Sullivan, who turns 85 in May, was a longtime colleague of Red’s since the early 50s and co-led the Red Rodney/Ira Sullivan Quintet during the 80s recording a handful of critically acclaimed records while touring extensively throughout the US.
Beside Sullivan, the tribute will feature some of New York’s finest musicians including trumpeter John Bailey, pianist Dave Kikoski, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Tony Pinciotti. Showtimes on Wednesday, April 22 are at 8 pm & 10 pm and on Thursday, April 23 at 9 pm and 11 pm. For reservations, please call (212) 477-9462 or visit Zinc Bar.
A brilliant jazz improviser who performed with the swing bands of Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, and Benny Goodman before joining (1949-51) Charlie Parker’s bebop quintet, Red Rodney, distinguished by his flaming red hair, was also the first white bebop trumpeter. His innovative playing style was marked by his brilliant technique and purity of tone.
Unfortunately, like many jazz musicians of his generation, his career was cut short due to drugs. Broke and desperate, he later ran afoul of the law by impersonating an Army General and stealing $10,000 from the Atomic Energy Commission along with some secret documents. This landed him in jail where he spent three years.
But after a long absence from the stage, Rodney made a triumphant comeback in the early 70s returning to his former glory as a skilled balladeer and later reconnecting with his erstwhile bandmate Ira Sullivan. Their collaboration led to a fruitful and much-heralded association during the 80s releasing five albums and garnering a 1982 Grammy nomination for the album Sprint.
In 1988, Rodney served as a consultant on director Clint Eastwood’s film Bird on the life of Charlie Parker and also performed on its soundtrack. Rodney continued recording and touring into the early 90s with various bands and was inducted into the Down Beat Hall of Fame in 1990.
On May 27, 1994, Red Rodney died of lung cancer. His death marked the end of an era as he was one of the last living links to Charlie Parker and bebop.
read more: http://www.intouchhome.com/Legendary+Multi-instrumentalist+Ira+Sullivan+Pays+Homage+to+Former+Bandmate+and+Trumpet+Great+Red+Rodney#.VRp58lw-b9s
