Buffalo, New York –Mayor Byron W. Brown and musicians from the Colored Musicians Club today unveiled the main acts of the 2017 Colored Musicians Club Jazz Festival presented by M&T Bank. They outlined the six full days of the week-long festival, a celebration of Jazz culture in Buffalo as part of the 100th year anniversary of the Colored Musicians Club in Buffalo. The CMC Jazz Festival Presented by M&T Bank will take place at multiple venues throughout Buffalo, including the Queen City Social, sponsored by M&T Bank and managed by Buffalo Place.
Mayor Brown stated, “One hundred years ago, there was a group of artists, musicians and innovators of color in Buffalo who understood that, fundamentally, through music, we could open minds, enrich souls, warm hearts and inspire genius. The CMC Jazz Festival Presented by M&T Bank honors the historic club’s 100 year anniversary with its largest roster of internationally acclaimed, as well as, regional performers for six full days of music and events for the entire family. I encourage city residents and visitors to attend this week-long celebration in Buffalo.”
The centennial will be celebrated citywide in the area’s most revered venues from Monday, July 24 through Saturday, July 29, 2017. Albright-Knox, 9th Ward at Babeville, Pausa Art House, Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, Larkin Square, Fountain Plaza in Downtown Buffalo and the Historic CMC will host this summer’s hottest ticket in jazz music and entertainment. This is a celebration for the entire family as Saturday’s events include an official Kid’s Tent sponsored by Explore and More Children’s Museum.
“The Baylor Project” at Albright Knox on July 29th
Soulful. Melodic. Authentic. Jazz music. Steeped in the heart and soul of jazz, Marcus and Jean Baylor’s highly anticipated collaboration showcases the grace and glory, versatility and virtuosity of a truly extraordinary musical union. Marcus, a St. Louis native, is widely recognized as a 3-time Grammy nominated musician and former drummer of the jazz quartet, the Yellowjackets. Jean, a “Jersey Girl”, made her mark as one-half of platinum recording duo, Zhane and has since re-established herself in jazz music. With her agile mezzo-soprano range, Jean combines a fresh, whimsical, approach to phrasing with clever musicality resulting in soul-hugging vocal purity. Their combined musicianship is unmatched.
“A2Z” Zuri Elise Appleby and guitarist Arianna Powell at The Historic CMC Stage July 28th
Zuri and Arianna join forces with Berklee-educated Rod Bonner (keyboardist for GRAMMY-Nominated Najee) and Daniel Powell (drummer for Najee and Marsha Ambrosius), to create a powerful collection of genre-bending music with their eclectic ensemble, “A2Z.”
Powell, voted “Top 10 female guitarists” on the scene by Guitar Magazine, is currently touring with Chris Brown and has played behind a number of artists including Nick Jonas, Will.i.AM and The Black Eyed Peas.
Appleby is the daughter of bassist Rodney and pianist Linda Appleby. She has played with the likes of Ginuwine, Silk, Maysa, Soulive, Christopher Williams, Marvin Sapp, Martha Munizzi, Joseph Wooten, keyboardist for the Steve Miller Band, and CeeLo Green. In 2015, Nick Jonas selected the ladies to perform for his Made in America Tour. The two were featured on the Seth Meyers Late Night Show, The Ellen DeGeneres show, The American Music Awards of 2015, the BBC Teen Awards in London, England, opened for Justin Bieber, The Weekend, DNC, DeLaSoul, Demi Lovato, and was featured on Victoria’s Secret Swim Suit Special on CBS.
“Otis Brown, III Trio” at Babeville’s 9th Ward on July 27th
Experience a multitude of musical surprises with this ticket, unique to the CMC Centennial Jazz Fest. Blue Note recording artist Otis Brown, III is one of notable record. After attending Delaware State University as music major, Brown crossed paths with jazz icon Donald Byrd and his course was dramatically altered. Byrd, who was Artist in Residence at DSU, convinced Brown to go to New York City to be in the thick of things. “It was life changing,” says Brown, who after studying at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and the Thelonious Monk Institute, caught the attention of Joe Lovano. Initially subbing for Lewis Nash and Idris Muhammad in Lovano’s bands, Brown became a founding member of Lovano’s Us Five quintet, recording three albums, including the GRAMMY-nominated Bird Songs.
“Walter Kemp 3oh!” at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center July 27th
Blujazz artist Walter Kemp 3, pianist, composer, rhythmic vocalist, is the driving force behind the “Walter Kemp 3oh!.” Walter’s father, a classical and gospel composer, sparked Walter’s early interest in the piano. Hearing his father perform his compositions at Carnegie Hall, opened Kemp’s eyes to a world of music. The internationally recognized artist expertly builds ensembles able to dominate in an array of venues. The 3oh!’s debut release, Dark Continent, brings Kemp’s innate abilities to the forefront. Having joined forces with long-time musical collaborators, RiShon Odel Northington, recording and touring bassist for GRAMMY-nominated Najee, and percussive phenom
David “Teaspoon” Hulett, the trio embodies ”the spirit of the music.” -JBL George W. Harris (LA Jazz Weekly) states the release, “swings with excitement... Kemp is richly expansive ... Northington bends the strings with authority... whole team is romantic over Hulett’s snazzy drum work... anything but the expected piano trio.” Toronto’s Jazz FM 91.1, featured a live performance heralded as “the best...incredibly beautiful music.”
“Andre Killian Duo” at Pausa Art House July 26th
This young standout musician was awarded a scholarship in Jazz Studies at The New School, where he flourished, gigging with notable genre contemporaries. He completed his very first album, Sunday Afternoon, in 2005, and is currently producing new projects and collaborating with other recording artists. Andre Killian has been highly successful, not only as a Saxophonist, but as a producer, singer and songwriter, having performed with and opened for Bilal, Erykah Badu, The Roots Questlove, Wynton Marsalis, DJ Julius Papp, DJ Kenny Dope and numerous others.
Scott Tixier at The Historic CMC Stage on July 25th
Sunnyside recording artist Scott Tixier exudes improvisational fortitude. One of his generation’s extraordinary talents, Tixier has made a name for himself as a violinist-composer of wide-ranging ambition, individuality and drive — “the future of jazz violin” in the words of Downbeat Magazine and “A remarkable improviser and a cunning jazz composer” in those of NPR.
The New York City-based Tixier, born in Montreuil, France has performed with some of the leading lights in jazz and music legends including: Stevie Wonder, Roger Waters, Kenny Barron, John Legend, Ed Sheeran, Charnett Moffett, Cassandra Wilson, Chris Potter, Christina Aguilera, Common, Anthony Braxton, Joss Stone, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Ariana Grande, Wayne Brady, Gerald Cleaver and Tigran Hamasyan.
The week is filled with exciting events and must-see artists beginning Monday, July 24th with the “Slow Roll Buffalo” and the George Scott Big Band. Larkin Square’s Food Truck Tuesday features the Carol McLaughlin Combo and Wednesday provides shows at three locations—Pausa Art House, Fountain Plaza in Downtown Buffalo and Larkin Square. Grammy- award winning artist George Caldwell headlines Saturday’s outdoor stage and Explore and More provides youthful entertainment in the Kids Tent next to the stage area.
All outside performances, children’s activities and Saturday’s indoor performances on the Historic CMC Stage from noon until 6PM are FREE. The Historic Colored Musicians Club Museum will be open for visitors on Saturday from 11AM until 7PM. FESTIVAL PASSES grant access to shows. FESTIVAL PASS Holders are afforded hassle-free admission and can be purchased on the festival website at: www.cmcjazzfest.com/buy-passes or at Wegmans Markets.
This festival is one for the history books and in addition to our Presenting Sponsor, M&T Bank, we are pleased acknowledge the support received from The City of Buffalo/ Mayor Byron W. Brown Mayor, Try-it Distribution, MiX MUSiK & MEDiA, Piano & Organ Center, Keybank, Larkin Square, Explore and More Children’s Museum, Hotel Henry, PROJEX Visuals, LP Ciminelli, Seneca Gaming Corporation, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Babeville, Buffalo Place, Pausa Art House, Wegmans Markets, Slow Roll, and Traffic East.