2021 JazzFest Program by Cuyahoga Community College

Sept. 11-12, 2021

Live from Cain Park

tri-cjazzfest.com A MOMENT IN CLEVELAND BRIA SKONBERG CATHERINE RUSSELL

CHRISTIAN SANDS TRIO EMMET COHEN TRIO HARP VS HARP: EDMAR CASTANEDA & GRÉGOIRE MARET

LAKECIA BENJAMIN AND PURSUANCE MARQUIS HILL SAMARA JOY FEATURING PASQUALE GRASSO TRIO AND SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA

together sounds great to us. KeyBank is proud to sponsor the 42 nd annual Tri-C JazzFest. We recognize the unique ability of jazz to bring different cultures together and are committed to keeping this annual tradition alive. As we groove to the talents of our region’s thriving jazz community, we thank everyone for making this year’s celebration one to remember.

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (TRI-C®) BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENT’S CABINET

Andrew E. Randall

Alex Johnson, Ph.D.

TRI-C JAZZFEST BOARD OF ADVISORS

Chair

President

Scott Balogh

Helen Forbes Fields

William H. Gary Sr.

Mar-Bal Incorporated

Vice Chair

Executive Vice President Workforce, Community and Economic Development

Steven Balogh

David Kuntz, CPA

Jules Belkin

Ann M. Frangos J. David Heller The Rev. Cory C. Jenkins Phoebe Lee Geralyn M. Presti Victor A. Ruiz John E. Skory

Executive Vice President/Treasurer Administration and Finance

Karen Miller, Ph.D. Executive Vice President/Provost Access, Learning and Success

William Cunion, Ph.D.

Mar-Bal Incorporated The Francine and Jules Belkin Philanthropic Fund

Elizabeth Conway Cuyahoga Community College

Carol A. Cunningham, M.D.

Interim President, Eastern Campus

Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS

Denise McCory, Ph.D.

Barry Gabel

President, Metropolitan Campus

Lisa Williams, Ph.D. President, Western Campus

Janice Taylor-Heard, Ph.D. Interim President, Westshore Campus

Ronna McNair Chief of Staff/Executive Assistant to the President

Jenny Febbo Vice President, Integrated Communications

Megan O’Bryan Vice President, Development President, Cuyahoga Community College Foundation

Live Nation

Donald Nettis American Controls

Nwaka Onwusa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Robert Shenton Plante Moran

Jim Strassman Strassman Insurance Services, Inc.

Alan Zang U.S. Bank

Claire Rosacco Vice President, Government Affairs and Community Outreach

Renee Tramble Richard, J.D. Vice President, Legal Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letters of Welcome............................................... 2 Message From the President................................. 3 Jazz Legends Awards............................................ 4 Indoor Lineup....................................................... 6 Festival Schedule................................................16 JazzFest Educational Programs.............................17 Stafff and Special Thanks................................... 19 Sponsors and Friends......................................... 19 We encourage you to interact and share your experiences with us using #TriCJazzFest.

Facebook: /TriCJazzFest

Twitter: @TriCJazzFest

Instagram: @tricjazzfest

YouTube: /TriCJazzFestCleveland

Welcome to the 42nd annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, live from Cain Park! Just a few short months ago, we weren’t sure a live event was even possible. But we pushed back the date and changed the location so that we could present the safest festival — outdoors in a covered venue and with enough time for artists and fans to be fully vaccinated. Last year’s virtual festival showcased Northeast Ohio’s jazz talent, giving local musicians a global stage. To our amazement, 75,000 people tuned in over three nights. This year, our priority was to present an outstanding menu of memorable performances and wall-to-wall live music. Our intention was to create a festival experience that honors jazz, young and exciting musicians, and fans who love this music as much as we do. The talent is fresh, the music diverse, and the setting exquisite. Behind the musicians you will notice a wonderful set, heavily inspired by Henri Rousseau’s painting “Repast of the Lion.” Tri-C JazzFest production manager, William Horschke, and Hughie’s AV designer Dave Brooks thought the natural elements worked beautifully within Cain Park and decided it was the perfect place for Footnote, the JazzFest mascot. They’ve titled it “Repast of the Jazz Cat.” Sincere thanks to Erin Cameron-Miller and her team at Cain Park; to our JazzFest Board of Advisors for much-needed encouragement and counsel; and to Cuyahoga Community College for supporting this beautiful art form for 42 years! And last, but certainly not least — big applause to festival staff for the ability to pivot and create two unique festivals during a pandemic.

On behalf of KeyBank, presenting sponsor of the 2021 Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, I am pleased to welcome you to this exciting community festival as we celebrate more than 40 years of musical tradition! KeyBank is proud to continue its support of JazzFest, celebrating the festival’s rich history of bringing talented musicians from across the jazz spectrum together with the community for world-class cultural arts and music education opportunities. I hope you enjoy JazzFest as much as we do at KeyBank, where supporting the traditions in the community in which our team lives and works is a priority. Cleveland is our home, and our purpose is to help this community thrive. All of us at KeyBank are dedicated to helping our great city grow. We are committed to helping events like this continue for years to come so that future generations see that this festival is indeed part of the fabric of Cleveland. See you at JazzFest this weekend! Sincerely, Timothy M. Burke President, Northeast Ohio, KeyBank

Terri Pontremoli Director, Tri-C JazzFest

Help keep Tri-C JazzFest swinging by texting “JazzFest” to 44321 2

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT On behalf of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), I am pleased to welcome you to the 42nd annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, presented by KeyBank. In an art-rich city like Cleveland — which boasts cultural icons like the Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Tri-C has developed a reputation for honoring America’s most significant art form: jazz. Jazz is part of our historical identity. It laid the foundation for soul music, and its influence can be heard around the world. Jazz is recognized as a symbol of inclusion, democracy and opportunity. Both the College and the festival have contributed to Cleveland’s growing jazz legacy, and it has been gratifying to see former Tri-C students like Dominick Farinacci, Jerome Jennings and Walter Barnes make names for themselves as jazz artists. We are grateful for the continued generosity of our presenting sponsor, KeyBank, and we could not host the festival without the support of our other sponsors: Fran and Jules Belkin, Strassman Insurance Services, The George Gund Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, The Roy Minoff Family Fund, The Balogh Brothers, The William F. Weiss Foundation and U.S. Bank. We also deeply appreciate the contributions of Gill and Tommy LiPuma, in whose honor our Center for Creative Arts is named. Special thanks to Cain Park and the City of Cleveland Heights for partnering with us on this modified version of JazzFest. While the past year and a half has been deeply challenging, it has also been a time of heightened awareness, calls to action and reminders of what is truly important. Music is a powerful force — and in the spirit of that force, I invite you to enjoy this festival weekend live from Cain Park.

Alex Johnson, Ph.D. President, Cuyahoga Community College

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation Dominion Energy and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation are longtime supporters of Cuyahoga Community College and Tri-C JazzFest. Since this partnership began decades ago, Dominion Energy’s support of scholarships and programs has advanced the lives of thousands of individuals and their families by providing opportunities for them to pursue their dreams. Through JazzFest and the Tri-C Youth Jazz Camp, hundreds of youth experience world-class music education and receive instruction from renowned artists. Dominion Energy’s engagement continues to build a vibrant community through education and the music we love.

Steve Enos Trumpeter, Jazz Educator As founding director of the award-winning Tri-C JazzFest High School AllStars program, trumpeter Steve Enos has a strong passion and vision for advancing the future of jazz. Enos began his musical career in California with the U.S. Navy Band before returning east to earn a bachelor’s degree in professional music/ jazz performance from Boston’s Berklee College of Music and a master’s in music education from the University of Akron. He found his way to Cuyahoga Community College in 1995, establishing the Tri-C Jazz Studies program, which maintains articulation agreements with both Berklee and the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at Connecticut’s Hartt School of Music. When he’s not in the classroom, Enos can be heard performing with Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the Playhouse Square Orchestra.

Help keep Tri-C JazzFest swinging by texting “JazzFest” to 44321 4

Each year, the Tri-C JazzFest Legends Award is presented to Northeast Ohio individuals and organizations who demonstrate outstanding achievement in jazz performance, education, advocacy or philanthropy.

Joe Mosbrook Jazz Historian Celebrated Northeast Ohio broadcast journalist Joe Mosbrook turned his passion for jazz into a creative odyssey, documenting the rich and previously untold history of Cleveland jazz. His earliest writings, featured in the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society newsletter, were reformatted for radio at the request of WCPN. His features, numbering nearly 1,700, have been broadcast weekly for the past 33 years. Mosbrook’s earliest broadcasting experience was hosting jazz programs at NBC radio during college. Since arriving in Cleveland in 1967, he has covered most major Northeast Ohio news events, reporting for WKYC-TV and NBC while keeping up with Cleveland’s jazz scene. Encouraged by Tri-C JazzFest, Mosbrook authored Cleveland Jazz History in 1993 and its greatly expanded second edition in 2003.

The George Gund Foundation Nonprofit Institution Founded in 1952 as a private nonprofit institution, The George Gund Foundation contributes to human well-being and the progress of society. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated $722 million to the arts, civic engagement, community and economic development, environmental policy, human services, public education and racial equality. As a friend and supporter of the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, The Gund Foundation makes free outdoor Tri-C JazzFest concerts possible, ensuring the program’s continued growth through expanded community engagement.

