Jazz in the Box featuring Kenny Powell

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Updated: September 5, 2013

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On October 10jazz-box_750x600, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center presents Jazz in the Box featuring Kenny Powell and Red Velvet.

 

Jazz in the Box is a series of four jazz concerts that showcase the best of local jazz in the Center’s unique studio theater.   Different groups will bring their smooth and mellow jazz sounds for a terrific evening of entertainment.  Kenny’s performance is the second in the series.

 

Click here or on the Jazz in the Box image to see the full Poster with details.

 

Looking forward to seeing you!

Audience wins in Jazz intrastate rivalry

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Updated: March 3, 2012

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The New Pittsburgh Courier’s C. Denise Johnson reviews the February 18 performance.

With a double-bill headlining two Grammy winning jazz musicians, it goes without saying that in this rivalry, the winner would be those who had enough sense to be in the audience.

Fresh off of his Grammy Award for Big Band jefftainwattsJazz Performance, Christian McBride continued his winning ways by performing songs of his award-winning release, “The Good Feeling” and yes, that good feeling (and good music) wafted through the near capacity house at the August Wilson Center for another performance featuring the swinging Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.

JEFF ‘TAIN’ WATTS (Photo by Gail Manker)

Ace bassist Christian McBride was clearly enjoying himself as he led the PJO through his arrangements and engaged in some brief banter introducing the selections. “Shake and Blake” was a nod to longtime musical co-hort Ron Blake (with a tasty passage by saxman Michael Tomaro) while the next tune, “Mister Brother” was a tribute to James Brown.

The highlight of McBride’s set had to be “Science Fiction” a homage to TV show themes (think “Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits”) featuring an out-of-this-world flute solo by Kenneth Powell and Alton Merrill’s usual wizardly work on piano.

McBride brought out vocalist Melissa Walker to recreate the magic her contralto brought to two tracks from “The Good Feeling” CD on “A Taste of Honey” and “The More I See You,” before Jeff “Tain” Watts joined in on drums to trade bars with McBride on “In A Hurry.”

Following intermission, Pittsburgher Watts assumed the stage with the disarmingly cool he portrayed in the Spike Lee joint, “Mo Better Blues.” But once he picked up his sticks, the fire was stoked.

Watts paints pictures with his drum work, using the skins as his canvas and sticks and mallets as his brush. His opener, “The Impaler” was right to the point pushing a hard rhythm and Sean Jones used the same urgency with his trumpet solo.

“Blutain” was Tain’s interpretation of the blues with Powell adding a funky sax solo. “PAEN” is a recent composition that showcased the varied subtleties and textures that Watts brings out of his cymbals.

“Of August Moon,” a Watts composition dedicated to August Wilson, could serve as a Broadway overture to the Pittsburgh Cycle of plays with its bluesy swing and shifts in rhythms and melody with occasional hints of dissonance and melancholy.

Another unexpected pleasure was a haunting ballad, “May 15, 2011” (Watts readily admitted he couldn’t conjure an appropriate title), that featured the drummer on vocals. On this night he dedicated the song to Whitney Houston, whose homegoing was held earlier in the day.

Watts concluded his set and the evening by bringing McBride back to the stage to join him on “Return of the Jitney Man.” “There was already a song called Jitney Man,” Watts explain as he introduced this recollection of his father working out of the Bedford and Chauncey jitney station.

The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra’s next performance will be in April, Jazz Appreciation Month.

February 18 – Pennsylvania Collaboration

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Posted: January 23, 2012

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As a member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Kenny will perform with drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and bassist Christian McBride on Saturday, February 18, 2012. This special event at the August Wilson Center is one Jazz fans should mark on the calendar. Pittsburgh born Watts will be sharing the stage with Philadelphia born McBride and Pennsylvania is going to be proud of this very special presentation.

Holiday Jazz at the August Wilson Center

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Updated: January 11, 2012

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If you didn’t have the chance to attend, read what they had to say about this Holiday event in the New Pittsburgh Courier

Friday, 30 December 2011 10:30
by M. Abdul-Qawiyy
For New Pittsburgh Courier

On Sunday, Dec. 18, the frigid wintry weather did not deter jazz lovers from attending the 3rd annual Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra holiday show. The sold out performance boasted a diverse audience, in race and age, throughout the theater.

