The Beehive: Jazz Week Performances

April 25 through May 3 marks the nine day long Festival known as “Jazz Week” in Boston. Hundreds of musicians will be hitting stages across the metro area as the city comes to life and music fills the air. No venue in Boston highlights more of the best regional, national and international Jazz talent as The Beehive in Boston’s South End.

Be sure to check out some of the true Jazz greats performing during Jazz Week at the Beehive including:

Friday and Saturday, April 24+25
Deva Mahal 10:00PM-2:00AM
Deva Mahal is electric. Her voice… breathtaking. Her performance…. thrilling. Imagine the depth and range of Ella Fitzgerald and the soul and power of Aretha Franklin and listeners will start to understand Deva. Just back from the Grammy awards with 2 songs written by her on her father’s (TAJ MAHAL) Grammy nominated album “Maestro”, the Beehive is proud to welcome Deva Mahal!

Sunday, April 26
Gonzalu Grau with La Clave Secreta 8:00PM-12:00AM
The Beehive presents an exhilarating night of muscular Latin jazz with Gonzalo Grau’s Grammy nominated band La Clave Secreta. Timba is the foundation for La Clave Secreta, a synthesis of international influences, jazz, rock, funk and hip hop, as well as Cuban rumba, guaguancó, batá drumming and songs of santeria. With twelve of the most thrilling Latin Jazz players, this will be the Latin Jazz event of the year. With a powerful horn section, percussion, vocals, keys, this band in big. Caliente Mucho!

Monday, April 27
Leo Genovese 8:00PM-12:00AM
Exciting: Causing great emotional or mental stimulation (Merriam-Webster). Nothing better describes a performance by Leo Genovese, the most powerful and riveting young pianist-composer in the country. Between traveling the world with Esperaza Spaulding, his colorful projects include: The Chromatic Gauchos, Mega tsunami, Planet Safety, Animal Religions, and The Sewer Rats. So if you want to know what a “Mega -Chromatic Gaucho-Sewer Rat-Tsunami” sounds like don’t miss this night.

Tuesday, April 28
Alexie Tsiganov Quartet Featuring Bob Moses 9:00PM-12:00AM
You will be mesmerized by the musicianship of Bob Moses. There are few musicians that are truly larger than life. Bob Moses drummer, composer, artist, poet, dancer, visionary, nature mystic, a multi-directional shamanistic groovilator is definitely one of the few. A very partial list of stellar musicians Bob Moses has worked and/or recorded with includes: Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, Charlie Haden, DJ Logic, Pharoah Sanders. What more can be said but “Bee” here for this rare performance.

Wednesday, April 29
Mark Walker’s Straight Ahead Project 8:00PM-12:00PM
Tonight, The Beehive presents three-time-Grammy winner Mark Walker. Mark Walker on the drums is unbelievable. He has won 3 Grammy Awards and earned several Grammy nominations for his work with various artists, including Oregon, Donato Poveda, Paquito D’Rivera and Caribbean Jazz Project. Walker brings his Straight Ahead Project featuring the "mighty" combination of Greg Hopkins (trumpet), Tim Miller (guitar), and John Lockwood(bass). This will be exhilarating!

Thursday, April 30
Jeff Galindo’s Horn Colossus with Jerry Bergonzi & Gregg Hopkins 10:00PM-2:00AM
Three of the best horn players in the world are on one stage tonight. The sound of this band will be huge. Hold onto your seats! Exceptional, impressive, outstanding….There are not words to describe Jeff Galindo, Jerry Bergonzi and Gregg Hopkins. A jazz lover’s dream, this combination will be awesome. Known internationally these musicians perform around the world and tonight they are at The Beehive.

Friday, May 1
Lamine Toure and Group Saloum 10:00PM-2:00AM
Group Saloum is Boston’s hottest new Afro-pop band. Founded by world-renowned Griot percussionist and MIT Artist-in-Residence Lamine Touré, Group Saloum fuses Senegalese Mbalax with elements of jazz, funk, reggae, and Afro beat. The infectious rhythms of Touré’s Sabar’s drums fuses with the collective creativity of some of Boston’s most talented musicians.

Saturday, May 2
Toni Lynn Washington 10:00PM-2:00AM
Toni Lynn Washington is the real deal! Soulful and personable Toni Lynn continues to be one of this country’s best kept secrets. She’s been nominated seven times for the WC Handy National Blues Award for "Soul-Blues Female Performer of the Year". With over 2000 performances around the globe, including the Newport Jazz Festival, Toni joins us at the Beehive for a night of true blue soul.

Sunday, May 3
George Garzone Quartet 8:00PM-12:00AM
George Garzone is one of the most visible, heard and respected saxophonists on the world stage today. He’s performed with Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci Michael Brecker Ron Carter and Elvin Jones. Thirty years together with the extraordinary band The Fringe, George Garzone, Bobby Guilotti, and John Lockwood will add pianist Leo Genovese to make the George Garzone Quartet. The heat generated from this band will set off fire alarms across the city.

For more information on Jazz Week 2009 please visit: http://www.jazzboston.org