Samara Joy Featuring The Pasquale Grasso Trio SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

Saturday, Sept. 11 3:30 p.m.

With a voice smooth as velvet, 21-year-old Samara Joy’s star seems to rise with each performance. Winner of the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Joy recorded her debut record with The Pasquale Grasso Trio. Performing with Joy is Pasquale Grasso (guitar), Ari Roland (bass) and Keith Balla (drums). Growing up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, music was a pervasive presence in Joy’s life. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, led the wellknown Philadelphia-based gospel group The Savettes. Her home was filled with the music of gospel and R&B artists including Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, George Duke, Musiq Soulchild, Kim Burrell, Commissioned and many others. Joy’s first exposure to jazz was at Fordham High School for the Arts, where she performed regularly with the jazz band, eventually winning Best Vocalist at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition. However, jazz wasn’t really her focus until the time came to choose a college. Wanting to attend a state school close to home, she picked SUNY Purchase, gaining acceptance into their acclaimed jazz program. The school’s faculty includes many jazz masters including Pasquale Grasso and drummer Kenny Washington, who both appear on Joy’s debut recording. Since then, she’s performed in many of the great jazz venues in New York City including Dizzy’s Club, The Blue Note and Mezzrow, in addition to working with jazz greats such as Christian McBride, Pasquale Grasso, Jon Faddis, Kirk Lightsey, Cyrus Chestnut and NEA Jazz Master Barry Harris.

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Lakecia Benjamin and Pursuance Saturday, Sept. 11 4:45 p.m.

Benjamin’s electric presence and fiery sax work has shared stages with several legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots and Macy Gray. As bandleader of Lakecia Benjamin and Soul Squad, she melds the vintage sounds of James Brown, Maceo Parker, Sly and the Family Stone and the Meters with soaring dance floor-worthy rhythms. Her grooves take the classic vibe to a whole new level with sultry alto saxophone, creating something special on every cut — be it a smoldering late-night ambiance or a forceful jazz intensity.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip-hop and soul. Her latest album, Pursuance, was chosen by DownBeat Magazine as one of the Top 20 best albums of 2020. It’s an intergenerational masterpiece that takes one on a journey through the lineage of music with the works of John and Alice Coltrane. Her JazzFest performance features Zaccai Curtis (piano), Lonnie Plaxico (bass) and E.J. Strickland (drums).

Benjamin first picked up the saxophone at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. From there, she joined the renowned jazz program at The New School in New York City. Even at that early stage, Benjamin was already playing with renowned jazz figures like Clark Terry and Reggie Workman, which brought about opportunities to play and tour with artists such as Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin and James “Blood” Ulmer. With her deep jazz roots, Benjamin is in demand as an arranger and horn section leader, having landed stints with such acclaimed artists as Anita Baker. Steinway is the official piano of Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland. The Steinway on stage was selected from the Steinway Gallery.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

Christian Sands Trio

Saturday, Sept. 11 6:15 p.m. Steinway artist and five-time Grammy nominee Christian Sands is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, helping to accomplish a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz. Performing with Sands is Alex Claffy (bass) and Clarence Penn (drums). Whether it’s stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the present and future. He expresses himself through an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the while maintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing. From a very early age, Sands possessed an insatiable appetite for music. He enrolled in music classes at age 4 and wrote his first composition at age 5. He started playing professionally at age 10, studying at the Neighborhood Music School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, Connecticut. He later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. Since arriving on the scene, Sands has shared the stage with such jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Sheila E, Warren Wolf, Tia Fuller, Gary Burton, Stefon Harris, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, Ben Williams, Randy Brecker, Steve Johns, Avery Sharpe, James Moody, Bill Evans, Russell Malone, Terence Blanchard, Louis Hayes, Patti Austin, Marcus Baylor, Craig Handy, Carl Allen, Kirk Whalum and Wycliffe Gordon.

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A Moment in Cleveland

Led by trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, A Moment in Cleveland features music icons across Cleveland’s jazz and gospel music scene including Ernie Krivda, Lafayette Carthon, Evelyn Wright, Jackie Warren, Walter Barnes Jr., Joe Hunter, Bryan Thomas, Chris Coles and more. Direct from New York City, Cleveland native Jerome Jennings joins the show on drums, along with percussion legend Jamey Haddad. A Moment in Cleveland will highlight artists in our community across generations, including poet Orlando Watson and drummer Gabe Jones, who attended the Tri-C JazzFest Academy and recently graduated from Cleveland School of the Arts.

Sponsored by The Roy Minoff Family Fund

Personnel: Dominick Farinacci, trumpet/bandleader Ernie Krivda, tenor sax Jamey Haddad, percussion Steve Enos, trumpet Chris Coles, alto sax Evelyn Wright, vocals Joe Hunter, piano Lafayette Carthon, piano/keyboard/vocals Jackie Warren, piano Jerome Jennings, drums Gabe Jones, drums Walter Barnes, bass Bryan Thomas, bass Orlando Watson, poet

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

Saturday, Sept. 11 7:45 p.m.

Tri-C JazzFest Legends include: Ernie Krivda, 2005 Evelyn Wright, 2008 Jamey Haddad, 2014 Jackie Warren, 2018 Joe Hunter, 2019 Steve Enos, 2021

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Saturday, Sept. 11 9:15 p.m. Three-time Grammy-winning salsa and Latin jazz band Spanish Harlem Orchestra sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New Yorkstyle hardcore salsa. Whether in a concert hall or at an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in — they come at you full force, from start to finish. Their energy on stage and their rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the music’s storied history, the ensemble’s 13 worldclass musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience. Spanish Harlem Orchestra, or “SHO” as they are known to fans, is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio (Spanish Harlem NYC). Their music is characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. They are on a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura (hard salsa) alive and expand its audience to those who love great music — not just Latin music. Grounded in the past yet focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant with their unique and fresh approach. With six CDs and five Grammy nominations, this powerhouse orchestra is aware they must continually push themselves and raise the bar. Their latest release and sixth album, Anniversary, won a 2019 Grammy Award for Best Tropical Album.

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Personnel: Oscar Hernandez, piano/bandleader Marco Bermudez, vocals Carlos Cascante, vocals Jeremy Bosch, vocals Manuel Ruiz, trumpet Alex Norris, trumpet Doug Beavers, trombone Noah Bless, trombone Mitch Frohman, sax/flute Luis Quintero, timbales George Delgado, congas Jorge Gonzalez, bongos Gerry Madera, bass

Marquis Hill Sunday, Sept. 12 2 p.m.

Born in Chicago in 1987 and raised on the city’s culturally rich South Side, Hill began playing drums at age four before switching to trumpet in the sixth grade. He attended Kenwood Academy, excelling in its revered jazz-performance program, and was mentored by Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo and other Chicago greats through the Ravinia Jazz Scholar program.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

Internationally renowned trumpeter, composer and bandleader Marquis Hill constantly breaks down the barriers that divide musical genres. To Hill, contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house and neo-soul are all essential parts of his African American creative heritage. He’ll be performing with Makaya McCraven (drums), Junius Paul (bass) and Jahari Stampley (piano).

Hill earned a bachelor’s in music education from Northern Illinois University and a master’s in jazz pedagogy from DePaul University. During college he made gigs and sessions around Chicago, jamming with and absorbing wisdom from the likes of Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins and Von Freeman. Even then, Hill was known as a stunningly gifted trumpeter with a soulful, highly textured tone. His deeply distinctive sound serves as a tour through jazztrumpet history, evoking the high-drama stillness and space of Miles Davis; the undeniable virtuosity of Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard; the groove-savvy phrasing of Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd; and much more. Today, Hill maintains a nonstop touring schedule with the Blacktet. The intensely interactive, utterly unique band has become a kind of graduate school for next-level talent — Hill included. “One of the most beautiful things about leading a group is the flow of knowledge and energy that we bounce off of one another,” he says. “Each member contributing their distinctive voice is what truly makes the music and magic happen.”

Bria Skonberg

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

Sunday, Sept. 12 3:30 p.m.

New York-based trumpeter, vocalist and songwriter Bria Skonberg has performed festivals and stages all over the world, from New Orleans to Montreal. She is known for her smoky vocals, unique arrangements and blistering trumpet solos. Her 2016 debut LP won a Canadian JUNO Award and made the Top 5 on Billboard jazz charts. Joining her on stage is Mathis Picard (piano), Adi Meyerson (bass), Gabriel Schnider (guitar) and Darrian Douglas (drums). Her latest crowdfunded recording project, produced by Grammy winner Eli Wolf, prominently features Skonberg’s compelling songwriting skills alongside a few creative covers (Queen and a Beatles/Duke Ellington mashup). A voice for this generation, she approaches contemporary subjects of women’s rights, civil rights, frustration, despair and hope through an overarching theme of “finding light in the darkness.” She links the present with the past by playing inventive arrangements of traditional jazz repertoire, clever reinterpretations of contemporary classics and original compositions with genuine heart and dynamic flair. Skonberg’s forthcoming album solidifies her as a truly unique voice in the jazz-blues crossover realm.

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Emmet Cohen Trio Sunday, Sept. 12 5 p.m.

