SAT & SUN | HOUSTON PERSON at DAZZLE | 11/30-12/1 While tenor saxophonist Houston Person, who turns 78 on November 10, has recorded a number of soul-jazz albums under his own name since the mid-'60s, he's also played on platters by Horace Silver, Eddie Harris, Cedar Walton, Charles Brown and Lena Horne. Person's big and rich tone, which is in the tradition of Gene Ammons, was suited perfectly for his duo with the legendary Ron Carter 2008's Just Between Friends, as well as his 2006 album with pianist Bill Charlap, You Taught My Heart to Sing. Don't miss two nights with the esteemed saxman at Dazzle this month.
See also: Ten essential jazz albums if you know squat about jazz
THURS & FRI | JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEY at DAZZLE | 11/14-11/15 Since forming in Tulsa nearly two decades ago, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey has changed its line-up nearly as many times as the band's chameleonic approach to music has changed over the course of 21 albums. While the act has delved in a multitude of styles, including rock, funk and electronica, there has always been a communal ear bent toward jazz, especially in the extended improvisations. JFJO's latest effort, 2011's Race Riot Suite, a long-form conceptual piece that tells the story of the 1921 Tulsa race riot, is an ambitious piece that's a bit more rooted in jazz than more recent efforts.
THURS & FRI | LARRY GOLDINGS & CONVERGENCE at DAZZLE | 11/7-11/8 Made up of some the state's best jazz players, Convergence plays Dazzle on a monthly basis while also occasionally performing with nationally known talents like Jimmy Heath and Roberta Gambarini. During this two-night stand, the sextet is joined by world renowned organ player Larry Goldings. From his many albums as a leader to the dozens of albums in which he's appeared as a sideman on, including the 2006 Trio Beyond album Saudades, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album Individual or Group, Golding has proven time and again that he's a hell of an improviser.
THURS | OMAR SOSA at MOUNT VERNON COUNTRY CLUB | 11/7 On Eggũn: The Afri-Lectric Experience, Cuban pianist pays tribute to Miles Davis's landmark album Kind of Blue, but he does so without actually playing any songs from the 1959 record. Instead, Sosa plays songs inspired by Kind of Blue's musical elements and textures while also incorporating African music. The 47-year-old Sosa, who was one a member of Irakere, has also collaborated with musicians from across the globe. Joining the pianist for this show are bassist/percussionist Childo Tomas, drummer Marque Gilmore, trumpeter Joo Kraus, tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum and alto saxophonist Leandro Saint-Hill.
SAT & SUN | BEN ALLISON BAND at DAZZLE | 11/9-11/10 Equally gifted as a bassist and composer, Ben Allison has released some outstanding and forward-thinking recordings beginning with his 1996 debut, Seven Arrows. His forthcoming eleventh release, The Stars Look Very Different Today, slated for release in September, reflects his lifelong fascination with science, technology and film. While his roots are planted in jazz, Allison brings in a number of other influences and cinematic elements into his daring compositions. At Dazzle, Allison will be joined a pair of stellar guitarists in Steve Cardenas and Brandon Seabrook, and backed by a superb drummer in Allison Miller.
Follow @Westword_Music
