**This month we're proud to present a special month-long series lead by Chicago saxophonist, Greg Ward.
Each week Greg will lead a new ensemble and perform different albums that stretch across the genres and eras of jazz.
Performances will take place every Thursday throughout the month of April.**
Each week Greg will lead a new ensemble and perform different albums that stretch across the genres and eras of jazz.
Performances will take place every Thursday throughout the month of April.**
 | Thursday April 4th at 9pm: This week we'll kick off Greg Ward's month-long series with Kenny Garret's "Songbook", released in 1997. ALBUM BACKGROUND: “Songbook is the first release by alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett to feature his frequent touring quartet -- pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts and bassist Nat Reeves -- on a program that consists entirely of Garrett's own compositions. Always inventive, curious, daring, and exuberant, Garrett's Songbook proves him worthy of the alto legacy that most people (both fans and musicians) seem to agree he carries, as he demonstrates what sounds like the uncanny ability to play two-faced -- one face looking forward to the freshness of new concepts and creations as yet undiscovered, yet with another face which simultaneously looks back to the fine, fierce alto tradition of Phil Woods and Charlie Parker.” ~Chris Slawecki PERFORMANCES BY: Greg Ward - Alto Sax Ryan Cohan - Piano Ethan Philion - Bass Greg Artry - Drums |
 | Thursday April 11th at 9pm: Week two of Greg Ward's month-long series will feature Cannonball Adderley's "Radio Nights", released in 1991. ALBUM BACKGROUND: “Radio broadcasts from The Half Note in New York during the last week of 1967 and the first week of 1968 make up the set of distinctive material on Radio Nights. The live audience reaction puts the listener right there, to share in each exciting moment. Cannonball Adderley was at his best, and the ensembles remained loose…Roy McCurdy and Louis Hayes propelled the unit. The Adderley brothers' saxophone and cornet front line was always on target. Together, they made hot, straight-ahead magic. Cannonball is at his best soaring through 'Fiddler On The Roof' with complete freedom. Charles Lloyd joins the ensemble for 'Work Song,' 'The Song My Lady Sings' and 'Unit Seven.’… Radio Nights features Cannonball Adderley's ensemble in top form.” ~Jim Santella PERFORMANCES BY: Greg Ward - Alto Sax Geof Bradfield - Tenor Victor Garcia - Trumpet Dennis Luxion - Piano Ethan Philion - Bass George Fludas - Drums Featured Visual Artist - Arthur Wright |
 | Thursday April 18th at 9pm: Week three of Greg Ward's month-long series will feature Lee Konitz' "Motion", released in 1961. ALBUM BACKGROUND: “This very spontaneous LP (altoist Lee Konitz had never played before in a trio with bassist Sonny Dallas and drummer Elvin Jones) is quite successful and enjoyable. Konitz and his trio perform five familiar standards, stretching out on such tunes as "I Remember You," "All of Me" and "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." The music is searching but melodic, exploratory yet accessible. This is one of Konitz's better albums from the era.” ~Scott Yanow PERFORMANCES BY: Greg Ward - Alto Sax Clark Sommers - Bass Dana Hall - Drums |
 | Thursday April 25th at 9pm: The final week of Greg Ward's month-long series will conclude with John Coltrane's "Ballads", released in 1963. ALBUM BACKGROUND: "This is a beautiful collection showcasing Coltrane at his most accessible. It isn't what most people expected from Coltrane at the time as there's no sheets of sound, or squeaking and squawking so it's not entirely representative of his work, perhaps even a retrospective step at the time, however during his time with Davis, Prestige, and Atlantic to an extent, Coltrane proved he was a fine balladeer so the sound was nothing new. Of the three more mainstream Impulse albums recorded between the eponymous Coltrane and Impressions, this is easily my favourite. A great testament to the gentler side of Coltrane, and a must have.” ~Hendrix Lockhart PERFORMANCES BY: Greg Ward - Alto Sax Dennis Luxion - Piano Joe Policastro - Bass Isaiah Spencer - Drums Featured Visual Artist - Lewis Achenbach |
 Greg Ward by Zakkiyyah Najeebah | ADMISSION & LOCATION: $10 cover. $5 w/ valid student ID. Cash only. Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at 9pm. All ages. 21+ for alcoholic beverages. This music series is kindly supported by Candid Wines. The Fulton Street Collective Located in the Hubbart Street Lofts 1821 W. Hubbard St. Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60612 (773) 852 2481 |
