Los Angeles- Jazz enthusiasts, commuters and passerby’s assembled in the iconic Union Station for the inaugural Downtown Jazz Festival. Metro Art in conjunction with America’s #1 Jazz Station, KJAZZ 88.1FM presented this exciting evening of jazz.
Most of you may or may not know that April is Jazz Appreciation Month. This special occasion came about to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage of jazz for the entire month of April. Jazz is made in America and celebrated all around the world. Google search International Jazz Day to find out about events taking place all over the world on April 30th.
Jazz Appreciation Month is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz. Suggestions include to study the music, attend live concerts like this event, listen to jazz on the radio (www.jazzandblues.org) or KJAZZ 881.FM, listen to rare recordings from your parents or uncles record collections, read books about jazz and more-view jazz related movies online or other platforms.
Metro Arts Presents: DTLA Jazz Tracks at Union Station was presented Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 4:00PM-9:00PM in the historic Ticket Hall. This wonderful and extraordinary evening of free live jazz showcased the next generations of artists was hosted by KJAZZ personality, journalist and producer LeRoy Downs, aka “The JazzCat.”
The evening featured four eclectic and contemporary jazz performances, a gallery space featuring photography from legendary jazz photographer Ave Pildas, an exhibition of jazz memorabilia from historian Sean O’Connell, jazz merchandise, poetry, and a jazz lounge.
The line-up of talented artists on the bill consisted of Sara Gazarek, Black Nile, Ryan Cross’s Jazz Eclectic and headliner Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah.
Vocalist Sara Gazarek has generated a lot of buzz in the jazz community. She has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “the next important jazz singer.” She has released four critically acclaimed, well received CD’s and her latest “Thirsty Ghost” will be out in late 2019. Her captivating set consisted of the following tunes “Lucky to Be Me,” “I Want that Easy Love,” “O Pato” -The Duck, The Sunny Side of the Street” “Jolie, Jolie” and concluded her set with “Hallelujah.” Sara was aided superbly with Miro Sprague on keyboards an accomplished musician in his own right.
Up next were Blue Nile, founded by Los Angeles brothers Aaron and Larry Shaw, saxophone and bass respectively. The brothers are popular in demand musicians who has played with such artists as Tyler the Creator, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé and Jackson Brown to name a few. The band consisted of pianist/keyboardist Diego Gaeta and drummer Mekala Sessions. After a quick change of the stage and intro, the band wasted no time serving up some serious sounds of jazz with a touch of John Coltrane, and little jazz fusion sounds of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock on material from their debut CD.
The engines of this upcoming train ride were revved up a notch for the next performance. Ryan Cross Jazz Eclectic. His music can also be heard in some popular television shows and films (Glee, Friends, ER, The West Wing, Studio 60, Cold Case and Along came Poly). The crowd and I were thoroughly entertained throughout his energetic set. Ryan Cross on bass, along with Kenny Crouch-keyboards, Lyndon Rochelle-drums, Wes Smith on saxophones and special guest vocalist Toni Scruggs. The band opened their set with “Tre Especial,” and continued with a song dedicated to Ryan Cross wife, “Tell Me Why.” Vocalist Toni Scruggs is a powerhouse vocalist to be on the lookout for, she belts out some roof raising tunes and slow the tempo completely down on a ballad as demonstrated on the following tunes “All of Me,” “Moanin,” “Angel in Disguise/Overjoyed,” and “Nightingale in Old Town Square.”
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah is an acclaimed trumpeter/flugelhorn performer. He is widely praised as a driving force in the resurgent jazz and instrumental movement, is a two-time Edison Award winner and Grammy Award nominated trumpeter, composer and producer. He capped off this extraordinary evening with material from his latest CD “Ancestral Recall,” and earlier CD’s to the delight of all in attendance.
Stay tuned for future exciting, engaging, eclectic events as this at Union Station. Metro Arts Presents showcases an exciting array of arts and cultural programs at historic Union Station. All the events are free and open to the public. Visit www.Metro.com/art for more information.
Union Station host a rotating collection of unique events, cutting edge performances, evocative music, unprecedented art exhibits, and thought-provoking cultural programs showcasing the diversity of entertainers, artists and innovators throughout Los Angeles. Check out www.unionstationla.com/happenings for more information.
If you are resident of Los Angeles or planning a visit to the City of Angels check out www.jazzandblues.org and www.lajazzscene.buzz for a list of concerts, events and festivals in the local jazz community.
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photographer. contact him via: [email protected]
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