Jeff Hamilton - Akiko Tsuruga - Steve Kovalcheck Trio

LOCATION: Nocturne - 1330 27th St

CATEGORY: Music

PAST DATE AND TIME:

• Sunday, Aug 18, 2024  4:30pm - 8pm

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On this special night, we are delighted to welcome a world class trio back to the Nocturbe stage. From New York we welcome organist Akiko Tsuruga, from California iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton joins us and from Colorado guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. This stellar trio has played many of the finest clubs and festivals in the world and we are delighted to host them once again!

Jeff Hamilton - influenced by his parents big band records at a young age, was inspired at age eight to begin playing drums to the records of the great Oscar Peterson. Today he is featured with some of the top names in jazz and pop on more than 200 recordings, 22 of which received Grammy® nominations. He also performs and records frequently with his own trio and as co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. His own albums include the recently released Great American Songs: Through the Years, and earlier efforts Symbiosis, and Red Sparkle. Early engagements included the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Lionel Hampton’s Band before joining the Monty Alexander Trio in 1975 with bassist John Clayton. From 1983 to 1987, he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie & His Orchestra, and Rosemary Clooney. Prior to forming his own trio in 1995, Jeff played with the Ray Brown Trio. The Los Angeles Jazz Society named Jeff Musician of the Year, and has been voted #1 Jazz Drummer in Modern Drummer Magazine’s reader’s poll.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Akiko Tsuruga began studying the organ at the age of three, at the famed Yamaha Music School. Akiko launched her career immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music. Since moving to New York in 2001, Akiko Tsuruga became a B3 icon on the world's heaviest scene, including working with artists like Jimmy Cobb, Frank Hess, and Lou Donaldson. As a bandleader, Akiko has ten albums to her credit both the U.S. and Japan. Her albums have constantly placed in the top ten on the National Radio Jazz Chart. Akiko also received the “Swing Journal Rising Star Award” (Japan) in 2010, Hot House Magazine (NYC) Best Organist’ in 2017, and the DOWNBEAT Magazine Critics Poll 2020 Rising Star Organ. Akiko’s newest project is an all-star trio featuring iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton and Colorado based guitarist Steve Kovalcheck.

Colorado based jazz guitarist/composer Steve Kovalcheck holds a B.M. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a M.M. From the University of Northern Colorado, where he currently teaches jazz improvisation, jazz history, directs jazz ensembles and leads the jazz guitar ensemble. His professional experience includes recording and touring with Columbia recording artist. Kovalcheck has performed with artists including Victor Krauss, The “New York Voices,” The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Symphony, The Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Coffin, Tommy Sims, Blue Note Recording Artist Carrie Rodriguez, The Dana Landry Quartet, Robinella and the C.C. String Band and many more. Steve's newest musical collaboration is an all-star trio featuring iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton and NYC organist Akiko Tsuruga.

Sunday Show Times:

Special Youth/Community Matinee: 4:30-5:40pm

Our youth/community matinee performances offer standard bar seating reservations and $10 youth/community tickets for families, youth and students. Youth/Community tickets give younger people in our community an oppoprtunity to experience the jazz art form live on stage. Who better to kick this off with than one of the world's finest jazz drummers? Community matinee sets run from 4:30 - 5:30pm. We'll have discounted options available for our sound bites menu and select beverages (both adult and kid-friendly). For a family looking for an affordable way to experience the magic that is Nocturne, this performance is just for you