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SUMMARY:Bokani Dyer Trio
DESCRIPTION:Bokani Dyer (piano\, vocals)\, Timothy Norton (bass)\, Lumanyano Mzi (drums) \nBokani Dyer is a multi-award-winning South African pianist\, composer\, and producer whose work traverses the intersections of jazz\, soul\, electronic music\, and African rhythm. A deeply thoughtful and boundary-pushing artist\, Dyer has spent over a decade cultivating a sound that is both deeply rooted in the South African jazz tradition and open to global and contemporary influences. \nBorn in 1986 in Gaborone\, Botswana — where his father\, renowned musician Steve Dyer\, lived in exile during apartheid — Bokani moved back to South Africa as a child in 1990. He grew up primarily in Johannesburg before pursuing formal music studies at the University of Cape Town\, graduating with distinction in jazz. Early recognition came in 2009 when he was named runner-up in the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition\, earning a mentorship with celebrated American jazz pianist Jason Moran in New York. \nOver the years\, Dyer’s performance career has taken him across the globe. In 2014\, he performed at the opening of the London Jazz Festival and participated in a tribute to South African jazz pioneers The Blue Notes\, led by Shabaka Hutchings. A year later\, his Swiss-based ensemble\, the Bokani Dyer Swiss Quintet\, toured South Africa and Mozambique before heading to Switzerland for a series of acclaimed performances. He’s played at some of the world’s leading jazz platforms\, including the North Sea Jazz Festival\, Cape Town International Jazz Festival\, London Jazz Festival and Jazzahead in Germany\, and has graced iconic venues like Ronnie Scott’s in London and SFJAZZ in San Francisco. \nDyer has released six solo albums under his name\, each one charting a new course in his musical evolution. His 2010 debut Mirrors and 2011 follow-up Emancipate the Story signaled the arrival of a bold new voice in South African jazz. In 2015\, World Music introduced a wider palette\, integrating groove\, vocal elements\, and horn arrangements — and earned a South African Music Award (SAMA) nomination for Best Jazz Album. In 2018\, The Bokani Dyer Trio released Neo Native\, a critically acclaimed project that explored identity\, belonging\, and the complexities of home\, and went on to win the 2019 SAMA for Best Jazz Album. His 2020 release Kelenosi\, recorded during lockdown\, was an introspective\, self-produced work exploring isolation\, freedom\, and musical experimentation. \nIn 2023\, Dyer introduced a new musical persona — Radio Sechaba — and with it\, released a landmark project of the same name through Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings. Radio Sechaba is a celebration of community and connection. Seamlessly blending soul\, groove\, jazz\, and pan-African sounds\, the album interrogates themes of identity\, belonging\, and social justice. With standout tracks like “Move On” and “Mogaetsho\,” it has been praised for its warmth\, lyricism\, and sonic sophistication\, affirming Dyer’s place as one of South Africa’s most visionary artists.\nWhile his roots remain in jazz\, Dyer’s creative reach extends far beyond. He co-founded the groove/electronic band Soul Housing Project in 2007\, a shape-shifting ensemble that has performed across South Africa and internationally — including appearances at Lighthouse Festival in Croatia and the National Youth Jazz Festival. He has collaborated with South African jazz icons such as Feya Faku and has shared the stage with globally acclaimed artists like Shabaka Hutchings and Adam Glasser. \nDyer is also an accomplished producer and composer for film. He scored the 2017 romantic drama Catching Feelings and the upcoming 2025 feature Sabbatical. His work for stage includes collaborations with director Mkhululi Mabija and the launch of the Jazzafrika Legacy Sessions — a curated series at The Orbit Jazz Club that revived and celebrated South African jazz heritage through live transcription and performance. \nIn 2025\, Dyer’s trio embarked on a U.S. tour\, performing at leading jazz venues including Kuumbwa Jazz Center\, Sam First (Los Angeles)\, the Century Room (Tucson)\, and the Piedmont Piano Company (Oakland). These performances showcased his continued commitment to live improvisation and exploration — and reaffirmed his global resonance as a performer. \nWith a deep respect for legacy and a fearless openness to change\, Bokani Dyer continues to redefine the role of the modern jazz musician. Whether on stage\, in the studio\, or through his genre-bending persona Radio Sechaba\, he uses music as a tool for connection\, reflection\, and transformation. His work is a testament to the power of sound to bridge not just genres\, but geographies\, generations\, and inner worlds.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/bokani-dyer-trio/
LOCATION:Community Music School of Springfield\, 127 State St.\, Springfield\, MA
