Jazz News: The Blues State; NPR Tiny Desk highlights, Nikki Giovanni documentary scores!

On the heels of the 20th annual Greeley Blues Jam last weekend, it feels like Colorado is “heavy on the blues” this summer! Coming up, the Jack Hadley Blues Band is on the George Morrison Stage at the Five Points Jazz Festival on June 8, in Fort Collins it’s Tab Benoit with Larry McCray at the Aggie Theatre on June 11, the Eric Clapton celebration called Forever Man Unplugged is on stage at Dazzle on June 27, the 22^nd annual Blues from the Top festival in Winter Park on the last weekend in June features Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat, Toronzo Cannon from Chicago, and a few other old school and new school blues artists.

Connect to a year-round and updated list of blues shows and blues jam sessions statewide at the Colorado Blues Society. (SOURCE: Colorado Blues Society)

Photo courtesy of Blues From The Top

In just the last couple of weeks, NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts has released sessions with pianist Kiefer (who was just at Cervantes in Denver), Brazilian singer-songwriter Luciana Souza, NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz, and 84-years young Bob James, including collaboration with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Talib Kweli. The cluttered office setting is such a popular format, versions in Korea and Japan have been launched. Take a deep dive and thank me later. (SOURCE: YouTube/NPR Music)

Photo courtesy of NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts – pianist Keifer

The award-winning Nikki Giovanni documentary’s original score is being released on June 7. “Going to Mars: the Nikki Giovanni Project” is the celebrated film about the poet’s life and work through the Civil Rights era, the Black Arts Movement, and Black Lives Matter. The soundtrack is described as “afro-futurist, sweeping vocal and saxophone melodies, trembling drums, otherworldly synths and intimate pianos.” It’s an independent release by Samora Pinderhughes and Chris Pattishall. (SOURCE: Sacks & CO)

Photo courtesy of TVInsider

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