Sunset Jazz in March: New York Stories

Friday, March 3rd
Alex Minasian Trio
With two degrees from NYU, Alex Minasian has, at a remarkably young age, established himself as a versatile pianist, educator, and impresario in many different musical genres. As a pianist, Alex has has studied with some of the greatest pianists in jazz history, including Hank Jones, Don Friedman, Jean-Michel Pilc, and James Williams, and has performed in most of the country's most famous jazz rooms, such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Cafe Carlyle, Yoshi's, Bohemian Caverns, Herb Alpert's Vibrato, Iridium, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater.

Saturday, March 4th
Tyler Blanton
Vibraphonist and composer Tyler Blanton is becoming recognized as a rising star in the New York City jazz scene. Over the past five years, his work has received reviews by numerous major publications, including Downbeat, Jazztimes, Village Voice, and The New York Times. A native of California, Blanton has performed and conducted workshops throughout the U.S. and Asia. His 2010 debut album, Botanic, was chosen as a top album of the year by both Hot House Magazine and Village Voice's critic polls.

Friday, March 10th
James Weidman's Aperturistic Trio 
James Weidman is one of the most versatile pianists in the world of music. He has performed with the likes of Abbey Lincoln and Joe Lovano, and plays classical and atonal music. With a player as talented as Weidman, it's no wonder the press used terms such as "unfailingly lyrical," "convivially assertive," and "exquisite" to describe him.

James Weidman's Aperturistic Trio

Saturday, March 11th
Jon Davis 
Pianist and composer Jon Davis has been performing and touring with the world's finest jazz musicians for over 25 years, and has appeared on more than 50 recordings. Most widely known for his association with legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, Davis has shown a rare versatility that ranges from solo to big band. He has performed with such artists as the John Handy Quartet, Johnny Coles, Buddy Montgomery, as well as jazz legends Joe Henderson, Milt Jackson, and Stan Getz.

Friday, March 17th
David Gibson Quartet
Trombonist David Gibson has enjoyed a varied music career that is deeply rooted in the genres of jazz and funk. While reared in Oklahoma, Gibson’s musical journey steered him to New York City. Jazz luminary Curtis Fuller once said about Gibson: “Out of all the young players I hear in music today, David is one of the very few who speaks the language of jazz.”

Saturday, March 18th
4/4-24/7 Quartet
Led by drummer James Polsky, a lifelong jazz fan (who established the New York jazz club Jazz Standard in 1997), the 4/4-24/7 Quartet does just that: swing hard all the time! 

David Gibson Quartet's "What's New"

Friday, March 24th
Bruce Barth
Jazz pianist and composer Bruce Barth has been sharing his music with listeners the world over for more than two decades. Deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, his music reflects both the depth and breadth of his life and musical experiences. He has performed with revered jazz masters, as well as collaborated with leading musicians of his own generation. A Grammy-nominated producer, Bruce has more than 20 CDs to his credit.

Saturday, March 25th
Amina Figuerova
Azerbaijan-born composer and pianist Amina Figarova entered Rotterdam Conservatory to pursue jazz in the '80s, coming to the United States in 1989 to complete her formal education at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Now based in Manhattan, she released her 13th album, Blue Whisper, in 2015. 

Friday, March 31st
Franck Amsallem
Franck Amsallem is a French-American jazz pianist, arranger, composer, and singer. He was born in 1961 in Oran, French Algeria, but grew up in Nice, France. He moved to New York City in 1986 to earn a master's in jazz composition at the Manhattan School of Music. Now based in Paris, Franck has recorded nine CDs under his name, as well as a major collaboration on Blue Note USA, titled New York Stories.

Sunset Jazz at Top of The Standard
Monday through Saturday, 4-9pm 
First performance at 6:30pm
The Standard, High Line