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| Onaje Allan Gumbs at The Creole Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs returns with his quintet to The Creole on November 24. Sets begin at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Joining Onaje are saxophonist Roger Byam, bassist Marcus McLaurine, percussionist Gary Fritz, and drummer George Gray. Harlem-born, Queens-raised, Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call sideman, valued arranger and composer, producer, and most importantly, 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 NEA Jazz Master Kenny Burrell and Nat Adderley, to the cutting edge with Ronald Shannon Jackson, to the crossover work of 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 was recently nominated at this year's NAACP Image Awards as Outstanding Jazz Artist, and is currently working as the composer for an NPR radio documentary on Negro Spirituals. 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 reflects the broad-based pallet of experiences he has enjoyed and enhanced with his presence. To date, the album has received high praise amongst critics and fans; John Kelman, from All About Jazz, writes "(Onaje Allan ) Gumbs still comes through as the primary voice, with a selfless approach that is always in service of the song...Gumbs demonstrates the light touch, sensitive accompaniment, and lyrically intuitive soloing that have made him an in-demand player amongst a wealth of musicians...." Onaje's upcoming album, Sack Full of Dreams, will be released January 2007, and features special guest vocalist Obba Babatunde. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |