A series of Jazz Nights on Thursdays at Apropos Restaurant at the Abbey Inn begins this Thursday, April 11 and goes through May 2. Headlining this week are Joe Vincent Tranchina on piano and Peekskill’s own Ray Blue on sax.
Joe Vincent Tranchina is a multi-award-winning jazz pianist/composer/arranger and a multifaceted recording artist. Voted Hudson Valley 2010 Jazz Musician of the Year in Times Herald-Record’s Best Of readers’ poll, recognized 25 times with ASCAP’s Popular Music Award, for performances of original jazz compositions and contributions to American Music, and twice honored by the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts “Best of the Bronx” series with concert presentations of his original work. Joe’s recorded contributions are found on 2 Gabriele Tranchina releases and 2 scored documentaries. His Spontaneous Improv can be heard on 3 INNERrOUTe releases and 2 Beyond.
“Ray Blue has a majestic presence…when playing, his sense of purpose is obvious… It’s one thing to be a good composer, it’s another to be a great performer. Ray Blue’s got the whole package.” (Jean Szlamowicz, Jazz Hot, Down Beat) Ray Blue’s music can be described as a message that makes listeners feel good. Ray is a New York bred saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator who performs internationally. A mainstay on the New York Jazz Scene, he has shared the stage and studio as leader, sideman and band member with Kirk Lightsey, Kenny Baron, Harold Mayburn, Essiet Okan Essiet, Benito Gonzales, Nat Adderly, Jr., John Gilmore, Dr. Art Davis, Benny Powell, Eddie Henderson, Charlie Persip Super Band, Wycliff Gordon, Bernard Purdie, Steve Turre, Alicia Keys, The Sun Ra Arkestra,
His festival performances as leader and featured artist include: ; North Sea Jazz Festival-Cape Town, South Africa, Hartford Jazz Festival, Hartford, Connecticut; Zanzibar International Film Festival, Zanzibar, Tanzania; Macufe Festival-Bloemfontaine, South Africa; European Union Annex Festival-Dublin, Ireland; Macao Jazz Festival, China; Midi Music Festival-Beijing, China; Pori Jazz Festival, Finland and others.
Ray received a graduate degree from the University of Iowa and studied at the Jazz Mobile in New York City with Charles Davis, Stanton Davis and later with Paul Jeffrey, Sonny Sharrock, George Coleman and Barry Harris. More of his mentors include Arthur Blythe, Houston Person, Ornette Coleman and Benny Powell.
Ray Blue is also a graduate of William Penn University, which annually presents “The Ray Blue Jazz Award” since 2004 to a graduating senior. In addition, Wm. Penn University hosted its inaugural “Jazz Education Festival” in 2007 for High School and College musicians in Ray Blue’s name. “The Ray Blue Jazz Academy” was initiated in 2019. Ray received the “Distinguished Career Award“ in 2010 and is a 2013 “New York Blues Hall of Fame” inductee – Master Blues and Jazz Artist.
Ray released his first CD as a leader, Always with a Purpose, in 2001. Then came Ray Blue Live at Liars Theater in 2004 and “Ray Blue Live at Liars Theater 2 in 2005. In 2006 Ray released ‘Transvision’ on the Neu Klang label and Berries and Blues in 2010. The newest CD ‘Work’ on Jazz Head Records was released in Octoberd to, 2019. He also has recorded three Duo Christmas single releases with Lafayette Harris and Nat Adderly, Jr..
Ray Blue consults and presents at schools, colleges, universities around the world. He is the founder of Cross-Cultural Connection, Inc. a 501 (c) 3 non- profit organization that promotes jazz culture, performance and education. He endorses Selmer Saxophones and Vandoren mouthpieces, reeds and accessories.
Future performers include: Bob Arthur and Steve Lamattina on April 18; Mark Morganelli and Eddie Monteiro on April 25 and Charley Krachy and Billy Stein on May 2. Call (914) 739-3546 for reservations. $50 per person minimum and reservations are required.