to avoid Smalls for both personal and musical reasons, I can't quite resist giving a shoutout to a former teacher of mine Dave Glasser. His band plays at smalls on also on 3/4 at 7:30 pm! Dave is a fantastic player and his band is no different. Connor Parks, Nick Dunston, and Martha Kato will be joining him.
On March 5th NYC gets blessed by the debut of a brand new Trio "Three Little Fish" featuring Rebecca Zola on voice, Sammy Weissberg on bass and Zeb Stern on drums. They play at Anyway Cafe on 2nd street at 8pm. I went to school with all three of these little fish and was Rebecca's roommate for two years and I can confidently say that this show will be a delight! Guitarist Idan Morim will be special guesting.
Also on 3/5 there is an amazing quadruple bill at Berlin-Under A (25 ave A) featuring Robert Laser, Evan Wright (ep release), Solid Goold, and Goodfight. I've spent a lot of time with all of the folks in these groups except for Solid Goold but I was blown away by his youtube channel today! These guys are all fantastic humans and musicians with super unique voices not to be missed.
At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I unfortunately will not be able to make either of these fantastic shows that night as I will be playing from 8-11 at Tomi Jazz with my long time musical partner in Anime and Videogame music jams Jeremy Corren. The .QP duo hasn't performed live since November and we're super thrilled to be back at our home venue. It's truly a bittersweet feeling.
No matter what you decide to go to, you will surely be in for some fantastic jams on Monday Night!
Starting on 3/6, continuing on both 3/7 and 3/9 the crazy jazz trio "Mughal Muesli" will be bringing fun to the Dizzy's late night set starting at 11:30pm. These guys are truly wild and I'm excited to see what dynamic they bring to the ever so "swingin" club coca cola at columbus circle.
Fast-forwarding 1 day to March 7th young saxophonist Austin Zhang will be debuting a very heartfelt piece at Bar Next Door. 6:30pm. I met Austin at Manhattan School of Music (where he currently studies) in a big band rehearsal for one of our mutual friends and I'm looking forward to seeing him play more often around the city!
Also on 3/7 bassist Cole Davis will be bringing his trio to Cornelia Street Cafe at 6pm. The group features the Incredible JK Kim on drums and Julian Shore on piano. Afterwards, saxophonist Jeremy Powell's quartet will play at the same venue starting at 8pm! Jeremy is a total badass who blows me away every time I hear him in any musical situation. Jeremy's group features Nitzan Gavrieli, Allan Mednard, and Ricky Rodriguez.
While we're on the Cornelia street grind, I'm happy to announce the debut performance (3/9) of the Three Hunters Trio featuring myself on winds, John Koozin on Bass and Chris "Stomp" Garriga on drums will go down at 6pm. We've been preparing music for quite a while and needless to say, we're ready to bring the hunt from middle earth to your local jazz club. All our original compositions are inspired by themes and characters from J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy. A series that has brought us together for years as friends but now also as nerdy jazz boys!
Most people in my immediate friend group know that Colin Hinton is a force of nature. Appearing at countless venues both as a spectator and performer never failing to bring even more energy to the room than he did last time. Colin will be playing with Facehugger at Legion Bar in BK on 3/11. The band includes Angela Morris, Yuma Uesaka, Ed Gavitt and Shawn Lovato.
March 14th brings another triple threat of shows but this time, the show times don't overlap so tragically. At 6pm, Kalia Vandever brings her quartet to Cornelia Street Cafe. Making our way to Manhattan School of Music at 7:30pm Contrafunktus plays a live show featuring a variety of works by various composers presented by Rose Kow Xiu Yi and Jasper Davis. The second half of the show involves a number of special guests! Later that night, Glassbath plays at the footlight at 11pm featuring the familiar names of Colin Hinton, Nick Dunston, Ed Gavitt, and Peyton Pleninger.
Now for a bit of Self Promotion; On March 15th I will be presenting compositions written for the group A Jazz Album at the Jazz gallery in an event titled, "Kettle of Melodies." This will also be a release show for the ensemble's next album Remind Me What the Bridge Does Again. Personnel will include Connor Parks, Nick Dunston, Anthony Pearlman, Theo Walentiny, Kyle Wilson, Jacob Shulman, Eliana Glass, and myself. The compositions to be presented have been written by members of the band as well as Kalia Vandever, Adam O'Farrill, Nathan Kamal, and John Koozin. Sets at 7:30 and 9:30.
