Buffalo has an incredible jazz history, and thankfully the institution of jazz is finally seeing a renewed groundswell. From the steps of the Albright-Knox to myriad jazz bands playing at our beloved festivals, jazz players are being recognized for their skills and their passions.
On July 25, 2015, the historic Colored Musicians Club will be hosting the 10th Annual Queen City Jazz Festival. I managed to attend this festival last year and can say that it was extremely uplifting and telling of the bright future of jazz in this city. A trip through the Colored Musicians Club is like nothing that you have ever experienced. This year there will be two stages set up, along with the live performances that take place inside the club.
“The Club was incorporated in 1935 and has been located at 145 Broadway since 1943. It was located in several other places near Broadway and Michigan in its first 8 years of existence,” noted Craig Steger, club historian and Board Member. “The union (Local 533 of the American Federation of Musicians) was chartered in 1917, so it will celebrate its centenary in 2 years. The union existed from 1917-1969. The Club is another example of amazing history and heritage in our midst.”
“The Colored Musician’s Club’s vision for the future of the Queen City is a place where local musicians—with diverse backgrounds from students to Grammy-award-winning artists—can share their love for music on one stage for Western New York audiences,” said Walter Kemp, Board Member and Artist Coordinator.
The 10th Annual Queen City Jazz Festival | July 25th, 2015 | Noon-9pm | Colored Musicians Club | 145 Broadway at Michigan | Facebook
Outdoor Stage Performers include: Ladies First Jazz Big Band Noon; Buffalo Jazz Octet 12:55pm; Mark Filsinger Elevenet 1:50pm; Jazz Examples 2:45pm; Les Davis Quintet 3:40pm; E Life 7 4:45pm; What Would Mingus Do 5:35pm; Gruvology 6:30pm; Toney Rhodes 7:25pm.
Indoor Historic Stage Performers include: Carol McLaughlin Quintet 12:50pm; William Murphy Quartet 2:20pm; Katy Minor Jazz Quintet 4:00pm; My Cousin Tone 4:50pm; Jon Lehning Quintet 5:40pm; DMW Jazz 6:30pm.
NEW Museum Stage Performers include: Ed Chilungu 12:00pm; JazzWizz 1:30pm; Elliot Scozzaro Trio 3:10pm.
The event will be help rain or shine. The event is free, but donations are welcome. Refreshments and vendors are available.
Other timely pre- and post-event concerts at the Historic Colored Musicians Club and Museum include the George Scott Big Band on the evening of July 20, the Carol McLaughlin Big Band on the evening of July 23, and the Sound Jazz Trio at 5PM on July 26. On all other Sunday evenings, musicians and listeners are invited to live jam sessions with a variety of House Bands from 6-9pm.
Details about the 10th Annual Queen City Jazz Festival and 80th anniversary events are on Facebook or www.ColoredMusiciansClub.org