Joey Defrancesco Trio at DazzleJazz | Oct. 17 & 18

Three-time Grammy nominee and master of the jazz organ, Joey DeFrancesco– also a celebrated trumpeter and vocalist – is bringing his swinging music to DazzleJazz October 17 and 18.

DeFrancesco will be joined by trio members Jason Brown (drums) and Dan Wilson (guitar). This trio offers a fresh rhythmic and harmonic approach to modern jazz without losing a strong sense of tradition.

Purchase tickets here.

A prodigious talent at an early age, DeFrancesco began taking a strong interest in the organ. At the age of 16, he signed an exclusive recording contract with Columbia Records, releasing his first record “All Of Me” at 17 years old.

DeFrancesco’s first record was single handedly responsible for the great resurgence of the Hammond sound in popular music. The same year DeFrancesco was called on by the great Miles Davis to join his band, and toured Europe. It was at that time that DeFrancesco, inspired by Miles’s sound, picked up the trumpet and started playing.

At 18 years old, DeFrancesco began touring with his own quartet. Four years later, John McLaughlin formed the group “Free Spirits” with DeFrancesco and drummer Dennis Chambers. This band toured extensively for four years.

DeFrancesco has been around the world and back dozens of times with his own trio, he has also played and recorded with some of the greatest musicians in the world such as Ray Charles, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Benny Golson, James Moody, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Cobb, George Benson, John Scofield, and many more.

DeFrancesco has won the DownBeat Critics poll ten times and the Readers poll ever year since 2005 along with countless other Jazz awards. In 2004, Joey was nominated for a Grammy for his record “Falling In Love Again”, and again in 2010 for “Never Can Say Goodbye,” and in 2014 for “Enjoy the View.”

James Brown

New York based drummer, Jason Brown, has been a driving force behind major artists since the early days of his career. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Ohio, Brown learned his trade under the tutelage of Billy Hart.

For seven years Brown toured and recorded with Grammy nominated vocalist and composer, Carmen Lundy. He has also worked with numerous international artists such as Pat Martino, Lizz Wright, Cedar Walton, Wayne Escoffery, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Amina Figarova.

As a leader, Brown has been a featured artist with the Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of St Petersburg and has toured with his own Quintet throughout the USA, Ukraine and Russia.

Brown joined DeFrancesco in 2014. His sensitivity, explosiveness and hard driving sense of swing are what make him the perfect match for DeFrancesco.

Dan Wilson

Music has been an integral part of Wilson’s life since his beginnings in gospel music. Upon hearing a Wes Montgomery record in a relative’s basement, Wilson decided to pursue a career as a musician. Since then, he has spent more than a decade honing his craft.

Wilson received his bachelor’s in music and liberal studies from Hiram College.

Over the years, Wilson has enjoyed the honor of sharing the stage with many jazz greats including Russell Malone, Les Mcann, Christian Mcbride, Eric Marienthal and Dave Stryker. Wilson also teaches jazz guitar and improvisation at Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio.