Frank Wess' 90th Birthday Celebration

[Hardbopjazz]

This should be a great show. Two of the remaining giants playing together.

The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band

Frank Wess 90th Birthday Celebration

Conducted by Roy Hargrove

with Jimmy Heath, Cyrus Chestnut, Lewis Nash, and Roberta Gambarini

Mon, Jan 2

7:30pm & 9:30pm

Cover: $30

Students: $10 with valid student ID

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the NEA Jazz Masters, the nation's highest honor in jazz. So it's fitting that the first performance of 2012 kicks off with the 90th birthday celebration of one giant tenor saxophonist among us--Frank Wess, himself a 2007 NEA Jazz Master and the man who single-handedly changed the way the flute is heard in big bands. And, what better honor than to have that celebration with one of the best big bands around, named for one of the first NEA Jazz Masters in 1982--John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie. Special appearance by Frank Wess on tenor saxophone, flute. Roy Hargrove, Frank Green, Greg Gisbert, Claudio Roditi, trumpets; Steve Davis, Jason Jackson, Michael Dease, Douglas Purviance, trombones; Antonio Hart, Mark Guess, alto saxophones; Jimmy Heath, tenor saxophone; Frank Wess, tenor saxophone, flute; Andres Boyarsky, tenor saxophone, clarinet; Frank Basile, baritone saxophone; Yotam Silberstein, guitar; Cyrus Chestnut, piano; John Lee, bass; Lewis Nash, drums; Roberta Gambarini, vocals

[thedwork]

This should be a great show. Two of the remaining giants playing together.

The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band

Frank Wess 90th Birthday Celebration

Conducted by Roy Hargrove

with Jimmy Heath, Cyrus Chestnut, Lewis Nash, and Roberta Gambarini

Mon, Jan 2

7:30pm & 9:30pm

Cover: $30

Students: $10 with valid student ID

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the NEA Jazz Masters, the nation's highest honor in jazz. So it's fitting that the first performance of 2012 kicks off with the 90th birthday celebration of one giant tenor saxophonist among us--Frank Wess, himself a 2007 NEA Jazz Master and the man who single-handedly changed the way the flute is heard in big bands. And, what better honor than to have that celebration with one of the best big bands around, named for one of the first NEA Jazz Masters in 1982--John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie. Special appearance by Frank Wess on tenor saxophone, flute. Roy Hargrove, Frank Green, Greg Gisbert, Claudio Roditi, trumpets; Steve Davis, Jason Jackson, Michael Dease, Douglas Purviance, trombones; Antonio Hart, Mark Guess, alto saxophones; Jimmy Heath, tenor saxophone; Frank Wess, tenor saxophone, flute; Andres Boyarsky, tenor saxophone, clarinet; Frank Basile, baritone saxophone; Yotam Silberstein, guitar; Cyrus Chestnut, piano; John Lee, bass; Lewis Nash, drums; Roberta Gambarini, vocals

nobody plays more horn than Wess. Nobody. truly doesn't get any better than him at his best. i was able to see/hear him for a full week long engagement about 10 years ago. beautiful player and seemed to me like a genuinely terrific person. i wish i could be there. all the best to Frank Wess.

[fasstrack]

He's also playing at Fat Cat in Jan., from whence I type this missive. For $3-----and a dream....

[Hardbopjazz]

He's also playing at Fat Cat in Jan., from whence I type this missive. For $3-----and a dream....

You can't beat $3. My only qualm with the Fat Cat is the crowd talks too much while playing pool while the musicians are performing. I must convince the wife I need to go to this show.

[fasstrack]

You'd be surprised how relaxing that can be to a performer---compared to some other venues where I feel like the teacher might fail me or something if I don't produce. I think I play my best here (I'm actually here).

I did hear Frank here maybe a month ago with Ilya Lushtak and co. He sounded great. Ilya is also a very nice player and always improving.