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T213000
DTSTAMP:20260423T232425Z
CREATED:20260423T232425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T232425Z
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SUMMARY:Ralph Alessi Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Ralph Alessi (trumpet)\, Matt Mitchell (piano)\, John Hébert (bass)\, Ches Smith (drums) \nRalph Alessi is an ECM recording artist and acclaimed American jazz trumpeter\, composer\, and educator known for his distinctive and innovative approach to jazz improvisation and composition. Born in San Rafael\, California\, in 1963\, he was raised in a musical family. His father\, Joseph Alessi\, was a classical trumpeter and his mother\, Maria Leone\, an opera singer. In addition\, his brother Joe Alessi is a world renowned classical trombonist. His upbringing in this environment laid the foundation for his deep connection to music. \nHe studied at the California Institute of the Arts\, where he pursued both classical and jazz music\, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (and master’s degree in jazz bass). Alessi’s versatility in different musical traditions has contributed to his unique sound\, blending classical precision with avant-garde jazz. \nAlessi relocated to New York City in 1991\, and since then has collaborated with many prominent musicians\, such as Steve Coleman\, Ravi Coltrane\, Jason Moran\, Don Byron\, Fred Hersch and Uri Caine. His own ensembles and recordings showcase his skill as both a bandleader and a composer\, with 13 albums as a leader. This include Baida (2013)\, released on ECM Records\, receiving widespread acclaim for its complex\, lyrical compositions and improvisations. Baida was shortlisted by several publications as one of the best jazz albums of the year. His latest ECM release in 2024 was It’s Always Now which writer Jim Macnie proclaimed as having a “poignant lyricism.” In 2025\, he will record and release his 5th album on ECM records featuring Matt Mitchell\, John Hebert\, Ches Smith and his brother Joe\, appearing together on record for the first time. \nIn addition to his performance career\, Alessi is also a committed educator. He has been on the faculty at institutions such as the Eastman School of Music and the New England Conservatory\, and currently the founder and director of the School for Improvisational Music in Brooklyn\, New York as well as on faculty at the Hochschule der Künste Bern in Switzerland. His teaching emphasizes creative exploration and improvisation\, influencing a new generation of jazz musicians.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/ralph-alessi-quartet-2/
LOCATION:Community Music School of Springfield\, 127 State St.\, Springfield\, MA
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T213000
DTSTAMP:20260330T000056Z
CREATED:20260329T233832Z
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SUMMARY:Ralph Alessi Quartet
DESCRIPTION:Ralph Alessi (trumpet)\, Matt Mitchell (piano)\, John Hébert (bass)\, Ches Smith (drums) \nRalph Alessi is an ECM recording artist and acclaimed American jazz trumpeter\, composer\, and educator known for his distinctive and innovative approach to jazz improvisation and composition. Born in San Rafael\, California\, in 1963\, he was raised in a musical family. His father\, Joseph Alessi\, was a classical trumpeter and his mother\, Maria Leone\, an opera singer. In addition\, his brother Joe Alessi is a world renowned classical trombonist. His upbringing in this environment laid the foundation for his deep connection to music. \nHe studied at the California Institute of the Arts\, where he pursued both classical and jazz music\, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (and master’s degree in jazz bass). Alessi’s versatility in different musical traditions has contributed to his unique sound\, blending classical precision with avant-garde jazz. \nAlessi relocated to New York City in 1991\, and since then has  collaborated with many prominent musicians\, such as Steve Coleman\, Ravi Coltrane\, Jason Moran\, Don Byron\, Fred Hersch and Uri Caine. His own ensembles and recordings showcase his skill as both a bandleader and a composer\, with 13 albums as a leader. This include  Baida (2013)\, released on ECM Records\, receiving widespread acclaim for its complex\, lyrical compositions and improvisations. Baida was shortlisted by several publications as one of the best jazz albums of the year. His latest ECM release in 2024 was It’s Always Now which writer Jim Macnie proclaimed as having a “poignant lyricism.” In 2025\, he will record and release his 5th album on ECM records featuring Matt Mitchell\, John Hebert\, Ches Smith and his brother Joe\, appearing together on record for the first time. \nIn addition to his performance career\, Alessi is also a committed educator. He has been on the faculty at institutions such as the Eastman School of Music and the New England Conservatory\, and currently the founder and director of the School for Improvisational Music in Brooklyn\, New York as well as on faculty at the Hochschule der Künste Bern in Switzerland. His teaching emphasizes creative exploration and improvisation\, influencing a new generation of jazz musicians.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/ralph-alessi-quartet/
LOCATION:Community Music School of Springfield\, 127 State St.\, Springfield\, MA
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251123T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251123T213000
DTSTAMP:20251029T150614Z
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SUMMARY:Jon Irabagon Quartet w/Nate Wooley
DESCRIPTION:Jon Irabagon (reeds)\, Matt Mitchell (piano)\, Chris Lightcap (bass)\, Dan Weiss (drums)\, Nate Wooley (trumpet) \nFirst-generation Filipino-American Jon Irabagon (b. 1978\, Chicago) has been influenced by the self-empowering and individualistic philosophies and aesthetic of the great AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) ensembles as well as the historic world-class tenor saxophone lineage from his hometown. Equally adept at composing for rising stars in new music and the most intricate modern jazz ensemble\, Irabagon builds on this foundation by adding modern classical and late-period John Coltrane to his compositional base\, focusing primarily on mixed chamber ensembles to take advantage of hand-chosen musicians’ voices and attitudes. \nAfter earning a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University\, Irabagon continued his education by earning a Master of Arts from the Manhattan School of Music and completing post-graduate studies in the jazz program at Juilliard\, where he received an Artist Diploma. However\, Irabagon’s accomplishments do not end with his education. Irabagon was also the winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition\, winner of the Rising Star award in Downbeat Magazine for both alto and tenor saxophones\, and the recipient of a Philippine Presidential Award\, the highest civilian honor an overseas Filipino can receive in commemoration for their contributions to the perception of Filipinos worldwide. \nAs a member of a minority community who fights against the countless times his voice has been marginalized\, Irabagon’s compositions rely on open dialogues with his fellow performers to create a gateway for communication and understanding. This interaction of notated material and strong improvisatory character is essential to Irabagon’s musical vision. As music reporter Nate Chinen notes in his Top Performances of 2015 article\, Irabagon’s compositions “are drawn to the play of opposing forces\, especially those involving abstraction of form.” \nNamed one of New York City’s 25 Jazz Icons by Time Out New York\, Irabagon composes for his ensemble Outright!\, which received a 5-star Masterpiece review in Downbeat Magazine for Unhinged (2014)\, as well as the Jon Irabagon Trio\, featuring Barry Altschul and Mark Helias\, and his new quartet with Matt Mitchell\, Chris Lightcap and Dan Weiss. Irabagon has been an integral part of ensembles such as the Dave Douglas Quintet\, the Mary Halvorson Quintet\, Septet and Octet\, Barry Altschul’s 3Dom Factor\, Ralph Alessi’s This Against That\, Mostly Other People do the Killing and Uri Caine’s Catbird. \nIrabagon has been an ensemble and private lesson instructor for all levels at several institutions in the New York City area\, including with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy\, as well as giving saxophone\, improvisation\, and composition masterclasses on four continents. \nIn January 2023\, Irabagon joined the University of Illinois Chicago faculty\, teaching jazz saxophone\, direct combos\, and courses in jazz history. \nIrabagon’s main focus is building his own compositional voice\, as evidenced by receiving grants and commissions like The Stone at National Sawdust Commissioning Series\, an Artists at Albatross Reach compositional residency\, the Shifting Foundation\, two French American Cultural Exchange grants\, a Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant\, a South Arts Jazz Road touring grant\, and an upcoming USArtists International grant. \nIrabagon currently runs his own imprint\, Irabbagast Records\, to release his own uncategorizable works as well as other cutting-edge\, creative artists.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/jon-irabagon-quartet-w-nate-wooley/
LOCATION:Community Music School of Springfield\, 127 State St.\, Springfield\, MA
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251020T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251020T213000
DTSTAMP:20250806T225837Z
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SUMMARY:Steve Dyer Quartet - Freedom Melody
DESCRIPTION:Steve Dyer (saxophones)\, Aaron Rimbui (piano)\, tba (bass)\, tba (drums) \n“Steve Dyer …is a visionary\, a pioneer and a symbol of a new Africa.” -Vasco Zama Ndebele\, Cue magazine \nSteve Dyer believes that no single culture owns the monopoly on human wisdom. Every human life born into whatever culture\, ethnicity or spiritual belief system has the same value. \nSteve was born in Pietermaritzburg\, South Africa in 1960. His parents listened consistently to music of the Western classical masters. He also remembers maskandi musicians walking the streets as they played their guitars\, and the Soul Brothers and kwela” playing on the radio. He began composing music at the age of 10. Steve completed a B Mus degree in performance at the University of Natal in 1981\, majoring in saxophone and flute. Refusing military conscription into the SADF he left South Africa and lived in Botswana for 5 years. Here he came into contact with the exile sounds blowing through the horns of Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa. He helped form Shakawe” led by Jonas Gwangwa and played in the band for 3 years\, where he immersed himself in the mbaqanga music tradition. At this time Steve also listened to saxophonists such as John Coltrane and Winston Mankunku. In 1988 after a stint in the U.K. he settled in Zimbabwe where he formed the group Southern Freeway. Two albums were produced; Southern Freeway (1989) and Indlelayenkululeko (1992). Steve came into contact here with the more introspective and often rhythmically complex mbira based Shona music\, as well as reliving some Nguni based music playing with musicians that had Ndebele cultural roots. \nIn 1990 he joined the Amandla cultural ensemble of the A.N.C on a 7 week tour of Japan. With democracy on the horizon in 1993 Steve returned to South Africa. After studying briefly at the University of Natal\, he relocated to Johannesburg and directed the Soweto String quartet live performance that toured Europe and Australia/New Zealand. \nHe conceptualised\, directed and performed with the first ever substantive Southern African music collaboration Mahube” in 1997. Mahube toured Southern Africa and Europe and recorded recorded 2 albums: Music from Southern Africa 1998 (SAMA nomination)\, Qhubeka 2003 (Kora award)). Steve went on to produce 6 Oliver Mtukudzi albums between 1998 and 2002 including the seminal “Tuku music”. \nHe has released 8 solo albums since his return to S.A: Down South in Africa – 2000\, Son of the Soil – 2004\, Lifecycle 2006 (SAMA nomination) Native Art 2007 (SAMA nomination)\, IAP (U.S.A.) finalist)\, Ubuntu music 2012 (SAMA nomination)\, Confluence 2014 and Genesis of a Different World – 2019 (SAMA\, Mzansi jazz nominations)\, Revision 2021 (SAMA nomination) and Enhlizweni – song stories from my heartland (SAMA Award winner – Best Jazz Album of the year). Steve has also composed and performed for feature film and TV soundtrack\, for modern dance companies Moving into Dance and Tumbuka\, as well as conceptualising and directing numerous shows and collaborations\, and conducting improvising/music workshops. \nIn 2010 he composed and performed Rebirth\, a first African concerto for soprano saxophone\, orchestra with saxophones\, African percussion and marimbas. Rebirth premiered in Johannesburg on 1st May 2010 with an 118-piece Miagi youth orchestra. \nIn April 2014 Steve was musical director for the opening show at HIFA (Harare international festival of the arts). He conceptualised\, directed and performed in a groundbreaking multimedia work called Colour Me Human” – a new world musical” that premiered at Soweto theatre in May. The production also did a run at the Jo’burg theatre from 12th to 30th November. Colour Me Human was nominated for 5 Naledi theatre awards: Best ensemble\, music score\, music director\, choreographer\, animation/AV. \nSteve’s latest solo album – “Revision” also nominated for a SAMA award was released in September 2021. In April and May 2023 Steve toured the west and east coasts of the U.S.A. with Bokani Dyer in a series of duo concerts called Dyer-logue. He also performed at Dizzy’s Jazz club in New York with a 6-piece band performing the “Genesis of a different world” repertoire. In 2024 Dyertribe (co-led by Steve & Bokani Dyer) performed at a series of festivals in the US\, including Unity Festival\, NYC\, and Yerba Buena Gardens Festival\, San Francisco\, California. \nIn June 2024 his large-scale project\, Visions of Ubuntu\, was performed by an 8-piece band and a 40-strong Young People’s Chorus of New York City as part of the Summer for the City festival at Lincoln Center\, NY. The project is presented in September 2025 at Joy of Jazz Festival\, Johannesburg\, South Africa. Steve Dyer’s next project\, Freedom Melody\, co-commissioned by Lincoln Center\, will be performed at the Center in October 2025. Steve releases his 11th album as a leader entitled Multipolar in October 2025 on Ropeadope.
URL:https://hartfordjazzsociety.com/event/steve-dyer-quartet-freedom-melody/
LOCATION:Community Music School of Springfield\, 127 State St.\, Springfield\, MA
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