“…the band wears its hard-bop heart on its sleeve …It practically dares audiences to sit still and remain on their best behavior.” – Steve Futterman, The New Yorker

Tonight’s concert features an all-star, New York-based ensemble led by Vincent Herring that draws on the rich repertoire of “soul jazz,” a music that came to fruition in the early 1960s. Many of you may recall that Somethin’ Else, refers to the 1958, desert-island-worthy recording by saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, a wonderfully paced disc cited for it’s classic rendition of “Autumn Leaves” featuring Miles Davis.

Soul jazz successfully combines the sophistication of jazz improvisation with the danceable rhythms and messages of the Black popular music of the time. Artists performing that style in its formative years included Cannonball Adderley as well as Horace Silver, Donald Byrd, and Eddie Harris. Soul jazz is an extension of hard bop, a musical style that melded gospel and blues-based grooves with bebop’s sophisticated language. The style embraces jazz music’s popular appeal and feel-good vibe. Soul jazz is fun and party-ready, yet progressive messages can often be found embedded in its funky rhythms, titles and words.

The grooving rhythms of soul jazz later became the fodder for musicians like Herbie Hancock and George Benson and Roy Hargrove who infused it with electronic keyboards, guitars, and sometimes vocals or spoken word. Many of soul jazz’s “standard” compositions have become staples at jazz jam sessions. Herring states, “When we get together and play, we are having as good of a time as anybody else—we listen to each other and the music that we’re producing and enjoying every aspect of it. One thing that will never go out of fashion is good-feeling music and that’s what we provide.”

Saxophonist/leader Vincent Herring emphasizes that soul jazz’s repertoire formed the soundtrack of his generation. He toured and recorded with Cannonball Adderley’s brother, Nat, for 9 years and was a founding member of the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band. Other highlights in his career include recordings or tours with Horace Silver, Cedar Walton Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band, Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, Carl Allen, Ron McClure, and John Hicks among others.

The group’s tenor saxophonist, Jerry Weldon cut his teeth touring with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and organist Jack McDuff. He has released eight albums as a leader and toured or recorded with Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Forrester, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Melvin Rhyne, Al Grey, George Cables, Cedar Walton, Roy Haynes, and Jimmy Cobb, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Mel Tormé, Harry Connick Jr. and numerous others.

Trumpeter, Freddie Hendrix has performed and recorded with the Count Basie Orchestra and the Christian McBride Big Band as well as pop stars Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Alicia Keys. Hendrix shares his knowledge and passion for jazz as a faculty member at the Hartt School of Music and The New School. 

Guitarist Paul Bollenback’s career blossomed in New York while playing in rock-and-roll bands. He was inspired to move on to straight-ahead jazz and fusion after hearing Miles Davis. In 1990, he established a long-term working relationship with organ legend Joey DeFrancesco, with whom he recorded ten albums. He has played or recorded with Steve Gadd, Gary Bartz, Paul Bley, Charlie Byrd, Terri-Lyne Carrington, Herb Ellis, Geoffrey Keezer, Mike LeDonne, Joe Locke, Jack McDuff, James Moody, David “Fathead” Newman, Jim Snidero, Carol Sloane, Gary Thomas, Grady Tate, Stanley Turrentine, and many others.