Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Saxophonist, Sonic Explorer Casey Benjamin Dies at 45
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
Terri Lyne Carrington, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Henry Threadgill and Phil Schaap will be honored April 22 by the NEA.
(Photo: Delphine Diallo (Carrington), Ghylian Bell & Michael Watts (Heath), Nhumi Threadgill (Threadgill), courtesy Jazz at Lincoln Center (Schaap))The National Endowment for the Arts, in collaboration with SFJAZZ, will present a virtual tribute concert to honor the 2021 class of NEA Jazz Masters: Terri Lyne Carrington, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Henry Threadgill and broadcaster Phil Schaap.
The concert will take place online Thursday, April 22, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. The event will be hosted by 2017 NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater and actor Delroy Lindo with recorded performances and tributes from a variety of acclaimed jazz musicians. The concert is free and available to watch online and via radio broadcast.
Joining the Jazz Masters with opening comments will be Douglas Emhoff, second gentleman of the United States, discussing his personal connections to jazz and the art form’s connections to our nation.
Miguel Zenón will serve as musical director for the concert, which will include performances by NEA Jazz Masters Wynton and Jason Marsalis and Dianne Reeves, as well as Obed Calvaire, Avishai Cohen, Roman Filiu, Vince Giordano, Christopher Hoffman, Joe Lovano, Pedrito Martinez, Dan Nimmer, Linda May Han Oh, Danilo Pérez, David Virelles, Lizz Wright and the SFJAZZ High School All Stars.
NEA Jazz Masters Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd and Wayne Shorter will offer video testimonials with more tributes from Jon Faddis, Michelle Kinney, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran and James Mtume.
“As part of our efforts to give all Americans access to the arts, we are proud to partner with SFJAZZ on this virtual concert,” said Ann Eilers, NEA acting chairman. “It is an opportunity for audiences around the world to tune in and explore the honorees’ many contributions to jazz while also experiencing an evening of performances by an incredible line-up of jazz musicians.”
“It is an honor to again partner with the NEA to celebrate these Jazz Masters,” said Randall Kline, SFJAZZ founder and executive artistic director. “We are looking forward to all of these artists and our global communities coming together to honor these legendary jazz masters for their profound contributions to our world.”
The concert will be webcast online at arts.gov and sfjazz.org, as well as a variety of other jazz-related websites.
Immediately after the concert there will be a Meet the Jazz Masters discussion with the 2021 honorees, hosted by SFJAZZ. DB
Benjamin possessed a fluid, round sound on the alto saxophone, and he was often most recognizable by the layers of electronic effects that he put onto the instrument.
Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
“He’s constructing intelligent musical sentences that connect seamlessly, which is the most important part of linear playing,” Charles McPherson said of alto saxophonist Sonny Red.
Feb 27, 2024 1:40 PM
“I might not have felt this way 30 to 40 years ago, but I’ve reached a point where I can hear value in what people…
Albert “Tootie” Heath (1935–2024) followed in the tradition of drummer Kenny Clarke, his idol.
Apr 5, 2024 10:28 AM
Albert “Tootie” Heath, a drummer of impeccable taste and time who was the youngest of three jazz-legend brothers…
“Both of us are quite grounded in the craft, the tradition and the harmonic sense,” Rosenwinkel said of his experience playing with Allen. “Yet I felt we shared something mystical as well.”
Mar 12, 2024 11:42 AM
“There are a few musicians you hear where, as somebody once said, the molecules in the room change. Geri was one of…
Larry Goldings’ versatility keeps him in high demand as a leader, collaborator and sideman.
Feb 21, 2024 10:45 AM
Are you having any fun? Larry Goldings certainly is. Consider just two recent examples:
Scene 1: “If anyone had…
