National Jazz Museum In Harlem Celebrates New Digs

After 15 years in East Harlem, The National Jazz Museum In Harlem is now near the center of the action uptown. It’s at 58 West 129th Street just off Malcolm X Boulevard a few blocks from Red Rooster and Sylvia’s and Corner Social. The 3 p’s of the museum are preserve, promote, and present. In the words of Wynton Marsalis…”For more than a century, Harlem has been a center of creativity for countless musicians, writers, and artists who have produced some of the most extraordinary works of art. Through its exhibits and programs, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem honors this legacy and actively contributes to Harlem’s vibrant culture.”

The recent hootenanny featured music from the Harlem born pianist Marc Cary who grew up in DC but returned to the city in the late 80s and has been building his reputation as an ace ever since. Also on hand was the virtuosic sax player Bill Saxton who has been a bright light for decades in joints like the much missed St. Nick’s Pub and more recently in his own Bill’s Place on 133rd Street. Another artist who grew up in the streets north of Central Park, the wonderful vocalist Terri Davis also took part in the festivities. She sometimes performs along with Cary at Gin Fizz just around the corner from the museum where Cary hosts The Harlem Sessions every Thursday including tomorrow night. You could double dip as there’s action at the museum tomorrow night as well. A listening party will be hosted by none other than Christian McBride, who is the museum’s co-artistic director along with Jonathan Batiste. It’s part one of a three part series devoted to appreciating the enduring recordings of Cannonball Adderley. International Jazz Day on the 30th of this month would also be an excellent time to drop by.

Mack Avenue Superband At Birdland; Christian McBride Interview

Christian McBride rolled into Birdland recently with an all-star band made up of his label mates on Mack Avenue.   In addition to being an ace of bass, McBride is a great conversationalist.  He tossed off some great lines.  For example, when talking about saxophonist Tia Fuller: “Any musician: what you hear out of their instrument is a reflection of their personality; all of the passion and beauty that comes out of Tia’s horn – that’s who she really is.”  He clearly has nothing but great feelings towards his current collaborators.

On trumpet; Sean Jones –  “One of the premier musicians on any instrument of his generation and my kind of dude.”

On drums; Carl Allen – who CB first met about thirty years ago when he was in high school and has the ‘deepest connection’ with: “We don’t even have to look at each other, we already know what the other is going to do.”

On vibes; Gary Burton – “It’s a real thrill to spend some time on the road with a master…none of us take it lightly”

On piano, Christian Sands – who has been playing with his namesake for about five years.  “Probably the hottest and one of the most well-respected young musicians coming up on the scene.”

When I asked about his relationship to Birdland, he praised the booking as well as the room at the current iteration of the storied joint on 44th (for the last two decades) between 8th and 9th avenues.  He also disclosed that the original club on 52nd and Broadway is now FlashDancers! He even recalled that his first ever gig in New York was at the 2nd Birdland on 105th (and Broadway) in the fall of 1989.  Don’t miss a rare chance to see McBride lead his big band later this month at JALC.

The acclaimed basssist plays one for the kids…