South Florida Jazz

12/17/2024

Percussionist extraordinaire Zakir Hussain left us for the other side on 12/15. He was a truly gifted tabla exponent of Indian/jazz music, and long -associated with John McLaughlin and the dazzling Shakti band.

Zakir Hussain Z”L (may his memory be for a blessing)

11/07/2024

🎹✨ Dan Tepfer – "Bach to the Future" Solo Piano Performance 🎶✨

On March 20, 2021, South Florida JAZZ proudly presented a livestream performance by one of the most inventive pianists of our time: Dan Tepfer! Known for his extraordinary talent and bold creativity, Tepfer has captured international acclaim not only as a pianist-composer but also as an AI innovator, seamlessly blending science with art.

In this remarkable show, Tepfer took us on a journey from Bach’s Goldberg Variations to his own Variations on the Yamaha Disklavier, showcasing his unmatched improvisational genius. 🎼 His revolutionary project, Natural Machines, where live music meets technology, further proves why he's a visionary talent.

From his decade-long collaboration with jazz icon Lee Konitz to his role as a favorite accompanist of soprano Renée Fleming, Tepfer’s musical range and mastery are astounding. 🎶💫 If you’re ready to experience a thrilling fusion of jazz, classical, and cutting-edge innovation, don’t miss this performance. Share it with music lovers who crave something truly unique! 🎶

Dan Tepfer - solo piano"Bach to the Future" a March 20, 2021 Livestream Performance for South Florida JAZZDan Tepfer is one of this generation’s most extra...

11/04/2024

🎶 Catch the Joe Locke Quartet's Captivating Virtual Concert! 🎶

On February 20, 2021, the Joe Locke Quartet took our virtual stage, bringing soulful compositions from Locke's 2018 album, Subtle Disguise. This performance explores the powerful themes of resilience and vulnerability, delving into the “masks” we wear in life. 🎭

Concert Highlights:
🎵 "Red Cloud" – a tribute to Oglala Sioux leader Red Cloud
🎶 "Motherless Children" – inspired by blues legend Blind Willie Johnson, highlighting young, embattled lives

Artists on Stage:

Joe Locke – vibes
Jim Ridl – piano
Lorin Cohen – bass
Samvel Sarkisyan – drums

This show was an experience that resonates! If it moved you, share it with fellow jazz lovers and keep the music alive. 🎷💫

Joe Locke Quartet - 02/20/2021 Virtual Concert for South Florida JAZZLocke explains that the title song from his 2018 album "Subtle Disguise," 'is about the ...

11/02/2024

🎺✨ The Magic of the John Daversa Quintet ✨🎺

Flashback to an incredible evening with the John Daversa Quintet—captured in our very first virtual concert for South Florida Jazz on January 16, 2021! 🎶

Set at the historic Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at Frost School UM, this performance was nothing short of iconic, bringing together some of South Florida's finest talent to keep the spirit of live jazz alive. 🌟

The concert featured selections from Daversa's powerful 2020 album, "CUARENTENA: With Family at Home," a heartfelt tribute to familial love and the transformative power of music. 🎼 Inspired by the classic bolero style, the album resonates with warmth, healing, and unity—perfectly fitting for a time that brought us closer to home.

Featuring an all-star lineup:
🎺 John Daversa on trumpet and EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument)
🎹 Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano
🎻 Carlo De Rosa on bass
🥁 Dafnis Prieto on drums
🎶 Sammy Figueroa on percussion

These world-class musicians filled the stage and our hearts with their artistry and unique chemistry. 🌍💫 If you missed this moving performance or want to relive it, don’t keep it to yourself—share the magic and tag your jazz-loving friends! 👫💖 Let's keep the groove alive! 🎷

John Daversa Quintet - 01/16/2021 Livestream Concert for South Florida JAZZIn 2020, the John Daversa Quintet released "CUARENTENA: With Family at Home," an ...

10/24/2024

My third week at Birdland Jazz Club is behind us, and what a week it was… My thanks to each of you who joined us, in person or online, as well as to each member of my Great Big Band. I don’t get to play with my Great Big Band often… It is always a pleasure when I have the chance.

Tomorrow night, join me for the opposite of a big band: a duo, in this case with the inimitable Bill Charlap. Bill and I have made this a yearly tradition, and it is one I always look forward to.

He and I will be finding new notes together on stage from October 22nd through October 26th– with a live-streamed show on October 24th.

I hope to see you soon, ladies and gentlemen… Find tickets, including livestream tickets, via www.RonCarterJazz.com

📸: Adam Cantor & ?

10/24/2024

03/31/2024

I had the honor and pleasure of accompanying Michelle Mercer, author and Wayne Shorter's official biographer and dear friend, to a Miami Beach concert by Wayne's quartet (featuring Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade) celebrating the release of her book "FOOTPRINTS - The Life and Work of Wayne Shorter." I knew the sidemen very well, but it was the first time I had the privilege/experience to speak with Wayne, which I did backstage after the performance. He was in very good spirits, but I left not having the foggiest idea what he was actually saying to me, in a literal sense, during those ten or so minutes. I am not alone, I realize, as many scratch their heads after an encounter with one of the greatest saxophonists and composers of our era. I always could recognize Wayne's playing from the first note and his compositions were similarly characteristic. I would love to say that I had this deep, unforgettable discussion with WS, but then I would be dishonest. Nevertheless, I will never forget the event in its entirety. If only I could quote the content of our conversation. Wayne was a sweetheart and one of the most enigmatic and gifted artists I have met.

You can check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Footprints-Life-Work-Wayne-Shorter/dp/1585424684

Ron Weber, President, South Florida Jazz

Saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter has not only left his footprints on our musical terrain, he has created a body of work that is a monument to artistic imagination. Throughout Shorter's extraordinary fifty-year career, his compositions have helped define the sounds of each distinct era in th...

09/03/2023

"Zero Gravity" director Dorsay Alavi interviewed in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/aug/28/wayne-shorter-saxophone-zero-gravity-amazon

“For me, it’s a story about how a man grew to greatness. It’s not just a documentary about a jazz musician. Wayne used sound as a way to dialogue with all of his listeners. He spoke to you through it. It was invisible, but it transcended language. It was meant to inspire, to activate you, to rise above the mind, in a way. It was part of his beliefs that he could help people see the greatness in themselves when they heard his music. In many ways, his music was a vehicle for him to have a conversation with anyone who would listen.”

Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity Documentary is streaming NOW on Amazon Prime Video!

09/02/2023

Herbie Hancock Celebrates Wayne Shorter
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
August 23, 2023

When You Dream >
Endangered Species >
When You Dream
[Kamasi, Leo, Esperanza, Terri]

Witch Hunt >
Joy Ryder
[Chris, Danilo, John, Brian]

Palladium
A Remark You Made
Birdland
[Terence, Chris, Herbie, Justin, Lionel, Marcus, Cindy, Alex]

The Circle Game
[Joni, Chris, Herbie, Lionel, John, Brian, Terri]

::intermission::

Miracle Of The Fishes
[Milton, Chris, Herbie, Lionel, Esperanza, Brian]

All Blues
Sanctuary
[Carlos, Terence, Kamasi, Herbie, Justin, Marcus, Cindy, Alex]

Dolores
Eighty-One
[Terence, Devin, Kamasi, Chris, Herbie, Ron, Jack]

Footprints
[Terence, Kamasi, Chris, Devin, Lionel, Herbie, Ron, Marcus, Jack, Terri, Alex]

Herbie Hancock - Piano, Keyboards
Joni Mitchell - Voice
Milton "Bituca" Nascimento - Voice [taped]
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet
Devin Daniels - Alto Saxophone
Chris Potter - Tenor Saxophone
Kamasi Washington - Tenor Saxophone
Leo Genovese - Piano
Danilo Perez - Piano
Julian Pollack - Keyboards
Lionel Loueke - Guitar
Carlos Santana - Guitar
Esperanza Spalding - Bass, Voice
John Patitucci - Bass
Ron Carter - Bass
Marcus Miller - Electric Bass
Terri Lyne Carrington - Drums
Brian Blade - Drums
Cindy Blackman Santana - Drums
Jack DeJohnette - Drums
Alex Acuna Fan Page - Percussion

09/02/2023

This unpredictable, funky set showcases the distinctive creative interplay between each player's personality.