From the popular to the obscure, Mike Melito knows jazz classics so well that he can step into any situation. So it’s not surprising that he’s been the drummer of choice when jazz luminaries like Benny Golson, James Moody, Barry Harris, Eric Alexander, and many more have come to town. Over the years, Melito has […]
Ron Netsky
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FOLK | Eric Andersen
Eric Andersen was one of a handful of singer-songwriters to emerge in the 1960s with anthems that seemed emblematic of a generation. His best-known song, “Thirsty Boots,” is about the civil rights activists known as the Freedom Riders, but he also wrote poetic tunes like “Violets of Dawn,” “Dusty Box Car Wall,” and “Blue River.” […]
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JAZZ | The Rita Collective
When four musicians draw inspiration from a Tunisian oud player and form a world music ensemble, what tunes might you expect to hear in their repertoire? How about Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name,” or Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror”? Turns out, these songs sound great when explored by superb jazz players […]
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JAZZ | Levin Brothers
After studying at Eastman School of Music, bassist Tony Levin was enlisted by Chuck Mangione. But that was just the beginning of a career that would include work with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, and many other top artists. Meanwhile, Tony’s brother Pete Levin was playing various keyboards with stars such as […]
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Album review: ‘Alegria’
Samuel Torres ‘Alegria’ Blue Conga Music samueltorres.com Colombian percussionist extraordinaire Samuel Torres has worked with Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Chick Corea, Angelique Kidjo, and many others. Now living in Queens, Torres has just released one of the most ebullient albums of recent years. “Alegria” is brimming with vibrant Colombian and African rhythms, as well as […]
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Album review: ‘Diva & The Boys’
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra ‘Diva & The Boys’ MCG jazz divajazz.com On “Diva & The Boys,” the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra gives four male musicians a chance to show their stuff. They do not disappoint. Clarinetist Ken Peplowski rips through tunes like Benny Goodman’s “Slipped Disc,” exchanging intertwining solos with Diva clarinetist Janelle Reichman. Jay […]
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JAZZ | Andy Calabrese and Chet Catallo
It wasn’t exactly hard bop, but a lot of jazz fans couldn’t help turning up the volume when Spyro Gyra’s “Shaker Song” or “Morning Dance” came on theradio in the 1980s. Guitarist Chet Catallo was an original member of the group and a writer of some of its tunes. Since then, Catallo has branched out […]
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JAZZ-SWING | Gregory Street Vagabonds
What do you get when you gather a group of software developers, IT engineers, pathologists, artists, educators, service workers, and retirees to play music in a South Wedge home? Gregory Street Vagabonds, of course. Mostly consisting of amateur musicians, the Vagabonds’ common denominator is a love of swing dancing. When they play The Little Theatre […]
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An eclectic holiday music playlist
I am not a religious person and I’m highly allergic to earworms. So, around this time of year, with Christmas music everywhere, I’m the guy at the supermarket with my fingers in my ears.
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HOLIDAY JAZZ | ‘The Music of Charlie Brown: A Tribute to Vince Guaraldi’
There are few things in the world that everyone agrees upon. But it’s just about impossible to find anyone who doesn’t love the music that pianist Vince Guaraldi wrote and performed for “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of the show and its tunes, including the spirited “Linus & Lucy” and […]
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JAZZ | Jimmie Highsmith Jr.
Saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith Jr. is as homegrown as it gets, having honed his skills at Rochester’s Hochstein School of Music and School of the Arts. He then took off for the United States Air Force, where his flights included soaring jazz solos. After forming a band and playing USO events internationally, Highsmith Jr. returned to […]
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JAZZ | Christoph Irniger’s Pilgrim
Over the years Rochester International Jazz Festival attendees have had the opportunity to hear numerous musicians from Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. When the Bop Shop presents Christoph Irniger’s Pilgrim, local jazz fans can add the best of Swiss jazz to the list. A Zurich-based tenor saxophonist, Irniger studied with Dave Liebman and Mark Turner, […]
