The Colored Musicians Club has announced the lineup for its upcoming jazz festival. Starting Oct. 11, the three-day festival will feature local talent along with vocalist Cyrille Aimee and saxophonist Brent Birckhead.
Festival co-chair Allita Steward said the focus is on bringing in rising stars.
“A lot of times they get their big front covers from us,” Steward said. “For example, in a previous year, we had Joel Ross here in his quartet. We featured him a month before he was nominated for a Grammy.”
Aimee will also hold a master class earlier in the day for students. She specializes in signing multiple languages including French and Spanish.
“They get to showcase themselves and we get to be the innovator that in the past we’ve always been. It’s a return to elite music,” Steward said.
Steward said after that, Ross was signed to the prestigious Blue Note Records. Concerts will take place at the Colored Musicians Club, Burchfield Penney Art Center, and The Mansion on Delaware.
There will additionally be a music celebration of the late Reynold Scott, a long-time avant-garde enthusiast and UB professor. To see a full schedule of events, visit cmcjazzfest.com.
WNED | WBFO is the official media sponsor of the jazz festival.
