(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Jazz flutist Andrea Brachfeld and Insight celebrate the release of her newest CD “If Not Now, When?” at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair on Friday, May 18. In addition to Ms. Brachfeld, Insight features pianist Bill O’Connell, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Jason Tiemann.
“If Not Now, When?” is Ms. Brachfeld’s third straight-ahead jazz release in the past six years and the second on the Jazzheads label. The release features originals by Andrea Brachfeld and Bill O’Connell, five of them written under a grant from Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The CD’s closing track, her rendition of the beloved “Amazing Grace,” is the only non-original.
This recording continues the work heard in her previous Jazzheads release, which earned rave reviews including 4-stars in Downbeat. Named Best Flute for 2015 by Hot House Jazz Awards, Brachfeld built her reputation in Latin Jazz, but saw her last CD “Lotus Blossom” get considerable airplay on straight ahead jazz stations around the country. The release stayed in the top 20 on the JazzWeek charts for several weeks, making her a rare crossover musician to play in both the Latin and bebop genres.
A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Brachfeld started her career at All Nite Soul at the age of 16. She has performed with great musicians such as Charles Eubanks, Adam Nussbaum, Tito Puente, Wallace Roney, Hubert Laws, Paquito D’Rivera, Hilton Ruiz and many others. Her first straight ahead jazz CD, “Lady of the Island,” featured Wallace Roney, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill O’Connell and also received great reviews. She has earned accolades for her work such as the Louis Armstrong Award, the Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award and the Pionero Award for her contributions to Latin music.
Bill O’Connell is well-known as a band leader, soloist, arranger, musical director and sideman who is equally at home playing both Latin and straight-ahead jazz. Breaking in with the legendary Mongo Santamaria, O’Connell quickly established himself as an in-demand keyboardist and arranger in the world of Latin music. But he also worked with some of the greatest straight ahead jazz musicians in the world including Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins and Dave Valentin. He has released 13 albums as a leader along with scores of recordings as a sideman, earning well-deserved praise from critics and audiences.
Bassist Harvie S has recorded and performed with a who’s who of jazz: Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Tony Bennett, Michael Brecker, Paquito D’Rivera, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Yusef Lateef, Joe Lovano, Zoot Sims, Toots Theilmans and countless others. He toured throughout Europe as a Jazz Ambassador for the United States and has been featured in stories in many different publications from Downbeat to The New York Times. In addition to playing all over the world, Harvie S is Professor of Jazz Bass at the Manhattan School of Music.
New York City-based drummer Jason Tiemann maintains a busy schedule of recording and performing. Influenced by legendary drummers such as Tony Williams, Billy Higgins and Elvin Jones, Tiemann has recorded and played with many of the top NYC artists including Benny Golson, Dave Liebman, Eric Alexander and Slide Hampton.
The popular Trumpets Jazz Club is located at 6 Depot Square in Montclair, New Jersey. The sets for Insight are at 8:00 and 10:00. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door with a $12 minimum. Call 973-744-2600 or visit www.trumpetsjazz.com for more information and reservations. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Photo by Jerry Lacay
