5 Live Music Musts - August 21, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - August 21, 2015
Brian Blade at Columbus Theatre Tonight
World class jazz will be heard and recorded at the Columbus Theatre in Providence tonight with the Brian Blade Fellowship. Blade is considered one of the best drummers in jazz and his band will have the honor of being the first to record a live album at the venerable Providence theatre. You can read more about Eyeland Studios at the Columbus Theatre in our preview here. Show starts at 8PM, tickets are still available here and at the door for $25.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSongwriters Festival Tonight at RICC
A first tonight at the Convention Center is the Rhode Island Songwriting Festival. With a focus on country music, there will be performances and commentary from top Nashville songwriters as well as special sets from two Rhode Islanders with a national presence, former child star Billy Gilman, and 2015 “The Voice” star, Sarah Potenza. The event is presented by the RI Hospitality Association and several restaurants will have food stations set up. Tickets are $45 with VIP tickets priced at $75. The fun begins at 5:30.
AC DC at Gillette Saturday
AC DC returns to Gillette Stadium tomorrow night for a major league rock show. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will be without co-founder Malcolm Young, who withdrew last year due to illness. No worries though, as brother and lead guitarist Angus Young will surely be hitting those iconic AC DC riffs. Concert starts at 7:30 - tickets are still available starting at 54.50.
Buddy Guy at Indian Ranch Sunday
Buddy Guy is the simply the world’s greatest blues guitarist. His career began in the 1950s when he arrived in Chicago and played alongside greats like Muddy Waters and Otis Rush. Guy influenced numerous rock guitarists including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. He’s just released a new album of originals Born to Play Guitar, currently #1 on the Blues charts. And he’ll be an Indian Ranch in Webster, MA Sunday afternoon at 2PM. Tickets are available here starting at $39.50.
Beach House at Lupos Tuesday
One band that has earned a lot of attention in recent years is Beach House, a Baltimore group that formed in 2004. Composed of singer/keyboardist Victoria Legrand and multi-instrumentalist Alex Scally, along with touring drummer Dan Franz, their indie sound is hard to categorize, and they seem to like it that way. Check them out for yourself next Tuesday, August 25 at Lupos. Romantic States opens at 9PM. Tickets are $27 in advance, $30 at the door.
Newport Jazz Festival 2015: Weekend Highlights
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson hit the stage with a $100 bill and a crack band behind her. Her show was a tribute to jazz legend Billie Holiday who was born 100 years ago. Wilson strode through several classics including “You Go to My Head,” “These Foolish Things,” and “Billie’s Blues.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Pat Martino
Pat Martino is a veteran jazz guitarist who hung out with legends Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane as a teenager in Philadelphia. He brought his Organ Trio to Newport featuring organist Pat Bianchi. Their set didn’t disappoint; the band played originals “Mac Tough,” and “Inside Out,” as well as the Montgomery classic “Full House.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Hiromi
Hiromi returned to Newport this year playing the Fort Stage Saturday. A native of Japan, Hiromi came to the United States to study at Berklee College in 1999. The dynamic pianist led her Trio Project through several original compositions including “Warrior,” “Dreamer” and “Alive.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste is a jazz artist who’s hit the big time. His enthusiastic performance demonstrated why he was chosen to be the band leader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. His diverse set Saturday included the jazz classic “Love for Sale” as well as “If You’re Happy and You Know it” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly joined Jon Batiste and his band Stay Human throughout the weekend. The saxophonist leads her own band as well and is part of a recently released documentary film about the late sax player Frank Morgan. (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Lisa Fischer
Lisa Fischer may be best known as a backup vocalist with the Rolling Stones. But she shines brightest with her own band Grand Baton. She rocked the house with her 1991 Grammy winning single “How Can I Ease the Pain,” as well as a couple of re-arranged Stones classics, “Jumping Jack Flash,” and “Wild Horses.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Tom Harrell
Legendary flugelhorn/trumpeter Tom Harrell and his quintet played to a full house on the Harbor Stage. He’s played on over 260 recordings during the course of his 40+ year career. The band played Harrell’s original compositions including “Delta of the Mile” and “Journey to the Stars.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett is one of the leading saxophone players in the world today. He began his career playing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and later played with Miles Davis. He won a Grammy in 2010 for his collaboration album Five Peace Band. Saturday, fans heard “J. Mac,” “Happy People” and “Wayne’s Thing.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Irvin Mayfield
Irvin Mayfield and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra closed the proceedings on Saturday with a lively set of spicy classics. Jazz, rock and pop came together for hits like “Angola,” “Overjoyed” and “We Will Rock You.”The Grammy winning artist is a tireless advocate for the city and music of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Brandon Ross
Brandon Ross, lead guitarist for Cassandra Wilson, has played with other jazz stars like Bill Frisell as well as mainstream artists including Joan Osborne. He had solos on several numbers including "With a Little Moonlight," and "All of Me." (Photo: Ken Abrams)
RIMEA Jazz Ensemble
Every year at Newport, the Rhode Island Music Educator's Association takes part in the festivities with the RIMEA Senior Jazz Ensemble. The band features some of the best high school students in state led by conductor Willie Hill. Their set included selections from jazz greats John Coltrane, Joe Henderson and John Scofield. (Pictured: Nick Schmidt on guitar.) (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Scott Robinson
Scott Robinson fronted his doctette on the Harbor Stage Sunday. He was overshadowed physically (but not musically) by his contrasax, a gigantic instrument that makes the stand up bass seem like a violin. (Photo: Rick Farrell)
John Faddis
John Faddis led a three trumpet attack Sunday on the Quad Stage with the help of his able band and fellow horn blowers Sean Jones and Marquis Hill. Faddis, who is known for playing some of the highest notes possible on the trumpet, impressed with originals and covers including the Miles Davis classic "Seven Steps to Heaven." (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Dr. John
New Orleans ambassador Dr. John got the party started at the Fort Stage on Sunday. He returned to Newport after illness forced him to cancel last year. Fans rocked to hits "Jockamo," "St. James Infirmary" and "Goodnite Irene." (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Joey Alexander
12 year old Joey Alexander is a child prodigy who has made a huge impression on the jazz world. With film crews in tow, he entertained those present with jazz classics "Footprints" and "It Might as Well be Spring." (Photo: Rick Farrell)
MMEA
Massachusetts Music Educators Association Jazz Band (Photo: Rick Farrell)
Jon Lampley
Stay Human trumpeter Jon Lampley (Photo: Ken Abrams)
James Carter
Award winning saxophonist James Carter (Photo: Rick Farrell)
