Indoor Lineup

Samara Joy Featuring The Pasquale Grasso Trio

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.

Lakecia Benjamin and Pursuance

Saturday, Sept. 11 4:45 p.m.

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’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.

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.

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.

A Moment in Cleveland

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

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

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. 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.

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).

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.

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 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.

Emmet Cohen Trio

Sunday, Sept. 12 5 p.m.

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.

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).

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.

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.”

Catherine Russell

Sunday, Sept. 12 8 p.m.

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).

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.

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.