Art Gore's All-Stars — A Tribute To Art Blakey

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Art Gore — drums Dan Drees — tenor saxophone Myles Twitty — trumpet Dan Karlsberg — piano Justin Dawson — bass Celebrate Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Famer Art Gore's tribute to the legendary Art Blakey with his Swingin' All-Star ensemble. Art Blakey, a true jazz icon, was a powerhouse drummer and bandleader whose impact on the genre remains unparalleled. Born in 1919, Blakey rose to prominence during the heyday of bebop and became one of the foremost figures in developing hard bop. His drumming style was dynamic and propulsive, driving the rhythm with relentless energy and an unmistakable groove. However, Blakey's influence extended far beyond his drumming skills. As the leader of his band, The Jazz Messengers, he mentored and nurtured countless young musicians, providing a platform for their talents to flourish. Many of his band members became jazz legends in their own right, a testament to Blakey's role as a catalyst for artistic growth. With his fierce dedication to his craft and his unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of jazz, Art Blakey solidified his position as a visionary musician and an indelible force in the history of jazz. Art Gore's drumming style is characterized by signature driving cymbal beats, crisp, sharp snare accents, and well-placed bass drum "bombs." During his three-decade career, he has performed and recorded with such artists as George Benson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lonnie Liston Smith, Pharoah Sanders, Woody Shaw, Larry Young, Bobby Watson, Freddie Hubbard, John Scofield, Hank Marr, J.J. Johnson, Joey Defrancesco, Kenny Dorham, Hank Crawford, James Moody, and Ahmad Jamal, to name a few. Dr. Lonnie Smith has said of Art, "Art has the kind of rhythm and drive that's always right there." Art Gore was born into a family of musicians, which began his early exposure to music. By age sixteen, he was playing professionally. After graduating high school, Art attended Berklee College of Music and was drafted into the armed forces for two years. His musical development continued by playing with the First Armored Division Band and orchestra and leading his groups. After serving in the military, Art attended the Berklee College of Music, where he studied with renowned drum instructor Alan Dawson and later at the New England Conservatory of Music under Vic Firth. In 1972, Art joined Dr. Lonnie Smith, which led to their traveling and recording with the Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist George Benson. Upon leaving George Benson's band, Art began working with Lonnie Liston Smith. Art's recordings with Lonnie were some of the most important of his early career. Many jazz enthusiasts consider one of the recordings, "Expansions" (RCA 1975), a jazz-fusion classic. "Voodoo Woman," one of the compositions that Art recorded with Lonnie, is included in the Recommended Recordings of the Decade for the Smithsonian Collection of Jazz in the Seventies. A $15 drink/food minimum is charged per person in the party, per set, if the total for beverages purchased by the party does not meet the minimum. Important Notices: If you do not check in by 15 minutes into the start of the set, we reserve the right to resale your seats with no refund. Refunds must be requested 24 hours before the start of the performance.