Columbia Home & Lifestyle - January/February 2009 - (Page 37) beloW: The Vanguard Orchestra poses for a photo. righT: The Vanguard Orchestra plays for a crowd of people. The “We Always swing” jazz series hits the second half of its 2008–09 season running with an array of stylistically different groups, from a duo to 16-piece orchestra in size, performing throughout Columbia. Wrapped into January and February are performances by multiple Grammy winners and nominees. Some musicians are making their first trip to Mid-Missouri, while others will be returning. The eclectic Charlie Hunter, an energetic, iconoclastic seven- and eight-string guitarist of note, kicks things off with his inaugural Columbia appearance Jan. 25. The musician arrives from his Bay Area haunt to perform at The Blue Note in a duo format with longtime associate and drummer-percussionist Simon Lott. Hunter’s most recent effort is the self-produced Baboon, and the reviews are in. “Groovemeister Charlie Hunter is one of the most innovative musicians in contemporary jazz right now,” according to allaboutjazz. com. The Musical Stew Daily stated,“from the first notes of the opening track you know that this is going to be a party album The music settles in as swirling and other worldly sounds dance out of the speakers, leaving you in a groovin’ daze.” Hunter and Lott should provide mid-Missourians with an engaging musical evening—one that’s entertaining enough to give new meaning to the term “January thaw.” Chances are you have unknowingly listened to Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard. As director Spike Lee’s favorite composer, his filmography—yes, that’s what it’s called—includes such titles as “Crooklyn,” “Clockers,” “Eve’s Bayou,” “Bamboozled,” “Barbershop,” “Malcolm X,” “Inside Man” and Lee’s latest movie, “Miracle at St. Anna.” Blanchard, whose musical movie performances also include “Mo’ Better Blues” and “Do the Right Thing,” made his only previous Jazz Series appearance some five years ago. The Crescent City native, who remains entrenched as a Big Easy resident, dedicated his most recent effort, A Tale of God’s Will, subtitled A Requiem for Katrina to his hometown. The gifted trumpeter performs two shows Feb. 8 at 3 and 6:45 p.m. as part of the Jazz Series’ Sundays @ Murry’s concerts. The now-veteran bandleader arrives with his current quintet: saxophonist Brice Winston, pianist Fabian Almazan, bassist Derrick Hodge and drummer Kendrick Scott. columbia home & lifestyle 37
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