Thursday, August 23, 2018

Double Cut - Mappe (AUDITORIUM PARCO DELLA MUSICA 2018)


Nuovo disco per Double Cut, progetto
di Tino Tracanna, Massimiliano Milesi,
Giulio Corini e Filippo Sala
“Mappe” è il nuovo album di Double Cut, progetto che comprende Tino Tracanna e Massimiliano Milesi ai sassofoni, Giulio Corini al contrabbasso e Filippo Sala alla batteria. L’album verrà pubblicato a giugno da Parco della Musica Records (distribuzione Egea). Il titolo incarna la vocazione di Double Cut che è quella della sperimentazione e della ricerca in diversi territori musicali e soprattutto la loro accurata cartografia che permette ai quattro musicisti di confrontarsi con ecosistemi musicali altamente stimolanti.

Se il disco d’esordio rappresentava una sperimentazione delle potenzialità del proprio inusuale organico questo nuovo lavoro ne rappresenta il compimento attraverso il consolidamento di un sound del tutto originale e lo sviluppo di un’identità compositiva più ricca e complessa.


In questo secondo capitolo la formazione presenta i risultati delle proprie esplorazioni lunghe 4 anni attraverso nove composizioni (8 brani originali e una rilettura di The Train and The River di Jimmy Giuffre) che, come le mappe per i naviganti del passato, ne tracciano il percorso. Un percorso che cerca nuove polarità nel tempestoso e confuso mare del contemporaneo. Le “mappe” si snodano attraverso una serie di brani che prendono spunto da diverse suggestioni: rivisitazioni di geni contemporanei, irriverenti twist così come suadenti melodie, inni soul e violente esplosioni sonore. Tino Tracanna e Massimiliano Milesi si conoscono all’interno del Dipartimento jazz del Conservatorio di Milano. Accomunati dalla passione per la storia del sassofono si incontrano per confrontarsi su strumenti e materiali d’epoca. Da qui, nasce l’idea di un insolito duo di sassofoni, tuttora attivo, che mira ad esplorare le potenzialità espressive dello strumento. Tale duo, per varie vicissitudini, si sviluppa dapprima come un anomalo quartetto di sassofoni: tre tenori ed un soprano, con la collaborazione di Claudio Fasoli e Gianni Mimmo. Successivamente viene commissionato da Clusone Jazz un altro bizzarro quartetto, questa volta con l’aggiunta di due chitarre: Garrison Fewell ed Enrico Merlin.

In seguito la sperimentazione si sviluppa nell’attuale organico pianoless con l’aggiunta di Giulio Corini al contrabbasso e Filippo Sala alla batteria, raggiungendo la sua definitiva forma.

Il confronto generazionale tra Milesi e Tracanna fa da catalizzatore alle differenti visioni, idee ed esperienze musicali dei componenti del gruppo dando luogo ad un progetto che incontra elementi appartenenti a mondi musicali diversi.

Tino Tracanna tenor and soprano saxophone, melodica, whistless, sound objects (left channel)

Massimiliano Milesi tenor and soprano saxophone, melodica, whistless, sound objects (right channel)

Giulio Corini double bass

Filippo Sala drums, cithara, glockenspiel, whistles

Auand - The AUAND Real Book vol. 1 (AUAND RECORDS 2018)


1. Ale (F.Diodati) 05:23
2. The Bad Guys Band (E.Bracco) 06:19
3. Born To Be Why (S.Risso) 03:26
4. Dorme (G.Ancillotto) 04:11
5. Eta Carinae (M.Giannini) 02:50
6. Faites Votre Remix (G.Tossani) 04:25
7. For A Film (M.Signorile) 03:57
8. Genesi (G.Francesca) 04:50
9. Helm (J.Rehmer/D.Kinzelman) 03:02
10. Mr. Rencore (G.Baldacci) 06:38
11. Nurikabe (C.Palazzi) 04:38
12. Olvidao (M.Bortone) 08:08
13. Oslo Hotel (R.Cecchetto) 09:18
14. Other Each (F.Vignato) 07:19
15. Red Bird (Z.De Rossi) 05:43
16. Red Sand Town (A.Sgobbio) 07:57
17. Rock Song #1 (S.Graziano) 08:50
18. Seveneight (F.Martino) 08:39
19. Speedball (M.Maresca) 04:46
20. Virus (F.Bearzatti) 04:02

Frank Martino Disorgan Trio - Level 2 Chaotic Swing (AUAND RECORDS September 7, 2018)

Chi costruisce musica, da solo o insieme a altri, sa bene quanti elementi, qualcuno forse prevedibile, ma un’infinità totalmente al di fuori di ogni controllo, collaborano all’esito di una pratica improvvisativa.

Lo sa bene anche Frank Martino, chitarrista e compositore di tagliente intelligenza, che in questo disco prende un organico classico del jazz elettrico, il classico “organ trio” (quello di un Wes Montgomery o un Grant Green per intenderci) e lo scaglia letteralmente dentro il caos del Ventunesimo secolo.

Con Martino, qui impegnato alla chitarra a 8 corde e ai live electronics, ci sono Claudio Vignali (che deleuzianamente si propone come organista senza organo e suona piano, Fender Rhodes e sintetizzatori) e Niccolò Romanin a batteria, batteria elettronica e sintetizzatori.

Senza sovraincisioni, con ciascun vertice del triangolo impegnato a ridefinire in continuazione i propri suoni – vere e proprie entità mutanti che si aggirano senza inquietudine nella musica di Martino – il Disorgan Trio conversa in modo serrato con una lingua liberata e contemporanea, in cui gli aspetti acustici e quelli elettronici si scambiando continuamente di ruolo.

Corpi che parlano con voci sempre diverse, plurali e disorientanti, le composizioni di Martino – cui si aggiungono due belle versioni di un brano del musicista canadese Venetian Snares o di un tema-feticcio di Bill Evans come Waltz For Debby – seguono come un impulso elettrico l’intrico di canali sanguigni che nervi che conduce gli impulsi della creatività e si affida alla tempesta di influenze che modifica incessantemente il cammino di un’idea musicale condivisa.

Dopo tutto un corpo senza organi è – tornando a Deleuze – un corpo libero e desiderante ed è questa la condizione migliore per spostare la musica dalle stanzette un po’ asfittiche delle aspettative incrociate e lasciare che si incendi nell’incontro con il combustibile di un ascolto inaspettato.

Enrico Bettinello

Walter Prati / Sergio Armaroli - Close (your) Eyes Open Your Mind (DODICILUNE /IRD 2018)


Prodotto dall'etichetta pugliese Dodicilune, lunedì 10 settembre esce - distribuito in Italia e all’estero da Ird e nei migliori store online da Believe Digital - "Close (your) Eyes Open Your MInd" il nuovo progetto discografico originale del duo costituito da Walter Prati (basso, violoncello, electronics) e Sergio Armaroli (percussioni, electronics).

“Chiudere gli occhi e aprire la mente è ciò che si chiede a chi vuole ascoltare musica. Gli occhi vedono ciò che la mente vuole vedere e la mente permette di vedere quello che il cuore di ciascuna persona ha bisogno di sentire. E’ una continua corrispondenza tra necessità di chi ascolta e di chi fa musica. Forse questo è il riassunto del dialogo musicale tra due musicisti e un tam tam; un tam tam particolare, piuttosto imponente in grado di generare una così vasta gamma di suoni, capace di reagire a materiali così differenti (è stato suonato con diversi tipi di metallo, legno, stoffa) restituendo suoni sempre molto ricchi di suggestioni ancestrali. Dal quel materiale iniziale siamo partiti con il nostro interloquire che ha compreso altre percussioni, suoni elettronici, acustici ed elettrici. Sono nati così cinque dialoghi tra pensiero interiore, individuale e realtà collettiva. Tra acustico ed elettronico, tra scrittura e improvvisazione. Lo sguardo limitato degli occhi ha lasciato spazio allo sguardo onnicomprensivo della mente. Nella cosmogonia buddista si narra del bodhisatva Milletamburi capace di suonare mille musiche differenti nel medesimo momento. Una raffigurazione potente della capacità intrinseca dell’uomo di poter fare e compiere azioni al di la delle proprie capacità considerate razionalmente. Semplicemente chiudendo gli occhi e aprendo la mente.”

Walter Prati

Walter Prati, electric bass, electric cello, real time sound processing software
Sergio Armaroli, percussions, electronics, computer tape

1 Close | is a mistery of pain
2 Eyes  | the end of the arm
3 Open  | an acting or voice
4 Your  | in honor of saints
5 Mind  | dance for joy

One Less Quartet - Family Affair (feat. Fabrizio Bosso & Massimo Morganti) DODICILUNE / IRD August 25, 2018


Prodotto dall'etichetta pugliese Dodicilune, sabato 25 agosto esce, distribuito in Italia e all’estero da Ird e nei migliori store online da Believe Digital, "Family Portrait", disco d'esordio del One Less Quartet. Il gruppo, composto da Edoardo Petracci (basso e contrabbasso), Sabatino Matteucci (sassofoni), Massimo Saccutelli (piano, rhodes) e Luca Cingolani (batteria), è affiancato, in cinque degli undici brani, dal trombettista Fabrizio Bosso e dal trombonista Massimo Morganti.  L’originale sound del quartetto, nato nel 2015, coniuga il gusto per le sonorità più vicine al moderno jazz d'oltreoceano con quelle più calde di matrice mediterranea. L’album contiene dieci tracce originali composte, con stili differenti, da Petracci ("Family Portrait", "Partenze", "Intimità", "Nastine", "Don Carluccio", "Via Virgilio") e Matteucci ("Infinito", "Teratango", "Prospettive Diverse", "Doppia Faccia") oltre a una rivisitazione del brano "Dolce Sentire" di Riz Ortolani. Nel giorno dell'uscita (sabato 25 agosto, ore 21.30 - ingresso gratuito) il disco sarà presentat o ufficialmente in concerto in via Conchiglia a Civitanova Marche all'interno del calendario del Civitanova Jazz Festival. 

«Prendendo in prestito il titolo di un brano originale del disco, “Prospettive Diverse”, direi che questo incarna alla perfezione l’approccio che il gruppo ha nei confronti della musica», sottolinea Ferruccio Spinetti nelle note di copertina. «Per essere un disco d’esordio si respira maturità ed omogeneità in tutte le tracce. Viviamo in un’epoca dove è stato detto e scritto di tutto in ambito musicale e la cosa che più mi ha colpito è proprio questa ricerca di un sound, un suono, uno stile personale, anche attraverso le composizioni originali firmate da Petracci e Matteucci. La scelta - che poteva sembrare sulla carta azzardata - di rivisitare un brano come “Dolce Sentire" ci dà la misura del coraggio che i nostri musicisti hanno avuto nel provare a trattare questo brano come fosse uno standard jazz del Real Book classico. Scommessa vinta. Ottima anche la scelta di avere come ospiti Massimo Morganti al trombone e Fabrizio Bosso alla tromba, due musicisti che non hanno certo bisogno di presentazioni. Mi auguro che questo primo disco sia per il quartetto il primo di una lunga serie, sicuro che la loro “prospettiva" meriti d’essere ascoltata da più orecchie possibili, sia dal vivo che in cd».


“Borrowing the title of an original tune of this album, “Prospettive Diverse” (Different Perspectives), I can say that this one perfectly embodies the group's approach to music. Although it is a debut album you can breathe maturity and homogeneity in all tracks. We live in an era where everything has been said and written in music and the thing that struck me most is this searching for a sound, a personal style, even through the original compositions signed by Petracci and Matteucci. The choice - which could seem risky - to revise and rearrange a tune as "Dolce Sentire” gives us the measure of how brave have been our musicians trying to treat this piece as a common jazz standard of the classic Real Book. Bet won. Excellent as well the choice of having Massimo Morganti on trombone and Fabrizio Bosso on trumpet as guests, two musicians who certainly need no introduction. I hope that this first record will be the first of a long series for this quartet, sure that their "perspective" deserves to be heard by many ears, both live and in CD.”

L’etichetta Dodicilune è attiva dal 1996. Dispone di un catalogo di oltre 240 produzioni di artisti italiani e stranieri ed è distribuita in Itali a e all'estero da IRD in circa 400 punti vendita tra negozi di dischi e store. I dis chi Dodicilune possono essere acquistati anche online, ascoltati e scaricati su una cinquantina tra le maggiori piattaforme del mondo.

Edoardo Petracci, double bass, electric bass
Sabatino Matteucci, soprano, alto, tenor sax
Massimo Saccutelli, piano, rhodes
Luca Cingolani, drums

special guests
Fabrizio Bosso, trumpet (3, 8, 10)
Massimo Morganti, trombone (7, 8)

1 Family Portrait
2 Infinito
3 Partenze
4 Intimità
5 Nastine
6 Teratango
7 Prospettive Diverse
8 Don Carluccio
9 Via Virgilio
10 Doppia Faccia
11 Dolce Sentire

All compositions by Edoardo Petracci (Dodicilune edizioni) except 2, 6, 7, 10 by Sabatino Matteucci, 11 by Riz Ortolani. Arrangements by Edoardo Petracci except 3, 8, 10 by Massimo Morganti, Edoardo Petracci

events


Harlem Stage Announces 2018 Fall Season: Presenting World Class Visionary Artists of Color


Featuring the 2nd Annual Open House, FREE Performances, and more!

New York, NY -- Harlem Stage, the legendary uptown venue that for over 35 years has promoted the creative legacy of Harlem and artists of color from around the corner and across the globe, is proud to present its Fall 2018 season of performances. The season is curated by Monique Martin, recently appointed Director of Programming for Harlem Stage and features artists who #Disrupt and take creative risk. The performances feature a range of artistic genres, offering audiences the chance to experience legendary performers, as well as rising stars.

Harlem Stage’s 2018 fall season will feature a variety of performances, which speak to the creative and uplifting ways in which the performing arts confront and transform the difficult realities of current times. 

The season begins with Harlem Stage’s Open House event on September 8th, 2018. This free event welcomes all New Yorkers to come and kick off the season with a party that exemplifies the best of the Harlem community. Bring your instruments to join a drum circle, dance the afternoon away in the Gatehouse, take a tour and learn about the history of the venue and preview some of the upcoming season. 

Harlem Stage has partnered with Theater of War Productions to present “Antigone in Ferguson,” in an unprecedented five-week run of free performances beginning September 13.  Conceived in the wake of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, “Antigone in Ferguson” fuses dramatic readings of excerpts from Sophocles’ Greek tragedy with live choirs and powerful audience-driven discussions on race and social justice. Each week will feature a different group of actors, choirs and community panelists. Actors include Samira Wiley ( Orange is the New Black), Paul Giamatti ( Billions), Tamara Tunie ( Dietland, Law & Order: SVU) and more. Presented in association with THE OFFICE performing arts + film. Translated and directed by Bryan Doerries, with music composed by Phil Woodmore. This production of Antigone in Ferguson is exclusively supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation whose generous support has made it possible for audiences to experience this critical work, free of charge, at Harlem Stage. 

Musical highlights include Grammy nominee Maimouna Youssef aka MuMu Fresh, performing her latest album, “Vintage Babies.” 

Celebrate #BlackGirlMagic, with an evening full of music and movement, as three incredible female artists known for moving the crowd, bring their artistry together. DJ, percussionist and sound chemist Val Jeanty performs “VodouElectro” with Sirene Dantor Oliyaya Rene, songstress and sanctuary goddess Neycha performs acid hip-hop and dusted soul anthems from her upcoming CD “The Holy Hell of Hope” and YahZarah brings her electric, ceremonial healing powers of song full throttle. 

Later in the season, join the Elio Villafranca Afro Caribbean Trio, helmed by Cuban-born pianist and composer Elio Villafranca. Villafranca is a Steinway Artist, Grammy Nominated artist, and the 2014 Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Millennium Swing Award recipient. 

Closing out the season, catch Weedie Braimah and The Hands of Time with special guests Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and Pedrito Martinez. Weedie Braimah’s percussive orchestra will surely awaken the rhythmic senses and soul of anyone present, as Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah stretches jazz music’s rhythmic, melodic and harmonic conventions to encompass a range of cultural influences from his native New Orleans to West Africa and the Caribbean. 

“During a time in America and the world in which many of us feel impotent against the oppressive forces of the state, art enables us to respond, to speak truth to power, to resist and to attempt to transform. The time is now and the doors to the Harlem Stage Gatehouse are open” said Patricia Cruz, Executive Director of Harlem Stage. 

Monique Martin, Director of Programming, said “This season, Harlem Stage will continue to be a ‘Sanctuary Space’ for dialogue, bridge building and transcendent theater, music and dance. Artists from down the block, around the way and across the globe will present bespoke programs to ignite our imaginations, pose disrupting questions and ground us in our collective commitment to a world that honors everyone. We look forward to holding space with you and honoring our collective humanity.”

Harlem Stage Fall 2018 Programming

Saturday, September 8 (Special Event)
3:00pm – 6:00pm 
Price: FREE with RSVP
Harlem Stage Open House: Drum Circle, Community Sing & DJ party

Back by popular demand we launch our fall season welcoming YOU, our community, to a party to kick off the season. We are inviting all singers, drummers, percussionist, dancers and culture enthusiasts! Participate in a drum circle led by master drummer King Salim Ajanku. Bring your tambourines, djembes, congas, cajones, hand percussion and joy. Learn about Antigone in Ferguson through an excerpted performance and join a community sing led by vocalist Marcelle Davies-Lashley. 

Tour the Gatehouse and learn about its historical restoration from a facility to distribute clean water to New York City into a state-of-the-art flexible performing arts center. 

Dance to the soulful sounds of Harlem’s own DJ Ness Digital. 

*Email kmartin@harlemstage.org to sign up for the Drum Circle*

September 13 – October 13, Tuesdays – Saturdays (Theater)
7:30pm (Saturdays: 3:00pm and 7:30pm)
First Performance Thursday, September 13
Price: FREE with RSVP
Harlem Stage & Theater of War Productions Present Antigone In Ferguson

Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries, Music Composed by Phil Woodmore 

In Association with THE OFFICE performing arts + film 

Exclusively supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation 

Antigone in Ferguson, conceived in the wake of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, is an immersive experience fusing dramatic readings of excerpts from Sophocles’ Greek tragedy with live choirs and powerful audience-driven discussions on race and social justice. Each week will feature a different group of actors, choir and community panelists. 

This multifaceted production will focus on the impact of racial violence against communities of color and the legacy of the tragic death of Michael Brown as well as New Yorkers Eric Garner, Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, Saheed Vassell and numerous others around the country. Antigone in Ferguson will offer a glimpse not only into the effects of the tragedy in Brown’s local community, but also the trauma of police violence and racial injustice in New York and across the nation. 

A rotating cast of actors including Samira Wiley ( Orange is the New Black), Paul Giamatti ( Billions), Tamara Tunie ( Dietland, Law & Order: SVU) and more will read scenes from Sophocles’ Antigone, accompanied by various Harlem choirs and The Phil Woodmore Singers (a diverse choir composed of community activists, police officers, youth, and concerned citizens including two of Michael Brown’s teachers from Ferguson).

Audience driven discussions will be guided by Theater of War Productions artistic director, Bryan Doerries and St. Louis based social worker, De-Andrea Blaylock, among others.

Friday, October 19 (Music)
7:30pm
Price: $25
Uptown Nights: Maimouna Youssef

Fresh off of her recent concert on NPR’s Tiny Desk and breakout performance with August Green earlier this year, Maimouna aka MuMu Fresh performs with her band from her rich body of work and latest album “Vintage Babies.” As a United States Musical Ambassador, Maimouna’s lyrical prowess coupled with her commitment to activism and social justice has taken her around the globe as a musician, thought leader and facilitator. She has shared the stage with Black Thought, Sting, Nas, Common, Dave Chappelle, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, Fred Yonnet and more. Come ready for a transformational party! Opening set by DJ Beauty and the Beatz

“Maimouna is gorgeous, powerful, raps better than most rappers and has the voice of an angel. At the least she is a quadruple threat.” - Black Thought

Friday, October 26 (Music)
7:30pm
Price: $25
Uptown Nights: Sacred Rebel Women

Join us for a concert celebrating #BlackGirlMagic and the alchemical power of music to move, affirm, liberate and uplift. Three women known for moving the crowd bring their artistry together for an evening of music, movement and visuals. DJ, percussionist and sound chemist Val Jeanty performs “VodouElectro” with Sirene Dantor Oliyaya Rene, songstress and sanctuary goddess Neycha performs acid hip-hop and dusted soul anthems from her upcoming CD “The Holy Hell of Hope” which is part of a larger project investigating Music as Sanctuary - a movement initiated to help restore hope to the hopeless and DC born Ghanaian singer songwriter YahZarah, who has shared the stage with the Roots, Outcast and Lenny Kravitz, brings her electric, ceremonial healing powers of song full throttle performing from her four album body of work and new music!

Friday, November 2 (Music – Jazz)
7:30pm 
Price: $25
Uptown Nights: Manhattan School of Music comes to Harlem!
MSM Jazz Orchestra: Tribute to Quincy Jones
Presented in Collaboration with Manhattan School of Music
Featuring: John Beasley, Guest Conductor and Arranger

Manhattan School of Music's Jazz Orchestra, led by guest conductor and arranger John Beasley, performs a tribute to musical powerhouse, Quincy Jones. A master inventor of musical hybrids, Quincy Jones has shuffled pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, classical, African, and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing many mediums, including records, live performance, movies and television.

Thursday, November 15 (Special Event)
7:30pm
Price $50
WaterWorks Conversation and Cocktail Party With Jason ‘Timbuktu’ Diakaté

This evening is dedicated to reflecting on the visionary artists and works presented at Harlem Stage through our signature commissioning program, WaterWorks. We will highlight the significance of the program (past, present and future) while creating space for dialogue, community and transformational ideas.

Join us for an intimate cocktail party examining the journey of transnational MC, musician, author, and WaterWorks artist, Jason Timbuktu Diakaté as he brings to life a new theater project inspired by his debut book A Drop of Midnight. He will be in conversation with scholar and author Monica Miller followed by a riveting performance.

Born of American parents with roots in Harlem by way of South Carolina and Pennsylvania, this first generation Swedish artist unpacks racism, bigotry, artistry, family and belonging through an unflinching narrative that dares to ask the questions: Where do I belong? Who are my people? Does my skin define me? Music, text and visuals weave a compelling story that journeys across continents and musical genres. Jason will be accompanied by a live band: The Rakiem Walker Project.

Saturday, November 24 (Dance Party)
4:00pm – 8:00pm
Price: $15
The Give Thanks Get Down: A DJ Dance Party!

Come dance and sweat out the holiday meal with Amma Whatt and Ancestral Pact. A musical experience exhibiting Whatt’s commitment to venerate the music of her ancestors and continue the legacy of Black music as it moves and morphs into modern times. As a Singer-songwriter Amma’s music is a modern, multi-genre fusion of Soul, Afro-Caribbean styles, House, and Jazz. Her vocal stylings, songwriting and live performances are lively and contemporary interpretations of ancestral dance, sound, spirituality and storytelling traditions.

Fly free with the DJ Collective Underground Revival and participate in an Afro Cuban Orisha dance class led by master Akpon (ceremonial singer) and dancer Oludaré Bernard. Together we will Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky and Get free! Co-curated by Amma Whatt.

Saturday, December 1 (Music)
7:30pm
Price: $25
Uptown Nights: Sarah Elizabeth Charles and SCOPE

Sarah Elizabeth Charles and her band SCOPE have been together for nine years and continue to re-define their musical space. Through live performance and educational engagement, Sarah has shared her vision for what sonic landscapes have the potential to be. Harnessing freedom of expression, social commentary and ever-changing dialogue, this band's name speaks for itself. SCOPE is the possibility and the opportunity to deal with something. This music sends a message that we are all unique human beings worthy of exploring our true selves and sharing it with the world. During this performance, the audience will experience music from SCOPE's newest record, Free of Form, which includes protest and socially reflective material that serves as a form of questioning, celebration, individuality and unification.

Thursday, December 6 (Music)
7:30pm
Price: FREE
Uptown Nights: Elio Villafranca Afro Caribbean Trio
Presented in collaboration with Carnegie Hall Citywide, a program of the Weill Music Institute.

Born in the Pinar del Río province of Cuba, Steinway Artist, Grammy Nominated, and 2014 JALC Millennium Swing Award! Recipient pianist and composer Elio Villafranca was classically trained in percussion and composition at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba.

Since his arrival in the U.S. in mid-1995, Elio Villafranca is at the forefront of the latest generation of remarkable pianists, composers and bandleaders. Over the years Elio Villafranca has recorded and performed nationally and internationally as a leader, featuring jazz master artists such as Pat Martino, Terell Stafford, Wynton Marsalis, Billy Hart, Paquito D’Rivera, Billy Harper, Eric Alexander, and Lewis Nash, Chick Corea, and Jon Faddis, Johnny Pacheco among others. He is based in New York City and he is a faculty member of Temple University, Philadelphia and The Juilliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and New York University in NYC.

Featuring Russell Hall on bass and Dion Parson on drums

Friday, December 14 (Music)
7:30pm
Price: FREE
Uptown Nights: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Featuring Braxton Cook

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah presents a special pop up concert featuring Braxton Cook and his quintet at Harlem’s own Silvana’s restaurant. One of this generation’s emerging voices on the alto saxophone Braxton is also a talented vocalist and songwriter whose sounds blends Soul, R&B, and Jazz. A Juilliard graduate, he has toured with Grammy Award-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott, Marquis Hill, and The New Century Jazz Quintet, among others. In 2017, Fader Magazine called Braxton Cook a “Jazz Marvel” and “Jazz Prodigy.”

Saturday, December 15 (Music)
7:30pm
Price: $25
Uptown Nights: Weedie Braimah and The Hands of Time with special guests Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and Pedrito Martinez

TICKETING INFORMATION

Box Office Location: Harlem Stage Gatehouse (150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street, Manhattan). 

Box Office Hours: Regular box office hours are 10AM–3PM Monday through Friday, except on performance days when the box office remains open until one hour after the start of the performance. 

By Phone: 212.281.9240 ext. 19 

Online: www.HarlemStage.org 

ABOUT HARLEM STAGE

Harlem Stage is the performing arts center that bridges Harlem’s cultural legacy to contemporary artists of color and dares to provide the artistic freedom that gives birth to new ideas. For over 35 years Harlem Stage has been one of the nation’s leading arts organizations, achieving this distinction through its work with artists of color and by facilitating a productive engagement with the communities it serves through the performing arts. With a long-standing tradition of supporting artists and organizations around the corner and across the globe, Harlem Stage boasts such legendary artists as Harry Belafonte, Max Roach, Sekou Sundiata, Abbey Lincoln, Sonia Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Maya Angelou and Tito Puente, as well as contemporary artists like Bill T. Jones, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Tamar-kali, Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, Stew, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jason Moran, José James, Nona Hendryx and more. Its education program each year provides over 1,000 New York City children with introduction and access to the rich diversity, excitement and inspiration of the performing arts. In 2006, Harlem Stage opened the landmarked, award-winning Harlem Stage Gatehouse. This once abandoned space, originally a pivotal source for distributing fresh water to New York City, is now a vital source of creativity, ideas and culture. Harlem Stage is a winner of the William Dawson Award for Programming Excellence and Sustained Achievement in Programming (Association of Performing Arts Presenters).

For more information on Harlem Stage, visit

For a full list of donors, please visit