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| Arts Garage Launches Garage Blues Arts Garage today announced its summer series lineup, featuring the new signature series Garage Blues and showcasing huge names in its popular Jazz Project. Both series feature international talent with strong Florida connections that emphasize the broad influence that legendary Floridians have had in the larger world of American music. Last year, during its debut season, Arts Garage presented regional A-listers. This year, the series expands to feature musicians with international clout, who also have roots to the Sunshine state, but are rarely seen in South Florida. The Garage Blues series debuts this summer in response to overwhelming audience demand, and features artists who have impacted the development of the art form. "Jazz Project has been passionately received from the start, " said Alyona Ushe, Executive Director of Arts Garage. "Our audiences feel a connection with the artist that is rarely experienced in night clubs and larger venues. There is a power that is felt at our performances, and our patrons share that experience with us. This incredible feedback and our commitment to bringing exceptional talent paved the way to attracting artists who have garnered an international reputation and are highly regarded for their influence upon their contemporaries and the generations that follow." The Jazz Project this summer includes performances by: Doug Carn had an enormous impact on the world of soul-jazz. The pianist, organist, composer and educator crafted classic albums such as Infant Eyes and Adam's Apple, on which he also wrote distinctive arrangements of songs by Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane and Bobby Hutcherson. With his long white beard and turban, Hammond B3 wizard, Dr. Lonnie Smith was a familiar fixture on the South Florida jazz scene of the '80s and '90s. A breakout star in the 1960s, Dr. Lonnie brought his distinctive, exciting organ sound to the records of George Benson and Lou Donaldson, and cut some classic sides of his own for the Blue Note label. The members of Miami's Latin-roots-fusion band Oriente have performed with some of the greatest musicians, past and present, including Mongo Santamaria, Jaco Pastorius, Celia Cruz and Cachao. Pianist Lynne Arriale is a dynamic and soulful performer. In recent years, Arriale, who teaches at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, has toured and recorded with brilliant musicians — including trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Bill McHenry and bassist George Mraz — as well as with her own trio. Longtime South Florida jazz fans certainly will be out in force to greet drummer Duffy Jackson, holding court behind his drum kit while swinging ferociously and cracking wise. Not only is Duffy among the swingingest drummers around, he's also one of the funniest. Anyone who heard guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg — who grew up in Miami and attended the University of Miami — knew he was destined to make his mark in the jazz world. A superbly gifted player, Kreisberg has released seven CDs as a leader and performed with his electrifying quartet on 4 continents. Jonathan is steadily building a reputation as the new voice in jazz guitar. He also tours as a member of the bands of Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joe Locke, Ari Hoenig and Stefano Di Battista. The success of the Jazz Project gave birth to Garage Blues. "We were overwhelmed with requests for blues and are thrilled with the caliber of talent with which we are debuting this signature series, " continued Ushe. "Our instant popularity speaks to the real hunger of audience to experience legendary musicians in an boutique metropolitan setting like ours. Garage Blues includes performances by: Little Jake Mitchell was a teen prodigy who later toured with James Brown, Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, and won over audiences at the Apollo Theater. Matt "Guitar" Murphy is considered one of the baddest blues guitarists on the planet, and he has earned a spot in the Blues Hall of Fame. Barrelhouse Chuck Goering has played with some of the best including Chicago blues-piano heroes Blind John Davis, Big Moose Walker, Detroit Junior and Little Brother Montgomery. You can also hear him on the soundtrack to the movie Cadillac Records. For his Arts Garage show, Barrelhouse Chuck will be joined by South Florida favorites Famous Frank and the Nucklebusters. Arts Garage 180 NE First Street, Delray Beach FL 33444 June 9, 2012: Jazz Project, 8pm Doug Carn Quartet Raised in St. Augustine, where he still resides, Doug Carn had an enormous impact on the world of soul-jazz. The pianist, organist, composer and educator crafted classic albums such as Infant Eyes and Adam's Apple, on which he also wrote distinctive arrangements of songs by Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane and Bobby Hutcherson. With his quartet of regular sidemen from NE Florida Carn will be playing both standards and original material to lead off the summer series and Afro-American Music Appreciation Month. June 16, 2012: Garage Blues, 8pm Little Jake Mitchell & The Soul Searchers A teen prodigy from Tampa, soul-singer Little Jake Mitchell toured with James Brown, Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, won over audiences at the Apollo Theater, and cut his first record for the Chess label in 1957. In 1960, Little Jake and the Blenders were the first African-American band to play at the University of Florida's Gator Growl, a highly segregated event at the time. Still singing powerfully, Mitchell led his band The Soul Searchers to the semi-finals of the 2012 International Blues Challenge. Date: June 23, 2012: Jazz Project, 8pm Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio With his long white beard and turban, Hammond B3 wizard Dr. Lonnie Smith was a familiar fixture on the South Florida jazz scene of the '80s and '90s. A breakout star in the 1960s, Dr. Lonnie brought his distinctive, exciting organ sound to the records of George Benson and Lou Donaldson, and cut some classic sides of his own for the Blue Note label. Approaching his 70th birthday in July, Smith continues to prove among the most creative voices on his instrument. James Martin will be on drums and long-time collaborator of Smith's, Randall Dollahan, will be on guitar. Date: July 14, 2012: Jazz Project, 8pm Oriente The members of Miami's Latin-roots-fusion band Oriente have performed with some of the greatest musicians, past and present, including Mongo Santamaria, Jaco Pastorius, Celia Cruz and Cachao. Under the leadership of guitarist, vocalist and composer Eddy Balzola, Oriente perform a sizzling mix of jazz, blues and soul driven by Afro-Cuban rhythms and a kicking brass section. They continue to perform all over South Florida, from the Keys up to Palm Beach, adding avid adherents with every performance. Date: July 21: 2012: Garage Blues, 8pm Matt "Guitar" Murphy & The Nouveaux Honkies While most people recognize Matt "Guitar" Murphy for his iconic role in the Blues Brothers movies, he had long before established himself as one of the baddest blues guitarists on the planet. While still in his teens, the Mississippi-born Murphy gained fame in Memphis and West Memphis, and he went on to perform and record with Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson and Memphis Slim. His jazzy, sophisticated licks influenced generations of Chicago guitarists, and this year earned him a spot in the Blues Music Hall of Fame. Murphy, 82, has resided in South Florida for more than a decade, and has been battling back after suffering a stroke. For his Arts Garage performance, he'll be joined by frequent collaborators The Nouveaux Honkies. Date: July 28, 2012: Jazz Project 8pm Lynne Arriale With her tangle of red curls and striking blue eyes, pianist Lynne Arriale is a dynamic and soulful performer. In recent years, Arriale, who teaches at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, has toured and recorded with brilliant musicians — including trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Bill McHenry and bassist George Mraz — as well as with her own trio. But the focus generally remains on Arriale's bright playing and introspective compositions, even more so on her latest recording, which is aptly titled Solo. And that's exactly how you'll hear her when she performs at Arts Garage this summer. Date: August 11, 2012: Jazz Project, 8pm Duffy Jackson Big Band Longtime South Florida jazz fans certainly will be out in force to greet drummer Duffy Jackson, holding court behind his drum kit while swinging ferociously and cracking wise. Not only is Duffy among the swingingest drummers around, he's also one of the funniest. But he comes by his entertainment roots naturally: His dad was legendary jazz bassist Chubby Jackson. And certainly, Duffy has backed his share of legends, among them Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Carter. Now living in Nashville, the drummer returns to South Florida for his Arts Garage gig, where he'll provide the propulsive engine to a roaring 17-piece big band. Date: August 18, 2012: Garage Blues, 8pm Barrelhouse Chuck with Famous Frank & The Nucklebusters Blues Band Chicago is known for its rich legacy of blues pianists, and Barrelhouse Chuck Goering learned from some of the best. Relocating from Gainesville to Chicago in 1979, he befriended blues-piano great Sunnyland Slim, with whom he studied and traveled for 16 years. This also gained him entry to a fraternity of Chicago blues-piano heroes, including Blind John Davis, Big Moose Walker, Detroit Junior and Little Brother Montgomery. Chuck became a formidable player himself, and has performed and recorded with Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy and Kim Wilson, among others. You can also hear him on the soundtrack to the movie Cadillac Records. For his Arts Garage show, write your comments about the article :: © 2012 Jazz News :: home page |