8-07 Sunday Jazz Jamming w Mike Lee Billy Drummond Mike Karn at the Gazebo

As you know Jazz is a uniquely American form of music that has been enjoyed for generations. Jazz music is a passionate and timeless art form that deserves a celebration. This Maplewood Springfield Avenue Sunday Jazz Series will provide a unique opportunity for the Community to come together and enjoy some serious jazz as local artists and businesses will promote their services to the community.

We are fortunate in our area to have some wonderful musicians who live right here in our area. And you also know I love producing jazz in outdoor gazebos. This Sunday Jazz is a Jam event that offers a unique opportunity for you to not only experience live jazz jamming in the intimate outdoor setting of the Maplewood Springfield Ave Gazebo, you can also jam with these experienced worldwide professionals.

Mike Lee - Bandleader - Sax

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, saxophonist Mike Lee has established himself in the New York City/Northern New Jersey area for many years. He balances a thriving performing career with a distinguished teaching resume. He performs regularly in New York City as a member of a wide array of jazz ensembles. His recent associations include The Jimmy Heath Orchestra, The Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Wallace Roney’s Universe Orchestra, The Oliver Lake Big Band, The Loston Harris Trio, The Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, Josh Evans Big Band, Dave Stryker, Frank Lacy, TS Monk, and The Roy Hargrove Big Band. He performs regularly at venues such as The Bluenote, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Smalls, The Jazz Gallery, Fat Cat, and Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle Hotel.

Recent tours have taken him up and down the East Coast, to Italy, France, California and Beijing, China. Mike Lee is Professor of Jazz Saxophone at The John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. In 2009, Lee helped found and develop Jazz House Kid’s in-house jazz education program. As the instructor of the first class (2009) at the Jazz House and Director of the JHK Summer Workshop (2010-2012) he oversaw the growth of the program from one class to a thriving jazz school. Mike’s private students have also excelled winning national awards from the Grammy Band, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Downbeat Magazine, and Young Arts. He has had several students go on to attend The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, William Paterson, Rutgers, Miami University, and Northwestern University. Lee has presented clinics and workshops throughout the country. Mr. Lee is endorsed by Conn-Selmer saxophones and Vandoren mouthpieces/reeds.

Read more: https://mikeleejazz.com/bio/

Billy Drummond -Drums

Joining Mike will be the thrilling and powerful drummer Billy Drumnond widely acknowledged as one of today’s most versatile drummers.

While touring the world with some of the music’s most innovative voices, Drummond has been a significant player on the New York City scene over the past three decades. He’s the drummer other drummers check out at Smalls and Mezzrow. His craft and sensitivity enhance a versatile approach to the instrument and a truthful interpretation of the sound. Over the years, the Newport News, Virginia native has collaborated with Carla Bley, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Buster Williams, Steve Kuhn, JJ Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Charles Tolliver, James Moody, Sheila Jordan, Andrew Hill, Ron Carter, Eddie Gomez, Hank Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Konitz, Stanley Cowell, Chris Potter, Archie Shepp, John Tchicai, Eddie Henderson and Joe Lovano, among other diverse statement makers. Valse Sinistre presents a well-honed, curated repertoire primed for rediscovery.

Mike Karn - Bass

And Mike Karn who was a part of the vibrant New York jazz scene that developed in the’ 80s and from NYU he went right to the road with Ray Charles. However as Jazz Times reported Mike Karn is a former tenor saxophonist that made the transition to [being an extremely successful] first-call bassist and is always in demand. Mike has performed with Julius Tolentino, Harry Connick, Jr., Jerry Weldon and one of my favorites Charles Earland amongst many others.

All of these musicians have performed throughout the world with some of the jazz world’s biggest names and at the largest jazz venues and festivals. You dont want to miss this one.

Bring your blankets, chairs, your family and friends to enjoy this event in the park and remember you are also welcome to bring your instruments and or your voice to join in the jam sessions!

This Maplewood Springfield Ave Concert Series is a collaboration between Gregory Burrus Productions and Springfield Avenue Partnership.

Please join us on July 31st 3-6 PM as the Community Jazz Jam will be a great opportunity for you to come out and join in making some jazz music and support local artists.