May 27 Tuesday
Obasi Akoto and prominent members of the Greater Baltimore & Washington, D.C. Jazz Community will lead us in world-class performances almost every Tuesday, 7-10pm. Surround yourself with great company, soul lifting music, and wonderful food! Click HERE to read our Bright Moments Jam Session Newsletter, written by Obasi Akoto every week.
May 28 Wednesday
Walter Beasley is considered to be the Highest selling full-time Professor/Recording Artist in modern history. He is an award winning soprano saxophonist and singer, composer and producer, founder and CEO of Affable Publishing and Affable Records and was a professor at Berklee for several years.
Walter has been in the top 10 best-selling African American saxophonists in the world since 1998. Also, he released 12 educational DVD's, a book and 8 APPs. Later this year, Walter will be releasing a new album. After many years of his career, he continues to be an inspiration and role model for many people, including people from the new generations.
"Walter Beasley is an anomaly: a successful performing musician who possesses the rare skill of understanding the musical process beyond the intuitive. This special ability enables Walter to communicate with aspiring musicians in a way that removes the sense of mystery that sometimes enshrouds our profession." - Branford Marsalis
Keystone Kards are not applicable for this show.
Renowned for his deep swing feel, masterful phrasing, and blues-infused touch, Dutch jazz pianist Peter Beets will make his Keystone Korner debut, alongside bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Willie Jones III. With a career that includes collaborations with jazz greats like Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis, and accolades such as the Prix Martial Solal and multiple Edison Jazz Award nominations and one win (Netherland's Grammys), Beets is celebrated for his electrifying performances and inventive reinterpretations.
Imbued with both groove and spirit from birth, Reuben Rogers combined the calypso and reggaerhythms of his native Virgin Islands with the gospel sounds of the church and the freedom andimprovisation of jazz to create the unique chemistry that would make him one of the most distinctive and in-demand bassists in modern jazz. Rogers’ versatile mastery of both the acoustic and electric bass has led to opportunities on stages around the world alongside some of the music’s most renowned artists, including Charles Lloyd, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Tomasz Stanko, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Roberts, Nicholas Payton, Mulgrew Miller, Jackie McLean and Dianne Reeves, among many others.
May 30 Friday
2nd Annual Rotunda Rocks Returns to Hampden Neighborhood this SpringFamily-friendly Night of Rockin’ Fun Begins May 3 and Runs Every Friday Until End of September
Whether you like to jam to rock, folk, blues, Indie, Latin or reggae, there is something for everyone as the second annual Rotunda Rocks concert series returns to Hampden this spring/summer (711 W 40th Street). This family-friendly FREE concert series, presented by MCB Real Estate, features live music on the plaza and a street festival atmosphere with delicious local food and drinks, fun games and local vendors on Fridays, 6-9 p.m. beginning May 3 and running until September 27. Rotunda Rocks is open to the public and welcomes families and pets. A portion of proceeds from beverage sales benefits the Maryland SPCA. For more information, log onto Rotunda Rocks | The Rotunda (rotundabaltimore.com) or call 410-662-0104.
SCHEDULE OF BANDS: May 3 Mambo Combo (Latin and tropical rhythms)May 10 Strykers Posse (reggae)May 17 Go Dog Go with special guest Garage Sale (garage rock and hot rockin’ Surf)May 24 Harlan County Kings (original rock)May 31 Patrick Alban & Noche Latina (Latin and acoustic rock with a touch of salsa and South Beach feel)June 7 Barry Prosser and the Vaguely Absurd (classic rock)June 14 Monkton Road Band (rootsy folks laced with deep country)June 21 The Natty Brohs (classic rock and blues)June 28 The Soularites (SoulFULL reggae and Ska)July 5 Kyf Brewer & Friends (hues of 60’s pop radio, British invasion, early Nashville, rhythm and blues and ancient Celtic melodies)July 12 Justin Trawick and the Common Good (Americana-bluegrass, country and folk)July 19 The Players Band (infectious rhythms and horn-heavy ska sounds)July 26 Gaelic Mishap (Celtic rock)August 2 Tumblehome (rock, soul, rhythm & blues)August 9 Kurt Deemer Band (guitar driven rock & roll)August 16 Barleyjuice (Celtic rock)August 23 Red Sammy (honest, slow-burn Americana folks rock)August 30 La Unica (Irish Latin)September 6 ZOCKO! (surf garage)September 13 Western Run (funked-up country rock)September 20 Guys In Thin Ties (Alternative 80s band)September 27 The Rock-A-Sonics (rockabilly, vintage country and atomic age rock n’ roll)
“35 years after trumpeter Tom Browne first electrified the contemporary jazz and soul worlds with his crossover R&B hits “Funkin’ For Jamaica (N.Y.),” and “Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move),” he’s still groovin’ it up. He’s one to cherish!” — Jonathan Widran
With over four decades of recordings and sharing the concert stage with luminary figures of jazz music, multi-gold album, Billboard “Best Of” awards recipient and trumpeter Tom Browne continues to captivate listeners as an entertainer who has successfully mixed stage presence and musical artistry with a sincere audience connection and warmth.
Tom is perhaps best known for what music icon George Benson said of his “believability in any musical style; his ability to communicate!” This ability to emerse ones-self into the musical era, style and dreamscape of a composition, and then artistically create as though you are perfectly at home in that location, is a rarity among musicians. Tom has certainly worked with the industry’s best and brightest, having shared the concert stage with Bob James, Dave Grusin, Najee, Roy Ayers, Joe Sample, Melba Moore and a host of others.
May 31 Saturday
Kenny Sway is known as “DC’s Best Male Vocalist,” coming from Seat Pleasant, Maryland, best known for the viral videos of his street performances in Washington DC. Kenny is a very genuine artist, who became a real advocate for the black community in the aftermath of Floyd’s death, leading almost daily peaceful protests dominated by love, peace, unity and his music. He started out as a street artist years ago, serenading the streets of Maryland and DC, but he is still going out in the streets to perform for the people who can’t afford to buy tickets to his concerts.
Jun 06 Friday
Jun 12 Thursday
After years of envisioning, WE ARE ONE X-PERIENCE has finally become a reality! It has quickly become the most respected Salute to Frankie Beverly in the nation. WE ARE ONE X-PERIENCE performs all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves, including: “Back in Stride,” “Too Many Games,” “Can’t Get Over You,” “Before I let Go,” “Running Away” and many more.
Led by National Recording Drummer ELWarren “Spoon” Weatherspoon most notably known for decades as the Musical Director for the Multi-Platinum, Grammy nominated 70’s R&B band “HEATWAVE” and featuring lead vocalist, Franklen “FRANK” Poole, who has the amazing voice range of his life-long idol Frankie Beverly. The WE ARE ONE X-PERIENCE highlights the early years of Maze and the transition to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly.
WE ARE ONE X-PERIENCE has the talent to give the audience the essence of a true Maze concert experience. Their performance is professional and highly engaging. Everything heard during the WE ARE ONE X-PERIENCE performance is completely live with no pre-recorded tracks.
Jun 13 Friday
Jun 19 Thursday
The Exchange is a performance series celebrating the best of Baltimore's jazz scene, hosted by Brent Birckhead. Each performance will be recorded and multitracked to capture the unique sounds and styles of the participating artists, and these recordings will then be curated into a compilation album, also titled “The Exchange," showcasing the vibrant and diverse talent within Baltimore's jazz community. This project aims to elevate and highlight local jazz artists from Baltimore, providing them with greater exposure and creating a lasting tribute to Baltimore's rich jazz heritage.