Visiting Artists: Bobby Shew, May 6-7; Jason Marsalis, May 9-10

April saw a wave of fantastic jazz music sweep through Austin, and the trend continues into May with shows from trumpeter Bobby Shew and drummer Jason Marsalis!

Los Angeles trumpet giant BOBBY SHEW will be visiting Austin for three shows this weekend. Mr. Shew will be performing Friday evening with Elias Haslanger at Spicewood Vineyards, at 7:00 p.m, for the annual Tony Campise tribute concert. On Saturday, Mr. Shew will be performing two shows, first at Westminster Manor from 2:00-2:30 p.m., then at the Elephant Room late show, starting at 9:30 p.m. There will be a cover charge for entry to the Elephant Room.

This copy was originally posted by Michael Mordecai, via Facebook

Picking up Bobby Shew after music industry lunch today. Special thanks to Dave Dart for his help securing a room at the WESTIN for Bobby. Bobby is in town to play the annual memorial tribute to Tony Campise at the Spicewood Winery on Friday, a concert with the Austin Jazz Society on Saturday afternoon and a gig at the Elephant Room on Saturday night. You can call him Mr. Chops.

The following Monday, JASON MARSALIS will be performing with Elias Haslanger's group at the Continental Club Gallery on May 9, for Elias's weekly Church on Monday show, starting at 8:30. Marsalis will also join the Philip Marshall Trio for their weekly residency at the Brass House on Tuesday May 10, at 7:00 p.m.

This copy was originally posted by Elias Haslanger, via Facebook

Very pleased to announce that the great drummer and vibraphonist Jason Marsalis will join Church on Monday this coming Monday, 5/9/16 for one set of music at The Continental Club Gallery. Jason has carved a very distinguished career both as a drummer with Marcus Roberts and his father Ellis Marsalis and also as a vibraphonist with his own group. Don't miss your chance to hear this very special musician with Dr. James Polk on B3, Tommy Howard on guitar, Daniel Durham on bass, Scott Laningham on drums and yours truly on saxophone. 8:30pm.

This copy was originally posted by Philip Marshall, via Facebook. See the original event page here

Please join the Philip Marshall Trio, and their very special guest, world renowned vibraphonist, and NEA Jazz Master, Jason Marsalis for “A Very Swingin’ Affair,” Tuesday, May 10th, at The Brass House, 115 San Jacinto.

In addition to working with his family, (brothers Branford, Wynton & Delfeyo, and their father Ellis,) Jason Marsalis has performed, recorded with artists including: Snarky Puppy, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and conductor Seji Ozawa & the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also been the drummer for the last 20 years with pianist Marcus Roberts’ Trio. As well, Mr. Marsalis leads his own group, the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet.

The Philip Marshall Trio is Austin’s premier jazz trio. Best-selling author and music critic Ted Gioia says of the group, “The Philip Marshall Trio manage to carve out a distinctive sound of their own. The Trio’s music is a joy to hear.”

This one night only event happens Tuesday, May 10th. There will be two shows, at 7 & 9:30PM, and seating is limited.

Don’t miss the rare opportunity to experience this one of a kind jazz concert in an intimate club setting!

For information on these venues, check out the links below.

Elephant Room

Brass House

Continental Club Gallery

Spicewood Winery

Westminster Manor

Upcoming Concert: Harry Connick Jr. @ the Moody Theater, April 28

Austin City Limits Live brings piano/vocal extraordinaire Harry Connick Jr. to the Moody Theater this Thursday, April 28!

ACL Live event page

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This copy is from the ACL Live event page

Recognized for his live and recorded musical performances and for his achievements on screens large and small, as well as on the Broadway stage, HARRY CONNICK, JR. has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world.

The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five. His career took off when he signed with Columbia Records at 18 years old and revealed his stunning piano technique and vivid musical imagination on his self-titled debut album. His follow-up album, “20,” announced that Connick was equally gifted as a singer. But this was soon overshadowed by his multi-platinum success with the soundtrack for the hit comedy “When Harry Met Sally...” To date, Connick has released 30 albums, won three Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, and garnered sales of over 28 million. His most recent CD release “That Would Be Me” features all new songs.

In addition to his music career, Connick has also appeared on the screen and stage as an actor. Among his feature film credits are “Little Man Tate,” “Copycat,” “Hope Floats,” “Memphis Belle,” “Independence Day,” “Life without Dick,” “Mickey,” “Basic,” “P.S. I Love You,” “New in Town,” “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2.” His voiceover skills were featured in “My Dog Skip” and “The Iron Giant.”

On television, Connick is perhaps best known for his recurring role on “Will & Grace.” He also appeared in an arc of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and has graced audiences with his musical talents in several primetime specials, including “Harry for the Holidays,” the animated tale “The Happy Elf” and the Emmy Award-winning PBS specials “Only You in Concert” and “Harry Connick, Jr. in Concert on Broadway.” In the fall of 2016 Connick will debut his own nationally syndicated daytime show “Harry.” “Harry” will bring the party to daytime, entertaining viewers with a live band and delivering laughter through a variety of comedic segments, hilarious man-on-the-street interviews, live musical performances, parodies, audience participation and plenty more surprises.

His Broadway career boasts equal recognition, having received Tony Award nominations as both composer/lyricist for the musical “Thou Shalt Not” and as the lead in the Tony Award-winning revival of “The Pajama Game.” He has also adapted “The Happy Elf” for children’s theater, starred in the Broadway revival of “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” and – on the 20th anniversary of his first Broadway concerts at the Lunt-Fontaine Theatre – brought his live show for an extended residency at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Not surprisingly, Connick has used his influence as an entertainer to further his charitable work. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he created, along with fellow musician and New Orleanian Branford Marsalis, the Musicians’ Village in the Upper Ninth Ward. The Village and its centerpiece, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, provide homes for musicians and other displaced citizens, a community center with a performance hall, a recording studio and after-school facilities for kids. His contributions to the post-Katrina effort have been acknowledged by a Redbook Strength and Spirit Award, an honorary degree from Tulane University and the 2012 Jefferson Award for Public Service.

This Thursday, Moody Theater's doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the concert beginning at 8:00. For details on the Moody Theater and ACL Live, visit the ACL Live event page.

Upcoming Concert: Yellowjackets @ One World Theatre, April 28

This Thursday, April 28, One World Theatre brings the phenom jazz fusion group Yellowjackets to the stage! The group will be performing twice Thursday evening, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

One World Theatre Event Page

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This copy is from the One World Theatre Event Page.

Although sometimes grouped with Spyro Gyra, the Yellowjackets are actually one of the most creative regular groups in the "rhythm & jazz" genre. Founded in 1981 as an R&B-oriented, jazz fusion band that starred guitarist Robben Ford, the group took a giant step forward when, after Ford's departure, altoist Marc Russo took his place. With original members Russell Ferrante on keyboards and electric bassist Jimmy Haslip, in addition to drummer William Kennedy, the band found its own R&B-ish sound, sometimes playing original compositions with a signature melodic sound. The Yellowjackets have produced 20 chart-topping albums in their 35 year history. They have also had numerous top 20 hits on the smooth jazz and R&B charts, as well as earned two GRAMMYs for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, and Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Yellowjackets have added Australian bassist, Dane Alderson to the lineup since Haslip’s departure.

Additional information on One World Theatre and Thursday's concert can be found at the One World Theatre Event Page.

Upcoming Concert: Tony Bennett @ Bass Concert Hall, April 24

A stellar season of Texas Performing Arts shows rolls right along with Tony Bennett, performing at Bass Concert Hall Sunday, April 24! Mr. Bennett takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Texas Performing Arts event page

Purchase Tickets

This copy is from the Texas Performing Arts event page.

Texas Performing Arts proudly presents TONY BENNETT, the 18 time Grammy Award-winning musician whose music spans over six decades on April 24 at Bass Concert Hall.

With worldwide record sales in the millions, and dozens of platinum and gold albums to his credit, TONY BENNETT is a musician who touches the hearts and souls of audiences with his legendary vocals and charming stage presence. His long list of achievements, spanning over 60 years, includes eighteen Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making this artist a true international treasure. His signature tunes, such as “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” form part of the fabric of American music culture. Often billed as the world’s most boyish octogenarian, TONY BENNETT is a vital musical artist at the peak of his powers.

“We aren’t likely to see a recording career like this again.” – The New York Times

“….his voice is still a technical marvel, and no one else on Earth can make a lyric written eight decades ago sound as natural as a conversation at a coffee shop.” – New York Magazine

For more information on the event, including parking information for the evening, visit the Texas Performing Arts event page.

Upcoming Concert: Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter @ Bass Hall, April 21

The news about this show has been bubbling for months, and it's almost here! Sure to be an amazing show at Bass Concert Hall this Thursday, April 21, at 8:00 p.m.

Texas Performing Arts event page

Purchase Tickets

This copy is from the Texas Performing Arts event page

Jazz legends Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter perform together April 21 at Bass Concert Hall.

About Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career spanning five decades and 14 Grammy® Awards, including Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters, he continues to amaze audiences across the globe.

There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles Davis said in his autobiography, “Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.”

Now in the fifth decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: in the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. Though one can’t track exactly where he will go next, he is sure to leave his inimitable imprint wherever he lands.

About Wayne Shorter

One of the most influential saxophonists and composers in the pantheon of modern music, let alone jazz, Wayne Shorter is currently celebrating his 81st terrestrial year. Regarded as a pioneer since his emergence in the 1950’s, his trajectory has restlessly embodied continual exploration and unencumbered momentum. A generation of musicians and fans see and hear him as a humble master who created a timeless vocabulary – as vital as it is unbound. Shorter won in three categories of the 2014 JJA Jazz Awards, taking honors for Musician of the Year, Record of the Year for his quartet’s searing Blue Note release, Without A Net, and the Wayne Shorter Quartet was named top Midsize Ensemble of the Year.

Bass Concert Hall is also offering a special pre-event dining option. For more information on dinner, and for parking info, check out the Texas Performing Arts event page.

Upcoming Festival: Texas Community Music Festival @ Central Market North, April 15-24

The 2016 Texas Community Music Festival rides again at Central Market North! The event runs from Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 24, featuring a huge number of local bands and artists and a wide array of musical genres. More information on the event can be found at the Texas Community Music Festival homepage, or see the article below.

This copy is from the TCMF About page

The Texas Community Music Festival kicked off in Austin April 29, 2006, at Central Market North, and drew approximately 10,000 over the four days to the central Austin location, far exceeding expectations, and setting the stage for what has now become a Central Texas tradition.

Over the years, the performances at TCMF have run the musical gamut, from traditional bierhaus music to full-sized orchestras; from Middle Eastern Bellydancers to Scottish pipe and drums to “All That Jazz.” We’ve even had a few “zombie invasions!” Musicians ranging in age from 9 to well past 90.

If the music lives in Texas, the music’s been performed LIVE at the Texas Community Music Festival.

For 2016, the festival celebrates its eleventh anniversary! Stay tuned, and check back. As the world moves into the new age, so will Live Music in Texas. And you’ll find all of it right here, at the Texas Community Music Festival!

TCMF is organized, managed and promoted by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, Austin’s oldest community band, and has been generously hosted over the years by Central Market North. Past hosts have also included the Park at The Triangle and Scholz Garten.

This year’s festival is sponsored by Central Market, HEB and the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble. Additional sponsorships are available. Please contact us at info@tcmfestival.com for more information.

For the complete list of bands performing in the festival, visit the TCMF 2016 schedule page.

Upcoming Concert: Chick Corea & Bela Fleck @ Paramount Theatre, April 15

Chick Corea and Bela Fleck are back in Austin this Friday, April 15, at the Paramount Theatre! The legendary piano/banjo duo hits the stage at 8:00 p.m. Read on for additional details, or check out the event page at the Paramount website.

This copy is from the Paramount Theatre event page

The Paramount Theatre and KUTX Live present

CHICK COREA & BELA FLECK

Doors @ 7pm | Show @ 8pm

Chick Corea & Béla Fleck, two master songwriters, musicians, and band leaders meet in a historic duet of piano and banjo. The Grammy-winning duet will combine Corea and Fleck’s most recognizable tunes with the music from their Latin Grammy-winning album The Enchantment. With a mix of jazz and pop standards, crossing a myriad of genres, from jazz, bluegrass, rock, flamenco and gospel, this will be a casual, intimate evening with two legends from different musical worlds.

Tickets for Friday's show can be purchased at the Paramount Theatre ticket purchase page.

Concert-goers are encouraged to check out Paramount's information on parking for the event.

Upcoming Concert: SFJAZZ Collective @ One World Theatre, April 12

The world-renowned SFJAZZ Collective will be performing at One World Theatre Tuesday, April 12! The show, SFJAZZ Collective Plays The Music of Michael Jackson & Original Compositions, begins at 7:00 p.m. Detailed event and ticket information can be found at One World Theatre.

The following copy is from the One World Theatre website

SFJAZZ Collective Plays The Music of Michael Jackson & Original Compositions

Miguel Zenón – Alto Saxophone
David Sánchez – Tenor Saxophone
Sean Jones – Trumpet
Robin Eubanks – Trombone
Warren Wolf – Vibraphone, Marimba
Edward Simon – Piano
Matt Penman – Bass
Obed Calvaire – Drums

The SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star award-winning jazz ensemble comprising eight of the finest performers/composers at work in jazz today. Launched in 2004 by SFJAZZ in San Francisco, the Collective has become one of the most exciting and acclaimed groups on the jazz scene. The new award-winning SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco is the Collective’s home base. The current octet is a burnished international ensemble comprising alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, tenor saxophonist David Sánchez, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Robin Eubanks, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Obed Calvaire. The Collective’s latest CD, Live 2015 – The Music of Michael Jackson & Original Compositions, is now available at sfjazz.org.

