Starting from 1 – 4 and 8 – 31 Jul 2019
Soulful improvisations, swinging rhythms and infectious grooves as we reach deep into the roots of jazz and explore new horizons. Line-up to be released.
Enjoy free Jazz in July performances at the Esplanade Concourse and Esplanade Outdoor Theatre as well as workshops and talks throughout the month.
About Jazz in July+
Jazz in July+ is a series of ticketed concerts that takes you on an exploration of jazz that reaches deep into its roots to discover new horizons.
Jazz in July Jam Sessions
26 Jun, 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July, 8pm – 12am – Self-guided – Harry’s
(Esplanade Mall)
In conjunction with Jazz in July, join our house band comprising Andrew Lim on guitar, Christy Smith on bass and Aaron James Lee on drums, as they lead a weekly jam session at Harry’s Esplanade. Listen to live jazz in its most spontaneous and casual setting and watch different artists in the Singapore scene showcase their improvisatory chops.
Monk & Miles
1 July, 7pm & 7:45pm, Esplanade Concourse, Free Admission
Magical Jazz Trio came together in 2013, playing every Wednesday night at the starry rooftop of Esplanade’s Orgo Bar. The trio comprises three experienced jazz musicians from the Singapore scene; vocalist Dawn Ho, pianist Aya Sekine, and tenor saxophonist Shawn Letts.
For this year’s Jazz In July Vocal Series, the Magical Jazz Trio will be presenting their own interpretations of compositions from two jazz legends, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis.
Ywenna Jazz Triov
2 July, 7pm & 7.45pm, Esplanade Concourse, Free Admission
Covering the prolific new generation of jazz musicians from all over the world, the Ywenna Jazz Trio strives to introduce modern jazz music to audiences—proving that jazz is not just about old school swing. Expect fusions of various music genres merged with jazz with songs from the likes of Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, Jacob Collier, Taylor Eigsti, Gretchen Parlato, Janelle Monae.
Mario Serio with Lily Hargrove
3 July, 7pm & 7.45pm, Esplanade Concourse, Free Admission
Pianist Mario Serio is a highly sought-after jazz pianist who was the creator of the VOXseries at the former Singjazz club. The series showcased Singapore’s finest jazz vocalists in an intimate setting. For this performance, he is joined by powerhouse singer Lily Hargrove.
Mario Serio with Maya Raisha
4 July, 7pm & 7.45pm, Esplanade Concourse, Free Admission
Student and teacher duo Maya Raisha and Mario Serio bring you an evening of enthralling jazz numbers that combines Maya’s modern approach with Mario’s rich experience, lush harmonic sense and keen ability to accompany sensitively.
Jazz in July+ 2019: Shai Maestro Trio
6 July, 8pm & 9.15pm, Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets : $35
“Hearing the Shai Maestro Trio is like awakening to a new world – a world of wonders, excitement, beauty and uncertainty.”
All About Jazz
Regarded as one of the most promising and talented pianists of his generation, Shai Maestro, together with drummer Ofri Nehemya and bassist Joe Martin, presents an evening of atmospherically expansive jazz characterised by introspective lyricism and tasteful virtuosity.
Shai Maestro first made a name for himself through performing with the Avishai Cohen Trio in 2006. Since his debut with his own trio in 2011, Maestro has shaped a strong and unique personal identity marked by incredible musical fluidity, making his trio one of the most powerful and harmonious groups in jazz today. Maestro recently signed with major label ECM Records in 2018 and released The Dream Thief, which features his trio as well as him as a solo pianist.
Jazz in July+ 2019: Jazz Piano Masterclass with Shai Maestro
7 July, 1.30pm – 3pm @Esplanade Rehearsal Studio, Free Admission
Learn more about jazz piano performance as Shai Maestro conducts a masterclass with selected Singapore jazz pianists. He shares his knowledge on topics ranging from jazz harmonies to composition and arrangements to participants and observers alike, and observers get the rare chance to witness how jazz musicians shape and colour their musical interpretations and expressions.
Mei Sheum & Christy Smith Duo
11 July, 7pm & 7.45pm, Esplanade Concourse, Free Admission
Pianist Mei Sheum and bassist Christy Smith are both no strangers to the Singapore jazz scene. Their musical journeys crossed in the early-1990s with the band ChromaZone. Since then, both musicians have developed careers as highly sought-after session players and respected musician leaders. They pair up to bring audiences an intimate performance with some of their favourite but less-heard jazz standards, alongside original compositions.
Latin Jazz Duos with Nita Aartsen
12 July, 7pm: Nita Aartsen & Pablo Calzado, 8.15pm:
Nita Aartsen & Eduard Alexander, Esplanade Concourse, Free Admission
Nita Aartsen is an Indonesian pianist and musician. She started learning the piano at the tender age of five. After spending three years in the Moscow Conservatory studying contemporary jazz, Aartsen returned in 1986 to take over as the state pianist of Indonesia. She held that role for over fifteen years, having the privilege of playing for President Bill Clinton as well as Prince Bernard of Netherlands, among many other foreign dignitaries.
She moved to the Netherlands after, working with Dutch musicians in both studio and on stage. Upon returning to Jakarta, she started working towards a new goal of bringing classical music and jazz to a larger audience, performing numerous television and radio shows, while playing at events and concerts at home and abroad. More recently, she played alongside Michael Paulo and Pauline Wilson at the Java Jazz Festival.
