Jason Jenkins Group – Scenic Roots
Released less than a year after his last, Scenic Roots is the new album from bassist Jason Jenkins and it features some of his favorite Virginian musicians.
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Students on stage
The monthly VCU Jazz @ The Camel series is back for round two after a successful first year. Tonight, check out two student bands with much to offer:
At 8pm: “Ben Heemstra, a jazz trumpet major from South Dakota, will be leading a group consisting of Christ Bates (tbn), Abinnet Berhanu (drums), David Tennenholtz (piano), and Andrew Randazzo (bass) playing some original compositions and tunes from the late 60’s Herbie Hancok era.”
At 9:30pm: “Abinnet Berhanu is a sophomore drummer who will be leading a trio consisting of Ben White (piano) and Evan Sarver (bass). He’ll be doing some original tunes and may even have some very special guests up on stage.”
Those guests, turns out, are trumpeter John D’Earth and tenor saxophonist JC Kuhl. As always, VCU Jazz @ The Camel is free of charge.
Mingus Awareness Project: Return to Richmond
After a year off, Brian Jones’s Mingus Awareness Project is back. The event features the finest jazz around, including a big band directed by Doug Richards. All proceeds benefit research for ALS, making this an event truly worthy of your time and your ears.
Conduction at The Camel
On Tuesday night, Brian Jones will be conducting Fight the Big Bull through a series of improvisations. Sounds weird, and cool. We don’t normally think of improvised music being conducted. But if you saw him play with the group at Musicircus 2009 (conducting from the back line) or have ever seen him perform (especially with his percussion ensemble), you know it’s not completely farfetched. Jones is a fan of Lawrence “Butch” Morris and his technique of conducting large ensembles through improvised music called conduction. No, it doesn’t have to do with physics. Not really, anyway. Instead, Butch Morris’s conduction involves an array of hand gestures to direct an ensemble’s improvisations. Recalling themes, dynamics, mimicking another musician, changing tempi or keys. All of this and more is in the hands of the conductor. Jones — who appears on both of FTBB’s Clean Feed albums — knows the band inside and out, which will make Tuesday night under his direction doubly interesting.
Let me get that HighLife.
Jason Ajemian & the HighLife return to Richmond on Friday night to play at Balliceaux. The quintet is known for the bassist’s unorthodox notation style, and paired with the band’s unique personalities, it gives way for truly original music.
Three reasons to visit Balliceaux this week
Balliceaux is the place to be this week. On Wednesday night, Ombak makes their return, this time with JC Kuhl. They’ll be playing tunes from their new album, and it’s guaranteed to get a little crazy. Fresh off their performances this past weekend at the Richmond Folk Festival (including their kazoo march in the family area), No BS! Brass plays a free show at Balliceaux. Hear the sounds of their new album and old favorites. For the main event, the New York-based Jason Ajemian & The HighLife return to Richmond on Friday. We hosted them back in April, and it’s bound to be a hit again this time.
(Bonus fourth reason: did I see they serve Sunday brunch now?)
Arce playground
He’s back! Saxophonist and native Virginian Jason Arce is a VCU alumnus and recent recipient of a master’s degree in music performance from NYU.
No BS! releases No BS!
With every album, every tour, every sold out show, and every Thursday night rehearsal, No BS! Brass is finding their sound, and they might be the closest they’ve ever been on that search.
Celebrate 2 Street this weekend
The pride and joy of Jackson Ward is its rich history. Have you ever heard Duke Ellington’s “Rumpus in Richmond”? Bet it was penned after a nightclub gig (and a jaunt with a lady) on the street. Back in the day, Richmond was a destination for jazz musicians like Duke, and each year the 2nd […]
Hometown hit
From Midlothian beginnings to finding his groove through school and like-minded musicians in New York City, trumpeter Dan Blankinship is coming back to his hometown on Sunday to perform with his group The Flail.
