Rising and established stars to play in Asper jazz series

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This article was published 13/4/2015 (1774 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Izzy Asper Jazz Performances series includes five sets of concerts for the 2015-16 season that organizers say will provide a global jazz tour.

On Sept. 19 and 20, hard bop pianist and Hammond B-3 organ legend Mike LeDonne will perform in shows dubbed Blowin’ the Blues Away, backed by saxophonist Jimmy Greene, drummer Greg Hutchison and bassist Steve Kirby.

It will be off to the Mediterranean on Oct. 17 and 18 when Israeli bassist Omer Avital and his quintet visit the Berney Theatre.

Concerts on Nov. 7 and 8 focus on the vocal jazz world, as Grammy-winning singer Carla Cook offers a tribute to Nina Simone, Abby Lincoln and Joni Mitchell. Cook will be joined by pianist Lynne Arriale and tenor saxophonist Grace Kelly.

Concerts on April 16 and 17 will showcase rising stars in jazz who have connections to Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. Aaron Diehl, who has also accompanied the likes of Wycliffe Gordon and Cecile McLorin Salvant, will be joined by vocalist Charenee Wade.

The 2015-16 ends on May 14 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery with the music of Stevie Wonder. Vocalist Kenny Washington will be backed by the University of Manitoba Jazz Faculty Ensemble for the tribute.

Subscriptions to the series and tickets to single shows are available at www.radyjcc.com or by phone at 204-477-7534. All shows, except for the May 14 windup, take place at the Berney Theatre at the Rady Jewish Community Centre.