All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Taylor Theater, a 153-seat carriage house on the Kenan Center campus that provides an intimate, club-like atmosphere, and will feature two full sets of music.
The series begins on Saturday with Kelly Bucheger’s quintet, What Would Mingus Do? in a tribute to the legendary sax player, Dexter Gordon, just days before what would have been his 94th birthday. Dexter Gordon & The Legacy of Hard Bop will feature two 45-minute sets, with the first half showcasing tunes from the sax great’s songbook and the second half, original compositions from the group in the hard bop style associated with Gordon. The quintet features Kelly Bucheger on saxophone, Greg Millar on guitar, Alec Dube on vibes, Ed Croft on bass and Devin Kelly on drums.
Award-winning saxophonist and leader Bucheger wowed audiences with his jazz interpretations of beloved holiday songs at Tidings of Comfort & Jazz. According to Buffalo News music critic Jeff Miers, who previewed the December show, “It’s been known around town for years: If you want a saxophonist schooled in hard bop for your gig, you need to call Kelly Bucheger.” He’s played with jazz luminaries such as James Carter and John Zorn in addition to his own band, What Would Mingus Do?
Guitarist Greg Millar appeared on Spyro Gyra’s, first self-titled album, which was one of Billboard Magazine’s Top 40 albums of 1978. He has toured with the celebrated jazz organist Charles Earland, and is featured on Earland’s groundbreaking album, Intensity. Millar plays regularly at Buffalo’s favorite jazz venues.
Vibes player Alec Dube has been honored as Jazz Vibraphonist of the Year by Jazz Buffalo. He has shared the stage with many renowned musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Arturo Sandoval and Bobby Militello. This is his second concert at the Taylor Theater, having played drums during the December shows.
Bassist Ed Croft received his Masters in Jazz Studies from Bowling Green State University and has performed with jazz guitar legend Mike Stern, Dave Samuels of Spyro Gyra fame and jazz/rockabilly great, Morgen Stiegler.
Devin Kelly is a New York/Los Angeles-based percussionist who has toured internationally as an orchestra member with several Broadway shows. In concert, he has shared the stage with Clark Terry, Barry Harris and a multitude of other jazz all-stars.
Additional concerts in the Kenan Center 50th Anniversary Jazz Series will include the great Bobby Militello Quartet in “Bobby Plays Brubeck & More” on June 23, The Buffalo Jazztet Tribute to Harold Arlen on Nov. 4, and a special holiday concert, Tidings of Comfort & Jazz on Dec. 2.
The Kenan Center 50th Anniversary Jazz Series is co-produced by Kathleen Rooney, co-founder of The Carriage House Players, a group with plans to present plays as well as musical performances at the Taylor Theater in collaboration with the Kenan Center. “We’re thrilled to partner with The Carriage House Players to bring music to the Niagara community in the unique and intimate setting of our Taylor Theater,” said Kenan Center Executive Director, Susan Przybyl. “We expect that the jazz series by master musicians will be a huge success with audiences.”
Tickets are $15 for Kenan Center members and $20 for the general public, and may be purchased online at Ticketleap, in person at the Kenan Center Business Office, or charged by phone. Free parking is available. The Kenan Center Taylor Theater is located at 433 Locust Street in Lockport, NY. For further information, visit www.kenancenter.org or call 716-433-2617. Because seating is limited, advance tickets are recommended.
