March 7, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT
Media: Su Byron § [email protected]
Jazz Club of Sarasota Presents
From Russia with Jazz:
The Neo-Bop Sounds of Valery Ponomarev with Valerie Gillespie and Friends
Virtuoso trumpeter and former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Valery Ponomarev is joined by John Lamb, Valerie Gillespie, Judi Glover and Ian Goodman for an all-star evening of exceptional sounds.
Friday, March 28 § Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
“The first great jazz trumpeter to emerge from the Soviet Union. . .an exciting hard bop player with a wide range and a powerful sound. . .”
Scott Yanow, “Trumpet Kings”
(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota welcomes Russian jazz trumpeter Valery Ponomarev, in performance with former Duke Ellington bassist John Lamb, saxophonist Valerie Gillespie, pianist Judi Glover, and drummer Ian Goodman, Friday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., at Holley Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 North Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota. Tickets are $25 for Jazz Club members; $30 for non-members and $10 for students. For information and tickets, call 941-366-1552.
Russian trumpeter Valery Ponomarev is revered by fans and jazz critics alike for his gritty yet clean neo-bop style that recalls the approach of his idol, Clifford Brown. Ponomarev is probably best known for being Wynton Marsalis’ predecessor in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, with whom he performed at major concert halls, clubs and festivals around the world. As a solo artist, Ponomarev has completed tours of Australia, China and Europe, including a special tour with Harold Land featuring the music of Clifford Brown. In 1990, Ponomarev returned to his native Russia after a 17-year absence to participate in the First International Moscow Jazz Festival. Since then, he has traveled regularly to Russia, accompanied by such American jazz greats as Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Bobbie Watson, James “Sid” Simmons, Bradford Leali, Vincent Lewis, Sean McGloin, and Evelyn Blakey. Ponomarev was featured in the documentary movie Frozen In Amber, which explores the contributions of Russian ex-patriots to art and the performing arts in the United States. Ponomarev was also the subject of Messenger From Russia, a documentary covering his life and career that was broadcast on National Geographic Today. Ponomarev continues to tour and record with his group “Universal Language.”
Bassist John Lamb is best known for his stint as a bass player with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and for his contributions to jazz and to music education in the Tampa Bay area. In March 2013, Lamb was awarded the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Satchmo Award for his contributions as an educator and performer in the world of jazz. Lamb is currently leader of the Original All-Stars and frequently performs with the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Band. A versatile musician with the ability to play a number of instruments, Lamb is at home with classical music or any manner of jazz, including swing, traditional, bebop and Dixieland.
Valerie Gillespie is a spirited musician knee-deep in the tradition of New York jazz, blues, and swing. A professional musician since age 14, Gillespie has since performed with such luminaries as Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Rosemary Clooney, George Burns, Ben Vereen and Ray Charles. Gillespie has also toured extensively with the Xavier Cugat Orchestra throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Pianist Judi Glover has been a member of New Jersey’s Alex Glover & Company since 1987. She performs with various size ensembles in Atlantic City and throughout the Delaware Valley.
Jazz drummer and USF faculty member Ian Goodman is much in demand throughout central Florida and has performed on more than 50 recordings in styles ranging from jazz, contemporary worship, choral musical show style recordings.
“We’re excited to be providing this rare opportunity to see one of the greatest, and most unique jazz trumpeters of our time, performing with a stellar group of musicians,” says Dave Walrath, president of the Jazz Club of Sarasota. “It promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience!”
For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
About the Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota’s mission is to promote, preserve, present, and educate people about jazz, the original American art form. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the club presents ongoing concert series, events, lectures and the annual Sarasota Jazz Festival.
