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On Thursday, March 31st from 5:00 – 6:30 pm in Dorothy Maynor Hall at the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA), the brilliant young pianist, bandleader and composer Isaiah J. Thompson will guide the HSA’s young instrumentalist student group, through a masterclass that includes a critique on technique, performance and improvisational skills. The session will conclude with a performance by Mr. Thompson. This young keyboardist has perfected his style and approach performing with jazz royalty including Ron Carter, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, Steve Turre and Buster Williams. A graduate of Juilliard, he began his love affair with music at an early age, attending The Calderone School of Music and later joining Jazz House Kids and NJPAC Jazz for Kids. Now at the tender age of 24 he is garnering global recognition for what one reporter called the “...ability to deliver the so elusive X factor across a wide range of jazz styles.” Mr. Thompson is a 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award recipient, took second place at the Thelonious Monk Competition, was named a Steinway Artist, worked on the Golden Globe nominated soundtrack for Motherless Brooklyn directed by actor Edward Norton, starring Willem Dafoe, Alec Baldwin and Bobby Cannavale. Isaiah was one of the featured players on The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis 2016 album, Handful of Keys, which charted the evolution of the piano over the 20th century, and included performances by pianists Joey Alexander, Dick Hyman, Myra Melford, and Helen Sung. In 2020, he released his debut album as a leader titled, Isaiah J. Thompson Plays the Music of Buddy Montgomery.

The Presidio Theatre in San Francisco presents the world premiere of Emmy Award-winning jazz innovator, composer and performer Mark Izu's Songs for J-Town in one concert only. Songs for J-Town is a Japanese American Jazz concert dedicated to the artists' and communities' grandchildren's children and the ancestors who carry them. Mark Izu (Contrabass and Sho) with Mas Koga (Shakuhachi, Flutes and Saxophone), Jimi Nakagawa (Taiko and Traps), Jim Norton (Woodwinds), Caroline Cabading (Vocals), devorah major (Spoken Word), Sara Sithi-Amnuai (Trumpet and Sheung), Karl Evangelista (guitar) and Brenda Wong Aoki (Storyteller). Shinto Blessing by Rev. Mas Kawahatsu, digital collage by Andrea Wong, film by Tonilyn Sideco. Songs for J-Town is a concert featuring music from the history of San Francisco's Japantown, beginning with the story of the Sun Goddess by Brenda Wong Aoki and a blessing by Konko Priest Mas Kawahatsu to sanctify the space, exorcise the historical ghosts of anti-Japanese propaganda and begin healing from what the military did to Japanese Americans during the Incarceration and to the Japanese people in the 1940's during WWII. The concert centers on an instrumental jazz performance infused with Gagaku, a 1500-year-old ceremonial Japanese music honoring the Sun Goddess, that Izu studied for 26 years under his mentor Togi Suenobu. The concert also features songs that bring back the swing and big band tunes that were popular with Japanese American political prisoners in internment camps after they were forcibly removed from their homes in Japantown during the height of anti-Asian hysteria in the 1940s. There will be resistance songs that call back to the Japantown of the 1970s, the birthplace of Asian American Jazz, a genre which Mark Izu helped pioneer during the struggle by Black and Japanese residents to fight the forced evictions of tens of thousands of neighborhood residents during waves of demolition led by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. URL: Website: https://go.evvnt.com/1054658-2?pid=4480 Category: Live Music | Jazz

“It seems that only beautiful sounds emanate from Gene Bertoncini’s guitar.” — The New Yorker

“A formidable and consummately lyrical guitarist.” —Time Out, New York

Acclaimed jazz guitarists Gene Bertoncini & Roni Ben-Hur return to Zinc for a special collaborative evening of music on Monday, July 25.

Gene Bertoncini is one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarists active today. His fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades as the “Segovia of jazz.” An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws, and Paul Desmond among others, as well as such distinguished singers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone, and Eydie Gorme.

Jazz guitarist Roni Ben-Hur has earned a sterling reputation as a musician and educator, renowned for his golden tone, improvisational brilliance, compositional lyricism, and ability to charm peers, students, and listeners alike. Eminent jazz critic Gary Giddins wrote in the Village Voice: “A limber and inventive guitarist, Ben-Hur keeps the flame alive and pure, burning in every note… He’s a guitarist who knows the changes and his own mind.” Roni — born in Israel in 1962 but a longtime American citizen, based in the New York City area — has recorded a dozen-plus album as leader or co-leader, with The New York Times praising his “crisp, fluid style” and Time Out New York calling him “a formidable and consummately lyrical guitarist.” He has developed a rare facility in both straight-ahead jazz and samba/bossa-nova styles, underscored by his work with masters in each field, from bebop piano sage Barry Harris and winds ace Frank Wess to beloved Brazilian vocalist Leny Andrade and composer Marcos Valle.

Showtimes are at 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Tickets: $20 in advance / $25 day of show. For more info, call (212) 477-9462 or visit https://www.zincjazz.com

New York City Opera will present Opera's Greatest Moments on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 7pm at Wollman Rink in Central Park. Enjoy a selection of opera favorites performed by extraordinary artists from the New York City Opera, including Michael Capasso, narrator; Kathryn Olander, piano; Marsha Thompson, soprano; Elissa Pfaender, mezzo-soprano; WooYoung Yoon, tenor; and Gustavo Feuline, baritone. Tickets are $15. This is a non-skating event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wollmanrinknyc.com/event/new-york-city-opera.

The program for the evening includes:
Libiamo ne' lieti calici from La traviata by Verdi – with WooYoung Yoon as Alfredo, Marsha Thompson as Violetta, Elissa Pfaender as Flora, and Gustavo Feulien as Barone
Habanera from Carmen by Bizet – with Elissa Pfaender as Carmen
La donna è mobile from Rigoletto by Verdi – with WooYoung Yoon as The Duke of Mantua
Toreador from Carmen by Bizet – with Gustavo Feulien as Escamillo
Barcarolle: Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour from Les contes d'Hoffmann by Offenbach – with Elissa Pfaender as Nicklausse and Marsha Thompson as Giulietta
È la solita storia del pastore from L'arlesiana by Cilea – with WooYoung Yoon as Frederico
Seguidilla from Carmen by Bizet – with Elissa Pfaender as Carmen
O Mimì tu più non torni from La bohème by Puccini – with WooYoung Yoon as Rodolfo and Gustavo Feulien as Marcello
Pace, pace mio dio! from La forza del destino by Verdi – with Marsha Thompson as Leonora
Là ci darem la mano from Don Giovanni by Mozart – with Elissa Pfaender as Zerlina and Gustavo Feulien as Don Giovanni
Bella figlia dell'amore from Rigoletto by Verdi – with Marsha Thompson as Gilda, Gustavo Feulien as Rigoletto, WooYoung Yoon as The Duke of Manuta, and Elissa Pfaender as Maddalena

“It seems that only beautiful sounds emanate from Gene Bertoncini’s guitar.” — The New Yorker

“A formidable and consummately lyrical guitarist.” —Time Out, New York

Acclaimed jazz guitarists Gene Bertoncini & Roni Ben-Hur return to Zinc for a special collaborative evening of music on Monday, August 29.

Gene Bertoncini is one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarists active today. His fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades as the “Segovia of jazz.” An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws, and Paul Desmond among others, as well as such distinguished singers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone, and Eydie Gorme.

Jazz guitarist Roni Ben-Hur has earned a sterling reputation as a musician and educator, renowned for his golden tone, improvisational brilliance, compositional lyricism, and ability to charm peers, students, and listeners alike. Eminent jazz critic Gary Giddins wrote in the Village Voice: “A limber and inventive guitarist, Ben-Hur keeps the flame alive and pure, burning in every note… He’s a guitarist who knows the changes and his own mind.” Roni — born in Israel in 1962 but a longtime American citizen, based in the New York City area — has recorded a dozen-plus album as leader or co-leader, with The New York Times praising his “crisp, fluid style” and Time Out New York calling him “a formidable and consummately lyrical guitarist.” He has developed a rare facility in both straight-ahead jazz and samba/bossa-nova styles, underscored by his work with masters in each field, from bebop piano sage Barry Harris and winds ace Frank Wess to beloved Brazilian vocalist Leny Andrade and composer Marcos Valle.

Showtimes are at 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25 in advance / $30 day of show. For more info, call (212) 477-9462 or visit https://www.zincjazz.com

MasterVoices, under the artistic direction of Ted Sperling, presents Faith, the fourth and final chapter of its central project for the 2020-2021 season: a virtual rollout of award-winning composer Adam Guettel’s theatrical song cycle, Myths and Hymns. Inspired by Greek myths and a 19th-Century Presbyterian hymnal, the 1998 cycle is a kaleidoscopic collection of musical genres as it explores the nature of faith and longing in a secular world. New short musical films illustrate the protagonist’s attempt to seek answers in four ways – through Flight, Work, Love, and Faith. The chapters Flight, Work, and Love are already available for on-demand streaming on MasterVoices’ YouTube channel and will remain up – along with Faith, after its premiere on May 26 – until June 30, 2021. Faith features the MasterVoices chorus under the direction of Ted Sperling plus Anthony Roth Costanzo, Artolution, Trip Cullman, Emma Lou DeLaney, Erik Freer, Max Frieder, Jennifer Holliday, Mykal Kilgore, Milan Magaña, Theresa McCarthy, Miles Mykkanen, Kelli O’Hara, Larry Owens, Nicholas Phan, Andrew Palermo, Justine Rafael, Katja Stoer, The Gospel Soul Children of New York, and artwork created by Mikyung Lee. Faith explores the possibility of finding fulfillment through belief in something bigger. There’s a Land conjures a version of heaven where all problems are solved. There’s a Shout also puts stock in a God that will come to the rescue. Awaiting You mourns the loss of loved ones and teachers. A recasting of Saturn Returns shows the acceptance that fulfillment will have to come from an internal change, a reconciliation of desire and acceptance. Light After Darkness uses one more hymn text to recapitulate the themes of the piece and celebrate its completion.

Violinist, Erick and Alisa Wyrick, along with musical colleagues and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will join with SOMA neighbors for a Summer Series of concerts for “Live on the Lawn” Neighbors for Arts Education May 28th, June 4th, June 11th at 7 p.m. on the at the Blanchard Mansion lawn, 100 Blanchard Rd South Orange, NJ. Neighbors Eric Wyrick and Alisa Wyrick hosted by neighbors John and Yvonne Patterson of the Patterson Foundation have come together to raise awareness, appreciation, and funds for Arts education in Essex County. Funds will help support the expansion of the Soma Suzuki Program and the Weequahic Park Conservancy, Art Access-Art Start. May 28th, 2021 7 pm Eric Wyrick and fellow members of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra perform music of Mendelsshon and a special performance of Coleridge-Taylor Clarinet Quintet June 4th, 2021 7 pm Eric and Alisa Wyrick, violinists Kaya Bryla-Weiss, viola and Eugene Moye, cello perform Quartets of Borodin and Dvorak “American”. June 11th, 2021 7 pm Wyrick friends and family perform Brahms viola Quintet and Mendelsshon Octet (list of players) Music and artistic expression have suffered during the current pandemic. Neighbors in the South Orange community have joined to create “Live on the Lawn” Neighbors for Art access and arts education, an outdoor neighborhood concert series planned May 28th, June 4th and June 11th, all beginning at 7 p.m. to kick-off Memorial Day weekend and to celebrate a safe and enjoyable summer. The concert series will be held on the lawn of the landmark Blanchard House, 100 Blanchard Road in South Orange, NJ. The Wyricks live in a musical household in South Orange with their two daughters, who play violin and cello. The Wyricks know the need to invest early in children’s ability, not only to cultivate their musical interest and exposure, but also to reinforce ability and provide good quality training. Yvonne Patterson, co-founder of the Patterson Foundation states, “The concert’s goal is to lift the community’s spirit, provide hope and opportunity.” Price: $25 to $100 Suggested Donation Contact: Yvonne Delaine Garrett Patterson vonnemoore56@yahoo.com 9738039390 Patterson Foundation

Live Jazz Returns to the East Village, Beginning July 28th As New York's live music scene comes roaring back to life, East Village venue Drom brings live jazz back to the neighborhood with their new NYC Summer Jazz Series: Nine shows over two separate weeks in July and August, featuring some of the city's most dynamic performers, running from July 28th to August 22nd (Full lineup below). While such storied jazz venues as Tonic and The Stone are long gone from the neighborhood, and other beloved rooms like The Pyramid Club went permanently dark during the pandemic, Drom keeps the flame of live music burning, and celebrates the end of our collective lockdown by going big. The series marks a milestone for Drom: their first ever dedicated jazz festival -- a surprising first from a venue that's been home to many contemporary jazz greats over its 14 year history, including Robert Glasper, Marc Ribot, Jeff "Tain" Waits, and Arturo O Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. NYC SUMMER JAZZ SERIES LINEUP: Wed, July 28 - MARS: Tim Berne, David Torn, Craig Taborn, Ches Smith Thurs, July 29 - Mingus Big Band Fri, July 30 - Greg Osby Quartet and Oran Etkin: Open Arms Project Sat, July 31 - Groove Collective Wed, Aug 18 - Ravi Coltrane and Juke Joint Jelis feat. Brianna Thomas Thurs, Aug 19 - Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Trio, and Conrad Herwig Quintet Fri, Aug 20 - Johnathan Blake and Edmar Castaneda & Ari Hoenig Sat, Aug 21 - Russell Malone Quartet Sun, Aug 22 - Stephane Wrembel: The Django Experiment

Judith Hill is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles, CA, praised by Rolling Stone for her “stellar powerhouse vocals.” She’s had the distinct privilege of being one of the final musicians to be mentored by Prince, who co-produced her debut album, Back In Time. Hill is an accomplished independent artist who has worked closely with legendary talents Michael Jackson, Spike Lee and George Benson, toured with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Ringo Starr and was an official tour opener for John Legend and Josh Groban. Judith was Jackson’s duet partner on the classic ballad, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” which became a highlight of his posthumously released film This Is It. In addition, she delivered a profoundly moving performance of “Heal the World,” a memorable moment during Jackson’s public memorial service. She partnered with Spike Lee to record 11 songs for his film Red Hook Summer and recorded “Too Young” with George Benson for a stand-out song on the album, Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole. Moreover, Judith received a Grammy Award for her performance in the Oscar-winning documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom, a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of several acclaimed background singers, including Judith. The latter earned a Grammy Award for “Best Music Film” for her participation. Post-This Is It, Judith appeared on NBC’s The Voice, where she was a finalist and began to cement her identity as a solo artist with a series of knockout performances that showed her ability to put her own distinctive, captivating spin on familiar songs. Her new studio album Baby, I’m Hollywood! (released March 2021 via Regime Music Group) is a vibrant, defiant personal statement, a thorough excursion into the annals of Black music: past, present and future. Rich in throwback soul, stunning piano balladry, and swaggering psychedelic funk, the self-produced Baby, I’m Hollywood finds Hill liberated, focused and reborn. Bolstered by an energetic live band and her new attitude, she ruminates on pleasure, pain, celebration, and consequences, all of which inform this collection of finely crafted stories-in-song.

“Gonzalez is relentlessly engaging...” —All About Jazz

Acclaimed jazz pianist Benito Gonzalez brings his trio to the Zinc for a splendid evening of jazz piano on Tuesday, December 6. He's supported by bassist Will Slater and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts.

Two times Grammy nominee pianist Benito Gonzalez is an internationally beloved artist who combines a long lineage of American jazz traditions with rhythms from around the world. He’s worked with dozens of the greats, and he always brings some of the best rhythm section players in the world. Expect to hear an elite trio performing Original music, McCoy Tyner classics, or even a favorite John Coltrane tune.

Benito is being recognized as an exciting pianist and composer for his well-received debut album ‘Starting Point’ (Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean, Ron Blake) in addition to taking home first prize at the Great American Jazz Piano Competition.

Benito’s acclaimed album, Passion Reverence Transcendence Featuring: (Essiet Okon Essiet and Gerry Gibbs), reveals a very personal body of work as he emerges as a leader and an accomplished improviser. Recently, Benito received more critical attention for his work on this great tribute to Music Legend "McCoy Tyner" also received two Grammy Nominations with The Kenny Garrett Quartet, The albums Seeds from the Underground, and Pushing The World Away.

After seven years of touring with Kenny Garrett, Benito has added numerous festivals and international jazz club dates to his credit. In 2019, he joined legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders as a pianist and musical director. Benito also shared the stage with Dave Liebman, Roy Hargrove, Jackie McLean, Gary Bartz, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Hutcherson, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Al Foster, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Lenny White, Billy Hart, Ignacio Berroa, Buster Williams, Victor Bailey, Rene McLean, Steve Turre, Delfeayo Marsalis, Hamiet Bluiett, Antonio Sanchez, Mark Gross, T.K. Blue, and Azar Lawrence.

Showtimes are at 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Tickets: $30 in advance / $35 at the door. For more info, visit https://www.zincjazz.com.