On Friday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m., the John and Alice Coltrane Home in Dix Hills along with the Integrated Medical Foundation will host JAZZnJAM 2018 — A Benefit Concert for Prostate Cancer Awareness and the John and Alice Coltrane Home honoring Michael Blueweiss at Port Washington’s Landmark on Main Street.
The concert will feature the likes of jazz, R&B, funk and soul greats Charles Neville performing with Circus Mind, the Gary Smulvan Trio, and the Eric Wollman Trio, all of whom are true admirers of the Coltranes and have been greatly influenced by their work.
Neville, the second oldest Neville brother, has the most diverse musical background. His experience on saxophone has included rhythm & blues, funk, jazz, be-bop, popular and even American Indian music. He cites as influences Louis Jordan, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Professor Longhair. He is also the only brother that lived away from New Orleans for long periods of time, making places like New York, Memphis and Oregon his home.
Joining him will be Long Island’s own Circus Mind, who recently celebrated 15 years of mixing up all things funk — cross pollinating sounds of Sly Stone, The Meters, Dr. John, Little Feat, Steely Dan, Traffic, and The Band to create some original “Jammy Funky Hybrid Funkenstein music.”
Smulyan, gifted multi-instrumentalist and Grammy winner started his music career by first learning alto saxophone with Michael Blueweiss at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School in Levittown. While attending Hofstra University, he was invited to join Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, and today he is critically acclaimed around the world and recognized as the major voice on the baritone saxophone. His playing is marked by an aggressive rhythmic sense, an intelligent and creative harmonic approach — and perhaps most importantly — a strong and incisive wit. His trio includes David Wong on bass and Rodney Green on drums.
Wollman is a master jazz guitarist who was the lead guitarist in Michael’s electric band at JFK High School in Bellmore. Wollman then moved with his family to Paris where he started playing jazz and came back to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has toured extensively with Mike Clark and performed with some of the most prominent names in jazz-fusion including Kenwood Dennard, Delmar Brown, Adam Holzman and Zack Danziger. His trio includes Jim Donica on bass and Peter Grant on drums.
Blueweiss is an advisor to The Coltrane Home and a prostate cancer survivor. A true music lover, his passion for “TRANE” began in 1973 after hearing the electric version of “A Love Supreme” by Carlos Santana and John Mclaughlin. While currently battling this disease, his relentless energy, positive outlook, and support for community and the arts is nothing less than inspirational and remarkable to all who know him. He has helped hundreds of friends by spreading the word about the importance of early detection of prostate cancer in conjunction with Integrated Medical Foundation (IMFcares.org) at various corporations as well. He is the proud father of two sons, Ben and David, captain of his boat aptly named “A Love Supreme,” and is financial advisor and CFP.
We are so excited to honor Michael Blueweiss,” said Ron Stein, president of the John and Alice Coltrane Home. “He has been such a passionate and tireless advocate for The John and Alice Coltrane Home and now for prostate cancer awareness. Even with all he’s going through, his own battle with the disease, he hasn’t let up. He is a fighter and an inspiration to all of us.”
Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theatre is located at 232 Main St. in Port Washington.
For tickets, go to landmarkonmainstreet.org.
