NYC Winter Jazz Fest and globalFEST

NYC Winter Jazz Fest (January 8th- 9th) & globalFEST (January 10th):
Ø 2010 NYC WINTER JAZZ FEST / http://www.winterjazzfest.com
January 8th and 9th 2010

The 2010 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST includes over 40 of today’s most interesting Jazz and Experimental groups performing at five of NYCs premier live music venues. The 2010 Winter Jazzfest is possible due to generous support from The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and Bureauexport New york.

- The Emile Parisien Quartet (Laborie) www.emileparisienquartet.com – Zinc Bar, January 9th, 6 p.m.
Here originality emerges from the intense exploration of familiar musical trends from Coltrane and Wayne Shorter to Hector Berlioz, Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg.

- Baptiste Trotignon (Sunnyside Records) http://www.baptistetrotignon.com/– Bitter End, January 9th, 6.45 p.m.
In collaboration with the quartet he co-leads with David El-Malek, including Clovis Nicolas (double bass) and Tony Rabeson (drums), this spectacular pianist develops a musical style that is resolutely open-minded. In 2009, He released a new album called “Share.”

- Ibrahim Maalouf (Mi'ster Productions) www.myspace.com/ibrahimmaalouf – Zinc Bar, January 9th, 8 p.m.
Ibrahim integrates several genres into his own music including Classical, Jazz, Light music, Ethnic music and modern Electronic music. The compellingly beautiful music that comes from his trumpet is the expression of an age-old culture that graced his last album “Diaspora” (2007).

- The Claudia Quintet with Gary Versace (Cuneiform) www.myspace.com/theclaudiaquintet – Bitter End, January 9th, 9.45 p.m.
Combining driving rhythms, beautiful melodies and passionate virtuosity, the Claudia Quintet will be featuring music from their latest CD “For”.

- Lionel Loueke (Blue Note) http://www.lionelloueke.com- Le Poisson Rouge, January 9th, 10 p.m.
The ear-friendly melodicism of vocalist/guitarist Lionel Loueke draws both from traditional African sources and a lifetime of closely studying the likes of Jim Hall and George Benson. On February 9, 2010, Lionel Loueke will release a new album “Mwaliko” which comprises a series of searching, innovative, intimate duets with special guests vocalist Angelique Kidjo and vocalist/bassist Richard Bona.

- Michael Bellar/As-Is Ensemble (Left three lanes) michaelbellar.com/home – Bitter End, January 9th, 12.45 a.m.
Hailed as “Generation Next” by Billboard Magazine, The AS-IS Ensemble is the musical home of composer/keyboardist Michael Bellar. The group has formerly been the house band at the Blue Note jazz club and performed at Lincoln Center, the JVC and Bell Atlantic Jazz Festivals in NYC.

- Abaji (Absolut Freak) http://abaji.net - Hiro Ballroom, part of the Mondo Mundo Festival, January 9th, 8 p.m.
Born in Lebanon, Abaji is a genius guitarist but also a multi-instrumentalist (clarinet, percussions, oud, bouzouki, flutes) who mixes Indian, Oriental and Blues. In 2009, he released a new album “Origine Orients” celebrating his return to Lebanon after 33 years of exile.

Ø 7th annual globalFEST - 12 artists, 3 stages, 1 night / http://www.globalfest-ny.org
January 10th, Websterhall, New York, 7 p.m.


For 7 years, globalFEST has been an indoor festival but above all a springboard promoting a dozen or more World music artists on three stages. It is a volunteer-run co-production of World Music Institute, Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, and Acidophilus: Live & Active Cultures. Support for all seven editions has been provided by The Cultural Services of the French Embassy with additional support from the Bureauexport and Cultures France, recognizing France’s pre-eminent role as a hotbed of global music activity. Again, in 2010, globalFEST gives France strong representation on stages and will include:

- Alif Naaba (unsigned) www.myspace.com/alifnaaba – Accoustic song from Burkina Faso: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Studio)
Pulsating, polyrhythmic percussion, harp-like kora textures, and funky bass and guitar riffs, Naaba’s majestic voice invites audiences to become subjects of his colorful acoustic Afro-pop kingdom.

- Caravan Palace (Café de la Danse/Wagram) http://www.myspace.com/caravanpalace– French Electro gypsy jazz: 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. (Ballroom)
Founded by a trio of musicians, Caravan Palace mixes the swinging sounds of Gypsy Jazz with Electro, Dub, and Hip-Hop grooves. In 2009, Caravan Palace’s album went Platinum in France, and earned them a nomination for the Victoires de la Musique (French Grammys) in the Electro category.

- François Ladrezo & Alka Omeka (Alka Omeka Sound) http://www.anywayorganisation.com – Gwo-ka mater from Guadeloupe: 8:10 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Marlin)
The vocalist, percussionist and songwriter Francois Ladrezo has been one of the most significant contributors to the development of a traditional music genre indigenous to Guadeloupe. His current project is based on a fusion of traditional rhythms and instruments with contemporary Jazz, Reggae, Brazilian, and Creole styles.

- Nguyên Lê’s Saiyuki (Act Music) http://www.nguyen-le.com - Pan-Asian Jazz Trio: 9:20 p.m. – 10:10 p.m. (Marlin)
Nguyên Lê is regularly referred to alongside the best names of freethinking Jazz guitar and easily slides from Rock, Jazz, and Funk to Vietnamese, Indian, and North African music. His latest project, Saiyuki, which brings together Japanese koto and shamisen player Mieko Miyazaki and Indian tabla-player Prabhu Edouard, draws on a renowned Chinese 16th century novel.