Kurt Elling©Andrea Canter

I’ve been a Kurt Elling fan since I first heard him sing at the old Dakota in Bandana Square, whenever that was. Over the years, I’ve seen him in Minneapolis, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, the IAJE stage in New York, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and Birdland. Tonight’s show is in the elegant Allen Room, part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex. A good excuse for a trip to New York City.

We’re at the 9:30 p.m. set, so it’s dark outside and the city lights shine through the wall of glass behind the stage. (The wall measures 90' wide x 50’ high and tilts out.) The traffic along Central Park South is a slow lava flow. We’re sitting in the second row to the left of the stage and can see people moving around their homes in the high-rise buildings across the way.

Wallace Roney © Andrea Canter

Wallace Roney and his genre-pushing quintet, fusing acoustic and electronic elements, celebrate the "Sounds of the Future" at the Iridium in Manhattan, February 28-March 2, An acclaimed protégé of Miles Davis, Roney faced criticism early in his career for his significant similarities to his mentor in tone and expression. His latest recordings and three Grammy Awards have served to dispell accusations of mimicry, proving that the stylistic affinity is in no way a cover for any shortcomings or lack of individuality. Coming to the Iridium in Mnhattan with Roney (February 28-March 2) are long-time collaborator and brother Antoine Roney (tenor and soprano sax), Aruan Ortiz (piano), Rashaan Carter (bass), and Eric Allen (drums)

Patrick Cornelius

“Jazz's tradition and future are aptly represented in Patrick Cornelius' individuality, direction, and talent. By following Patrick's career, you will always enjoy the saxophone at its highest level."
-- Dick Oatts

The new hot spot for jazz in Manhattan, Cachaca has been booking a combination of proven veterans and up-and-coming stars through its first year of operation. On Tuesday, February 26th, the stage will be stoked by an ensemble of fast-rising talents headed by alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius. Joining Cornelius will be guitarist Lionel Loueke, pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Peter Slavov, and drummer Jamire Williams.

Joanne Brackeen©David Sokol

“She has wild ideas and she’s not afraid to try them… But it always sounds right. If I tried it, I’d be in a pickle. Brackeen, like Picasso, broke convention, and she always likely will.”
-- Marian McPartland

A “genuinely exciting pianist, with energy, whimsy, and sheer technical bravado” (Stuart Broomer, Amazon.com), Joanne Brackeen’s talents as pianist and composer have kept her in the forefront of modern jazz for nearly fifty years. Those talents and “wild ideas” will be on full display at the Iridium on February 13th when she is accompanied by Ugonna Okegwo on bass, E.J Strickland on drums, and some surprise guests.