Page 7 - A JAZZ BULLETIN

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
photo: Łukasz Szełemej
ESSIET OKON ESSIET
Amersfoort Jazz presents its International Artist in Residence Essiet Okon Essiet (USA), who was a member of the legendary Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Essiet plays during the Festival Opener Concert Evening in theatre De Lieve Vrouw on Thursday, May 14, with The Jazz Brigade, honoring the legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey. Essiet and The Jazz Brigade, also featuring some outstanding Dutch Next Generation musicians, play a second time at Amersfoort Jazz, at de Groenmarkt on Friday, May 15.
Essiet Okon Essiet (*1956, Omaha, Nebraska) is a bassist with Nigerian roots. In 1983 he moved to New York City, playing with Art Blakey, next
to Abdullah Ibrahim, Kenny Barron, Kurt Elling, Kenny Garrett, Benny Golson, Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, Bobby Watson, Mike Stern, John Abercrombie, Victor Lewis
and his own Intercontinental Bush Orchestra. Essiet tours regularly with The Jazz Brigade, led by the notable Polish tenorist Sylwester Ostrowski, founder of the Szczecin Jazz Festival and The Szczecin Academy of
Art. Sylwester Ostrowski toured alongside artists like Bobby Watson, Wynton Marsalis, Darius Brubeck, and Deborah Brown.
TRIBUTE TO ART BLAKEY
The legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey (1919-1990), known for his work with Miles Davis, Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, is one of the most important jazz musicians of all times, being an inspiring incubator
for young talent in his days: Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Donald Byrd, Cedar Walton, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis and Keith Jarrett, to name a few!