MILES DAVIS-JOHN COLTRANE CENTENNIAL

Miles Davis and John Coltrane were two of the most influential figures in jazz history as solo artists and bandleaders. Between 1955 and 1960, Coltrane played in Miles Daviss quintet and sextet, helping create landmark albums such as Kind of Blue and Round About Midnight. They later pursued separate careers with their own ensembles: Miles worked through many different group configurations while John led his celebrated quartet featuring McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones, producing seminal works like A Love Supreme. Their compositions have become essential parts of the jazz canon; pieces such as So What by Miles Davis and Giant Steps by John Coltrane are widely recognized among musicians and listeners alike. In 2026 both artists would have marked their centennial years, prompting a special tribute program honoring these giants with respected connoisseurs of jazz music.Joe Magnarelli from New York has been one of the most prominent trumpeters for thirty years. He graduated from SUNY-Fredonia in 1982 and relocated to New York in 1986. He initially played with Lionel Hamptons Big Band from 1987 to 1989, then worked with organist Brother Jack McDuff from 1989 to 1994. In 1991 he founded the New York Hard Bop Quintet and later led his own ensembles with John Swana and Jerry Weldon. He has also performed as a sideman with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Laverne Butler, Harry Connick Jr., the Buddy Rich Band, Maria Schneider, Grant Stewart, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Ray Barretto, and many others.Jerry Bergonzi is a true legend of jazz who collaborated with Dave Brubeck and has been leading his own groups for over forty years. The special guest on this tour is young Canadian clarinetist Virginia MacDonald, a rising star in North American jazz. This international sextet includes three outstanding accompanists: piano master Jeb Patton, best known for his work with the Heath brothers, and bassist John Lockwood, a Boston legend. Austrian drummer Bernd Reiter from Austria, who won the Hans Koller Prize in 2006 and now lives part-time in New York, has performed with many great jazz musicians including Don Menza, Charles Davis, Harold Mabern, Cyrus Chestnut, Kirk Lightsey, Mundell Lowe, Steve Grossman, Claudio Roditi, and others. This exceptional lineup of artists from the USA, Canada, and Austria offers a true all-star selection guaranteeing an evening of top-tier jazz under the theme Swinging Jazz at its Best! Joe Magnarelli (US) - trumpet (www.joemagnarelli.com), Jerry Bergonzi (US) - tenor saxophone, Virginia MacDonald (CA) - clarinet (www.virginiamacdonald.ca), Jeb Patton (US) - piano (www.jebpatton.com), John Lockwood (US) - bass, Bernd Reiter (AT) - drums (www.berndreiter).