Community Calendar

Luther S. Allison, piano
Zwelakhe-Duma F. Bell le Pere, bass
Anwar Marshall, drums

Winner of a 2024 GRAMMY Award for his work with vocalist Samara Joy, Luther S. Allison is one of today’s most in-demand jazz artists. Allison is a double threat and then some; he has worked with some of the brightest stars in jazz — such as Jazzmeia Horn, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, and Ulysses Owens Jr — and been called on by them to perform on piano, drums, or both. He is also carving out his own path as a leader, thanks in part to his critically acclaimed 2024 debut recording I Owe it All To You. Having grown up in the south, Allison’s unique style is rooted in blues and gospel, with strong influences from bebop and soul music. At The Gilmore, he leads his trio, featuring fellow multi-instrumentalist Anwar Marshall on drums and Zwelakhe-Duma F. Bell le Pere on bass. Later this season, Allison will arrange and music direct the sacred compositions of Duke Ellington for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

More with Luther S. Allison:
Oct. 4 at 11 AM Luther S. Allison Baby Grands Family Concert | LEARN MORE
Oct. 4 at 8 PM Luther S. Allison Trio | LEARN MORE

Luther S. Allison, piano
Zwelakhe-Duma F. Bell le Pere, bass
Anwar Marshall, drums

Winner of a 2024 GRAMMY Award for his work with vocalist Samara Joy, Luther S. Allison is one of today’s most in-demand jazz artists. Allison is a double threat and then some; he has worked with some of the brightest stars in jazz — such as Jazzmeia Horn, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, and Ulysses Owens Jr — and been called on by them to perform on piano, drums, or both. He is also carving out his own path as a leader, thanks in part to his critically acclaimed 2024 debut recording I Owe it All To You. Having grown up in the south, Allison’s unique style is rooted in blues and gospel, with strong influences from bebop and soul music. At The Gilmore, he leads his trio, featuring fellow multi-instrumentalist Anwar Marshall on drums and Zwelakhe-Duma F. Bell le Pere on bass. Later this season, Allison will arrange and music direct the sacred compositions of Duke Ellington for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

More with Luther S. Allison:
Oct. 4 at 11 AM Luther S. Allison Baby Grands Family Concert
Oct. 4 at 5 PM Luther S. Allison Trio

LuFuki Ismaeel Dhul-Qarnayn is a composer, guitarist, organizer, historian and cultural curator in Detroit. He views music as a spiritual practice that brings about healing and unity, and his art practice centers around Black ancestral legacy. His ensemble Divine Providence is an Afro-Spirit jazz collective of musicians who fuse genres with the intention of connecting hearts in order to promote unity, freedom and social action.

LuFuki is currently working on several projects, including XRoads, a traveling exhibit being housed for the week by the Kalamazoo College Music Department. The exhibit explores the under-documented historical and contemporary intersections between “jazz,” Black Muslims, and social justice movements.

LuFuki will also be conducting a lecture at 4:15 PM on Wednesday, October 22.

This engagement is supported by a John Stites Jazz Event Award from the John Stites Jazz Artist Organization, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) honoring the memory of John Stites and his passion for jazz music.

Miki Yamanaka, piano
Tyrone Allen, acoustic bass
Jimmy Macbride, drums

Discover the enchanting world of Miki Yamanaka, Japanese‑born pianist lighting up New York since 2012. Through her residencies at mainstay NYC jazz clubs Smalls and Mezzrow, as well as her weekly livestreaming concert series “Miki’s Mood” during the pandemic, audiences have come to love Yamanaka’s light, expressive playing and bold rhythmic invention, not to mention her infectious personality. In addition to touring as a leader, she also plays with the Mingus Big Band and the Harish Raghavan Quintet. Expect an evening of vibrant energy as she presents her celebrated repertoire — including selections from her latest album, Chance, and fan favorites from 2021’s Stairway to the Stars — alongside imaginative re‑interpretations of Great American Songbook and jazz standards. Joining Yamanaka at The Gilmore is her NYC rhythm section: bassist Tyrone Allen and drummer Jimmy Macbride. A modern ambassador for jazz who bridges tradition and innovation, Ms. Yamanaka’s charm and cultural flair shine as she performs in her signature kimono, making her sets as visually captivating as they are musically rich.

More with Miki Yamanaka:
Dec. 6 at 8 PM Miki Yamanaka Trio

Miki Yamanaka, piano
Tyrone Allen, acoustic bass
Jimmy Macbride, drums

Discover the enchanting world of Miki Yamanaka, Japanese‑born pianist lighting up New York since 2012. Through her residencies at mainstay NYC jazz clubs Smalls and Mezzrow, as well as her weekly livestreaming concert series “Miki’s Mood” during the pandemic, audiences have come to love Yamanaka’s light, expressive playing and bold rhythmic invention, not to mention her infectious personality. In addition to touring as a leader, she also plays with the Mingus Big Band and the Harish Raghavan Quintet. Expect an evening of vibrant energy as she presents her celebrated repertoire — including selections from her latest album, Chance, and fan favorites from 2021’s Stairway to the Stars — alongside imaginative re‑interpretations of Great American Songbook and jazz standards. Joining Yamanaka at The Gilmore is her NYC rhythm section: bassist Tyrone Allen and drummer Jimmy Macbride. A modern ambassador for jazz who bridges tradition and innovation, Ms. Yamanaka’s charm and cultural flair shine as she performs in her signature kimono, making her sets as visually captivating as they are musically rich.

More with Miki Yamanaka:
Dec. 6 at 5 PM Miki Yamanaka Trio