The New York-based Festival of New Trumpet Music, a nonprofit annual performance series that has in the past chosen such diverse horn luminaries as Lester Bowie and Wadada Leo Smith for its celebratory tributes, turns its focal energy this year to the far-reaching career of Canadian journeyman Kenny Wheeler. Wheeler, best known for his early involvement with Derek Bailey and Evan Parker in the London free-improvisation movement, and for his more recent work with Bill Frisell and Joni Mitchell, has released a steady stream of recordings from his home in the U.K. over his 50-plus-year career.
In addition to awarding the 81-year-old trumpeter with a much-deserved Award of Recognition, the festival features rare performances by Wheeler himself, sitting in with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen’s Brass quintet and intrepid drummer John Hollenbeck’s Large Ensemble. For the festival’s concluding performance, Wheeler will lead his own quintet, featuring alto sax player Jon Irabagon, pianist Craig Taborn, bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Rudy Royston.
In a FONT press statement, Wheeler expressed his enthusiasm to return to New York: “Although I have played in New York a few times over the years, every time I come back I still feel the same excitement I felt that first time I visited all those years ago. For me, New York is the place to play.”
The 9th Annual Festival of New Trumpet Music will take place at the Jazz Standard, from October 20th through October 23rd.
Visit FONT for more information.
Festival of New Trumpet Music to Salute Kenny Wheeler
Octogenerian trumpeter will perform at NYC event