As the house lights dimmed, a quartet waltzed onto the stage, one at the piano, drum, bass and trumpet. They commenced the show with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The audience murmured excitedly as Artistic Director and lead trumpeter of the Orchestra, Sean Jones, opened the show saying, “We want to try to recreate the spirit of what the holiday is all about.” A serene ambience permeated as “Silent Night” lulled the audience, and snowflakes decorated the walls, as if it was indeed Christmas day.

The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, founded by Nathan Davis, is a resident Orchestra at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. The musicians not only have a shared purpose of keeping the rich history of jazz music in Pittsburgh alive, but also represent many ethnicities, races, and ages.

As the concert went on, solos were a kind of introduction of most members. In particular, James Moore’s trumpet lead in “Let it Snow” was ardent and as heads nodded and feet tapped, the audience got more involved and an “Alright!” erupted from the crowd.

Mike Tamaro, co-director of the Orchestra and director of Jazz studies at Duquesne University, initiated the Afro Cuban version of “Carol of the Bells.” Although he stopped the song mid performance to have the band start over, “It’s a brand new one,” Mike said and shrugged, the audience laughed. The rhythm skipped with a salsa-like flavor and people were snapping their fingers and saying, “That’s good.” “Yeah!” “Alright now!”

As “Blue Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Do you Hear what I hear?” featured several soloists, who alternated between the flute, clarinet and saxophone, other orchestra members were smiling, proudly nodding as soloists’ instruments sung out above the crowd.

Bass trombonist Jeff Bush blew low, deep, rich vibrating tones to an almost tango rhythmic beat, as “Sleigh Ride” was played. Orchestra members continued to smirk and gesture to one another, as they cheered on their fellow member. It was as though their actions were an extension of the music.

As the concert was coming to a close, “Jingle Bells,” sounded and audience members hummed and sang along.

“Did you have a good time?” Sean Jones asked, as the audience whooped with a resounding, “Yeah!”

The orchestra ended the show with Duke Ellington’s version of “Peanut Brittle Brigade.” As the audience erupted into applause and a standing ovation, Sean Jones remarked, “On behalf of the August Wilson Center and the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah and wonderful New Year.”

(The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra’s spring concert, featuring Benny Golson, is on April 21, 2012. To learn more about the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra and upcoming performances, please visit: http://pittsburghjazzorchestra.com for more information.)

This article can be found with photo at New Pittsburgh Courier

Kenny adds flair to holiday classics

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Updated: February 27, 2012

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Kenny will perform with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra on Sunday, December 18 at the August Wilson Center. Old favorites receive a jazz makeover, as the skilled musicians of the PJO render a new treatment on holiday classics, and turn the holiday season into a unique celebration of wonder, bliss and merriment the whole family will enjoy.  Don’t miss out, join us at 6:00pm this Sunday.

August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Ave | Pittsburgh, PA | 15222 | Directions

August Wilson Center Season Starts

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Updated: September 20, 2011

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Our Father, Who Art Blakey
September 17, 2011 | 8 pm | $20 – $40

The 2011-2012 season kicks off with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra in a celebration of the life and legacy of Art Blakey, the Pittsburgh native who blazed a trail for jazz hopefuls, and created his own style of drumming that became famous around the globe. Featuring special guest master drummers Roger Humphries, James Johnson, Cecil Brooks III and Tom Wendt, this event will celebrate Blakey’s contribution to jazz and the unique lineage of jazz drumming that emerged from the Pittsburgh region.

The August Wilson Center Family Series Presents:

SWING! Mary Lou Williams’ Musical Adventure in the Land of Oo Bla Dee
Based on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Who is Mary Lou Williams?”
September 17, 2011 | 1PM | $5
Swing with us as we discover how Mary Lou Williams, “the little piano girl from East Liberty” became the “First Lady of Jazz” and a master of ragtime, stride, boogie-woogie, bebop and beyond. Join Sean Jones and the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra for an afternoon of fun interactive activities and deeply swinging music including, “Roll ‘Em,” “Walkin’ and Swingin’,” and “In the Land of Oo Bla Dee.”

Friday Night Jazz

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Updated: September 20, 2011

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Friday evenings
9:00pm – 11:00pm

Great news for Jazz Fans! The Kenny Powell Jazz Trio will be entertaining on the lake view patio at the Juniper Grill in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Kenny will feature select guest artists weekly, including vocalist Denise Sheffey and Keyboardist Joe DeFazio. We’ve found the perfect recipe for your Summer night!