If you have never been to The Jazz Cafe at Music Hall you are truly missing out...not only have so many musical greats played there it is just an "awesome little joint" with great sound and cool ambiance...it has a small bar and stage - its decked out with old photos of the killer talent that has graced the stage....consider checking it out -- and here is your chance with a pair of tickets to this weekends show....you name the day - Friday or Saturday...motorcityblog@earthlink.netJazz Café at The Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to present drummer/ percussionist, Winard Harper and his Sextet, Friday and Saturday, October 10th and 11th, with two exciting performances each night at 10 PM and Midnight.
All About Jazz has declared Winard Harper “one of the most highly respected drummers in jazz today” while Glenn Astarita of Ejazznews was equally effusive, exclaiming that Harper’s dexterity and skills are, “largely driven by finesse and sheer firepower.”
As a pre-school youngster growing up in Baltimore, his father noticed him beating on cans and encouraged him to begin practicing the drums. By the age of five, he was performing with his older brother at local nightclubs, and as he grew into his adolescence, his proficiency and ingenuity in drumming proved to be at a phenomenal level far beyond his years. Inspired by the late, great drummer, Billy Higgins, as well as Max Roach and the ubiquitous, Art Blakey, Harper has been the leader of an exceptionally talented sextet, and his latest album, “Make It Happen”, swings as hard as any of his six previous albums and really showcases not only his adeptness as a drummer, but also as a composer and band leader.
Beginning his career with the legendary Dexter Gordon and matriculating to Johnny Griffin and then he caught the attention of the improvisational vocal genius, Flint, Michigan’s, Betty Carter where he really blossomed into a world-class drummer. After his stint with Carter, Harper joined his brother Phil to form the Harper Brothers Quintet in the early 90’s.
He is a virtuoso on the drum set as well as the balafon, the West African equivalent of the marimba, which only adds another instrument to Harper’s arsenal of unique percussion, making his solos not only pyrotechnical, but light handed and melodic as well.
In addition to The Winard Harper Quintet, this versatile percussionist also continues to be a valuable sideman for the likes of, Steve Turre, Frank Wess, Joe Lovano and Avery Sharpe.
Jazz Café is located in historic Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts.
Tickets are $15 in advance of show ($20 at the door)
Available at Music Hall Box Office or Ticketmaster.
For more information: 313 887-8498
www.jazzcafedetroit.com or jazzcafe@musichall.org
Jazz Café
Music Hall
350 Madison
Detroit, MI 48226
313 887-8500
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