Downbeat Magazine observed that his “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary indicate he’s above any convoluted technical showmanship.” In the same spirit, Cohen himself has noted that playing jazz is “about communicating the deepest levels of humanity and individuality; it’s essentially about connections,” both among musicians and with audiences. In addition to leading his namesake ensemble, the Emmet Cohen Trio, Cohen is a vibrant solo performer and an in-demand sideman. Possessing a fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette and an extensive repertoire, he plays with the command of a seasoned veteran and the passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium. He will perform with Russell Hall (bass) and Kyle Poole (drums).

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

30-year-old jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen has emerged as one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music. A recognized prodigy, Cohen began Suzuki method piano instruction at age 3. His playing quickly became a mature melding of musicality, technique and concept.

Cohen’s exacting keyboard artistry has garnered numerous accolades from the international jazz community. He placed first in both the American Jazz Pianists competition (2014) and the Phillips Piano Competition at the University of West Florida (2011). He was a finalist in the prestigious American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter Fellowship (2015, 2011) and the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition (2011). He has appeared in world-renowned jazz events, including the Newport, Monterey, North Sea, Bern, Edinburgh, Detroit and Jerusalem jazz festivals, as well as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

Harp vs. Harp: Edmar Castañeda and Grégoire Maret Sunday, Sept. 12 6:30 p.m.

Flashy Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda and virtuoso Swiss harmonica player Grégoire Maret perform as a unique duo in Harp vs. Harp, expressing their shared love of Brazilian music and jazz and showcasing their strong musical affinity. Over the course of the past decade, Maret has emerged as a unique and compelling new voice across a wide spectrum of the modern jazz world. He has redefined the role of the harmonica, finding fresh pathways through a remarkable variety of styles. The extensive list of heavy-hitters who have enlisted him for their own projects is unparalleled: Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Cassandra Wilson and Marcus Miller. He’s also guested with Prince, Sting, Elton John, Jimmy Scott, Dianne Reeves, Toots Thielemans, Richard Bona, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tito Puente, Kurt Elling, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Charlie Hunter, Youssn’Dour, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Pete Seeger, David Sanborn and George Benson. Mentored by the great Paquito D’Rivera, Castañeda is a virtuoso of the arpallanera — creating astonishing textural variety and rhythmic variety with its 34 strings and wide tonal range. He’s collaborated with John Scofield, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Marcus Miller and John Patitucci, Hamilton de Holanda, Ivan Lins and Béla Fleck. Their album, Harp vs. Harp, features arrangements of traditional Brazilian songs “Romance de Barrio” (featuring vocalist Andrea Tierra), “Manha de Carnaval” and “Santa Morena” (featuring Béla Fleck), in addition to Maret’s original composition, “Blueserinho.” The duo shares their take on Charlie Haden’s “Our Spanish Love Song,” and Castañeda’s composition “No Fear” is alongside Maret’s “Hope.”

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Catherine Russell Sunday, Sept. 12 8 p.m.

Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist, composer, bandleader and Louis Armstrong’s longtime musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist, guitarist and bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams and Sy Oliver.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

Jazz vocalist Catherine Russell’s musical resume includes six chart-topping albums and a Grammy as a featured artist on the Boardwalk Empire soundtrack. She has toured the world, performing and recording with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Michael Feinstein and Wynton Marsalis, among others. Her interpretations of gems from the 1920s to the present burst with soul and humor. Russell will perform with Matt Munisteri (guitar), Tai Ronen (bass), Mark Shane (piano) and Mark McLean (drums).

Since the 2006 release of her debut album, Cat, on Harmonia Mundi’s World Village label, six acclaimed and chart-topping albums have followed, including Strictly Romancin’, awarded Prix du Jazz Vocal 2012 (Vocal Album of The Year) by the Jazz Academy in France, and Bring It Back in 2014. Her sixth album, Harlem On My Mind, was released in September 2016 and received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Russell has appeared on PBS-TV and on Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR. Will Friedwald, writing in The Wall Street Journal, called her “one of the outstanding singers of our time.” Russell’s seventh album as a leader, Alone Together, was released in March 2019 on Dot Time Records and held the No. 1 position on the JazzWeek 2019 Year-End Chart for national radio play while garnering the artist a second Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 EVANS AMPHITHEATER MAIN STAGE

JAZZ TALK TENT

STRASSMAN COLONNADE STAGE

3:30 p.m. Samara Joy featuring Pasquale Grasso Trio

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

4:45 p.m. Lakecia Benjamin and Pursuance

4:15 p.m. Jazz Heights!

