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Reggie Workman Sculptured Sounds Presents Series @ Twins Jazz
Twins Jazz has expanded its roster to include an innovative music series presented by one of the music's foremost bassists, Reggie Workman.
Starting in July, Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins is an eclectic mix of world-class artists, from swing stalwarts to emerging stars. Whether re-defining, pushing, or simply throwin' the envelope out, these artists promise to take DC audiences to new horizons.
Workman, who recently worked at Twins with one of his own collaborations, Trio 3 (Workman, Oliver Lak, and Andrew Cyrille), had this to say about the new series:
"Upon experiencing that there is a venue in our nation's capital, Wash., DC, that is open and presenting contemporary 'jazz music' for some 20 years, I realized that the audience in this particular area is ready and willing to listen to new music.
"After speaking to the owners of Twins Jazz, I realize that they were not in touch with many of the innovators I have been in contact with. I decided that keeping in touch with the concept of Sculptured Sounds, that this would be a good time to encourage Tesfayes' Twins in Wash., DC to open their venue to innovators who they, theretofore, had not known."
The series begins July 20th with the maverick, multi-dimensional performer, Charles Gayle. One of jazz's best-kept secrets, Charles Gayle crosses many artistic borders from blazing reed virtuosity to performance art. Gayle emerged out of New York's new music movement of the 60's, playing with such scene trailblazers as Pharoah Saunders and Archie Shepp. Gayle is a lesson in contrasts. His hard-driving tenor flights are graced by an underlying soulful lyricism no doubt a reflection of his poignant journey from New York subways to international stages.
He has collaborated with leaders in new music from bassist William Parker to Coltrane veteran drummer Rashied Ali (appearing 9/7 & 9/8 as part of the Sculptured Sounds Series). Yet on one of his recent piano solo CD, Time Zones, Gayle, playing his alternate instrument, re-invents standards as only a master of improvisation can do.
"There is no player on the scene today with the emotional wallop of Charles Gayle. His later discs – particularly Ancient of Days – manifest a mature improvisational talent that can stand with any saxophonist's today. If you are interested in improvised music, you owe it to yourself to hear him." — Robert Spencer (as printed in All About Jazz)
Upcoming acts in Workman's series include Blue Note Trumpeter Charles Tolliver (Nov. 5 & 6). For more information on Sculptured Sounds, call 212-642-5277, email us at sculpturedsounds@gmail.com or visit the site at www.sculpturedsounds.com.
And the beat goes on!
For more info on this series and other great jazz at Twins Jazz, visit twinsjazz.com or call (202) 234-0072.
7/20-7/21
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
The Charles Gayle Trio
Featuring Charles Gayle (tenor sax), Gerald Benson (bass), Michael Wimberly (drums)
$20
One of jazz’s best-kept secrets, Multi-Instrumentalist Charles Gayle crosses many artistic borders, from blazing reed virtuosity to performance art. His hard-driving tenor flights are graced by an underlying soulful lyricism.
“There is no player on the scene today with the emotional wallop of Charles Gayle. His later discs - particularly Ancient of Days - manifest a mature improvisational talent that can stand with any saxophonist’s today. If you are interested in improvised music, you owe it to yourself to hear him.”— Robert Spencer (as printed in All About Jazz)
***POSTPONED*** (Please check back for future date)
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
The Lonnie Plaxico Group
Featuring Lonnie Plaxico (basses), Kenny Grohowski (drums), Helen Sung (piano & organ), Mike McGinnis (tenor & sop. sax), Jeff Hemanson (trumpet)
$25
A Chicago-native, bassist Lonnie Plaxico's growing list of credits includes being a tenured member of both Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition. Plaxico has appeared with such luminaries as Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves and Ravi Coltrane to name a few and has critically acclaimed and award-winning collaborations with both Blakey and Cassandra Wilson (for whom he is also Musical Director). Plaxico's masterful integration of different forms – the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk make this group an exhilarating musical experience for lovers of jazz, funk and all things groovin'!
8/17-8/18
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
Billy Hart's "The Academy"
with Special Guest: Theo Croker (Trumpet)
Featuring Billy Hart (drums), Michael Bowie (bass), Allyn Johnson (piano), Antonio Parker (sax), Theo Croker (trumpet)
$20
Nominated by the Jazz Journalist Association for the "Top Jazz Drummer" Billy Hart is truly an artist of distinction! Marked by a crisp, driving beat contrasted by a looser, uncanny flexibility, the consummate jazz drummer and DC native-son has appeared on over 400 recordings, many pivotal, of such jazz icons as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. With "The Academy," Hart continues the great musical incubator concept of Blakely's Messenger's and other groups. The dynamic Hart will be joined for the group's inaugural performance by founding member Michael Bowie (bass) and DC's own Allyn Johnson (piano) and Antonio Parker (sax) with special guest, trumpeter and grandson of the late trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Theo Croker.
8/30-8/31
Trio 3 (Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman, & Andrew Cyrille)
Featuring pianist Geri Allen @ Iridium
Sets at 8 & 10PM
$30 / $10 minimum
FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY! Experience the musical symmetry of three jazz titans (Lake, Workman and Cyrille) joined by the piano majestry of Geri Allen. DON'T MISS IT! Iridium, 1650 Broadway, NYC. Please make reservations early at 212-582-2121. Parking discounted at Circle Parking (between W 51 St & Broadway). *New Release TIME BEING available online at www.intaktrecords.com*
8/31-9/1
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
Edmar Castenada
Featuring Edmar Castaneda (Colombian harp), Andrea Tierra (vocals), Marshal Gilkes (trombone), Dave Silliman (drums & percussion)
$18
A jazz harpist of imposing talent, Edmar Castenada transforms the harp into a lead instrument to phenomenal effect. He has performed with such varied jazz stars as Paquito D'Rivera, John Scofield, Pablo Zinger, Dave Samuels, Trio De Paz, Giovani Hidalgo, Lila Downs, Janis Siegel, The Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Castenada's style is fascinatingly percussive, producing cross-rhythms like a drummer, while picking, smashing chordal flourishes like a flamenco guitarist and collating bebop and Colombian music, he is practically a world unto himself!
9/7-9/8
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
The Rashied Ali Quartet
Featuring Rashied Ali (drums), Greg Murphy (piano), Jumaane Smith (trumpet), Lawrence Clark (tenor sax), Joris Teepe (bass)
$27
"The Coltrane/Ali association began a musical odyssey whose reverberations are still felt in music today." – Bigmagic.com
Rashied Ali turned the drum kit into a multi-rhythmic, polytonal propellant, helping fuel Coltrane's flights of free jazz fancy.” And the beat goes on! A student of Philly Joe Jones and Blakey admirer, Rashied Ali developed the style known as “free jazz drumming.” He has performed and recorded with such kindred free spirits as Archie Shepp, Paul Bley, Albert Ayler, Gary Bartz with his John Coltrane association, classic Ali led the loft scene movement of the seventies and continues the legacy with his label, Survival Records. Ever the innovator, Ali steadily gigs with a Who’s Who of today’s jazz while supporting new stars on the horizon.
9/21-9/22
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
Marcus Strickland Sextet - CD Release Party for Open Reel Deck (Strict
Muzik)
CANCELLED
Featuring Marcus Strickland (sop. & tenor sax), E.J. Strickland
(drums), Malachi (poet), Lage Lund (guitar), Keyon Harrold (trumpet),
Carlos Henderson (bass)
$20
Marcus Strickland named 'Best New Artist' in JazzTimes Magazine's Reader's Poll '06
Voted JazzTimes “Best New Artist” (2006), the in-demand sideman for some of the top names in jazz, and now entrepreneur with his own label, Strick Muzik, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland represents the new face of jazz! At just 28-years old, his credits include performing with such stellar jazz names as Roy Haynes, Tom Terrell, Reggie Workman’s African–American Legacy Project, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Robert Glasper and his own equally dynamic twin, drummer E. J. Stickland. He’s logged some serious sideman hours and as a leader, the future is blazin’! Join Strickland at Twins Jazz as he takes the helm joined by fresh faces E. J. Strickland (drums), Malachi (poet), Lage Lund (guitar), Keyon Harrold (trumpet), Carlos Henderson (bass) to unveil Strick Muzik’s newest CD release, Open Reel Deck.
10/5-10/6
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
The Charles Tolliver Music Inc. Continuum
Featuring Charles Tolliver (trumpet), TBA
$27
If Charles Tolliver were listed in Websters's Dictionary there'd definitely be one word next to his name – INTENSE. Beginning his professional career with the saxophone giant Jackie MacLean in 1964, this hard-blowing trumpeter has since recorded and/or performed with such renowned artists as Roy Haynes, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Booker Ervin, The Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Oliver Nelson, Roy Ayers, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and Max Roach. Tolliver's recent Blue Note Big-Band release "With Love" is rapidly rising up the charts. He's scaled down to a quartet for this Twins outing, but come ready and expect the sparks to fly!
11/30-12/1
Reggie Workman's Sculptured Sounds Presents @ Twins
Ali/Galper/Workman
Featuring Rashied Ali (drums), Hal Galper (piano), Reggie Workman (bass)
$27
Musical alchemy as the futuristic Coltrane alums, Rashied Ali and Reggie Workman join Grammy award winning pianist Hal Galper (Phil Woods and Brecker Brothers alum) in an experiment to meld styles in search of a fresh musical stream.
Workshop on the Music Business – 2pm Saturday
