Celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month with a look at new festivals and releases

Spring is in the air, and summer is right around the corner, so we’re thinking ahead to happenings coming up now and later in the world of jazz.

Since April is Jazz Appreciation Month, what better way to celebrate than by checking out pianist Joey Alexander with his trio at the Dakota on April 27. Like one of his songs, “Promise of Spring,” he’ll likely play music from his latest Mack Avenue album, “Origin,” which was released in 2022.

The young bandleader is becoming an accomplished composer. His long-time trio featuring Larry Grenadier and Kendrick Scott, with Chris Potter (a previous collaborator), and Gilad Hekselman all help round out Alexander’s vision and his first full-length release of all-original music. For tickets, visit dakotacooks.com.

On April 22, vocalist Charmin Michelle performs at Crooners in Fridley inside Maggie’s Lounge from 9:30 -11:30 p.m. She’s a beloved local favorite who always gives her all onstage, whether she’s playing with her own band, or sitting in with visiting national musicians. For tickets, visit croonersloungemn.com.  

Also on tap, one of the best free jazz festivals in the Upper Midwest just announced its lineup—the Twin Cities Jazz Festival on June 23-24, in Mears Park, downtown St. Paul, and there’s a new executive director in the mix.

The festival’s cofounder, Steve Heckler, is retiring in 2023. He will be replaced by Dayna Martinez. She was vice president of programming and education at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts.

This year’s headliners will be Paquito D’ Rivera and the Dizzy Gillespie Afro Latin Experience, Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet, Christian McBride, Davina & the Vagabonds, and Lucia Sarmiento.

Also, just announced is the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival happening on Aug 4-6 in Newport, Rhode Island. This summer, at Fort Adams State Park, the lineup includes Charles Lloyd, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Vijay Iyer, Kamasi Washington, and Jon Batiste, among others.

Before the TC Jazz Fest and Newport Jazz Fest comes the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—perhaps, the biggest jazz festival—on April 28-May 7. This year’s lineup features Jon Batiste, Jill Scott, Lizzo, Gary Clark Jr., Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Herbie Hancock, Nicholas Payton, Jason Marsalis, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, among others.

Going to jazz festivals gives us the chance to see the veterans and the new up-and-coming artists—sometimes performing together. Seeing living legends in action is always a great treat.

Speaking of legends, the great tenor saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Wayne Shorter passed away on March 2. He was one of our greatest living legends, and well-known as the greatest living improviser. I wish I could have experienced his music live at a jazz festival.

Shorter received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2018, and in 1998, he became a Jazz Master via the National Endowment for the Arts. Perhaps, Shorter is best most known for being a member of and composer for Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He was 89 years old when he passed away in Los Angeles, California.

My favorite Shorter song is “Infant Eyes” from his landmark ’60s album “Speak No Evil.” He will forever be one of jazz’s greatest composers and many of his songs will remain stellar jazz standards.

Speaking of our great jazz elders, bassist Buster Williams has a new album, “Unalome” from Smoke Sessions Records. The new February 24 release features musicians, Stefon Harris, George Colligan, Lenny White, Bruce Williams, and Jean Baylor.

Smoke Sessions Records will also release drummer Joe Farnsworth’s new album, “In What Direction Are You Headed?” on May 19. The album features an all-star quintet, which includes Immanuel Wilkins, Robert Hurst, Julius Rodriquez, and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

The late, great pianist Harold Mabern, who also recorded for Smoke Sessions Records, had a birthday on March 20.