Paquito D'Rivera, Kenny Garrett, Lou Donaldson, Gerald Clayton, And A Tribute To Miles Davis Highlight Iridium's Jazz-Filled May
The Monkees' Peter Tork And Actress/ Singer Molly Ringwald Bring A Little Hollywood To The House That Les Built
The Iridium honors its legacy as one of the city's top rooms for jazz with some of the genre's most towering names and rising stars in May, including Paquito D'Rivera, Kenny Garrett, Lou Donaldson, Gerald Clayton, Randy Brecker, Steve Smith, and Marcus Strickland. In addition, a pair of double-threats will take the stage when actors/musicians Peter Tork of The Monkees and Molly Ringwald headline performances at the club. See below for highlights:
May 5-6: Peter Tork - The Monkees' Peter Tork extends his run at The Iridium to two nights with 'In This Generation: My Life In The Monkees And So Much More.' The multimedia show features previously unseen photos and footage, unheard songs, and classic hits, all weaved together through the tale of a musical education in folk and pop that that led to Tork's early years as a performer in the clubs of Greenwich Village and, via the recommendation of friend Stephen Stills, a role on the iconic TV series.
May 8-9: Molly Ringwald - Best known as the star of films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink, Ringwald will make her Iridium debut performing material from her debut album, 'Except...Sometimes,' out April 9 via Concord Records. An homage to the Great American Songbook, Ringwald has crafted a carefully-chosen selection of nine standards, which she caps off with her take on The Breakfast Club classic, "Don't You (Forget About Me)."
May 10-12: Lou Donaldson Quartet featuring Lou Donaldson, Akiko Tsuruga, Randy Johnston, and Fukushi Tainaka - Winner of the nation's highest honor in jazz, the title of NEA Jazz Master, Lou Donaldson recorded with Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, Gene Ammons, and more in his illustrious career. Will Friedwald put it simply, "My first impulse is always to describe Lou Donaldson as the greatest alto saxophonist in the world."
May 16-19: Kenny Garrett - Considered one of the preeminent alto saxophonists of his generation, Grammy-winner Kenny Garret came to early fame during his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Miles Davis' band. He'll return to The Iridium for another four-night run.
May 23-25: Miles Davis Festival featuring Randy Brecker and Steve Smith - One of the towering figures in the history of jazz, Miles Davis was an innovative genius with an unmistakable style and unmatched musical range. Grammy-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker and celebrated drummer Steve Smith will team up to pay tribute for three nights.
May 31-June 2: Todd Barkan Presents Keystone Korner Nights Summer Weekend Jazz Festival - Jazz impresario Todd Barkan closes out the month with a three-night festival as part of his Keystone Korner series, featuring critically acclaimed young pianist Gerald Clayton with his Trio (5/31), 11-time Grammy-winner and Latin jazz/classical icon Paquito D'Rivera (6/2), and more to be announced.
For a complete calendar of events at the Iridium, visit:
http://www.theiridium.com/calendar
The Iridium on the Web:
http://www.theiridium.com
http://www.facebook.com/iridiumjazzclub
http://twitter.com/iridiumjazzclub
Watch Live Online at:
http://www.iridiumlive.com
The Les Paul Foundation:
http://www.lespaulfoundation.org/ .
For more information about The Iridium, please contact Carrie Tolles (ctolles@shorefire.com), Anthony D'Amato (adamato@shorefire.com), or Matt Hanks (mhanks@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media: (718) 522-7171.