» Jazz

WALL TO WALL QUINCY, KENNY DORHAM, BKCM, MELVIS SANTA

On May 14, Symphony Space (Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 2537 Broadway) will present Wall to Wall Quincy Jones from 3 p.m.-11:30 p.m. That’s a lot of Quincy, but remember the trumpeter, record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, film and television producer’s career spans over seven decades. He crossed genres faster than a little girl jumping double dutch. He has a record of 28 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992. He produced Leslie Gore’s big pop hit “It’s My Party” in the late 1950s and was the arranger and music conductor for both Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. On the soul pop scene he produced three of Michael Jackson’s most successful albums: “Off the Wall” (1979), “Thriller” (1982), and “Bad” (1987), all on Columbia Records. Jones brought rappers and jazz musicians together for his album “Q’s Jook Joint” (Qwest Records 1995).

He’s scored over 30 films and soundtracks plus those for television as well, including the comedy series “Sanford and Son,” “Ironside” and “Mod Squad.” The worldwide fundraiser charity song “We Are the World” was conducted and produced by Jones in 1985.

With this abbreviated résumé, it’s evident why more than 85 musicians, dancers, and creators are joining this massive FREE extravaganza to pay tribute to the genius innovator Quincy Jones. This celebration features soul, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, original choreography, fascinating conversations, and closes out with a jump-out-of-yourseat DJ set covering all of the hits.

No need to call, just show up. Come early stay late, come late stay late. It’s Wall to Wall Quincy Jones. No wonder his middle name is “Delight.” Live and virtual check website symphonyspace.org.

Trumpeter, composer and singer Kenny Dorham was grossly under-rated, as any jazz enthusiast or musician will attest. When trumpeters are mentioned, his name should be in the same sentence as Miles Davis, Clifford Brown or Lee Morgan. The Texas native recorded more than 20 albums as a leader, and the many bands he played with were a list of who’s who, from Abbey Lincoln, Randy Weston, Charlie Parker. Thelonious Monk, Max Roach, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (an original member), Benny Golson, Sonny Rollins and Cecil Taylor. His self-titled quintet debut album in 1953 featured pianist Walter Bishop, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke on the Debut Records label founded by Charles Mingus and Max Roach.

On May 15, those who aren’t familiar with Dorham and his music will be able to get an

up close live in-person perspective when VTY Jazz Arts present “Una Mas” a Tribute to Kenny Dorham, at The Cutting Room (44 East 32nd Street), from 4 p.m.-6:45 p.m.

The accomplished musicians (all bandleaders in their own right) coming together to play Dorham’s music will include trumpeter Brain Lynch, saxophones Stacy Dillard, pianist Dave Kikoski, bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Lewis.

“Una Mas” (One More Time) was the title of Dorham’s 1963 Blue Note Records album that featured a quintet of then young guns tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Butch Warren and drummer Tony Williams. All the compositions on the album were originals by Dorham except for “If Ever I Would Leave You.”

Since its inception, VTY Jazz Arts has played a significant role in paying tribute to NEA Jazz Masters, as well as casting awareness to a host of musicians like Dorham, who despite their musicianship never received that vigorous acknowledgment from the jazz establishment.

For reservations call 917-882-9539.

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM), midway through a successful inaugural year, announces that applications are open through May 15 for the second year of the Jazz Leaders Fellowship program. This initiative aims to support emerging Black women and Black non-binary jazz musicians in creating original music, to increase their representation as leaders in the field, to broaden the presence of BKCM in the jazz community and to expose BKCM’s students to diverse emerging teachers.

The fellowship is made possible by the generous support of BKCM Board member Daniel DiPietro and his wife Alexis and includes a $12,500 award for each of the two recipients. Additionally, BKCM will empower and aid recipients in their paths toward music leadership through teaching and performance opportunities, access to BKCM’s rehearsal spaces, participation in BKCM’s Jazz Program advisory panel and more.

Inaugural recipients Jordyn Davis and Charenée Wade remained engaged with the BKCM community throughout the yearlong fellowship, which began in August 2021. The vocalist, composer, and arranger Wade led a workshop for BKCM students and presented a special concert at the BKCM concert hall on International Jazz Day (April 30). “The fellowship gives you the ability to do almost anything you want,” said Wade. “It enabled me to take time to work on my next album and an opportunity to put together art classes for an online platform.”

The program was conceived by DiPietro and developed by the Jazz Leaders Fellowship Committee, led by renowned jazz and avant-garde vocalist musician and educator Fay Victor. “What a great first year!” said JLF Committee Chair Fay Victor. “Working as the committee chair has been an amazing journey of discovery, complete with incredible support from BKCM faculty and staff, the committee and Daniel DiPietro. I’m so proud of the work all those involved did to build, promote and develop the fellowship.”

For more information on this program and to apply, please visit BKCM.org/JLF.

The singer, pianist, composer and activist Melvis Santa is a young guru, a storyteller who makes a point of integrating the Black diaspora with her Cuban heritage, Afro Cuban traditions and American/Latin jazz influence she continues to digest since her arrival to New York City.

On May 19-20, Santa will present IDILE: Sounds of Jazz and Orishas, at Aaron Davis Hall City College (135th Street at 129 Convent Avenue). IDILE which translates to “lineage” in Yoruba, is a multidisciplinary musical concert that integrates original composition, improvisation, art installation and dance. “This show was conceived as an offering; an invitation and invocation to (re)connect as individuals and as a collective along the ancestral path/ lineage that’s common to Jazz and Orishas. We come from a lineage of survivors, and this show celebrates that.”

Santa’s multi-dimensional ensemble will include trumpeter Josh Evans, bassist Rashaan Carter (May 20), percussionist Rafael Monteagudo, drummer Enoch Jamal Strickland and band director, pianist and vocals by Santa. Art installation by Jean Carla Rodea and Jo Wood-Brown and dancer TaDeo Asojano.

Tickets are $20; call 212-650-6900 or visit website: www.eventbrite.com/e/ idile-sounds-of-jazz-and-orishas-tickets-329828514967. Concerts begin both nights at 7 p.m.

Quincy Jones (Sam Santos photo / Canadian Film Centre - https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Quincy_Jones_May_2014.jpg), „Quincy Jones May 2014“, https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode)