218 N. Eighth Street | Columbia, MO 65201
Admin: 573-449-3009 | Tickets: 573-449-3001
Contact the Jazz Series
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Jazz in the District
- Oct 16, 08 - Hilario Duran Trio
- Jan 25, 09 - Charlie Hunter Trio
- Feb 18, 09 - Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
- Mar 8, 09 - Jamie Baum Septet
- Mar 19, 09 - Blue Note “70th Anniversary Tour”
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"Sundays at Murry's"
- Nov 9, 08 - Miguel Zenon Quartet
- Nov 16, 08 - Frank Wess Quintet
- Dec 7, 08 - Tierney Sutton Band
- Feb 8, 09 - Terence Blanchard Quintet
- Apr 26, 09 - The Bad Plus
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Special Events
- Sep 11, 08 - Son Venezuela
- Oct 2, 08 - “Jazz, Wine and Beer” Pub Crawl*
- Oct 2, 08 - Gumbohead
- Apr 7, 09 - Matt Wilson Quartet
Tierney Sutton Band
Sunday, December 7
at Murry's
The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series is always on the lookout for the lesser-known but well-respected and supremely talented artist. Vocalist Tierney Sutton, though quite well-traveled, is just such an artist – and we’re pleased to welcome her and her band who make their first area appearance as part of the 2008/2009 season.
Hardly newcomers Sutton and her group have been working together 14 years and counting. During its run the Tierney Sutton Band has received a Grammy Nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Album,” a JazzWeek Award for “Vocalist of the Year,” consecutive nominations for Jazz Journalist Association awards and garnered critical praise throughout the world.
Charlie Hunter Trio
Sunday, January 25
at The Blue Note
Born in Rhode Island and raised in the Bay Area, innovative guitarist Charlie Hunter has continued to surprise, engage and enthrall audiences since he arrived on the scene in 1993. Two years later, Blue Note Records signed the bourgeoning musician who had performed on the streets of Europe and in San Francisco and Berkeley, Calif., and issued Bing, Bing, Bing. An energetic and searching improviser, Hunter, who makes his first “We Always Swing” Jazz Series appearance this season with his trio, has, at last count, something close to 20 recordings to his name.
"Through his years on the Blue Note and Ropeadope labels, the terrific guitarist with the undeterred interest in both rockadelic high jinks and braniac abstraction has found one thing he can't do without. Whether playing arranged duets with Leon Parker (Calypso For Grandpa) or inventing instantaneous ditties with Bobby Previte (Up There), he prioritizes the groove."
—Jim Macnie, Downbeat
Terence Blanchard Quintet
Sunday, February 8
at Murry's
We are extremely pleased to present trumpeter Terence Blanchard who, leading his quintet, returns for his second Jazz Series appearance and first since 2003. The prominent trumpeter is known for his multiple talents: as a front-line present-day jazz improviser and technician, as a bandleader and as the man who has composed most of Spike Lee’s film scores to date. Like at least two of his significant trumpet playing peers and colleagues – Wynton Marsalis and Nicholas Payton – Blanchard is a Crescent City native – and still resides there in the city’s Garden District. His latest release for Blue Note Records, A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina), speaks volumes about how he feels about his home town – and earned him a Grammy. Previous to that he released Flow.
"With Flow, the trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard chronicles the maturation of a working band that’s equally comfortable mining hard bop, West African grooves, or R&B-steeped fusion." — The New York Times
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Wednesday, February 18
at The Missouri Theatre
When trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis, two veteran New York musicians, joined forces in 1965 to form their co-led, namesake orchestra, no one could have known that some 43 years later the group would, in essence, still be together and stand as one of jazz’s great institutions. What began as a “one-off” Monday night club date in the mid-60s at jazz’s most revered basement – The Village Vanguard – has never stopped and in fact continues to this day.
Understandably there have been many changes – in leaders, in personnel, even in the music – but the band’s original intent, its spirit and some of the original charts remain ever-present. Jones, a magnificent trumpeter and composer of such now-standards as “A Child is Born,” eventually left the band and unfortunately passed away in 1986. Lewis carried the torch under his own name until he passed away in 1990.
"There probably isn't a big band in the country that can rival the bullish precision of this one...Not only is the clockwork impeccable, but it takes risks, commissions new pieces, and has exceptional soloists in every section."
— The Village Voice
Jamie Baum Septet
Sunday, March 8
at Windsor Auditorium
Somewhere between modern jazz and 20th Century/21st Century classical music leanings is where we find flutist, composer, arranger and bandleader Jamie Baum. During the course of her two-decade career, Baum has been involved with a myriad of ensembles – both as a leader and side person. This current Baum effort, a tremendously ambitious one, primarily performs the flutist’s original jazz compositions and arrangements as a septet.
Since she arrived on the scene in the early 1980s, Baum has impressed audiences, musicians and critics alike with her inventive, finely crafted compositions demonstrating a commanding and atypical approach to the flute as a lead instrument. Originally from Connecticut, Baum has been New York City-based for quite some time during which she has worked with and along side the full range of accomplished artists such as: Randy Brecker, John Abercrombie, Donald Brown, Kenny Werner, Fred Hersch, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas and Billy Hart among others.
"The new album is a septet outing that flaunts modern classical touches while stressing swing and improvisation. The flutist-composer likes to have her cake and eat it, too; her very capable crew is a group that makes this graceful music truly zing."
— Village Voice
Blue Note “70th Anniversary Tour”
Thursday, March 19
at The Missouri Theatre
The motto printed on all of its 78-inch, LP and now CD releases is “The finest in jazz since 1939.” That was the year Alfred Lion launched Blue Note Records, which remains jazz’s most storied label today. In fact, in June, the Jazz Journalists Association – an industry-peer body – named it as the 2008 “Label of the Year.”
Lion was soon joined by Francis Wolff, a photographer by trade who caught the last boat out of Nazi-controlled Germany bound for the United States. For 30 years the two recorded and documented the best jazz had to offer. Everything Blue Note Records produced – from the record covers to the lettering and graphics to the recordings themselves
was immediately identifiable – and often imitated.
Matt Wilson Quartet
Tuesday, April 7
at Ragtag
We’re pleased to welcome back drummer Matt Wilson, a “We Always Swing” Jazz Series favorite. The eclectic and accomplished percussionist returns as the 2008/2009 “Artists-in-Residence” and bandleader. This time around, the man of many talents not only oversees a variety of educational activities during his four-day stay, but he also appears with his modern quartet – a two-horn-and-bass ensemble. The pianoless group performs two specially priced shows as a season bonus.
The event – with two separate seatings – takes place in the new Ragtag Cinema – a new space for us and a venue that’s perfectly suited for this adventurous and fun group.The Matt Wilson Quartet is high energy – a whole lot of value for your entertainment dollar!
"May have created a new genre-Garage Jazz."
—Atlantic Monthly
The Bad Plus
Sunday, April 26
at Murry's
The 2008/2009 “We Always Swing” Jazz Series concludes on a spectacular note as we present The Bad Plus for the first time. The intriguing and powerful and not-your-tame jazz trio is a collective comprised of pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King. All three are from the Midwest and they have known each other since their teens. Nonetheless, with the exception of one meeting in 1990, it was only after spending their formative 20s apart – Iverson as the musical director for the prestigious Mark Morris Dance Group, Anderson as a prominent up-and-coming player on the New York jazz scene and King as a session player in Los Angeles – that the threesome reunited in late 2000 to play a weekend club date in Minneapolis. The chemistry was immediate and obvious. They planned a second gig and a one-day recording session for the independent jazz label Fresh Sound and The Bad Plus was born.
"The Bad Plus are the Coen brothers of jazz: Midwesterners, both ironic and dead earnest, technically brilliant, beyond versatile, a little chilly sometimes, but funny, surprising, and pretty hard to pin down."
—The New Yorker
Past Events
Son Venezuela
Thursday, September 11
at The Blue Note
The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series kicks off the season with Son Venezuela, the Lawrence, Kan.-based, salsa dance band extraordinaire. Billed as “The Party of the Century!” the event is produced in collaboration with the Columbia Missourian and timed to both the newspaper’s and MU School of Journalism’s shared Centennial, which takes place September 10-12, 2008.
Son Venezuela, which blew everyone away at last year’s Annual Downtown “Jazz, Wine & Beer” Pub Crawl, is now one of the Midwest’s top salsa dance bands. The nine-piece ensemble was voted “Best Latin Band” in the 2007 Pitch Weekly Music Awards as well as receiving an abundance of other accolades. The group has been together close to 15 years and has garnered attention and critical acclaim throughout the Midwest and beyond with its sellout crowds.
"Such is the burden of being Kansas' most prolific Latin dance band...a decade's worth of performing with enough fire to keep the dance floor burning and enough new material to keep Latin music fans on their toes." —Lawrence Journal-World
“Jazz, Wine and Beer” Pub Crawl*
Tickets are $36 and on sale now!
*Must be 21+ to participate.
Pub Crawl tickets can be be purchased at the Jazz Series Box Office and at select Ticketmaster outlets including Blue Note, Streetside Records, Schnucks and the Jazz Series Box Office. This year they are also available—as will call—online or by phone (800-646-8849).
Post Pub Crawl Party**
Doors: 8:30 p.m.
Tickets $10 Advance/$12 Door or FREE with Pub Crawl Ticket
**Post Party ALL AGES
Gumbohead
Thursday, October 2
at The Blue Note
Gumbohead, now considered one of St. Louis’ best bands, has been together since 1999. Their critically acclaimed self-titled recording houses the full spectrum of Louisiana dance music, including zydeco, funk, blues, jazz, r&b, brass band and traditional “second line” tunes. This is a group that is dedicated to the presentation and preservation of red-hot Louisiana dance music – which makes them the perfect Post-Pub Crawl band and a great way to kickoff your festival weekend. Gumbohead has entertained crowds during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and has shared billing with Crescent City mainstays such as Buckwheat Zydeco, Terrance Simien, Chubby Carrier, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the Mighty Mighty Nevilles.
Tickets: FREE with your Pub Crawl ticket. Otherwise: $10 Advance/$12 Door.
"One of the finest bands that is ready to let the good times roll—so get ready to dance the night away."
—Chubby Carrier
Hilario Duran Trio
Thursday, October 16
at Kimball Ballroom,
Lela Raney Wood Hall,
Stephens College campus
This season's "host" of the Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Memorial Concert is pianist Hilario Durán, yet another brilliant Cuban native musician. In 2003, Durán, now based in Toronto, received a JUNO Award nomination (Canada's Grammy) for his Havana Remembered. In 2005 he captured a JUNO Award for his New Danzon. A pianist, composer, bandleader and arranger of the first order, Durán now leads a variety of groups – small to large in size and instrumentation.
Miguel Zenon Quartet
Sunday, November 9
at Murry's
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miguel Zenón studied saxophone at the famed Escuela Libre de Musica – an institution that boasts distinguished alumnus throughout the world. Although Zenón was exposed to jazz while in high school, it wasn’t until he began his studies at the Berklee School of Music that his formal jazz training began. In a still relatively short, but rather illustrious career, Zenón, a member of the SF Jazz Collective, has developed into one of the most respected alto saxophonists of his generation. He has performed and/or recorded with a diverse array of artists including: Danilo Perez, Charlie Haden, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Hutcherson, The Mingus Big Band, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band, Ray Barretto and Branford Marsalis, among others.
"Miguel Zenón does not play "Latin jazz" in any sense in which that phrase has traditionally been understood. Zenón belongs to a new generation of players from the Caribbean and from Central and South America, the best of who (like Danilo Perez, Manuel Valera, and Diego Urcola, to name only three) are world-class jazz improvisers. But, while they are fluent in the melodic/harmonic language of jazz, they also, collectively, have access to a vast range of Pan-American rhythmic and formal idioms." — Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times Magazine
Frank Wess Quintet
Sunday, November 16
at Murry's
Historically, there’s little doubt the term “all-stars” has been over used when it comes to putting a supremely talented group of musicians together for a performance. However in this case the label is right on the money. Saxophonist and flutist Frank Wess, still a world traveler and going strong at 86, rightly received the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master designation in 2007. When he joined Count Basie in 1954 he was already in his 30s – and established. His 60-year-plus career continues to be a marvel. He is one of our great musician treasures and among the most significant figures in the jazz world. That’s why we’re so filled with anticipation as he makes his first-ever Columbia appearance. Well, that and the all-star band he brings with him.
Jazz Series Launches Annual Fund as dollar-for-dollar match for major NEA Jazz Masters Live
This is a special year for us. As recipients of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts – the Jazz Masters Live Initiative we are required to match the award dollar for dollar. The goal: $30,000 – and we need do reach it by February 18, 2008 – the day commissioned composer and Kansas City native Bob Brookmeyer returns to Missouri to conduct the world premier of his new work performed by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts. This season your tax-deductible donation to the Jazz Series goes twice as far.
Jazz Series Receives NEA Grant
“We Always Swing” Jazz Series snags prestigious NEA Jazz Masters Live grants…
Organization, one of only 12 presenters in the United States selected to receive $30,000 award paves the way for Missouri native and NEA Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer to compose new work for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. New York-based, 16-piece orchestra arrives in Columbia to perform world premiere February 18, 2009, at the Missouri Theatre with Brookmeyer as guest conductor. Also on hand: Dan Morgenstern, fellow NEA Jazz Master and Director of Rutgers Jazz Institute. The world renowned historian will serve as guest emcee and host a pair of forums: a one-on-one interview with Brookmeyer and an in-depth look into the chronology of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which has been holding court at jazz’s most famous basement – The Village Vanguard – since 1965. Much-anticipated events serve as centerpiece for MU’s Arts & Science Week.
Are you ready to get your 2008/2009 “Swing” on?
The 2008/2009 “We Always Swing” Jazz Series has arrived and tickets are on sale NOW!
On tap: a sumptuous mix of modern jazz – small groups, large ensembles, varied instrumentation and instrumentalists, vocalists, male and female artists, special events and educational activities all rolled into our 14th season.
We think we have put together a great season, one filled with 10 regularly scheduled concerts and a trio of fun-filled special-event performances that take place in a venues small and large – from the intimacy of Murry’s and the new Ragtag Cinema to the full-size feel of the newly restored Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts and mid-sized houses such as The Blue Note and Stephens College’s Windsor Auditorium and Lela Rainey Wood Ballroom.
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