Stellar Lineup announced for 2017 Jazz Experience at the Lesher Center

Jazz Experience at the Lesher Center, presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association, will return with a sixth season of phenomenal jazz performances by a stellar lineup of talented artists.

This sizzling summer series offers jazz fans two opportunities to see each artist, with shows at 5pm and 8pm, Saturdays, August 5–26, 2017.

Kicking off the series on August 5 is the Terell Stafford Quintet.

The unique sound of French-Dominican jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimée follows on August 12 concentrating on elements of Latin American, American, and Brazilian jazz. The Jamaican-born, American jazz circuit-trained pianist

Monty Alexander will continue the series August 19, and vibraphonist Warren Wolf will headline the closing concert on August 26.

All concerts are performed in the intimate Margaret Lesher Theatre at the Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek. New subscriptions and tickets for single concerts are on sale now. New subscriptions are $130 for all four performances and single tickets are $40 each.

For tickets, the public may visit lesherjazz.org or call 925-943-7469.

Terell Stafford Quintet – Sat., August 5, 5pm & 8pm

The series kicks off with trumpeter extraordinaire Terell Stafford. Remarkably versatile, Mr. Stafford combines a deep love of melody with a spirited and adventurous lyricism. He has performed with such luminaries as Kenny Baron, Diana Krall, and the Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Vanguard Jazz Orchestras. Mr. Stafford has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. He has also graced the Lesher Center stage in years past, first with pianist Cyrus Chestnut, and more recently with the Clayton Brothers, alto-sax and double-bass. This year he comes leading his own quintet, featuring saxophonist Tim Warfield and pianist Bruce Barth.

Tim Warfield’s first recording A Cool Blue (1995) was selected as one of the year’s top ten, by The New York Times Critics Poll, as was his Gentle Warrior (1998), featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Tarus Mateen, Nicholas Payton, Clarence Penn, and Terell Stafford. Peter Waldrous in The New York Times proclaimed him “perhaps the most powerful tenor saxophonist of his generation.” Bruce Barth has performed on over 100 recordings and movie soundtracks, and was declared, “One of the best pianists, period” by the Village Voice. He has performed with a number of revered jazz masters, including Tony Bennett who has noted, “I have a great love for excellent musicians, and Bruce Barth is one of my favorites.”

Cyrille Aimée – Sat., Aug. 12, 5pm & 8pm

French-Dominican jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimée is a musical gypsy. Drawn from childhood to the gypsy life surrounding her native village Samois-sur-Seine and the spirit of revered Romani jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, her sound concentrates elements of Latin American, American, and Brazilian jazz, sung to bass, drums, and three guitars. A worldwide presence, her musical adventures and discography are as far-flung as performing in Manhattan with the legends of East Coast jazz, touring Europe in a duo with Brazilian virtuoso guitarist Diego Figueiredo, and recording albums on labels including her own and the Japanese label, Venus. The Wall Street Journal has called her, “Astonishingly creative....with a brilliant sound, fresh ideas, impeccable rhythm and an overall approach that honors tradition without being shackled to the past,” while the Washington Post described “A voice like fine whiskey,” and Jazz Times says, “When you see Cyrille Aimée perform, you instantly fall in love with her – her voice, eyes, curls, and the joyful spirit she invests in each song.”

Monty Alexander Trio – Sat., Aug. 19, 5pm & 8pm

Kingston, Jamaica-born pianist Monty Alexander is known for musical surprise twists and dramatic suspense. A true romantic, he loves to “build up the heat and kick up a storm,” and his spirited sound is a potent cocktail of jazz, gospel, bebop, Jamaican music, calypso, and rhythm and blues, with an accent on the offbeat. Mr. Alexander’s trio has swung until the wee small hours of the morning with Frank Sinatra, other celebrity entertainers, tough guys, thrill seekers, and such iconic jazzmen as Miles Davis, Count Basie, Milt Jackson, and Roy Haynes. His discography is sixty years and eighty albums deep.

Warren Wolf/Edward Simon Quintet, with Tia Fuller – Sat., Aug. 26, 5pm & 8pm

Baltimore native, acclaimed jazz vibraphonist Warren Wolf delighted Lesher audiences when he appeared with pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Now he returns with a quintet co-led by his SFJAZZ Collective band-mate, Venezuelan pianist Edward Simon, and featuring alto saxophonist Tia Fuller.

Mr. Wolf tours worldwide with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Esperanza Spaulding, and Ron Carter.

Pianist Edward Simon creates supple interpretations of Latin America’s rhythms, from Brazilian bossa nova, to Argentine tango, Cuban bolero, Chilean, Puerto Rican, and his native Venezuelan rhythms. Musically fearless, alto saxophonist Tia Fuller transcends the boundaries of tradition, style, and genre. She tours internationally with pop star Beyoncé, with whom she was featured soloist in performance at the White House for President Barack Obama.

Jazz Experience at the Lesher Center is produced by Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA). According to DRAA Executive Director Peggy White, who presents the series in conjunction with DRAA Jazz Chair Tom Donahoe, the DRAA is committed to elevating the quality and professionalism of performing arts in Contra Costa County.

DRAA’s support of drama, classical music, dance, and musical theater at the Lesher Center has greatly enriched performing arts in the region.

“We felt that missing from the area’s performing arts scene was jazz as performed by instrumentalists and vocalists of the top rank. As a presenter, DRAA is producing a concert series featuring internationally acclaimed jazz artists and the public’s response has been wonderful.”

Launched in the summer of 2012, the jazz series proved immensely popular with an initial 8pm series selling out by subscription within a few weeks of its announcement.

A second very popular 5 pm series was added, and both series were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 to enthusiastic audiences. All performances are given in the intimate (300 seat) Margaret Lesher Theatre, an ideal venue for this highly personal art form.

About Lesher Center for the Arts

The Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA), located in Walnut Creek, California, is the premier destination for an exceptional arts and entertainment experience. First opened in October 1990, the Center now presents more than 700 productions and events each year, serving more than 350,000 patrons. The Center is owned and operated by the City of Walnut Creek. For more information, please visit LesherARTScenter.org.

About Diablo Regional Arts Association

The Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) enriches the lives of thousands of East Bay residents every year by raising funds to support the full spectrum of arts at the Lesher Center for the Arts, including drama, musical theatre, dance, opera, music, and the visual arts. In addition, through its Arts Access program, DRAA is dedicated to providing families, children, seniors, educators, and low-income or at-risk individuals the opportunity to experience the arts.