The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Jazz, funk and blues all weekend
RIDGEFIELD — The culturally rich town of Ridgefield will be swaying to the tunes of jazz, funk, and blues, Sept. 13 to 16.
Headlined by legendary blues guitarist Robert Cray at the Ridgefield Playhouse on Sept. 15, jazz, funk & blues weekend will be four days of good tunes and great times as the town’s restaurants and downtown will be filled with the mellifluous rhythms to today’s top musical talent.
The jazz-rock fusion band Project Grand Slam leads off the weekend on Thursday, September 13, at Ballard Park, part of CHIRP’s (Concert Happenings in Ridgefield Parks) free outdoor concert series. On Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., the leader of the Cuban jazz movement Dayramir Gonzales and his quintet will unleash their unique musical blend at the Ridgefield Library. Part of Havana’s prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte, Gonzales will lead a discussion on Afro-Cuban Jazz at 4 p.m., also at the Ridgefield Library.
Music continues on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. with jazz and pop guitarist Gil Parris the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. These performances are free.
On Saturday night at 8 p.m., legendary blues guitarist Robert Cray will take the stage of the Ridgefield Playhouse to perform the tunes that have helped win him five Grammy Awards and build a huge international following. Leading him off the night is the high-energy brass sounds of Funky Dawgz Brass Band. Tickets are $60.
Then on Sunday, Sept. 16, the Ridgefield High School Jazz Band will perform at Lounsbury House at 2 p.m., led by music leader Michael McNamara.
For the full schedule, including brunches, dinner specials, and restaurant performances, visit jazzfunk.org
About the performers: Project Grand Slam is a Jazz Rock Fusion band with a twist of Classic Rock and Latin from New York City. The band is led by acclaimed bassist/composer Robert Miller. To date, Project Grand Slam has released four highly regarded albums, earned over one million video views, developed a large international following, been nominated for seven Grammys, and performed at a number of prestigious venues and festivals and with a litany of well known artists.
Dayramir Gonzalez was accepted into Havana’s prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). He was awarded a musical scholarship to Boston’s revered Berklee College of Music in the U.S., becoming the first Cuban national to receive Berklee’s coveted full Presidential Scholarship. In 2012, he was called “a rising star in the Latin jazz world,” by Carnegie Hall and personally selected by Chucho Valdes to represent the young generation of Cuban Jazz at Carnegie Hall’s “Voices of Latin America” series, which featured music icons Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Danilo Perez, Egberto Gismonti, and Valdes himself. Gonzalez graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2013 and along with other numerous accolades, received the Wayne Shorter Award for Most Outstanding Composer of the Year upon graduation.
Gil Parris is an American Grammy-nominated rock, blues, jazz and pop guitarist. Gil has released six solo albums and played collaboratively with over 20 other groups/artists. Gil is known for his blending of blues, jazz, rock and smooth jazz in his work.
Robert Cray is a blues guitarist and singer. Robert has led his own band and won five Grammy Awards. In 1986, Robert released his fourth album, Strong Persuader, produced by Dennis Walker, which received a Grammy Award, while the crossover single "Smokin' Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition. Under the pseudonym "Night Train Clemons", he recorded with Ted Hawkins in 1986. He was invited by Keith Richards to join the backing band for Chuck Berry in the 1987 film, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll, directed by Taylor Hackford. By then, Cray was an opening act for such major stars as Eric Clapton and sold out larger venues as a solo artist. Cray has generally played Fender guitars (Telecasters and Stratocasters) and there are two signature Robert Cray Stratocasters models available from Fender.
The Ridgefield High School Jazz Band is a selection of the most talented young musicians in Ridgefield. The Jazz Band is comprised of RHS students who audition in the spring to be in the band the following year, and only the most proficient students make the cut. The Jazz Band competes in regional music competitions, and has found success in its endeavors.
Jazz, Funk & Blues Weekend is a collaboration between the participating venues and the Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission.