Thursday, June 29
4 By Monk By 4 (Straight-ahead jazz) There are many giants among jazz
composers, but few rival the brilliance of Thelonious Monk. His off-kilter
melodies might seem odd at first, but once they grab you, you can’t resist
tunes like “‘Round Midnight,” “Ruby, My Dear,” “Straight No Chaser,” and so
many more. Monk was also a great pianist, so it’s appropriate that four of
today’s top keyboard artists — Kenny Barron, Benny Green, George Cables, and
Cyrus Chestnut — will celebrate Monk’s genius. (RN)
Ariel
Pocock (Vocal jazz) Ariel Pocock is not only an excellent pianist, she is also a
vocalist known for expressive interpretations of tunes from a wide range of
genres. A set may include songs from the Great American Songbook, Latin
American folk music, or contemporary songwriters like Randy Newman and Joni
Mitchell. (RN) arielpocock.com
Ben
Tiberio (Straight-ahead jazz) An up-and-coming bassist, Ben Tiberio
emerged from Fairport High School and attended the University of Miami where he
won ASCAP and DownBeat Awards for his compositions.
Since moving to New York City in 2015, Tiberio has
played with Ambrose Akinmusire, Terell
Stafford, Kenny Barron and Danilo Perez. (RN) bentiberio.bandcamp.com
Buried
Treasure (Rock covers) This powerful Hudson
Valley-based outfit covers songs that are, in their origin, done by classic
rockers, so they are considered classic rock. However when put in the context
of each other, these songs soar attesting to their staying power. Excellent
players and classic. (FD) facebook.com/buriedtreasuretheband
DakhaBrakha (World music) Now for something completely different. It’s not enough that
DakhaBrakha plays and
sings wonderfully wild Ukrainian folk music; the group does it using
traditional instruments from India, Africa, Russia, Australia, and the Arab
world. With the most eclectic array of vocal sounds you will ever hear, DakhaBrakha is bound to be among
the most talked-about groups at the XRIJF. (RN) dakhabrakha.bandcamp.com
Django
Festival All Stars (Gypsy jazz) Sixty-four years after his death,
Django Reinhardt remains one of the most influential guitarists in history. Who
can resist a breezy, swinging style full of playful melodic flourishes? The
Django Festival All Stars will transform the XRIJF into a Hot Club with two
guitars, StรฉphaneGrappelli-style
violin, and Parisian accordion thrown in for good measure. (RN)
The
Dustbowl Revival (Americana) With just the
right amount of swingin’ antiquated exuberance, Los
Angeles’s The Dustbowl Revival mixes its music’s melancholy with joy. Things
don’t get out of hand, but the energy of two bands — string and brass — is
there from the beginning. (FD) dustbowlrevival.com
Jam
Sessions with Bob Sneider Trio (Jazz jam) Click here for more information.
Jeff
Coffin “In Orbit” (Straight-ahead jazz) Jeff Coffin blows
his sax with a smirk. Sometimes he plays two at the same time. Either way, it’s
over a bed of jumpy jazz. His arrangements are dynamically pleasing and sound simpler
than they actually are. The group also sports bassist Felix Pastorius,
the son of the late and legendary JacoPastorius. (FD) jeffcoffin.com
Manuel
Valera (Straight-ahead, Latin jazz) Check
out a feature on Manuel Valera here.
Noble
Vibes (Reggae) This young Flour City reggae party belies its toddler
status with simple sophistication and wisdom. Noble Vibes gives the people what
they want, and that’s not easy. But it sounds great. (FD) noblevibes.com
Phronesis (Piano jazz). Scandinavian and British
piano trio Phronesis is two parts tradition a la
Brubeck, one part wrong a la … oh, I don’t know … Zappa? The band plays through
its peaks and valleys with enviable expertise. A little out there, but not
where you’ll wind up with a nose bleed. (FD) phronesismusic.com
Oskar
Stenmark NYC Quartet (Straight-ahead jazz)
Oskar Stenmark grew up in Sweden, but he was
obviously steeped in American jazz. A sensitive but progressive trumpet player,
Stenmark has played with Dave Liebman,
David Byrne, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and many others since moving to New
York City. (RN) oskarstenmark.com
HEADLINER
| Sheryl Crow (Rock) Nine-time Grammy Award-winner Sheryl Crow’s
songs have a sweet believability and an appeal that satisfies the rocker in us
all. Crow’s latest album, “Be Myself,” features the poppy single “Halfway
There.” (FD) sherylcrow.com
Soul
Stew (Soul) This Toronto powerhouse is what I like to call a “peanut
butter cup band”: “Hey you got soul in my funk.” This band is a lead-footed
ensemble that goes from zero to funk to soul in a matter of seconds. Keep your
arms and legs inside for the whole ride. (FD) robertoocchipinti.com/about-soul-stew
Walt
Weiskopf Quartet (Straight-ahead jazz) Saxophonist Walt Weiskopf was
a force to be reckoned with right out of the Eastman School of Music. At 21, he
joined the Buddy Rich Big Band, and at 24, he moved to the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. A muscular player influenced by
John Coltrane, Weiskopf has recorded numerous albums as a leader. He has also
bridged the worlds of jazz and pop at the highest level, playing on Steely
Dan’s “Everything Must Go,” and Donald Fagen’s “Morph
The Cat.” (RN) waltweiskopf.com
The
Wee Trio (Jazz interprets pop) Born in Brooklyn in 2008, this is a
trio of phenomenal cool and insight — they even dedicated an album to the music
of David Bowie. The Wee Trio interprets music through its unique
instrumentation: drums, bass, and xylophone. The band plays like a mystery that
merely listening can solve. (FD) theweetrio.com
Youn Sun Nah (World music) If I had to pick just one
word to describe Youn Sun Nah, it would be
“otherworldly” because she makes vocal sounds I haven’t heard before on this
planet. Nah possesses one of the most remarkable voices you will ever hear,
capable of everything from operatic high notes to Bjรถrk-like
punk dramatics. When she sings, she uses her hands and arms in an upper-body
ballet that beautifully accents everything. (RN) younsunnah.com
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2017.
