A2JF 2023

GOLDINGS, BERSTEIN & STEWART

Described as “the best organ trio of the last decade” by the New York Times, the GOLDINGS, BERNSTEIN & STEWART trio has been recognized for charting new ground, with its synergistic playing, and thoughtful music. The trio, which has now been together for over 30 years, has been recognized for charting new ground, with its synergistic playing, and thoughtful music. They have over a dozen recordings, all of which display their distinctive sound, whether exploring the depths of jazz standards, or playing their own original compositions.

Larry Goldings – Organ

Peter Bernstein – Guitar

Bill Stewart – Drums

Goldings, Bernstein & Stewart at the Blue LLama Jazz Club on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 6:30 PM and 9 PM. To learn more about the trio, visit https://bnatural.nyc

THE OGD ENSEMBLE FT. PERRY HUGHES

The OGD Ensemble Ft. Perry Hughes unites Detroit legends Duncan McMillan and Perry Hughes for an exciting organ ensemble jazz performance. Bandleader, McMillan has performed with a wide range of highly regarded performers including Jon Hendricks, Aretha Franklin, and Rodney Whitaker. Perry Hughes has a massive impact on the Detroit jazz guitar scene, playing with the best of the best in vocal performance, including the late Joe Williams, Mary Wilson, TheSupremes, and Millie Scott.

Duncan McMillan – Organ

Perry Hughes – Guitar

Trenita Womack – Percussion

Jesse Kramer – Drums

The OGD Ensemble ft. Perry Hughes Late Night performance at the Blue LLama Jazz Club on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 10:30 PM. This event is free to the public, supported by A2JF.

COMMUNITY HIGH JAZZ ENSEMBLES

For five consecutive years, the COMMUNITY HIGH JAZZ ENSEMBLE has won the DownBeat Magazine International Student Music Awards Competitions, proving to be a revolutionary jazz experience for A2 youth. JACK WAGNER has constructed a well-rounded program that creates vast live jazz performanc opportunities.

3:00PM COMBO LINE UP

John McWilliams – Alto Saxophone

Jack Holingsworth – Tenor Saxophone

Ted Wang – Trombone

Ambrose Kelley – Guitar

Mateo Palmores – Piano

Desmond Lorenz – Bass

Cameron Payne – Drums

4:00PM COMBO LINE UP

Elvin Sharp – Tenor Saxophone

Sidney Kitchen – Trombone

Calvin Ohi – Guitar

Zack Michalec – Piano

Violet Collier – Bass

Alex Sherk – Drums

At LIVE Night Club on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 3 PM and 4 PM. Free to the public & supported by A2JF. To learn more: https://www.communityhighjazz.org

JORDAN RATTNER QUARTET

Winner of the 2016 Wilson Center Guitar Competition, JORDAN RATTNER is a dynamic and inspiring musical force. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Jordan studied at the University of Miami Frost School of Music and earned a Master’s of Music from the University of Michigan. Jordan founded the musical project Organicism in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He released the first single, “Wax”, in July 2020. On December 4, 2020, Organicism released “Lost + Found”. He continues to lead his own trio and various ensembles performing original music and standards.

Jordan Rattner – Guitar

Kenji Lee – Saxophone

Andy Peck – Bass

Cory Tripathy – Drums

The Jordan Rattner quartet at Live Nightclub on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 5 PM. To learn more about the instructor and artist, vist: https://www.organicism.us/

SEAN DOBBINS ORGAN QUARTET

SEAN DOBBINS is a highly sought-after jazz sideman and educator whose sound can best be described as hard-driving, solid rhythm with refreshing melodic sensibility. Sean is the recipient of many awards including the “Woody Herman Jazz Award” for outstanding musicianship, as well as the Louis Armstrong Scholarship.

Sean Dobbins – Drums

Peyton Miller – Vibraphone

Clif Metcalf – Organ

Marcus Elliot – Saxophone

The Sean Dobbins Organ Quartet at Live Nightclub on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 6:30 PM. To learn more about the instructor and artist, visit: https://seandobbinsmusic.com/

ALLEN DENNARD QUINTET

Detroit-based ALLEN DENNARD is a trumpeter, composer and bandleader who has worked with several artists from the Detroit Music Factory label, such as Gayelynn McKinney, De’Sean Jones and Sean Dobbins. Dennard graduated from Detroit School of Arts and UofM where he had the privilege of being mentored by the great Marcus Belgrave. In 2022 Dennard was chosen to be a headliner at the Detroit Jazz Festival, showcasing his group “The Allen Dennard Quintet” – and we are fortunate enough to host this same ensemble at the 2023 A2JF!

Allen Dennard – Trumpet

Stephen Grady – Saxophone

Jordan Anderson – Piano

Noah Jackson – Bass

Alex White – Drums

Allen Dennard Quintet at Live Nightclub on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 8 PM. Free to the public, supported by A2JF. To learn more about the artist: https://www.allendennard.com/

NICK COLLINS QUINTET

Drummer and bandleader Nick Collins is proud to present his quintet at the Blue LLama Jazz Club, featuring a fun variety of high-energy modern, classic, and original jazz. With deep roots in Ann Arbor, Nick has played with many local legends such as Randy Napoleon, Josef Deas, Vincent Chandler, Glenn Tucker, Dan Bennett, and Justin Walter. As an avid Ann Arbor Jazz supporter and performer, Collins has played a large role in each annual A2JF celebration.

Nick Collins – Drums

Dwight Adams – Trumpet

Andrew Bishop – Tenor Saxophone

Rick Roe – Piano

Jeff Pedraz – Bass

The Nick Collins Quintet Late Night at Blue LLama Jazz Club on October 7th, 2023 at 10:30 PM. Free to the public, supported by A2JF.

SEAN DOBBINS WORKSHOP & JAZZ SYMPOSIUM

Due to his great talent both as a player and an educator, SEAN DOBBINS has been the focus of countless news articles, jazz radio programs, and documentaries.

The Sean Dobbins Workshop will highlight Indiana University Jazz scholars as tutors to Community High Jazz students. This educational session will take place at LIVE Night Club on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 1 PM and is free to public viewing.

This symposium gives 2-3 small ensembles the opportunity to gain a professional performance analysis and assessment. Performance spots are limited. Kerrytown Concert House on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 at 3 PM. After the symposium, the Indiana State students will perform live at 4:45 PM, free to the public.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY JAZZ QUINTET

After the Jazz symposium hosted by Professor Dobbins, the INDIANA JAZZ QUINTET will take the KerryTown Concert House stage. The ensemble performs a full range of styles giving students a valuable experience—both in performing and in working with others. This Jazz Ensemble has joined forces with A2JF to present their jazz concert.

The Indiana University Jazz Quintet performance at Kerrytown Concert House on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 at 4:45 PM. Open and free to the public To learn more about the collegiate ensemble, visit: https://music.indiana.edu/degrees-programs/ensembles/index.html

LISA SUNG QUARTET

As an educator, avid learner, and passionate performer, LISA SUNG has made her mark on many audiences. In partnership with the John Stites Award, Sung toured Indonesia in March and Korea in September of 2023, teaching masterclasses and performing with her trio. She then released her latest project, ‘Half Moon’ with two jazz arrangements of some of her favorite Korean children’s songs. Looking forward, Sung will continue her work with the John Stites award, touring Vietnam and the Philippines in spring of 2024.

Lisa Sung – Piano

Anthony Stanco – Trumpet

Marion Hayden – Bass

Wen-Ting Wu – Drums

Lisa Sung Quartet at Kerrytown Concert House on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 at 5:45PM. Free to the public & supported by A2JF. To learn more about the artist: https://www.lisasung.com/

REDWOOD

REDWOOD is a young musician and producer who has her finger on the pulse of the sound of this generation. Informed by all the timeless elements of the black music tradition, she brings a fresh and new perspective to jazz, r&b, hip-hop sounds that forever touch the soul. After recieving a prestigious musical training throughout her youth at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, REDWOOD went on to perform with many jazz icons including Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Terell Stafford, and DeeDee Bridgewater. As a founding member of the A2JF community, Sequoia performed at the second annual festival in 2017.

Sequoia Snyder – Piano/Keys

Laura-Simone Martin – Bass

Brian Allen – Drums

REDWOOD at Kerrytown Concert House on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 at 7 PM. Free to the public & supported by A2JF. To learn more about the artist: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodsounds/

JESSE KRAMER QUARTET: A2JF JAM SESSION

Based in Ann Arbor, JESSE KRAMER is one of the most in demand drummers in Metro Detroit and has recorded with artists such as Paul Keller, Demetrius Nabors, Miles Brown, and Vincent Chandler. While attending U of M, Kramer was awarded a DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award, and represented the University at the 2011 International Association of Schools of Jazz meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, directed by Dave Liebman. The A2JF Jam Session will highlight this local talent and staple performer at many A2 venues.

Jesse Kramer Quartet at Raven’s Club on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 at 7 PM. To learn more about the artist: https://www.jessekramerdrums.com/