In this Jazz in July concert, she will be performing a repertoire that explores Latin roots and rhythms in jazz. She will be joined by percussionist Pablo Calzado in the first set, followed by vocalist Eduardo Alexander in the second set of the evening. Join them for dynamic evening of musical interplay with a combination of Brazilian, flamenco, rumba and salsa rhythms.
Jazz in July+ 2019: Screenplay: Songs from the Silver Screen – Tierney Sutton Band
12 July, 8pm – 9.15pm @Esplanade Recital Studio
“Ms Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.”
The New York Times
Eight-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton has received a Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy nod for every project she has released in the last decade. Known for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of The Great American Songbook, Sutton is heralded for her abilities as both a jazz storyteller and her ability to use her voice as an instrument.
Jazz in July+ 2019: Jazz Vocal Masterclass with Tierney Sutton
13 July, 2pm – 3.30pm @Esplanade Rehearsal Studio
Learn how 8-time Grammy nominee Tierney Sutton brings fresh interpretations to jazz standards in this masterclass with Singapore jazz vocalists. She will share her knowledge on arrangement and improvisation, as well as give tips on how to uniquely personalise a song.
Listening to Jazz with Dr Tony Makarome
14 July, 3pm – 4.30pm – library@esplanade
Are you a fan of jazz music or someone who has enjoyed the sounds of jazz music? Or are you a curious fan of music in general and would like to find out more about what jazz music is? What should you be looking out for when you listen to jazz? How can you engage with jazz and follow the intricacies inherent in this genre?
Composer, conductor and jazz musician Dr. Tony Makarome is your friendly jazz guide who will bring you through the fundamentals of listening to jazz. Whether you are a jazz musician or a curious music fan, this talk promises to enrich your jazz-listening experience
The Simplicius Cheong Quartet Pays Tribute to Legends
14 July, 4pm, 5pm & 6pm @Esplanade Concourse
2019 marked the passing of three legends from the world of jazz and popular song; pianist-composers André Previn and Michel Legrand, as well as singer and actress Doris Day. The Simplicius Cheong Quartet pays tribute to these three beloved artists with a selection of some of their most signature songs and adaptations, including hits such as The Windmills of Your Mind, Que Sera, Sera, music from My Fair Lady and more.
The Simplicius Cheong Quartet is made up of Simplicius Cheong (arranger, composer and piano), Rit Xu (flute), Ben Poh (bass) and Tama Goh (drums).
Repertoire
4 – 4.40pm Hits by Doris Day
5 – 5.40pm The Music of André Previn
6 – 6.40pm The Music Of Michel Legrand
Jazz in July+ 2019: New Sounds in Afro-Cuban Jazz: Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez
19 July, 7.30pm @Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets: $35
Grammy-nominated artists Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedrito Martinez first worked together on Alfredo’s 2012 release Invasion Parade. Since that initial recording session they have had the rare occasion to perform together as a duo, leaving audiences completely mesmerized by their fearless and virtuosic playing.
Each artist brings a different approach to the collaboration. A protégé of Quincy Jones, who took him under his wing when he defected to the US in 2009, Rodríguez was schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana. His riveting artistry is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as it is by his Afro-Cuban and jazz roots. Martinez’s musical training came directly from the streets of the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Old Havana in which he was raised and he has subsequently performed with artists such as Sting, Paul Simon, and Wynton Marsalis.
Jazz in July+ 2019: Kyoto Jazz Massive – 25th Anniversary Party
26 July, 8pm – 9.15pm @Esplanade Annexe Studio
Tickets : $35
Since brothers Shuya and Yoshi Okino formed KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE (a name christened by DJ Giles Peterson) as a DJ unit in the beginning of the ’90s, they have pioneered the way for Japanese acid jazz and crossover music at home and abroad.
In 2002, they released their first original full album Kyoto Jazz Massive – Spirit of the Sun, and went on to hold their first concert as a full band in Ebisu Garden Hall in Tokyo in 2004. The same year, they were featured in Blue Note Revisited together with artists such as J-Dilla, Kenny Dope, Madlib and DJ Spinna.
Jazz in July+ 2019: Double Bill: Tim Stocker Quartet & The Wei! Experiment
28 July, 4pm- 7pm @Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets: $35
Join the Tim Stocker Quartet and The Wei! Experiment as they co-feature in their first-ever double bill.
The Tim Stocker Quartet, featuring Andrew Lim, Chok Kerong and Soh Wen Ming, offers the rare opportunity of experiencing a baritone saxophone as a lead instrument, as Stocker brings the horn out from the depths. They present a set of original music taken off Stocker’s album The View From Here, recorded in New York City in 2015, a commentary of his experiences growing up amongst the natural beauty, wide open spaces and dangerous wildlife of Australia.
The Wei! Experiment is the brainchild Weixiang, one of the lions of the Singapore jazz scene. This performs sees him presenting, together with Andrew Lim, Aaron Lee, Ben Poh and Sean Hong, the two-movement jazz suite Wei! Siang? Composed specially for this double bill performance. The suite takes melodic and harmonic cues from the nursery rhyme 《两个小娃娃正在打电话》, which is interpreted in interesting and often humorous ways.
