Archives for category: On the Bandstand
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

on the Bandstand: March 9, 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
March 9, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

There are no upcoming shows in the New York City metro area for tonight’s guest, Catherine Russell, but check her website for updates and we’ll list anything we hear about here. But there are other shows for you to catch this week.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga continues her regular Monday night gig at Manhattan’s Kotobuki Restaurant. See her there on March 10th and 17th.

There’s a free midday event on the legacy of pianist Mary Lou Williams sponsored by Columbia University’s Jazz Studies Institute on the 12th. Pianists Vijay Iyer and Geri Allen join professor Farah Jasmine Griffin to talk about her life and music. It’s from 11 AM to 1 PM in Buell Hall’s East Gallery on Columbia’s campus.

Pianist Geri Allen celebrates Mary Lou Williams with a performance of music and words at Harlem Stage from March 13th to 15th.

Looking ahead to next week, organist John Medeski and pianist Vijay Iyer will be at the Town Hall with John Zorn on March 19th.

Also on the 19th, pianist Harold Mabern leads a trio at Smalls Jazz club.

Looking much further ahead, guitarist Pat Metheny’s Unity Group has 3 area shows at the end of March to support their new album titled Kin. You can catch them in Red Bank New Jersey at the Count Basie Theater on March 23rd. They’re in Fairfield CT at Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts on the 25th and in New York at the Town Hall Theater on the 28th. For those of you outside the listening area, Metheny’s website also has links for their entire tour, which will cover much of the US and Europe. Metheny fans should get tickets right away, as the shows sell out fast.

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl will be back on WBAI, next week and we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online here with a fresh set of listings.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: March 2nd 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
March 2, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

There are several events this week as we dig out from what’s hopefully the last late winter snowstorm.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga continues her regular Monday night gig at Manhattan’s Kotobuki Restaurant. See her there on March 3rd and 9th.

Pianist Barry Harris leads a trio at the Village Vanguard from March 4th through 9th.

Meanwhile, over at the Blue Note, drummer Billy Cobham appears in a trio from March 4th through 9th.

Last month’s guest, bassist Alex Blake is at the Cornelia Street Café with the Kresten Osgood Quartet on March 6th.

Saxophonist Tia Fuller leads a Quartet at Smoke on the 7th and 8th.

pat-metheny-unity-group-tickets_03-28-14_23_5239e2ca68addLooking much further ahead, guitarist Pat Metheny’s Unity Group has 3 area shows at the end of March to support their new album titled Kin. You can catch them in Red Bank New Jersey at the Count Basie Theater on March 23rd. They’re in Fairfield CT at Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts on the 25th and in New York at the Town Hall Theater on the 28th. For those of you outside the listening area, Metheny’s website also has links for their entire tour, which will cover much of the US and Europe.

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl will be back on WBAI, next week and we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online here with a fresh set of listings.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: February 16th, 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
February 16, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

This week’s listings are beginning to pick up, as NYC anticipates an and to a long and dreary winter.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga continues her regular Monday night gig at Manhattan’s Kotobuki Restaurant. See her there on February 17th and 24th.

Dr. Leonard Jeffries appears at the John Henrik Clarke House on February 18th at 6:30 PM for a talk on Amos Wilson. Clarke House is at 286 Convent Ave near 141st St. You can call 347-907-0629 for information or see its Facebook page.

Saxophonist Gary Bartz appears at the Blue Note with Javon Jackson for late sets February 18th through 20th.

Pianist Harold Mabern leads a trio at Smalls Jazz club on February 19th.

021914FJGriffinPicBookPhoto_1Also on the 19th, Columbia University Professor and author Farah Jasmine Griffin will be talking about her book Harlem Nocturne on female artists during the World War II years at the CUNY Graduate Center at 34th Street and 5th Ave.

The jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra spotlights the music of Saxophonist Kenny Garrett at Jazz at Lincoln Center on February 21st.

Pianist Barry Harris leads a trio in a free concert at the Ebenezer Baptist Church’s Jazz Vespers on February 23rd. They’re at 279 Lafayette Ave in Brooklyn.

Looking further ahead, drummer Roy Haynes‘s Fountain of Youth appears at the Blue Note on February 25th and 26th.

Percussionist Bobby Sanabria appears at the Jazz Church, St. Peter’s, with Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble on February 26th.

Also at the Blue Note is organist John Medeski, who appears with saxophonist Bill Evans on February 27th to March 1st.

Harpist Brandee Younger has a 5 o’clock show at St. Albans Congregational Church in Queens on March 1st. They’re at 172-17 Linden Boulevard in St. Albans.

When we come back next month, we’ll have a full schedule of events to look forward to with Pianist Barry Harris, Drummer Billy Cobham, and many more former guests.

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI, is off the airwaves next week for the last Sunday of the month, but we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online here with a fresh set of listings.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: February 2, 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
February 2, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

There are no immediate upcoming shows for this week’s guest, bassist Alex Blake, but rest assured that he’ll have area gigs in the future and we’ll collect them and pass the info on to you when we hear about them.

This week’s listings are lighter than usual, reflecting the unpredictable late winter weather. There are still a few choice events for you to catch, however, if you’re willing to brave the cold and slush.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga has a regular Monday night gig at Manhattan’s Kotobuki Restaurant. She’ll be there on February 3rd and 10th.

There are two tributes this week for late poet and activist Amiri Baraka. On Tuesday February 4th from 6-8 PM, there’s an event at NYU honoring both Baraka and the late poet Jayne Cortez. The NYU event is at 238 Thompson St, 5th floor and admission is free, but reserve a spot at 212-988-4222. On Saturday, February 8th the 7:30 PM tribute at the Schomburg will feature poet Sonia Sanchez and pianist Randy Weston. Tickets are required for the Schomburg event. Call (888) 718-4253 or reserve tickets online. It’s a good idea to reserve tickets very early.

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI, is back next week, and we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online here with a fresh set of listings.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge. If you missed last month’s mini fund drive, it’s not too late to pledge for our special Pat Metheny CD set or our “Brazilian Journey” special, which traces the evolution of Brazilian music styles.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: January 19th 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
January 19, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

Steve_Turre_smallThis week’s guest, trombonist Steve Turre, appears on Tuesday January 21st in a JJ Johnson 90th birthday tribute at the NY Baha’i Center’s weekly Jazz Night at 53 E 11th St. Call 212 222 5159 for details.

Blueswoman Alexis P. Suter is at Iridium on Monday the 20th.

Also on Monday the 20th, pianist pianist Marc Cary appears with the Namaskar ensemble at the Cornelia Street Cafe.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga has a regular Monday night gig at Manhattan’s Kotobuki Restaurant. She’ll be there on the 20th and 27th. She also has gigs this week at Londel’s Supper Club on the 24th and Showman’s on the 25th.

Pianist Harold Mabern leads a trio at Smalls on January 22nd to promote his new Right on Time release.

Drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts leads the Watts Family Reunion Band at the Jazz Standard from the 22nd to the 25th.

Pianist Vijay Iyer leads a trio at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room on the 24th and 25th.

Harpist Brandee Younger’s Quartet performs a free show at the Queens Public Library’s Flushing Branch at 1:30 PM on January 25th.

Looking further ahead, saxophonist Kenny Garrett appears at the Celebration of Jazz Saxophones at Rutgers University Newark’s Paul Robeson Campus Center on Tuesday January 28th.

Looking even further ahead, a tribute to the late Amiri Baraka featuring poet Sonia Sanchez and pianist Randy Weston will be held at the Schomburg on Saturday, February 8th. It’s probably a good idea to reserve tickets very early.

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI, is off the air next week, but we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online here with a fresh set of listings.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge. If you missed last month’s mini fund drive, it’s not too late to pledge for our special Pat Metheny CD set or our “Brazilian Journey” special, which traces the evolution of Brazilian music styles.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: January 12th, 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
January 12, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

There are no immediate shows for this week’s guest, drummer Alphonse Mouzon, but we’ll pass on anything we hear about.

Amiri Baraka|Photo Credit: Joyce Jones (C)2013

Amiri Baraka|Credit: Joyce Jones (c)2013

We have some sad news to share also: poet, activist, writer, and jazz journalist Amiri Baraka has died. We interviewed him in 2011 and had planned to do a special show with him in 2014 looking back at his life in music. You can hear the show we did in Suga’ in My Bowl’s audio archives (scroll down the page).



Amiri’s wake and funeral will both be held in Newark, NJ. The Wake is Friday, January 17 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at Metropolitan Baptist Church 149 Springfield Avenue, 07103. 973.642.2267

The Funeral is on Saturday, the 18th 10:00am at Newark Symphony Hall 1020 Broad Street. 973.643.8014.

Both locations are reachable by mass transit from New York City and it goes without saying that you should get there very early to be sure to get inside. Save the date: we received news at press time that there will be a memorial at the Schomburg on February 8th. We’ll provide more concrete details when we receive them.

We start this week’s listings with drummer Will Calhoun leads a trio at Iridium with pianist Marc Cary on Monday, January 13th.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga also has a show on the 13th at Kotobuki Restaurant in Manhattan and next Monday the 20th.

Pianist Diane Schuur leads an ensemble at Birdland from the 13th to the 18th.

Bassist Christian McBride leads a trio at the Village Vanguard from the 14th to the 19th.

Pianist Onaje Allen Gumbs appears at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s BAMCafe for free shows on the 17th and 18th.

Drummer Michael Carvin leads an ensemble at Jazz on the Mountain at the Mohonk Mountain House from the 17th to 19th near Bear Mountain.

Blueswoman Alexis P. Suter is at Iridium on Sunday the 19th.

That’s all for now. Tune in to the next Suga’ in My Bowl on Sunday, January 19th on WBAI, where we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand”.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge. If you missed last month’s mini fund drive, it’s not too late to pledge for our special Pat Metheny CD set or our “Brazilian Journey” special, which traces the evolution of Brazilian music styles.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: January 5, 2014 Edition

By Hank Williams
January 5, 2014 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

This week on the radio, of course, is a memorial tribute to the late Yusef Lateef, who Joyce interviewed back in 2010 when he was named an NEA Jazz Master. We’ll keep our ear to the ground and post info on any NYC area memorials when they’re announced.

The big news this week is the 10th Anniversary of the at the Winter Jazz Fest in multiple venues in Greenwich Village from January 7-11th. Former Suga’ guests include Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Lakecia Benjamin, Marc Cary’s Focus Trio, Renee Marie, Howard Johnson and Gravity, The Gary Bartz Quartet, Teri Lyne Carrington, Michele Rosewoman’s New Yor-Uba, and many more outstanding acts (including a few we have on our radar for future shows). We’ll have a listener’s guide posted here in the next few days, but for now, we’ll point you to the schedule to make plans accordingly. And a reminder that you can go to the Suga’ in My Bowl audio archives to check up on past guests and help you decide who to see.

You can see organist Akiko Tsuruga lead a trio in a 10:45 PM set on Saturday, January 11th at the Garage restaurant, 99 Seventh Avenue South in Manhattan. She’ll also be at Kotobuki Restaurant in Manhattan on January 6th and 13th.

Harpist Brandee Younger plays a tribute to Dorothy Ashby at Drom on the Lower East Side on Sunday, January 12th.

Looking ahead, drummer Will Calhoun leads a trio at Iridium with pianist Marc Cary on Monday, January 13th.

Pianist Diane Schuur leads an ensemble at Birdland from the 13th to the 18th.

That’s all for now. Tune in to the next Suga’ in My Bowl on Sunday, January 12th on WBAI, where we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand”.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge. If you missed last month’s mini fund drive, it’s not too late to pledge for our special Pat Metheny CD set or our “Brazilian Journey” special, which traces the evolution of Brazilian music styles.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories Jazz Festivals, On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: December 22nd Edition

By Hank Williams
December 22, 2013 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

With the holiday season upon us, schedules are light again this week, but there are a few shows for you to check out.

Pianist Harold Mabern spends a week at Smoke Jazz as part of saxophonist Eric Alexander’s quartet starting on the 23rd. You can even ring in the New Year with them with special New Year’s Eve shows.

You can see organist Akiko Tsuruga lead a trio in a 10:45 PM set on Saturday, December 28th at the Garage restaurant, 99 Seventh Avenue South in Manhattan. She’ll also be sitting in with the Bill Saxton Trio on Sunday the 29th from 2-6 in the afternoon at Harlem’s Jacob Restaurant, 142nd and 8th Avenue.

Drummer Bobby Sanabria has a New Year’s Eve show with Sexteto Ibiano on from 10 PM to 1 AM at the Bronx Music Heritage Center in the South Bronx. Admission is very reasonable: less than the cost of the average movie.

Drummer Will Calhoun has a January 2nd gig at the Brooklyn Bowl with Living Colour.

The musical Lady Day continues its run at the Little Schubert Theater at 422 W. 42nd St starring vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as Billie Holiday.




Looking ahead, several former Suga’ guests will be at the Winter Jazz Fest in multiple venues in Greenwich Village from January 7-11th. Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Lakecia Benjamin, Marc Cary’s Focus Trio, Renee Marie, Howard Johnson and Gravity, The Gary Bartz Quartet, Teri Lyne Carrington, Michele Rosewoman’s New Yor-Uba, and much more. We’ll have more details when we return in January, but you might want to get those tickets early. UPDATE: there’s a 25% discount until December 26th by using the code HOLIDAYGIFT at the Ticketmaster site.

That’s all for now. Thanks to our new, expanded schedule, we now appear weekly except for the last Sunday of the month, which means that we’re off next week. Tune in to the next Suga’ in My Bowl on Sunday, January 5th on WBAI, where we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand”.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can or consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge. If you missed last week’s mini fund drive, it’s not too late to pledge for our special Pat Metheny CD set or our “Brazilian Journey” special, which traces the evolution of Brazilian music styles. Neither will arrive in time for holiday gift giving, but they’re still good to have

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories Jazz Festivals, On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: December 15th Edition

By Hank Williams
December 16, 2013 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

We start with the subject of tonight’s show, Pat Metheny. His new Unity Group has a new release called Kin coming out early next year and will have New York City metro area shows in March. They’re at Red Bank NJ’s Count Basie Theater on the 23rd, Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts in Connecticut on the 25th, and in New York City’s Town Hall Theater on the 28th. Listeners beyond the immediate broadcast area should note that he’ll be touring the rest of the US and Europe during the spring. Metheny fans should check on tickets early since his shows sell out.

With the holiday season approaching, schedules are light, but there are a few shows for you to check out this week.

Pianist Geri Allen leads a quartet including drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts at the Village Vanguard from December 17th to the 22nd.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga appears at Showman’s on West 125th St on the 19th.

Trombonist Craig Harris leads the Harlem Night Songs Big Band at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem on the 21st.

Looking ahead to next week, Harold Mabern spends a week at Smoke Jazz as part of saxophonist Eric Alexander’s quartet starting on the 23rd. Go to for details.

The musical Lady Day continues its run at the Little Schubert Theater at 422 W. 42nd St starring vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as Billie Holiday.




That’s all for now. Thanks to our new, expanded schedule, we now appear weekly except for the last Sunday of the month. Tune in to the next Suga’ in My Bowl on Sunday, December 22nd on WBAI, where we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand”.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can. Consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge. Since this week is a mini fund drive, you can also pledge for our special Pat Metheny CD set.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand

On the Bandstand: December 8th Edition

By Hank Williams
December 8, 2013 //

bandstand_picSuga in My Bowl radio presents a new feature, On The Bandstand where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests.

Bob James, the subject of tonight’s show, appears at the Blue Note this week with the group Fourplay from the 10th to 14th.

The musical Lady Day continues its run at the Little Schubert Theater at 422 W. 42nd St starring vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as Billie Holiday.




Pianist Harold Mabern appears at the Jazz Standard as part of saxophonist George Coleman’s New Octet from December 11th-15th.

Organist Akiko Tsuruga appears at Showman’s on West 125th St on the 12th and the 19th. See the Showman’s website at for details.

Drummer Will Calhoun plays a free show at the BAM Café on December 13th.

michaelcarvin_smallDrummer Michael Carvin will be at the Kitano Jazz Club on December 13th and 14th.

Looking ahead to next week, pianist Geri Allen leads a quartet including drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts at the Village Vanguard from December 17th to the 22nd.

That’s all for now. Thanks to our new, expanded schedule, we now appear weekly except for the last Sunday of the month. Tune in to the next Suga’ in My Bowl on Sunday, December 15th on WBAI, where we’ll have another edition of “On the Bandstand”.

A reminder that WBAI radio is still in serious financial trouble. Help keep Suga’ (and all your other favorite shows) on the air by pledging whatever you can. Consider becoming a “WBAI Buddy” with a monthly pledge.

Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories On the Bandstand
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »