Fifty years ago, Miles Davis’ seminal Columbia Records release Kind of Blue sent melodic shock waves throughout the jazz world, and it is still a treasured possession of many jazz lovers today. Community Women Against Hardship’s Institute for the Advancement of Jazz Study and Performance will pay tribute to the man and the music at its 6th annual Jazz Brunch Charity Benefit, featuring The Jerome Harris group with crowd-pleasing vocalist Anita Jackson on Sunday, July 19 at Jazz at the Bistro.
Harris, the director of the Institute, will be joined by Jeffrey Anderson on saxophone. Anderson is also an excellent bassist and a dedicated, empathetic instructor at the institute. He and Jerome are the embodiment of patience and precision in working with the young students, and their many years of performance experience provide invaluable insights.
Guest trumpeters Marlon Bonds and Danny Campbell offer their double-edged reflection on the Davis musical persona, with the warm, round sound for which Midwestern trumpeters have become renowned.
“Marlon’s and Danny’s playing are reminiscent of the Miles sound,” Harris said. “They both articulate the music.”
Matt Villinger, piano, and Bob DeBoo, bass – two outstanding young musicians who have worked extensively with saxophonist Willie Akins – complete the group.
Marlon appeared most recently in St. Louis last September at the Metropolitan Gallery on Locust with another former St. Louisan, saxophonist Freddie Washington. Before that he played alongside tenor giant Billy Harper in the Central West End. Bonds has also appeared with the late Kenny Kirkland, Rufus Reid, Gary Thomas, the late Stanley Turrentine and St. Louis’ dynamic Greg Osby. The budding songwriter/producer has also worked with Mos Def and a host of hip-hop artists.
Campbell has appeared on stage with Steve Turre, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson and former St. Louisans Clark Terry, Michael Salter, Lester Bowie (deceased), and Oliver Lake. He was a member of the world-famous Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble and St. Louis’ Jazz Edge Band. In addition, he has been a very effective instructor at the institute.
Jerome Harris, affectionately known as “Scrooge,” has been playing around the Gateway City for decades. His performance resume includes the likes of Willie Akins, Freddie Washington, John Hicks, Regina Carter, Johnny Mixon, Darrell Mixon, Mary Stallings,
Sweet Baby J’ai, John Norment, Lawrence Fields, Oliver Lake and countless others.
He says that the upcoming tribute is being held “mainly because I really think that it’s needed here to give Miles recognition – especially on the 50th nniversary of Kind of Blue. The album was a big part of my understanding of Miles’ music.”
Harris was introduced to the record by the late Phillip Wilson, a friend and fellow percussionist who was killed in 1991.
“It helped shape my musical concept greatly,” Harris said.
“Plus, I think it’s one of those types of recordings that evokes mood. It helps listeners and musicians get a really clear idea what type of mood a particular song is trying to convey.”
Anita Jackson is always a delight to hear. Her vocal range and colors and beaming presence onstage are captivating. Her background includes a command of gospel, pop and blues, here and in New York.
The benefit concert will be held 3-5 p.m. Sunday, July 19, with a buffet from 2-3 p.m. at Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave. Call (314) 289-7523 or visit www.cwah.org.
