Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center in New York City has announced its Spring Jazz series, beginning tomorrow with Cecil Taylor’s 80 Birthday Celebration and continuing through May. The series will also include trumpeter Tomasz Stanko and flutist Jamie Baum; pianist Jonathan Batiste with Imani Winds; the Bad Plus plus the Benevento/Mathis/Barr Trio; Dave Liebman, Karl Berger, Tim McLafferty, Mick Rossi, Dick Sarpola and trumpeter Graham Haynes paying tribute to Miles Davis’ On the Corner; and a concert titled Writing Jazz: An Epilogue on Influence, which will include Lark Chamber Artists, Zephyros Winds and Anthony de Mare.
Full schedule
Cecil Taylor Speaks Volumes: 80th Birthday Celebration
Sat 03/28/2009 at 8:00 pm
The reigning master of jazz improvisation, Cecil Taylor has never been an artist to rest on his laurels. Combining brilliant piano invention with provocative verbal discussion, an evening with Taylor is guaranteed to stimulate and delight. Join us for a session with this always-surprising musician. Tickets: $25
Juxtapositions in Jazz: Jamie Baum/Tomasz Stanko
Sat 04/04/2009 at 8:00 pm
Jamie Baum – flutes, Ralph Alessi – trumpet, Douglas Yates – alto/bass clarinet, Chris Komer – french horn, Luis Perdomo – piano, Johannes Weidenmueller – bass, Jeff Hirshfield – drums
Tomasz Stanko – trumpet, Craig Taborn – keyboard, Thomas Morgan – bass, Jim Black – drums
The two jazz composer/performers offering their own takes on 20th century classics. Flutist Jamie Baum plays “Ives Suite,” inspired by Charles Ives’ haunting music. Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko ranges from fury to lyricism while displaying his trademark grit and verve.
Tickets: $30
Rags’ Riches
Thu 05/07/2009 at 8:00 pm
Jonathan Batiste and Imani Winds (World Premiere)
Two different approaches to the dialogue between jazz writing and improvisation, touching on the history of jazz from the ragtime era to the present day. Young New Orleans virtuoso Jonathan Batiste applies a New Orleans flair to ragtime and classic jazz, making the music deeply his own. Imani Winds will give the world premiere of pianist Jason Moran’s Cane. Yet another in a season of premieres for us! Tickets: $30
Post-Jazz/Post-Rock: The Musical Truth
Thu 05/14/2009 at 8:00 pm
The Bad Plus & Benevento/Mathis/Barr Trio
Situated at the nexus of contemporary classical, jazz and rock and roll, the Bad Plus brings its all-out, uninhibited style to pop standards and its own compositions. They’ll be joined by the Benevento/ Mathis/Barr Trio, a keyboard/bass/drum combo that tests the limits of indie rock. Tickets: $35
Street Talk: Miles Davis’ On the Corner featuring:
Dave Liebman / Karl Berger / Tim McLafferty / Mick Rossi / Dick Sarpola / Graham Haynes
Mon 05/25/2009 at 8:00 pm
A group of today’s top artists gather to revisit On the Corner, Miles Davis’ epochal freestyle, improvisational funk over a jazz backdrop LP. The group features the innovative trumpet of Graham Haynes as well as the album’s original saxophonist, Dave Liebman, paying homage to a sound so radical and electrifying that at the time it sent shock waves through the jazz establishment.
Tickets: $30
Writing Jazz: An Epilogue on Influence
Sat 05/30/2009 at 8:30 pm
Lark Chamber Artists / Zephyros Winds / Anthony de Mare
From the early 20th century to the present day, classical composers have responded to the jazz sounds that are so much a part of American culture. Lark Chamber Artists, Zephyros Winds and the genre-bending pianist Anthony de Mare will explore this fascinating interaction, culminating in the premier of a commissioned work by David Rakowski. Tickets: $30
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman is located at 129 West 67th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam)
Tickets can be purchased by calling 212-501-3330 or online at Kaufman Center.
