With a lineage that goes back to the late 1890s, the University of Mississippi’s jazz ensemble is one of the oldest in the nation. By 1927, the group adopted the name “The Mississippians,” which is still in use today by the premier ensemble of Ole Miss Jazz.
Deepstaria Enigmatica is a quintet of improvisers from Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to creating otherworldly soundscapes. Named for a rarely seen, bell-shaped jellyfish discovered by Jacques Cousteau, the group's every note is inspired by that famous ocean explorer's sense of discovery. But don't assume the five veteran musicians create only chaos: they are as attuned to melodies and harmonies as they are to fine gradations of noise. What emerges with each extemporaneous performance can range from dark swirls of frenetic fury, to interplanetary hard bop, to sunlit, ambient dreamscapes punctuated with snatches of folk song.
The Central Atrium Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Show begins at 6 pm Tickets: Free Dave Spencer, trumpet Alvie Givhan, piano...
Jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in numerous recordings and performances with musicians from all generations.
Indie Memphis and Crosstown Arts are proud to present three films from A String of Pearls: The Films of Camille Billops and James Hatch. Newly restored, these three shorts, Take Your Bags, Older Women and Love, and Suzanne, Suzanne, highlight the longtime creative partnership of artists, writers, and filmmakers Camille Billops and James Hatch.
Under the direction of Dr. Michael Shults, University of Memphis Jazz Combo 1 is the top performing small group jazz ensemble at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. The all-star combo specializes in compositions by post-bop jazz masters including Wayne Shorter, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett, and Memphis’s own James Williams.
While James Otis Sexton is widely known as a versatile drummer, having performed, toured, or recorded with several world renowned and Grammy-winning artists, he is least known as a composer. For this reason, “The Otis Mission” was created, and it will solely perform James’ original musical compositions.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the jazz department at the Stax Music Academy will present a tribute to the pioneers and powerhouses that have blazed trails for women worldwide in jazz. The concert will feature SMA’s jazz vocal ensemble, Kind Of Blue, named after the iconic 1959 Miles Davis album. The vocalists will be accompanied by a band of instrumentalists from the SMA Jazz Department. This tribute includes nods to the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Nina Simone, and even contemporary artists like Esperanza Spalding and Jamila Woods.
Memphis-based jazz aficionado Michael Kelley presents his collection of photographs of jazz luminaries preserving the deep, rich history of the artform.
Iron & Wine’s music has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with their distinctly cinematic songs. As the world continues to spin — so do Iron & Wine continue on their path of releasing new music and touring.
A concert of musical dedications: Mozart’s “Paris” Symphony headlines this concert, paired with works dedicated to him by two South American composers, Reynaldo Hahn and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Young composer and performer, D.J. Sparr brings his breathtaking electric guitar concerto, also dedicated to his musical inspiration: his grandmother, Violet Bond.
Red Bull Dance Your Style is returning to Memphis — challenging some of the best dancers in the US. Competitors will enter epic 1-on-1 battles, bringing improvisation to a new level. Unpredictable tunes, from mainstream hits to timeless classics, fire up the dance floor, allowing dancers to showcase their skills and wow the crowd!