4:15 p.m. The Lydians

5:45 p.m. Art Acts 6:15 p.m. Christian Sands Trio 7:45 p.m. A Moment in Cleveland

7:15 p.m. The Roots of Latin Jazz

7:15 p.m. The Flat 9’s

8:45 p.m. The Ballad of Tommy LiPuma

8:45 p.m. The Funky 8

9:15 p.m. Spanish Harlem Orchestra

JAZZ TALK TENT

STRASSMAN COLONNADE STAGE

3 p.m. Back to Max - Jazz and Social Awareness

3 p.m. The Creamers

4:30 p.m. The Ballad of Tommy LiPuma

4:30 p.m. The Creamers

6 p.m. Art Acts

6 p.m. The Upside of Medium

7:30 p.m. Pandemonia

7:30 p.m. Upside of Medium

2 p.m. Marquis Hill 3:30 p.m. Bria Skonberg

5 p.m. Emmet Cohen Trio 6:30 p.m. Harp vs Harp: Edmar Castaneda & Gregoire Maret

8 p.m. Catherine Russell Some scheduled performances will be livestreamed. Visit www.tri-cjazzfest.com to learn more.

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12:30 p.m. Performance by Samba Joia 1 p.m. Dance Party 1:30 p.m. Stories 1:45 p.m. Performance by Samba Joia 2 p.m. Dance Party

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12 EVANS AMPHITHEATER MAIN STAGE

12:15 p.m. Stories

2:40 p.m. Stories

JAZZ EDUCATION DURING THE PANDEMIC:

WHEN THE GOING

GETS TOUGH…

While we couldn’t conduct workshops and master classes in the usual way, we were able to reach teachers, students and fans through the miracle of Zoom. Check out this year’s activities.

A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2020-2021 JANUARY 2021 Trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, a Mack Avenue recording artist and director of the Tri-C JazzFest Academy, presented a tribute to Clifford Brown through a collaboration between JazzFest and Jazz at Lincoln Center. The program, “Clifford Brown at 90: Brownie Speaks,” featured jazz pianists Aaron Diehl and Dan Tepfer and a performance by Tri-C’s premier student ensemble, Spirit of the Groove. Both Diehl and Tepfer worked virtually with JazzFest Academy students in a master class setting.

FEBRUARY 2021 Jazz vocalist Veronica Swift offered an online vocal master class in which students sang for her feedback and guidance. She was also interviewed by Farinacci. A winter storm prevented her from coming to Cleveland to perform a virtual Valentine’s Day concert with him.

MARCH 2021 Tri-C JazzFest presented a symposium for band directors with bassist/composer John Clayton. He was joined via Zoom by Westlake High School band director Hilary Patriok and Kent State University jazz professor Bobby Selvaggio. The session covered repertoire, how to get more out of your band and a Top 10 listening guide.

APRIL 2021 Tri-C JazzFest hosted a video discussion focused on the JazzFest-sponsored film TOPOWA! Never Give Up at the Cleveland International Film Festival. The post-film discussion panel, moderated by JazzFest director Terri Pontremoli, included American jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis; film directors Inigo Gilmore and Philip Samson; Jim Trott, founder of Brass for Africa; and Julius Namugera, one of the inspirational students featured in the documentary. The video was shared on the JazzFest YouTube channel. The film focuses on the life-changing work of Brass for Africa, a nonprofit that brings jazz to disadvantaged African children. The organization encourages student musicians to spread a love of music throughout their communities by becoming teachers. The film follows 12 of these musicians on a journey from the slums of Katwe, Uganda, to a jazz festival in England, where they played a live concert alongside Marsalis. While many area schools continued to operate remotely, several were actively meeting and rehearsing. Farinacci, along with Tri-C jazz faculty members Aidan Plank, Jonathan Thomas, Sunny Tabler and Jim Rupp, visited Hudson, Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Falls, Westlake and Gahanna high schools as part of this year’s DownBeat Jazz Education Days. They provided an intensive workshop and awarded scholarships to outstanding soloists. The Tri-C team collected video performances submitted by the high schools to create an hourlong virtual student showcase for the public, which aired May 23 via YouTube. JazzFest’s 2020 artist-in-residence, jazz drummer/hip-hop producer Karriem Riggins, headlined Tri-C’s Hip-Hop Homecoming with a virtual DJ set and hip-hop “cypher” (lyricist competition). A video of his performance was shared via the College’s YouTube channel. Jamaican-born jazz pianist Monty Alexcander joined Farinacci and Spirit of the Groove in Cleveland for a livestreamed performance on International Jazz Day.

JULY 2021 Bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jerome Jennings conducted a live, in-person master class for 50 students at the Tri-C JazzFest Summer Camp. These students are performing in the Cain Park Colonnade.

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH • DownBeat Jazz Education Days May 23, 2021 – Virtual

• Applause Performances: Tri-C JazzFest All-Stars July 9, 2021 – ideastream Sept. 3, 2021 – WVIZ/PBS Sept. 4, 2021 – WVIZ/PBS, WCPN/NPR Sept. 5, 2021 – WVIZ/PBS Sept. 7, 2021 – WCPN/NPR

• Master Class with Christian McBride and Jerome Jennings July 9, 2021 – Tri-C Metro Campus

• London: Revisited featuring Dominick Farinacci, Shenel Johns, Christian Tamburr and Michael Ward‑Bergeman June 27, 2021 – Tri-C Metro Campus/Virtual

• Chris Coles July 15, 2021 – Tri-C Metro Campus

• Horns & Things July 29, 2021 – Karamu House

• Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band July 29, 2021 – The Grove

• Tom Lehman Aug. 19, 2021 – Maiden Lane

• Out of Eden Aug. 20, 2021 – Broadview Heights Amphitheater

• Samba Joia Sept. 11, 2021 – Cain Park

• Sean Jones Sept. 19, 2021 – East Cleveland Public Library

• Vanessa Rubin Sept. 23, 2021 – Maiden Lane

The Tri-C JazzFest summer community concert series is made possible through generous support from The Gund Foundation. Thanks to Kulas Foundation for support of visiting artists.

Help keep Tri-C JazzFest swinging by texting “JazzFest” to 44321 18

TRI-C JAZZFEST STAFF Paul Cox, Ph. D. Dean, Creative Arts

Terri Pontremoli Director, Tri-C JazzFest and Tri-C Performing Arts

Orlando Watson Associate Director/Project Manager, Tri-C JazzFest and Tri-C Performing Arts

Madeline Shepherd Marketing, Tri-C JazzFest and Tri-C Performing Arts

Cliffie Jones Box Office, Artist Relations and Community Liaison

Bill Horschke Production Manager

Deborah Benz Visual Design Specialist

Joél Tucker Social Media Manager

Virtual Production Team Bob Bryan Dan Mayer Mike Bacon Adam Racinskas Nick Bacon Tim Carney Christine Hickey Devin Whitehouse Mike Donato Elizabeth Ward Brian Husik Kara Hejnal Adam Suntken Cyrus Ganaway Alex Barni Bobby Kelly Eric Simna Miguel Todd Salvi Covarrubias Maryanne Hamill Mike Pella Olivia Villasenor Kevin Jacko Volunteer Coordinator Kendra Willis Transportation Susan Zimmerman Tracy Love

SPECIAL THANKS

Ann Garbler Grant Writer

FESTIVAL PRODUCTION Jacob Wargo Assistant Production Manager

Martha Snodgrass

Erin Cameron Miller and the Cain Park staff and volunteers Bob Bryan and Tri-C TV Production FastSigns Hughie’s Event Production Services Steinway Hall and Catherine Goode

Production Assistant

Vincent Lighting Systems

Russell Carter

Woodsy’s Music

Auxiliary Coordinator

Kyra Price Offstage Activities Manager

Don Safranek Offstage Assistant

Leonard DiCosimo, Sandra Baxter and AFM Musicians Local 4 Cuyahoga Community College Foundation Tri-C JazzFest Community Advisory Board

Dave Brooks Set Production

Joe Amschlinger

Steve Madden

Aaron Booher

Stage Manager

Thomas Campbell

Astrid Jobe Setup Coordinator

Jodene Caqrrasquillo

Lindsey Carter

Benjamin Carlson

Cain Park Production Manager

Jennifer Demmerle

Tri-C Recording Arts Interns/Students Marky Ray, Supervisor Eric Faidiga Adam Grimm Gavin Fleissner Nirmeen Khanfar Samuel Gantose Patrick St. John

Holly Dufala

Audio Scott Godwin Thomas Jeffries Tim Kennedy

Karen Mrak

Lighting Chris Shick

Ron Musarra Thom Pope

Robert Ruppe John Soworowski Kelly Stehlin Sgt. Benjamin Wilson and Lt. Reginald Eakins Robin Van Lear and Art Acts Victoria Monteiro, Lisa Dobransky, Stephanie Metzger, Brittany Hanek, Erik Cassano and Beth Cieslik And all of the wonderful JazzFest volunteers

SPONSORS AND FRIENDS PRESENTING SPONSOR KeyBank JAZZ MASTER SPONSORS The Francine and Jules Belkin Philanthropic Fund The George Gund Foundation Kulas Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Ohio Arts Council The Roy Minoff Family Fund Strassman Insurance Services Inc. FRONT LINE SPONSORS The Balogh Brothers U.S. Bank Cleveland William M. Weiss Foundation SHOUT CHORUS SPONSORS Beth Anne and Don Nettis Dominion Energy JACK Cleveland Casino Metropolitan at The 9 Plante Moran RHYTHM SECTION SPONSORS Chuck and Lisa Surack and Sweetwater Sound Inc. DownBeat Magazine John O’Brien Margaret Wong & Associates LLC

Lorraine Felan Jeff Forman Stephen Hilbert William Glenn Johnson Angela Keith Janet Macoska Chris Moir Dave DeOreo and ideastream Playhouse Square David Rosenfeldt

We’re Excited to Welcome

TRI-C JAZZFEST 2021 to the Cedar Lee District!

Enjoy cool beats, global eats, delicious treats & cocktails!

cedar LEE D I S T R I C T

www.cedarlee.org 21

Help keep Tri-C JazzFest swinging by texting “JazzFest” to 44321 22

No dream is too big No dream is too big when kids play. No dream too big when kidsisplay. When kids play, they play. imagine a world where anything when kids

is possible. That’s Bank nonprofit When kids play, why they U.S. imagine a supports world where anything and neighborhood-based organizations in our is possible. That’s why U.S. Bank supports nonprofit community. committed toabuilding safe places When kidsWe’re play, they imagine world where anything and neighborhood-based organizations in our where kids can dream bigU.S. andBank have fun. iscommunity. possible. That’s why supports nonprofit We’re committed to building safe places usbank.com/communitypossible and neighborhood-based organizations in our where kids can dream big and have fun. community. We’re committed to building safe places usbank.com/communitypossible U.S. Bank is proud to support 2021 where kids can dream big andthe have fun. Tri-C JazzFest . usbank.com/communitypossible U.S. Bank is proud to support the 2021 Tri-C JazzFest . U.S. Bank is proud to support the 2021 Tri-C JazzFest .

Cleveland’s Classic Company

at the Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square

A Jazzy Musical Celebration of Fats Waller Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz /Created and Originally Directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. Original Choreography and Musical Staging by Arthur Faria Musical Adaptations, Orchestrations & Arrangements by Luther Henderson Vocal & Musical Concepts by Jeffrey Gutcheon Musical Arrangements by Jeffrey Gutcheon & William Ellio Directed by Gerry McIntyre

Feb. 11 - Mar. 6, 2022 | Hanna Theatre POWERED BY:

KULAS FOUNDATION

Ain’t Misbehavin’ is part of the Kulas Musical Theater Series at Great Lakes Theater.

TICKETS START AT $15 • PATRONS 25 & UNDER PAY $15!

216.241.6000 GreatLakesTheater.org generous support provided by:

Groups of 10 or more save big! Visit www.greatlakestheater.org/groups

Help keep Tri-C JazzFest swinging by texting “JazzFest” to 44321 24

Congratulations to

TRI-C JAZZFEST

for assembling such world-class talent

WE BELIEVE THE S P IR IT O F M U S IC & A R T A R E T H E P U L SE O F TH I S C I TY! TH A NK YO U TO A L L W H O KE E P TH A T SPIRIT ALIVE! Proud To Be Sponsors Of The 42 nd Annual Tri-C JazzFest!

BALOGH BROTHERS 25

CLEVELAND’S MUSICAL JACKPOT

Entertainment is proud to support Cleveland’s TRI-C Jazzfest. Help keep Tri-C JazzFest swinging by texting “JazzFest” to 44321

Tri-C Performing Arts and DANCECleveland present

A.I.M. MOMIX “An Untitled Love”

“VIVA MOMIX”

Nov. 6, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5, 2022 | 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square

Stay tuned for more information. | 216-241-6000 | dancecleveland.org

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FALL 2021 Ages 12-18

Sept. 18 – Dec. 18 | Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. | $300 The internationally recognized Tri-C JazzFest Academy gives students the opportunity to develop their skills and perform in both large and small ensembles through rehearsals that focus on music history, theory and improvisation. The semester ends with a public performance. Selected ensembles will perform at local venues, including at Tri-C JazzFest.

plantemoran.com

Plante Moran is proud to support the Tri-C JazzFest of Cleveland. Robert Shenton, CPA, Partner robert.shenton@plantemoran.com 216-274-6505

Dan Bruce, Guitar Aidan Plank, Bass Sunny Tabler, Drums Caleb Smith, Trombone

LOCATION Cuyahoga Community College Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts 2809 Woodland Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115

Visit www.tri-c.edu/JazzFestAcademy for more information.

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Make the mark.

Great friends. Great time.

FACULTY Dominick Farinacci, Director/Trumpet Anthony Taddeo, Assistant Director/Drums Jonathan Thomas, Piano Johnny Cochran Jr., Tenor Saxophone Dave Sterner, Alto Saxophone

MARCH 2021

U.K. £6.99

DOWNBEAT.COM

SUBSCRIBE NOW! MARCH 2021 DOWNBEAT 1

tri-cjazzfest.com

2021 JazzFest Program

Articles inside

Jazz Legends Awards

Indoor Lineup

Letters of Welcome

Message From the President