Trombonist, director, arranger, educator, and local legend Vaughn Wiester has a busy week ahead. Besides his weekly gig directing Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra on Mondays from 7:30 to 10:30pm, he will also display his many talents in three other public events in the next seven days. On Thursday, March 31st, from 7:30 to 10:30pm, he will direct the Columbus Community Jazz Band in a free performance of “swinging big band classics” at Notes to wrap up the winter session of the community band sponsored by JAG’s Jazz Academy. On Sunday, April 3rd, Wiester and his all-star Sextet will play at the 9 and 11:15am services at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Worthington. And on Wednesday, April 6th, from 7 to 8pm, he will lead a free class entitled “All Things Jazz” at the Bexley Public Library, where he will discuss influential jazz recordings in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month. All of these events should be enriching for local jazz aficionados.
Shows To See This Week
Friday, April 1st (7:30 – 10pm): Pete Mills/Erik Augis 5tet with Dwight Adams: “The Music of Clifford Brown and Max Roach” at Bungalow Jazz. Becky Ogden’s venerated house show venue has taken no time heating up for a busy Spring season. Ahead of his appearance Saturday at Denison, Detroit-based CJO trumpeter Adams will kickoff his Central Ohio weekend by joining this star-studded tribute to a special strain of classic jazz. The evening’s quintet will also include Mills on tenor saxophone, Augis on piano, John Allen on bass, and Zach Compston on drums. Come out and enjoy an intimate performance of some enduring classics from the mid-1950s. As always at the Bungalow, the suggested cash donation of $20 goes directly to the musicians.
Saturday, April 2nd (8pm – midnight): E-Flat at The King Room, 122 E. Main Street Lower Level, Downtown. After a soft opening on March 20th, this new downtown jazz venue is ramping up to a grand opening. Located in the basement of the old Brownstone (below Sidebar), this high-end bar and lounge is expected to be a popular jazz destination in the very near future. The momentum should keep building with this appearance by this local outfit that blends smooth jazz, R&B, and gospel flavors into a soulful mix. Admission is $10, dress code = no jeans, ball caps or sneakers.
Wednesday, April 6th (8pm – 10pm): Zakir Hussain & Masters of Percussion at Lincoln Theatre. Tabla musician and Indian music legend Hussain has renewed his series of globetrotting Masters of Percussion tours for an exciting 2016 version. Regarded as one of his generation’s great musicians, Hussain has helped elevate the status of Indian classical music, and all world music, through groundbreaking collaborations and high-profile tours. He is joined on this tour by fellow world-class Indian musicians: Anantha Krishnan, mridangam; Sabir Khan, sarangi; Navin Sharma, dholak; Mannargudi Vasadevan, tavil. Very limited tickets are available here while they last for a chance to see an all-time great.
Have a great week! Here’s footage from a previous Masters of Percussion tour: