AACM Concert Series 2019

About the Artists:

JAY CLAYTON/ JERRY GRANELLI

Jay Clayton and Jerry Granelli are two seasoned, jazz-based players who compose as they go and produce sparking music of concise, classic proportions, enriched by a contemporary apprehension of Third Word and classical innovation. Each musician has a supreme command of timbre and an ability to get inside the sound of the other.

Listening to them explore, expand and contract a musical idea, its’ easy to forget that you are listening to just a singer and a drummer.

“Jay Clayton and Jerry Granelli create music on the spot with a level of communication that is almost telepathic.”

-The Seattle Times

“...with no chordal instrument Jay Clayton and Jerry Granelli create so much melodic and harmonic content effortlessly, like grown-up children at play…”

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ZONE TRIO

REGGIE NICHOLSON

While performing with many musicians in his hometown of Chicago, Reggie Nicholson's reputation as an outstanding drummer was established. In 1979, Nicholson became a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). In 1997, Nicholson began performing and recording as a leader with his ensembles, the Reggie Nicholson Concept, Percussion Concept, Brass Concept, and Solo. To date, Nicholson has several albums: "Unnecessary Noise Allowed", "Percussion Peace", "Timbre Suite", "Surreal Feel" and “Mettle”. www.reggienicholson.com

ADEGOKE STEVE COLSON

Adegoke Steve Colson - pianist, composer, saxophonist – performs solo and as leader of ensembles from trios to orchestras. His solo piano recording Tones For, on the Colson’s Silver Sphinx Label, received international accolades including Jazz Times’ Editor’s Pick. Praise for other Silver Sphinx recordings include The Untarnished Dream - top 10 % of Village Voice International Jazz Critics Poll, and a Grammy® nomination for Hope for Love. Current exhibition “Soul of a Nation – Art in the Age of Black Power”, includes Triumph! – the Colson’s first recording on Silver Sphinx. It opened in 2018 at ‘Tate Modern’ in London and is touring the U.S.

Ade has received several commissions and awards for composition, and some of his pieces for small ensemble are being performed and recorded by other notable musicians. In late 2018 he was inducted into The East Orange Hall of Fame, joining other distinguished E.O. talents – Althea Gibson, Dionne Warwick, Naughty by Nature, John Amos, and Whitney Houston. Follow on Instagram - @colsonsmusic " www.colsonsmusic.com

ERNEST DAWKINS

Ernest Dawkins is one of the world's premiere saxophonists and composers, whose life goal is for his music and compositions to reflect the evolving collective cultural memory of the American jazz aesthetic. He is the leader and founder of several ensembles, most notably the New Horizons Ensemble, Aesop Quartet, Chicago Trio, Live the Spirit Big Band, and the Chicago 12. Dawkins has recorded numerous CDs and his publishing company, Dawk Music, has eleven releases to date. He is currently Chairman of the AACM in Chicago and Executive Director of Live the Spirit Residency. AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble every first Sunday of the month at Stony Island Arts.