Harlem Jazz Series – July Artists

Barry Stephenson

July 7, 2023 – Dick Griffin

Dick Griffin is one of today’s leading trombone players. Griffin has developed a highly personalized playing style, which he calls “circular phonics”. His ability to combine playing chords on the trombone with circular breathing is unrivaled among Jazz trombonists. He has worked for over 40 years in the music industry and has played with famous jazz and soul performers, as well as playing with several symphony orchestras. A short list of the luminaries Mr. Griffin has worked with includes Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Tito Puente, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, James Brown, Harry Belafonte, Michael Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Sam Rivers, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Benson, Abdullah Ibrahim, Archie Shepp, Hilton Ruiz, James Carter, and David Murray. Griffin is also a painter, with shows in New York and Europe. These expressionistic images grace the covers of two of his CDs: Time Will Tell and Homage to Sun Ra.

July 14, 2023 – Rod Williams 

Rod Williams is a Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, Multimedia Composer, and Programmer. According to JazzTimes writer Bill Shoemaker, Williams can create melodious improvisation using irregular themes with sudden changes in tempo and mood as well as extended structures, resulting in a tasteful mixture that swings. Rod Williams is a well-known musician who has performed worldwide, and Hamid Drake has captivated audiences around the globe with their music. With a career spanning over four decades, he has collaborated with the likes of Oliver Lake, Lester Bowie, and Cassandra Wilson, among others. His unique percussive style has led to successful recordings and gigs with jazz, rock, and world music artists.

July 21, 2023 – Ricardo Strobert

Ricardo Strobert hails from Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights. “Ricky” as he is affectionately known. graduated from Adelphi University with a Master’s in Education and B.A. in Music from the College at Old Westbury. His love for music began in 1963 at the Walton School of Creative Arts on Park Place in Brooklyn, NY. He was inspired by his late mother, Esther and brother, Andrei Strobert. Growing up, the 1wo brothers became a duo, Andrei on drums and Ricky on alto saxophone and flute. Ricardo joined the NYC Department of Education where he taught music and band at P.S. 289 and Pershing JHS in Brooklyn from 1985 until his retirement in 2011. Ricardo has received numerous music awards for teaching, performing, and conducting. He has toured, recorded nationally/internationally with notable artists such as Roy Haynes, Mike Glick, Roy Campbell Jr, Marvin “Hannibal” Peterson, and Eric Frazier. His musical performances also include recognizable artists such as Kellis and Maceo Parker. Ed Stout, Gene Ghee, Chief Bey, Montego Joe, Radha Botofasina, Reggie Workman, Ken “Makanda” McIntyre and a host of others. Ricardo along with his late brother. Andrei have composed and produced three CD’s, “The Last Gathering”, “Homeland” and “Raw Deal” in his brother’s former studio KiKi Records. in Brooklyn, NY.

July 28, 2023 – Barry Stephenson 

Barry Stephenson is one of the most promising acoustic and electric bassists on the music scene today. Born in Florida in 1987, he began playing the electric bass at the age of 14, with the intention to play rock music. Barry joined the jazz band in high school and took up acoustic bass at 17 to get ready for college auditions. He attended Florida State University where he studied jazz and classical double bass with Rodney Jordan and Melanie Punter, respectively. While at Florida State, he also studied with legendary pianist Marcus Roberts. Upon graduating, Barry moved to New Orleans and played with many of the city’s notable musicians while studying for his Master’s degree at the University of New Orleans under the tutelage of Roland Guerin.

Barry joined Jon Batiste and Stay Human in 2013 and has since toured the world nonstop. He has performed at a variety of festivals including the Montreaux, Montreal, Newport, North Sea, Monterey, Umbria, and Playboy jazz festivals as well as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Location:

Mt. Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church 
15 Mount Morris Park West
New York NY 10027 US

Cost: $20

Website: https://harlemjazzboxx.com/jazz-concerts/

Contact Email: info@welcometoharlem.com

Contact Tel: 212-662-7779

House doors open at 6:30 pm