One of the world’s greatest living jazz singers, Kevin Mahogany, will headline a “Jazz Junction” benefit concert for the nonprofit Greater Madison Jazz Consortium on Sunday, May 1, 2-5 p.m. in Studio A at Full Compass on Madison’s west side.
Full Compass Studio A is an intimate venue with the top-of-the-line sound. Mahogany will perform a full 75-minute set, accompanied by Wisconsin’s top-of-the-line jazz players – pianist and UW Jazz Studies Director Johannes Wallmann, saxophonist Tony Barba, bassist Nick Moran, and drummer Dave Bayles. And with an opening set by the 13-piece UW Latin Jazz Ensemble with special guests Joel Kaye (flute), Vince Fuh (piano), Yorel Lashley (percussion), and Ensemble Director Eric Siereveld (trumpet), this concert promises to be the high point in Greater Madison’s Spring jazz season.
The proceeds from “Jazz Junction” will benefit the Jazz Consortium’s performance and educational programs including jazz artist residencies in local public schools, the Strollin’ series of free neighborhood-based jazz festivals, the InDIGenous series of free concerts showcasing works composed and performed by our community’s top jazz musicians, and much more.
In addition to 13 CDs as a leader, Mahogany toured extensively with Kurt Elling, Jon Hendricks and Mark Murphy as The Four Brothers, representing four generations of the best in jazz singing. He also brought his big band program to South Africa, Russia (two tours with The Igor Butman Big Band), the Caribbean, as well as selected United States venues. Mahogany performed at the Kennedy Center and toured his Johnny Hartman Show extensively throughout North America. He also conducted two international tours based on pivotal points of jazz history: “Kevin Mahogany’s Kansas City Revue, Featuring the Music of Big Joe Turner” and “The Coltrane/Hartman Fantasy” (co-starring saxophonist David Liebman). Mahogany also portrayed Big Joe Turner in Robert Altman’s feature film, Kansas City.
Advance tickets are now on sale for $40 by clicking here.
