There is news and a local live show from successful Columbus expatriates this week. Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra founder and leader (for its first twenty years) Todd Stoll had an article featured in Time Magazine. Now the vice president of education at Jazz at Lincoln Center, his article, “How to Improve Music Classes in a New Era of Education,” lays out some powerful ideas regarding the current and future state of music education. Fellow New York City resident and Grammy-nominated trombonist/big band leader John Fedchock returns to Columbus this week for a very special engagement. OSU alum Fedchock will be joined by the Columbus Jazz Quartet for a free happy hour show at Dick’s Den on Friday, January 29th, from 6 to 9pm. With the CJQ all-star cast of tenor saxophonist Randy Mather, pianist Jon Eshelman, bassist Terry Douds, and drummer Joe Ong, this high-powered quintet will help you kick off your weekend with great straight ahead jazz and cheap drinks!
Shows To See This Week
Thursday, January 28th (8pm – midnight): Ghost-Note with Turkuaz at Woodlands Tavern. This touring double bill brings some exciting musical flavors to town. Ghost-Note is comprised of drummer Robert “Sput” Searight and percussionist Nate Werth, two members of the unstoppable force of the modern jazz world, Snarky Puppy. The duo released their debut album Fortified in the fall of 2015, and are now taking their innovative blend of captivating rhythms and grooves from the realms of jazz, hip-hop, funk, and world music on the road, kicking off a two-week jaunt at Woodlands Tavern. Ghost-Note is opening for Turkuaz, a Brooklyn-based 9-piece “Powerfunk” army that is turning heads in the world of modern funk. Tickets, while they last, are available here.
Friday, January 29th (9pm – 1am): Acid Cats with Conscious Pilot at Scarlet & Grey Cafe. Another double bill of multiple genres that will appeal to fans of the jammier, funkier side of jazz, this show at the North Campus bar will be headlined by Akron-based Acid Cats. This young “acidic jazz rock” collective has now released an EP and a full-length album, All in a Day’s Work, which can be sampled and purchased here. I actually got the chance to see the band play in their hometown in November, and enjoyed their original material (and a few covers) that explored the grooves of funky jazz, rock and soul. Opening is Columbus-based rock/jam band Conscious Pilot. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Saturday, January 30th (9:30 – 11pm): Grace Kelly Band at Notes. 23 year-old saxophone phenom Kelly and her band are playing the second leg of Jazz Arts Group’s 2015-16 Inside Track series. Kelly has racked up serious accolades since recording her first album at the age of 12, having now performed 600 concerts worldwide, topping Downbeat Magazine’s critics poll six times, and even gracing the stage at President Obama’s Inauguration Celebration. Kelly has now experienced crossover success with single “Sweet Sweet Baby,” and her infectious blend of jazz and pop continues to gain momentum. The 7:30pm first set has already sold out, so grab your tickets for the second set here NOW for a chance to witness this rising star. Kelly will also take part in a free Offstage at the Jazz Academy workshop at 2pm in their Lincoln Theatre offices (register here).
Have a great week! Get a taste of some of the great touring bands coming through town this week: