NY Winter Jazzfest

[BFrank]

Surprised I couldn't find any existing threads about this festival. Some interesting shows this year, not the least of which is: STRATA-EAST RISING - A Landmark concert w/ Charles Tolliver, Cecil McBee, Billy Hart, Billy Harper, Christian McBride, aja monet, Endea Owens, Steve Jordan, Keyon Harrold, Camille Thurman +more TBA.

Seems like a can't-miss, once-in-a-lifetime chance to see all these great musicians together. I'll be there.

[mjazzg]

That Strata East band played London about 10 years ago and were predictably great.

Aja Monet is a real talent to my ears

[kh1958]

I was entertaining the thought of possibly attending this festival, at least for the Marathons, but I have not arranged it. It will probably be a last minute plan, if I do.

[BFrank]

On 11/27/2024 at 5:28 AM, mjazzg said:

That Strata East band played London about 10 years ago and were predictably great.

Aja Monet is a real talent to my ears

I'm going to have to listen to her

On 11/27/2024 at 7:48 AM, kh1958 said:

I was entertaining the thought of possibly attending this festival, at least for the Marathons, but I have not arranged it. It will probably be a last minute plan, if I do.

I did one of the Marathons in 2019. Nothing wrong with the music, but the venues were pretty spread out around lower Manhattan (and now in Brooklyn). Not a great experience as far as that goes, especially the long walks in January.

[kh1958]

8 hours ago, BFrank said:

 

I did one of the Marathons in 2019. Nothing wrong with the music, but the venues were pretty spread out around lower Manhattan (and now in Brooklyn). Not a great experience as far as that goes, especially the long walks in January.

I attended the Marathons from 2015-2020, six years in a row. In the early years, the venues were mostly fairly close and all in Manhattan. Unfortunately no longer the case, in which case the best strategy is probably just to pick the one venue with the most bands that appeal to you and stay in one place.

[BFrank]

10 hours ago, kh1958 said:

I attended the Marathons from 2015-2020, six years in a row. In the early years, the venues were mostly fairly close and all in Manhattan. Unfortunately no longer the case, in which case the best strategy is probably just to pick the one venue with the most bands that appeal to you and stay in one place.

I think you’re right, but it kind of negates the “festival experience”. I spent 10 years going to SXSW, followed by 5 seasons of Big Ears, and a big part of their appeal is seeing many different artists in different kinds of venues. 

[GA Russell]

Here is more.

Celebrating Strata-East Records with a Special Tribute Show Dedicated to the Landmark Jazz Label co-founded by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell January 13 at 7PM & 9:30PM at Le Poisson Rouge, NYC Presented by Winter Jazz Fest Tickets “Strata-East Rising Concert: A Tribute to the Landmark Jazz Label” will bring together two bands on Jan. 13 at Le Poisson Rouge,158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012 to reimagine some of the imprint’s most iconic works. Featuring a star-studded lineup of original Strata-East artists Charles Tolliver, Cecil McBee, Billy Harper, Billy Hart and George Cables, the show will also highlight the talents of Steve Jordan, Christian McBride, aja monet, Endea Owens, Keyon Harrold, Camille Thurman, Josh Evans, Darrell Green, Victor Gould and more. Co-founded by Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell in 1971, and known for its DIY spirit and ties to Black liberation politics, Strata-East gave artists the freedom to create on their terms, producing landmark albums by legends like Tolliver, Cowell, The Heath Brothers, Clifford Jordan, Max Roach, Bill Lee (father of Spike Lee), Gil Scott-Heron and Pharoah Sanders, among many others. Tolliver’s influence extends to a new generation of jazz stars, including Keyon Harrold, Camille Thurman, Darrell Green and Victor Gould. “There’s so much great material to revisit and new projects in the works,” Tolliver said. Tickets Winter Jazz Fest #nycwjf

J

[BFrank]

Can't wait for Monday's Strata-East show!

Also going to Ravi's Love Supreme interpretation on Sunday with loads of guests. Should be wild.

[BFrank]

Ravi's show turned out to be a more exciting set than the S-E show. I was surprised - not that Ravi wouldn't be good, but that Tolliver's show was a little sloppy and never really brought the energy I was expecting.

Here's Ravi w/Jeff "Tain" Watts, David Virelles and Dezron Douglas

[kh1958]

Wish I had been there. Maybe next year.

[sidewinder]

9 hours ago, BFrank said:

Ravi's show turned out to be a more exciting set than the S-E show. I was surprised - not that Ravi wouldn't be good, but that Tolliver's show was a little sloppy and never really brought the energy I was expecting.

Here's Ravi w/Jeff "Tain" Watts, David Virelles and Dezron Douglas

The London show last November was very good, albeit Tolliver was sparing with his solos (which were incisive). As an over-80 year old he is being careful with his lip. Totally understandable - indeed it is very impressive that he is still playing at this level. Long may it last !

With the Big Band he largely concentrated on conducting/directing - with great energy. Echoes of Gerald Wilson.

Edited yesterday at 12:07 PM by sidewinder

[BFrank]

18 hours ago, sidewinder said:

The London show last November was very good, albeit Tolliver was sparing with his solos (which were incisive). As an over-80 year old he is being careful with his lip. Totally understandable - indeed it is very impressive that he is still playing at this level. Long may it last !

With the Big Band he largely concentrated on conducting/directing - with great energy. Echoes of Gerald Wilson.

Sounds similar to the NY show. As far as energy, I didn't specifically Tolliver's playing - there's no way he could still play like years past. More that the whole show was a little up and down. There were some fine moments for sure, but then it veered off at other times. This was the second set of the night, so maybe that had something to do with it. Disappointed that McBee and Cables didn't show up in the second set - but again, I'm sure age had something to do with that.

[sidewinder]

2 hours ago, BFrank said:

Sounds similar to the NY show. As far as energy, I didn't specifically Tolliver's playing - there's no way he could still play like years past. More that the whole show was a little up and down. There were some fine moments for sure, but then it veered off at other times. This was the second set of the night, so maybe that had something to do with it. Disappointed that McBee and Cables didn't show up in the second set - but again, I'm sure age had something to do with that.

They were very different shows- the London show was not Strata East but a tribute to Max Roach. I wouldn't say it was particularly 'up and down' either - both sets at the Barbican very good. The core musicians were brought by Tolliver from the US and supplemented by some of the best from the UK e.g. Tony Kofi.

Edited 6 hours ago by sidewinder