Also that night! Sara McDonald will be doing an album fundraiser at the Iridium with her amazing NYChillharmonic at 8pm!
As we enter the latter half of the month, I will be descending into a pit orchestra from 3/17-31 to play for the show Yeomen of the Guard (theatre at st. jeans 150 E76th street) but the excitement doesn't stop there.
On the night of March 17th dear friend and stellar vocalist Hattie Simon hosts the red room jam session (85 E 4th Street) from 11pm-2am. The house band includes Ian Levy, Anthony Pearlman, John Koozin, and Chris "Stomp" Garriga.
On March 19th composer, vocalist and pianist Noa Fort is at Cornelia Street Cafe! 8:30 pm. Noa's music is gorgeous, unique, and ethereal. She will be joined by John Deutch, Dan Loomis, and Ronen Itzik!
One of my favorite alto saxophonists Nicola Caminiti brings his trio to Bar Next Door at 6:30pm on 3/20! Nicola is another fantastic MSM saxophonist who not only brings a unique voice to the instrument but a cheerful energy to whatever space he's in! Joining him will be JK Kim and Cole Davis!
Moving forward a couple days to March 22nd The Jazz Gallery continues its Thursday series with a killing group led by Morgan Guerin. Morgan has quite the performance resume at his young age and that's only going to continue to grow as his time in the city lengthens. A fantastic saxophonist, drummer, bassist, and more, Morgan sets a new standard for what it means to be a multi-instrumentalist. His Band will include Lex Korten, JK Kim, Nick Dunston, Alyssa McDoom, and Evan Wright
Colin Strikes again, this time with Ingrid Laubrock and Brandon Lopez live at the Branded Saloon on March 26th at 9pm. Earlier that evening, I'll be joining Cole Davis's group at bar next door making a rare flute appearance (time for me to stop typing and go shed)... Vaughn Stoffey on guitar!
On March 28th David Kuhn plays his Bar Next Door Set also with the rhythmic pair John Koozin and Chris "Stomp" Garriga
The last three shows are all at the Jazz Gallery sets 7:30 and 9:30 so I'll list them out.
3/29 - Amazing big band composer and phenomenal vocalist Jihye Lee brings her big band to the Jazz Gallery. This will be one of the most crushing shows I've ever had to miss (due ye old yeomen boys). I first played Jihye's music on her MSM Master's recital almost a year ago and have yet to recover from the experience in the best way possible. Anyone who has checked out their fair share of big band music and even those who haven't should check this out. If your mind isn't blown I'll buy you a coffee.
3/30 - I try to keep my shoutouts within the community of recently emerged/emerging musicians but this is the one exception. Bassist Stephan Crump joined by Ingrid Laubrock and Cory Smythe will be playing in a trio at the gallery on this day. Stephan's energy is truly magnetic and his music is the same. A fantastic musician, improviser, and educator, there is something quite special in his creative vision to be enjoyed by everyone.
3/31 - Finally, to wrap up yet another fantastic month of music in NY, Immanuel Wilkins quartet brings a maxed blast, once again, to the jazz gallery. Immanuel is one of the most postive forces in any communtiy he is a part of, not to mention a phenomenal saxophonist. Adding to his warmth and virtuosity, will be pianist Micah Thomas, bassist (and everyone's little cousin) Daryl Johns, and Drummer Kweku Sumbry. I can't think of a better end to this month of music and I will most definitely be there straight after I climb out of the pit that afternoon.
I have some pretty awesome friends but I'm sure I'm not alone in that sentiment. If you enjoyed reading all this (and I bow to you if you did) all I ask is that you occasionally share other people's events in addition to your own for the sake of bringing some balance to the overwhelming bulletin board that is "musician's facebook." I'll be posting all these events to my personal website over the course of the next few days and if you have any questions/comments/concerns about this monthly newsletter please feel free to speak up. Also my thanks goes to those who reached out to me with their shows. It made compiling this list far easier!