On Friday and Saturday April 29th and 30th the Ray Anderson Quinteta featuring Marty Ehrlich on reeds, James Weidman on piano, Mark Helias on bass, Dion Parson on drums,and Ray Anderson on trombone will perform at Sweet Rhythm in New York.

The mark of a great artist has always been to go beyond technical excellence and impart a personal vision - a sense of style and self-_expression that is indelibly his own. Among modern jazz musicians, no one rises to that standard more than trombonist Ray Anderson, whose sublime mastery of the tricks of his trade is equaled by the bountiful spirit he pours into his one-of-a-kind sound

Photo by Andrea Canter

Curtis Stigers “may be the most convincing ballad singer in jazz,” says the New York Times. Originally a pop crooner and sax player who has found a legitimate home in jazz, Stigers will return to the Dakota for a two-night stand (April 19-20), then head east to the Jazz Standard in New York (April 21-24) in celebration of the official release of his new Concord recording, I Think It's Going to Rain Today. Praised for his jazz interpretations of wide ranging material, from covers of Merle Haggard and the Beatles to contemporary pop of Billy Joel and jazz standards,his 2003 release, You Inspire Me, was named best of the year by the London Times, and critically acclaimed for its “passion, insight, adventurousness, and a singular soulful voice.”

"The greased lightning of Barron's technique combined with a romantic ebullience has made him one of the glories of jazz piano for a long time…" — Village Voice

Anointed by Jazz Weekly as “the most lyrical piano player of our time,” Kenny Barron takes up residency (April 5-24) in the new Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Manhattan, part of the expanded and reinvigorated Jazz at Lincoln Center complex at Rose Hall. Throughout much of this month, Barron will appear in two trio and one sextet ensembles, giving New Yorkers and area visitors multiple opportunities to enjoy “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” (LA Times).

Philadelphia has spawned many jazz legends, and Barron is no exception. First discovering the family’s old upright piano as a young child, he began playing by ear, turning professional as a teen in Mel Melvin’s band, alongside his late brother, tenor saxophonist Bill Barron. He then joined forces with Philly Jo Jones before moving to New York at 19 to work with Roy Haynes, Lee Morgan and James Moody. Hired by Dizzy Gillespie, Barron developed his affinity for Latin and Caribbean rhythms during his five years with the bop trumpet master. Working with Yusef Lateef in the 70s, Barron developed his improvisational skills and was encouraged to complete his education, earning a BA in music from Empire State College and taking a position on the faculty of Rutgers University, which he held until 2000. His prolific recording career took off in the mid 70s, and he has now appeared as a leader on over 40 recordings. Collaborations in the late 70s with Ron Carter and Buster Willliams, and in the 1980s with Charlie Rouse (“Sphere”) and Stan Getz, culminated in the Grammy nominated People Time in 1992, which was followed by eight more nominations over the next decade.