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| Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio at Cecil's Pianist and composer Onaje Allan Gumbs performs with his trio at Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange, New Jersey, on November 11 and November 12. Sets begin at 9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m., and 1:00 a.m. Harlem-born, Queens-raised, Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call sideman, valued arranger and composer, producer, and ultimately bandleader and recording artist. Many will remember him for his vital contributions to such Woody Shaw classics as Moontrane, and Rosewood, to which he lent his exceptional composing and arranging skills. Still others will recall his work as producer/arranger for vocal dates led by Downing, Rubin, and Marlena Shaw; or perhaps his sideman contributions to dates with an impressive range of artists – from Kenny Burrell and Nat Adderley, to Ronald Shannon Jackson, to Jonathan Butler. Onaje's soundtrack writing includes Danny Glover's Showtime film Override, and his song “Dare to Dream” was a theme for a Panasonic awards presentation. Onaje has staked out a territory that is equal parts originality, straight ahead jazz, R&B, Brazilian, contemporary jazz, and beyond. As Duke Ellington would say, he is “beyond category.” Most recently, Onaje celebrated the completion of his album “Remember Their Innocence, ” a recording that mirrors the extraordinarily broad-based pallet of experiences he has enjoyed and enhanced with his presence. Jerry D'Souza of All About Jazz aptly describes this remarkable album, writing “Onaje Allan Gumbs took his wide experiences as a musician into the studio for his latest recording and came up with a winning combination in Remember Their Innocence.” For the concerts at Cecil's, Onaje is joined by bassist Marcus McLaurine and drummer George Gray. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |