Nublu, the influential 7-year-old NYC venue that has helped launch a superb array of unique, globally-minded bands and DJs, is opening its doors in November for fans of cool jazz with the first annual Nublu Jazz Festival Nov. 5-22. Putting their own stamp on the NYC jazz scene, Nublu will host a superb array of celebrated veterans as well as rising stars and favorites who are part of the Nublu pantheon of rotating musicians.
Ask Nublu owner/curator and musician Ilhan Ersahin why he created a jazz festival, and he jovially comments, “Nublu is a continuation of the jazz culture, it has the spirit of jazz with a sound that is relevant today, and we’refilling in a gap that we think is missing.” Some of the talent confirmed for the festival include:
• the legendary Eddie Henderson, who will perform with his own quartet as well as be a special guest with the band I Led Three Lives, many of his albums become classics. He was a part of Herbie Hancock’s bands in the early 70’s and continues to thrill fans with his musical spirit.
• the great drummer Al Foster, close friend and fellow musician to Miles Davis, an artist who is at the forefront of the contemporary jazz scene today.
• Juini Booth, a bass legend who is currently the bassman of Sun Ra Arkestra and in throughout his career and played with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, Steve Grossman and the Tony Williams Lifetime Band.
• East Village jazz masters Charles Gayle and Jameel Moondoc, who will be making their Nublu debut at the festival.
• Pianist Vana Gierig is currently performing his award-winning music worldwide with his group, which has recently included 9-time Grammy winner Paquito D’Rivera, who he will also be recording with this winter. At the festival he will share the bill with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Donny McCaslin, whose new CD “Declaration” was just released by Sunnyside Records.
• Mark Lambert, American jazz vocalist and virtuoso guitarist, living in Rio de Janeiro, just released his latest album, “Under My Skin” (Challenge/Twinz) to glowing reviews. His selection of standards, feature unique arrangements mixing Jazz with Brazilian, Indian and Arabic influences.
• Bassist Don Falzone, long known to his peers as a brilliant sideman, just released his first album as a leader, entitled “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors,” which is receiving early critical praise.
• newcomer Sissy Clemens, a young songstress with a bright future and a stunning voice.
Other artists scheduled to perform include: Bill McHenry, Chris Cheek, Seamus Blake, Graham Hayne, Rich Perry, Ilhan Ersahin, Noah Jarrett and bands that Nublu gave birth to such as Love Trio featuring Kenny Wollesen and Jesse Murphy, Clark Gayton, Betty Black, Dizzy Ventilators and many more.
The club’s famed Wednesday night Brazilian party will continue during the festival, featuring multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer Ze Luis, who has appeared on numerous records in Brazil from Caeatano Veloso to Gilberto Gil, the beautiful vocalist Marianni Ebert, who brings her Rio vibes to the festival and astounding percussionist Gilmar Gomes.
More about performing artists and dates
