SPECIAL EVENT, LIVE RECORDING, FROM NEW YORK: THE HEAVY HITTERS

*please note this evening will be 1 – 90 minute set starting at 6:30

The Heavy Hitters descend on Vancouver for what promises to be an unforgettable four-night run!  Co-leaders Mike LeDonne – piano and Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone have put together an all star band featuring alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on the front line aided by backline support from Peter Washington – bass and Kenny Washington – drums.

Using bebop as but a base, they lunge through atmospheric flights of tight ensemble playing and fluid soloing they created one of the year’s best jazz albums, The Heavy Hitters on Cellar Music.

This four night run is not only a celebration of that release but the band will debut a series of new compositions that will be recorded live at the club for its second releases in mid 2024.

The sextet project began with the express intention of emulating some of their jazz heroes, with a modern-day twist. “It’s not to look back, but to say ‘this is still relevant because this is happening right now. It’s pretty much what we’ve been doing our whole lives,” the group says about their philosophical approach to tradition. There are various nods to that history, from track titles referencing various jazz titans, to the album art, which evokes Reid Miles’ classic Blue Note graphics. “And of course, we got to record it at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio,” they add. “It’s a place we’re so lucky to still have up and running, and that is putting out the same great sound we’ve loved all these years. To us it’s a true ‘jazz’ sound.”

Don’t miss out on what will be THE jazz event in Vancouver in 2023!

Mike LeDonne – piano, Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone, Vincent Herring – alto saxophone, Jeremy Pelt – trumpet, Peter Washington – bass and Kenny Washington – drums

*please note this evening will be 1 – 90 minute set starting at 6:30