Jazz At The ATLAS returns on Wednesday, January 11 and continues through June. The new music series starts off this Friday, January 6 with guitarist D.J. Sparr. Visit www.atlasarts.org to view all the amazing performances presented by ATLAS. Here's a listing for the Winter and Spring 2012 season.
January 11 - Chris Byars Octet featuring Freddie Redd (www.chrisbyars.net)
January 18 - Dan Roberts Trio "Yoshimisongs"
February 1 - Jen Krupa/Leigh Pilzer Quintet (www.jlqjazz.com)
February 15 - Ben Allison Quartet (www.benallison.com)
March 14 - Andrew Cyrille's 21st Century Big Band Unlimited w/ arrangements by Mark Masters (www.amjazzin.com)
March 21 - Amy K. Bormet's Washington Women In Jazz Festival featuring Allison Miller (www.washingtonwomeninjazz.com)
April 4 - Darcy James Argue's Secret Society (www.secretsocietymusic.org)
April 11 - Steve Lehman Trio (www.stevelehman.com)
May 2 - Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet (www.ambroseakinmusire.com)
May 16 - "Out of the Cool: Gil Evans at 100" (www.bradlinde.com) - Music from the Birth of the Cool, New Bottle, Old Wine, and selections from the historic collaborations with Miles Davis.
May 30 - Dan Tepfer Trio (www.dantepfer.com)
June 3 - DC Jazz Festival - To Be Announced (www.atlasarts.org)
June 13 - DC Jazz Festival: Joe Chambers "Moving Pictures" Jazz Orchestra with Brian Settles, Jessica Boykin-Settles, Donvonte McCoy, and Tom Baldwin. (www.josephachambers.com)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
Mr. Konitz Goes To Washington (3 performances by the legendary alto saxophonist)
This week Washington DC hosts legendary alto saxophonist Lee Konitz in three different settings at three different venues.
On Wednesday, September 21, Mr. Konitz will join pianist Dan Tepfer and DC-based saxophonist Brad Linde at the University of the District of Columbia. The Felix Grant Jazz Archives presents the first JAZZForum of the season as the trio discusses the life and music of Lee Konitz and his commitment to new challenges and collaborations. This discussion is free and open to the public beginning at 7:00pm.
The Brad Linde Ensemble will premiere a new work composed by Dan Tepfer for Konitz and the nonet at the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday, September 22 in North Bethesda, Maryland. In addition to the new piece, Konitz and Tepfer will join the ensemble on arrangements by Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Carisi, and members of the ensemble. This performance has been listed as SOLD OUT, but there may be tickets available the night of the event.
Friday, September 23 finds Lee Konitz in a quintet with Dan Tepfer, Brad Linde, Tom Baldwin, and Tony Martucci for the second installment of “Jazz At the ATLAS" in NE Washington DC. The evening will include improvisations on well-known standards and lines composed by Mr. Konitz.
Information and tickets can be found at the following links for each performance:
UDC Jazz Archives: www.jazzarchives.org
Strathmore: www.strathmore.org
ATLAS: www.atlasarts.org
On Wednesday, September 21, Mr. Konitz will join pianist Dan Tepfer and DC-based saxophonist Brad Linde at the University of the District of Columbia. The Felix Grant Jazz Archives presents the first JAZZForum of the season as the trio discusses the life and music of Lee Konitz and his commitment to new challenges and collaborations. This discussion is free and open to the public beginning at 7:00pm.
The Brad Linde Ensemble will premiere a new work composed by Dan Tepfer for Konitz and the nonet at the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday, September 22 in North Bethesda, Maryland. In addition to the new piece, Konitz and Tepfer will join the ensemble on arrangements by Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Carisi, and members of the ensemble. This performance has been listed as SOLD OUT, but there may be tickets available the night of the event.
Friday, September 23 finds Lee Konitz in a quintet with Dan Tepfer, Brad Linde, Tom Baldwin, and Tony Martucci for the second installment of “Jazz At the ATLAS" in NE Washington DC. The evening will include improvisations on well-known standards and lines composed by Mr. Konitz.
Information and tickets can be found at the following links for each performance:
UDC Jazz Archives: www.jazzarchives.org
Strathmore: www.strathmore.org
ATLAS: www.atlasarts.org
Thursday, August 18, 2011
"Jazz At The Atlas" series tickets go an sale today
Hello All,
Tickets go on sale today for the Atlas Performing Arts Center's new "Jazz At The Atlas" series. It begins September 14 with alto saxophonist Will Vinson's group from New York City and continues on select Wednesday evenings throughout the year, featuring national and local performers. A complete roster is listed below and you can become a supporting member of the Atlas family and receive special rates on multiple performances. The "Jazz At The Atlas" series is only one part of new and amazing programming at the H Street venue, so please check out all the upcoming exciting events in theatre, dance, and music. www.atlasarts.org
Jazz At The Atlas Fall 2011 line-up:
Sep. 14: Will Vinson Quartet (NYC)
Sep. 28: Tony Martucci Quintet (D.C.)
Oct. 5: Teddy Charles Tentet (N.Y/D.C.)
Oct. 19: Greg Boyer Peloton (D.C.)
Nov. 9: Miguel Zenon Quartet (NYC)
Nov. 16: Brian Settles and Central Union (D.C./NYC)
Dec. 7: Grachan Moncur III (N.J.) with the Brad Linde Ensemble (D.C.)
Dec. 21: Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O (NYC)
***A special performance has been added on Friday, September 23 at 8pm: Lee Konitz & Brad Linde with Dan Tepfer, Tom Baldwin, and Tony Martucci.
Buy Tickets Here:
Atlas Performing Arts Center Events
Read what's being said about the new series here:
Washington City Paper Artsdesk by Michael J. West
and here:
Capitalbop Article by Luke Stewart
I look forward to seeing you at the performances.
Sincerely,
Brad
Tickets go on sale today for the Atlas Performing Arts Center's new "Jazz At The Atlas" series. It begins September 14 with alto saxophonist Will Vinson's group from New York City and continues on select Wednesday evenings throughout the year, featuring national and local performers. A complete roster is listed below and you can become a supporting member of the Atlas family and receive special rates on multiple performances. The "Jazz At The Atlas" series is only one part of new and amazing programming at the H Street venue, so please check out all the upcoming exciting events in theatre, dance, and music. www.atlasarts.org
Jazz At The Atlas Fall 2011 line-up:
Sep. 14: Will Vinson Quartet (NYC)
Sep. 28: Tony Martucci Quintet (D.C.)
Oct. 5: Teddy Charles Tentet (N.Y/D.C.)
Oct. 19: Greg Boyer Peloton (D.C.)
Nov. 9: Miguel Zenon Quartet (NYC)
Nov. 16: Brian Settles and Central Union (D.C./NYC)
Dec. 7: Grachan Moncur III (N.J.) with the Brad Linde Ensemble (D.C.)
Dec. 21: Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O (NYC)
***A special performance has been added on Friday, September 23 at 8pm: Lee Konitz & Brad Linde with Dan Tepfer, Tom Baldwin, and Tony Martucci.
Buy Tickets Here:
Atlas Performing Arts Center Events
Read what's being said about the new series here:
Washington City Paper Artsdesk by Michael J. West
and here:
Capitalbop Article by Luke Stewart
I look forward to seeing you at the performances.
Sincerely,
Brad
Sunday, July 17, 2011
BLE w/ Lee Konitz and Dan Tepfer at Strathmore
Hello all,
On Thursday, September 22, 2011, the Brad Linde Ensemble will feature alto saxophonist Lee Konitz in a special performance at the Mansion at Strathmore. This concert will feature music arranged for Konitz and a 9-piece chamber ensemble, similar to the "Birth of the Cool" band from the 1949 recordings by Miles Davis. We will be premiering new arrangements of Lee's compositions, music by Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan, and a new work by pianist and composer Dan Tepfer written specifically for the BLE and Lee. Dan will be at the piano for this performance.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 19 and there is a limited number available due to the intimate size of the historic 100 year old music room. Order now!
Here's the link to the Brad Linde Ensemble featuring Lee Konitz performance:
http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=7253
And here is the link to my lecture on the Tristano School on Thurday, October 13. "No Figs: The Modern Music of the Tristano School" will include information on jazz pedagogue Lennie Tristano and his star pupils Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, and Ted Brown:
http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=7363
I look forward to seeing you at this exciting performance.
Sincerely,
Brad
On Thursday, September 22, 2011, the Brad Linde Ensemble will feature alto saxophonist Lee Konitz in a special performance at the Mansion at Strathmore. This concert will feature music arranged for Konitz and a 9-piece chamber ensemble, similar to the "Birth of the Cool" band from the 1949 recordings by Miles Davis. We will be premiering new arrangements of Lee's compositions, music by Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan, and a new work by pianist and composer Dan Tepfer written specifically for the BLE and Lee. Dan will be at the piano for this performance.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 19 and there is a limited number available due to the intimate size of the historic 100 year old music room. Order now!
Here's the link to the Brad Linde Ensemble featuring Lee Konitz performance:
http://www.strathmore.org/
And here is the link to my lecture on the Tristano School on Thurday, October 13. "No Figs: The Modern Music of the Tristano School" will include information on jazz pedagogue Lennie Tristano and his star pupils Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, and Ted Brown:
http://www.strathmore.org/
I look forward to seeing you at this exciting performance.
Sincerely,
Brad
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February Performances
February features some very special performances including a quartet with Ted Brown, Butch Warren and Freddie Redd teaming up at Bohemian Caverns, a special Valentine's Day show with the BCJO, and more!
Brad Linde/Ted Brown Quartet at Tomi Jazz
02.05.11 | 9:30pm - 1:00am
New York, NY
Brad Linde-tenor saxophone
Ted Brown-tenor saxophone
Joe Solomon-bass
Taro Okamoto-drums
Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra at the Historic Bohemian Caverns
02.07.11 | 8pm and 945pm
Washington, DC
Stoltz Listening Room at the Avalon Theatre
02.10.11 | 8pm
Easton, MD
The Brad Linde Quartet performs new works that focus on group interplay and improvised counterpoint.
Brad Linde-tenor saxophone
Sarah Hughes-alto saxophone
Tom Baldwin-bass
Tony Martucci-drums
Freddie Redd/Butch Warren Quintet at Bohemian Caverns
02.11.11 | 8:30pm and 10:30pm
Washington, DC
Freddie Redd-piano
Butch Warren-bass
Brad Linde-tenor and baritone saxophone
Brian Settles-tenor saxophone
Tony Martucci-drums
Freddie Redd/Butch Warren Quintet at Bohemian Caverns
02.12.11 | 8:30pm and 10:30pm
Washington, DC
Freddie Redd-piano
Butch Warren-bass
Brad Linde-tenor and baritone saxophone
Brian Settles-tenor saxophone
Tony Martucci-drums
Valentine's Day with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra at Bohemian Caverns
02.14.11 | 8pm and 945pm
Washington, DC
Celebrate love with the BCJO! $40 gets you dinner and a show by the District's exclusive 17-piece big band.
Faculty Lecture at NOVA: Jazz through World War II
02.16.11 | 8pm
Woodbridge, VA
Presenting a lecture on the developments in jazz through World War II as part of an African-American Studies course.
Intersections 2011: A New America Arts Festival at the Atlas Theatre
02.17.11 | 7pm
Washington, DC
CHISPA Presentation at the Atlas Theatre.
Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra at the Historic Bohemian Caverns
02.21.11 | 8pm and 945pm
Washington, DC
Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra at the Historic Bohemian Caverns
02.28.11 | 8pm and 945pm
Washington, DC
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Ten Months of Tristano
In an attempt to develop a strict practice regime and to progress as an improviser, I am going to spend the next ten months working through the material and lesson concepts that I have collected through my early studies of the Tristano School with pianist Ed Paolantonio, my approach-altering time spent with Lee Konitz, and my conversations and performances with Ted Brown. The work I've done in researching Lester Young, as well as my bebop roots nurtured by Barry Harris, will surely combine with this strict curriculum to nudge my playing closer to where I want it to be.
I realize that Lennie prescribed his method as an ongoing learning process, taking years of rigid adherence to the course before attempting to really improvise. However, I do have some familiarity with improvising, playing the repertoire, and a deep commitment to the past masters of the jazz idiom: Louis Armstrong, Charlie Christian, Lester Young ,Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Fats Navarro.
Let's hear how it goes in October.
I realize that Lennie prescribed his method as an ongoing learning process, taking years of rigid adherence to the course before attempting to really improvise. However, I do have some familiarity with improvising, playing the repertoire, and a deep commitment to the past masters of the jazz idiom: Louis Armstrong, Charlie Christian, Lester Young ,Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Fats Navarro.
Let's hear how it goes in October.
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 in Review
2009 was a great year for a swing and bop jazz historian/performer to celebrate the anniversaries of the "Birth of the Cool", "Monk at Town Hall", and Lester Young's 100th Birthday. However, 2010 was an even better year to expand on those exciting milestones and to push forward to new things. A brief year-in-review for 2010 finds many of my musical dreams coming true, events I will look back on for the rest of my life.
January 2010- I took a sideman role to my former student and frequent collaborator, Sarah Hughes, as she crafted and executed her own performances of the music of Ornette Coleman and Lee Konitz/Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker. She even penned several of her own arrangements and compositions, in addition to numerous transcriptions.
February 2010- I had the honor of putting together the Freddie Redd Sextet and booking a performance at Birdland in New York City. In the middle of one of the worst snowstorms in recent history, I was able to get Freddie and myself to the gig and play to a very receptive audience. The BLE officially released "Feeling That Way Now" at Blues Alley on February 15 and we returned to Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia.
March 2010- Another amazing opportunity to book the Freddie Redd Quintet at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola and feature Chris Byars, Ari Roland, and Stefan Schatz with a broadcast by WBGO. Freddie then joined us in Washington DC at Twins Jazz Club.
April 2010- Jazz Appreciation Month. No one appreciated it more than I did. My ensemble performed at the Iridium in Times Square and I debuted "Sax of a Kind" at the Sylvan Theatre during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Freddie Redd again returned to Smalls Jazz Club to perform with me and Chris Byars Quartet.
During the Big Band Jam, I was honored to feature Lee Konitz with my ensemble at Blues Alley. We performed music from the "Birth of the Cool" and his collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre and Mark Masters, then we enjoyed a 6 hour drive to NC to get Lee to his next gig. After much planning, Omrao Brown and I created the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra as a resident ensemble at the 85 year old club, marking the return of big band Monday nights. The BCJO has maintained a huge following and a collective artistic direction, co-led by myself and Joe Herrera. My ensemble celebrated the birthday of Ella Fitzgerald featuring Lena Seikaly at the Smithsonian Institute.
May 2010- The BLE performed at the Mansion at Strathmore and "Sax of a Kind" featured Ted Brown at the University of the Streets in NYC.
June 2010 - DC Jazz Festival performances by the BCJO, the BLE paying tribute to Dewey Redman with Joel Frahm at Bohemian Caverns, and the Brad Linde Sextet performed at the Phillips Collection. I received a Creative Communities Grant to collaborate with Matt Ripa and Jane Franklin on an original work for the Source Festival. That initial "blind-date" created "A Great(er) Depression" and has offered repeat performances and new ventures to come.
July 2010 - The BLE shared the bill with "The Beast: North Carolina's Progressive Hip-hop and Jazz Quaret" at Busboys and Poets. We even participated in each others sets - Pierce freestyled a blues and I improvised over a hip-hop ballad before attempting to follow Pierce's dance moves.
August 2010 - "Sax of a Kind" wrapped up Lester Young's 100th birthday with a performance at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and featured music by Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Lester Young, Ted Brown, and myself.
September 2010 - The BLE performed at my new place of employment, Carroll Community College and the BCJO continued to draw crowds through the summer and into the fall.
October 2010 - BLE at Miles Cafe in NYC started the month off, then we featured the great bassist Butch Warren in a performance of his music and songs from his Blue Note years. Butch's first performance at Blues Alley in nearly 40 years revealed a strong and creative musician, one that is still composing and playing brilliantly. Freddie Redd returned to Twins Jazz with longtime bassist John Donnelly and joined what would become the Freddie Redd/Butch Warren Quintet with Brian Settles, Tony Martucci and myself.
November 2010 - I got to join the Chris Byars Octet for a weekend at Smalls Jazz Club, performing the music of Freddie Redd with Sacha Perry, Scott Wendholt, John Mosca, Ari Roland, and Mark Lopeman. I returned to NYC to perform with old Chapel Hill friends and bandmates Jack Sorock and Will Caviness at Tomi Jazz. Jane Franklin invited my quartet to reprise "A Great(er) Depression" at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre. And I got to play reeds in a production of Harry Connick, Jr.'s "The Happy Elf".
December 2010 - At the urging of Bertrand Uberall, Freddie Redd and Butch Warren teamed up for the first of performances to come at a house party in Boyds, MD. The chemistry was evident from the first note and forged a band with Brian Settles, Tony Martucci and myself that looks forward to work in 2011.
I presented two nights of saxophones at Twins Jazz, featuring my favorite District reedists: John Kocur, Sarah Hughes, Brent Birckhead, Brian Settles, Elijah Balbed, and Charles Phaneuf, supported by Dan Roberts, Rodney Richardson, James King, Dave McDonald, and Dominic Smith.
My quartet also previewed new music at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The performance will take place in March 2011 as part of INTERSECTIONS: A New America Arts Festival.
The BCJO held two special holiday concerts to sold-out crowds and received 68 lbs. of donated canned goods for the Capital Area Food Bank. After years of listening enjoyment, I was able to play the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn adaptation of "The Nutcracker Suite" with an amazing band.
The year ended with an annual Holiday gig at The Fuse in Chapel Hill with some old friends and a pair of NYC performances with my heroes Ted Brown, Murray Wall, and Taro Okamoto.
With such a great year behind me, I cannot wait for 2011. If I am half as lucky as I was this year, then I'll be twice as happy (but if I am twice as lucky as this year, then I will be four times as happy). Thanks to all involved with music this year and for making it possible. I am a very lucky person and very grateful for all of these amazing opportunities. Here's to 2010.
January 2010- I took a sideman role to my former student and frequent collaborator, Sarah Hughes, as she crafted and executed her own performances of the music of Ornette Coleman and Lee Konitz/Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker. She even penned several of her own arrangements and compositions, in addition to numerous transcriptions.
February 2010- I had the honor of putting together the Freddie Redd Sextet and booking a performance at Birdland in New York City. In the middle of one of the worst snowstorms in recent history, I was able to get Freddie and myself to the gig and play to a very receptive audience. The BLE officially released "Feeling That Way Now" at Blues Alley on February 15 and we returned to Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia.
March 2010- Another amazing opportunity to book the Freddie Redd Quintet at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola and feature Chris Byars, Ari Roland, and Stefan Schatz with a broadcast by WBGO. Freddie then joined us in Washington DC at Twins Jazz Club.
April 2010- Jazz Appreciation Month. No one appreciated it more than I did. My ensemble performed at the Iridium in Times Square and I debuted "Sax of a Kind" at the Sylvan Theatre during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Freddie Redd again returned to Smalls Jazz Club to perform with me and Chris Byars Quartet.
During the Big Band Jam, I was honored to feature Lee Konitz with my ensemble at Blues Alley. We performed music from the "Birth of the Cool" and his collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre and Mark Masters, then we enjoyed a 6 hour drive to NC to get Lee to his next gig. After much planning, Omrao Brown and I created the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra as a resident ensemble at the 85 year old club, marking the return of big band Monday nights. The BCJO has maintained a huge following and a collective artistic direction, co-led by myself and Joe Herrera. My ensemble celebrated the birthday of Ella Fitzgerald featuring Lena Seikaly at the Smithsonian Institute.
May 2010- The BLE performed at the Mansion at Strathmore and "Sax of a Kind" featured Ted Brown at the University of the Streets in NYC.
June 2010 - DC Jazz Festival performances by the BCJO, the BLE paying tribute to Dewey Redman with Joel Frahm at Bohemian Caverns, and the Brad Linde Sextet performed at the Phillips Collection. I received a Creative Communities Grant to collaborate with Matt Ripa and Jane Franklin on an original work for the Source Festival. That initial "blind-date" created "A Great(er) Depression" and has offered repeat performances and new ventures to come.
July 2010 - The BLE shared the bill with "The Beast: North Carolina's Progressive Hip-hop and Jazz Quaret" at Busboys and Poets. We even participated in each others sets - Pierce freestyled a blues and I improvised over a hip-hop ballad before attempting to follow Pierce's dance moves.
August 2010 - "Sax of a Kind" wrapped up Lester Young's 100th birthday with a performance at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and featured music by Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Lester Young, Ted Brown, and myself.
September 2010 - The BLE performed at my new place of employment, Carroll Community College and the BCJO continued to draw crowds through the summer and into the fall.
October 2010 - BLE at Miles Cafe in NYC started the month off, then we featured the great bassist Butch Warren in a performance of his music and songs from his Blue Note years. Butch's first performance at Blues Alley in nearly 40 years revealed a strong and creative musician, one that is still composing and playing brilliantly. Freddie Redd returned to Twins Jazz with longtime bassist John Donnelly and joined what would become the Freddie Redd/Butch Warren Quintet with Brian Settles, Tony Martucci and myself.
November 2010 - I got to join the Chris Byars Octet for a weekend at Smalls Jazz Club, performing the music of Freddie Redd with Sacha Perry, Scott Wendholt, John Mosca, Ari Roland, and Mark Lopeman. I returned to NYC to perform with old Chapel Hill friends and bandmates Jack Sorock and Will Caviness at Tomi Jazz. Jane Franklin invited my quartet to reprise "A Great(er) Depression" at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre. And I got to play reeds in a production of Harry Connick, Jr.'s "The Happy Elf".
December 2010 - At the urging of Bertrand Uberall, Freddie Redd and Butch Warren teamed up for the first of performances to come at a house party in Boyds, MD. The chemistry was evident from the first note and forged a band with Brian Settles, Tony Martucci and myself that looks forward to work in 2011.
I presented two nights of saxophones at Twins Jazz, featuring my favorite District reedists: John Kocur, Sarah Hughes, Brent Birckhead, Brian Settles, Elijah Balbed, and Charles Phaneuf, supported by Dan Roberts, Rodney Richardson, James King, Dave McDonald, and Dominic Smith.
My quartet also previewed new music at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The performance will take place in March 2011 as part of INTERSECTIONS: A New America Arts Festival.
The BCJO held two special holiday concerts to sold-out crowds and received 68 lbs. of donated canned goods for the Capital Area Food Bank. After years of listening enjoyment, I was able to play the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn adaptation of "The Nutcracker Suite" with an amazing band.
The year ended with an annual Holiday gig at The Fuse in Chapel Hill with some old friends and a pair of NYC performances with my heroes Ted Brown, Murray Wall, and Taro Okamoto.
With such a great year behind me, I cannot wait for 2011. If I am half as lucky as I was this year, then I'll be twice as happy (but if I am twice as lucky as this year, then I will be four times as happy). Thanks to all involved with music this year and for making it possible. I am a very lucky person and very grateful for all of these amazing opportunities. Here's to 2010.
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