Details:
Enjoy a breathtaking performance as Modern Jazz Masters perform music from the Cannonball Adderley catalogue. Grammy winning alto saxophonist Mark Gross of the Duke Ellington Orchestra will also be joined by special guest Veronica Swift as they perform from the iconic 1962 Nancy Wilson – Cannonball Adderley Capitol release. The evening will be informed by and feature masterworks by acclaimed Texas artist John Alexander. As a native son of the South, Cannonball had the rare ability to play bebop with a soulful gospel infused feel. Mark shares with Cannonball’s legacy an unparalleled beautiful tone, maturity, artistry and passion. A graduate of the “University of Nat Adderley”, Mark Gross is one of the only living alto players uniquely qualified to interpret the music of Cannonball Adderley. Veronica Swift is simply one of the finest jazz vocal artists of the modern era described by Downbeat as “… a Supernova…. One of the most irresistibly talented vocalists of her generation.” In addition, Mr. Gross will be joined by members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Jazz at Lincoln Center family as they perform standards from Cannonball’s instrumental songbook. John Alexander is a Beaumont native whose work is in major museum collections from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC; and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, as well as many other distinguished public and private collections worldwide. Mr. Alexander is all Zen, all Chops and all Soul. His paintings draw you into the mystical primordial wonderland that is Southeast Texas. Then as a jazz soloist does, he delves even deeper still into the essence of the place. He takes us on a journey that visually explores new harmonic and melodic ideas that help us connect to our humanity. Jazz and visual art have a long history of spiritual and intellectual interplay. Tonight’s happening continues that legacy. In the Spirit of Jazz, The Houston Jazz Collective’s mission is to enrich, entertain and expand the community for Jazz through performance, education, and advocacy. All performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE!
