This year Jazzheads celebrates its 20th anniversary as a label. The first annual Jazzheads Jazz Festival took place at the Players Club in New York City on May 4-5, 2012. The Players Club is the beautiful 18th century townhouse that belonged to Edwin Booth, the great Shakespearean actor and brother to John Wilkes. The townhouse has a performing banquet hall with wonderful acoustics and ambiance. It is a place to listen good performance space to listen to improvised music from some very fine musicians!
Friday night, Dave Frank performed a stellar set of solo piano pieces. This guy has super chops! It was followed by the fine and subtle playing of New York Jazz Initiative. Then, vocalist, Gabriele Tranchina group entertained with groove and joy. Closing the night was the flute maestro, Mark Weinstein with his rhythmic Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble. The players played their hearts out and the audience lucky enough to hear the music, responded with grand applause.
Saturday night was more of the same with an inspiring set by Jeff Lederer’s Sunwatcher group. Jeff takes the saxophone to new places and keeps the audience involved. The Randy Klein's Two Duos project with Randy Klein’s Two Duos, Alex Skolnick, Nik Munson and Alex Skolnick was subtle and musical. Nik Munson has a rich and alluring vocal sound and Alex Skolnick is a fine Jazz guitarist, with Randy Klein's excellent piano accompaniment. Duo playing at its best! The evening ended with the screaming and enormously educational and fun Bobby Sanabria Big Band. Bobby is a master of the stage and this is one of the best big bands out there. This night the music was happening!
Jazzheads thanks to all the players and volunteers who made the festival a musical success! Look for more to come from Jazzheads in the future!
Friday night, Dave Frank performed a stellar set of solo piano pieces. This guy has super chops! It was followed by the fine and subtle playing of New York Jazz Initiative. Then, vocalist, Gabriele Tranchina group entertained with groove and joy. Closing the night was the flute maestro, Mark Weinstein with his rhythmic Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble. The players played their hearts out and the audience lucky enough to hear the music, responded with grand applause.
Saturday night was more of the same with an inspiring set by Jeff Lederer’s Sunwatcher group. Jeff takes the saxophone to new places and keeps the audience involved. The Randy Klein's Two Duos project with Randy Klein’s Two Duos, Alex Skolnick, Nik Munson and Alex Skolnick was subtle and musical. Nik Munson has a rich and alluring vocal sound and Alex Skolnick is a fine Jazz guitarist, with Randy Klein's excellent piano accompaniment. Duo playing at its best! The evening ended with the screaming and enormously educational and fun Bobby Sanabria Big Band. Bobby is a master of the stage and this is one of the best big bands out there. This night the music was happening!
Jazzheads thanks to all the players and volunteers who made the festival a musical success! Look for more to come from Jazzheads in the future!
