New Mexico Jazz Festival comes to Taos!
July 19– 8:00 PM
Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership
Ranky Tanky
A joint presentation with Roots & Wires
Tickets: $15 General Admission
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Ranky Tanky released their debut album on Oct. 20th, 2017. By December of that year, the group had been been profiled on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and their album soared to the #1 position on the Billboard, i-Tunes, and Amazon Jazz Charts.
“Gullah” comes from West African language and means “a people blessed by God.” “Ranky Tanky” translates loosely as “Work It,” or “Get Funky!” In this spirit this Charleston, SC based quintet performs timeless music of Gullah culture born in the southeastern Sea Island region of the United States. From playful game songs to ecstatic shouts, from heartbreaking spirituals to delicate lullabies, the musical roots of Charleston, SC are “rank” and fertile ground from which these contemporary artists are grateful to have grown.
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Quentin Baxter / Drums and Percussion
Kevin Hamilton / Bass
Quiana Parler / Vocalist
Clay Ross / Guitar and Vocals
Charlton Singleton / Trumpet and Vocals
July 27– 7:30 PM
Harwood Museum
Charles McPherson Quartet
A joint presentation with Harwood Museum
Tickets: $25 / $20 for members of Harwood Alliance
or Taos Jazz Bebop Society
NOTE! Tickets only available by calling or visiting the Harwood:
(575) 758-9826 • 238 Ledoux Street, Taos
A Charlie Parker disciple who brings his own lyricism to the bebop language, Charles McPherson has been a constant in modern mainstream jazz for more than 35 years. He played in the Detroit jazz scene of the mid-'50s, moved to New York in 1959, and within a year was working with Charles Mingus. McPherson and his friend Lonnie Hillyer succeeded Eric Dolphy and Ted Curson as regular members of Mingus' band in 1961 and he worked with the bassist off and on up until 1972. McPherson contributed to the soundtrack of the film Bird by playing some of the parts not taken from Charlie Parker records. Charles McPherson recorded 12 albums with Mingus, and at least 24 as leader of his own band.
This performance is made possible, in part, by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts through a grant from the Western Jazz Presenters Network.
The concert is supported by Taos County Lodgers Tax Fund