This November marks the 20thAnniversary of the Django Reinhardt NY Festival at Birdland Jazz Club, produced by Pat Philips-Stratta and her late partner, conductor Ettore Stratta. The festival, which began in 1999, has featured many talented musicians over the years who embody the gypsy jazz style of music by the great Django Reinhardt. Of these was guitarist Dorado Schmitt.
 

There’s nobody quite like Roger Kellaway. In a career that has stretched over the last 60 years, while performing with many of the legendary jazz musicians of his time he has also written memorable film and television scores, composed classical works for major symphony orchestras, inspired what came to be known as “new age” music, and provided essential accompaniment and musical direction for iconic figures of American popular music like Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell.

The 9th Annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival will bring an array of superstars and Grammy Award winning artists whose music ranges from contemporary and mainstream jazz, to authentic salsa and bonafide blues.

The Program will feature the Duke Ellington Center Big Band led by Frank Owens, vocal stylists Antoinette Montague and Marion Cowings, performers, Tony Waag, Sharon K. Janda, Mark Mindek, Max McGuire, Love Angel, Princess Rivera, Ty Stephens, AC Lincoln, Max Pollak, Tap City Youth Ensemble & MORE!

For this 40th anniversary celebration of the String Trio of New York, guitarist/leader/composer James Emery has created some new pieces. Come listen to them on Friday, March 29, 2019 at 7:30pm at Morrison Hall Mansion where chamber jazz is ‘up close and personal.’ Raves JazzTimes, “No individual or ensemble has done more to demystify chamber jazz, and to realize its potential for warmth, sensuousness, and beauty ... than the String Trio of New York.”
 

Born in Memphis, Tennessee Bobby LaVell gained an interest in music while in high school. He became proficient on the Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet and Piano while pursuing formal musical studies at Memphis State (now the University of Memphis), and Shelby State College. Bobby also studied and became proficient as an arranger and composer during that time. Bobby' s formal education continued with composition studies with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam at the B.M.I. Jazz Composers Workshop.

Whether you’ve heard guitarist Dave Stryker leading his own group (with 28 CD’s as a leader to date), co-leading The Stryker/Slagle Band, Blue To The Bone or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and many others, you know why the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.”

You might say December is unofficially Gil Evans month in the Big Apple, as three exciting events turn the spotlight on this legendary jazz composer, arranger, pianist, and long-time Miles Davis collaborator. On the schedule this month are a lively symposium, the release of the first studio album by the Gil Evans Orchestra in more than four decades, and an all-star CD release gig that’s sure to attract a who’s who of the New York music scene.

The ‘hot swing’ musical style of DJANGO holds the crowd like a magnet. The Django Reinhardt NY Festival continues at Birdland for the 19thsuccessful year, Nov. 6-11.