Each year, the SFJAZZ Collective creates and performs eight new works and eight new arrangements of tunes by an honored artist. Past honorees include Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Stevie Wonder, and Chick Corea. In 2016, the Collective will perform new arrangements of the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson.

In addition to its outstanding line-up with a leaderless format, the SFJAZZ Collective has also been praised for the innovative approach to repertoire. Through the pioneering approach of simultaneously honoring jazz's recent history while championing the music's up-to-the-minute directions, the Collective embodies SFJAZZ's commitment to jazz as a living, ever-relevant art form.

As soloists, composers, and bandleaders, the SFJAZZ Collective represents what’s happening now in jazz. They also demonstrate that jazz has truly become an international language. Hailing from Ohio, Baltimore, Miami, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and New Zealand, the Collective’s multi-cultural lineup mirrors the explosion of jazz talent around the globe. However, the jazz community only reached its current state by maintaining its traditions while simultaneously embracing innovation. This, too, is the essence of the SFJAZZ Collective. These exceptional artists come together in the name of jazz as a constantly evolving, quintessentially modern music.

In addition to the show, One World Theatre event-goers can add a dinner to their evening of music, served 90 minutes before the show's start. Visit the One World Theatre event page for complete details.

Upcoming Concert: Tommy Griffith and the New Orleans Jazz Band of Austin

The Austin Traditional Jazz Society presents Tommy Griffith and the New Orleans Jazz Band of Austin on Sunday, April 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research Boulevard, Austin.

Tommy Griffith (piano) is an Austin jazz legend. He has played all over the United States, most notably on riverboats on the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers. He has been leading jazz bands in Austin for about thirty years, the New Orleans Jazz Band of Austin for ten of those years. As the name suggests, the New Orleans Jazz Band of Austin is steeped in the jazz traditions of New Orleans. The band will feature longtime Austin jazz favorite Larmon Maddox (cornet), talented newcomer Don Denzin (clarinet and soprano sax), Jay Thomas of San Antonio (trombone), old reliable Dan Augustine (tuba), hot young talent Tyler Jackson (banjo) and Austin-area bandleader Dave Bedrich (drums).

April 30 is International Jazz Day. In its honor we hope you will sample the ATJS concert and other fine traditional jazz events in the Austin area.

Content provided by Dave Stoddard

Upcoming Concert: Terell Stafford with the UT Jazz Orchestra

The very first JIA Weekly posting comes at a great time: trumpet master Terell Stafford will be joining the University of Texas Jazz Orchestra this Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m.!

Tickets to the event are $10-$32, and can be purchased via the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music website.

The following copy is from the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music website:

Since the mid-1990s, Terell Stafford has performed with such groups as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, and Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. With the Hamilton Clayton Jazz Orchestra, he performed on Diana Krall’s Grammy-nominated From this Moment On (2006). Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University.

Directed by Professor Jeff Hellmer, the UT Jazz Orchestra is the Butler School of Music’s premiere jazz ensemble. The Jazz Orchestra has performed with such luminaries as Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, Conrad Herwig, John Clayton, Maria Schneider, Stefon Harris, and Joshua Redman in recent years. The ensemble’s eclectic repertoire features original compositions of its members.

“When he performs, Stafford’s fingers are reaching for more than notes. Whether squeezing the pathos out of a bent note or tugging on the tail end of an eighth-note run, he is painting us a bigger picture, telling his story.” — JazzTimes

“It has become a rule of thumb that university Jazz ensembles keep getting better and better, and the UT Jazz Orchestra is certainly no exception to the rule.” — All About Jazz

The Stafford/UTJO performance is part of the 2016 Longhorn Jazz Festival, a competition hosted by the University of Texas. Additional information will be added to this article as it becomes available.

Welcome to JIA Weekly!

Greetings and welcome to Jazz In Austin Weekly! An extension of jazzinaustin.com, the JIA Weekly is a source for notable goings-on in the Austin jazz community, from local favorites to visiting greats.

While jazzinaustin.com is a compendium for daily shows around the city, the Weekly aims to cover artists, venues, and events in greater detail, and gives our team a chance to highlight some of the fantastic jazz happenings in the Central Texas area beyond a simple calendar entry.

JIA Weekly and the Jazz In Austin operation is a small team of dedicated folks and active members of the music community. Our hope is to engage listeners with performers, and foster opportunity and appreciation for the music we love. We keep our eyes and ears open for jazz-related events in and around the city, but if you know of something we just shouldn't miss, let us know! We want to hear from the community we play for and the musicians we play with, and help shed a little more light on the vibrant jazz scene here in Austin.

by Art Carvajal