Mickey Bass New York Powerhouse Ensemble at Faison Firehouse Theater

There is a real jewel up here in Harlem, a 1906 firehouse that has been beautifully restored and retooled into a fabulous arts space, The Faison Firehouse Theater. Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison saw an opportunity to use his professional success to bring classic culture back to Harlem. The mission is re identify the arts as an integral aspect of our cultural heritage and therefore an integral aspect of our lives.

Sunday May 27th happens to be a first time event here for Composers Grant recipient from Chamber Music America; Veteran Hard-bopper and Be-bopper Mickey Bass, will be heard with his Sextet "New York Powerhouse Ensemble". Mickey is a 'regular spark plug' on the Jazz Scene in New York for almost fifty years; the roster of Sidemen who have come up through his Bands reads as a veritable 'who's who' on today's Jazz scene. ...

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There is a real jewel up here in Harlem, a 1906 firehouse that has been beautifully restored and retooled into a fabulous arts space, The Faison Firehouse Theater. Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison saw an opportunity to use his professional success to bring classic culture back to Harlem. The mission is re identify the arts as an integral aspect of our cultural heritage and therefore an integral aspect of our lives.

Sunday May 27th happens to be a first time event here for Composers Grant recipient from Chamber Music America; Veteran Hard-bopper and Be-bopper Mickey Bass, will be heard with his Sextet "New York Powerhouse Ensemble". Mickey is a 'regular spark plug' on the Jazz Scene in New York for almost fifty years; the roster of Sidemen who have come up through his Bands reads as a veritable 'who's who' on today's Jazz scene.
This time we are graced with a very special guest on the Vibraphone, who did indeed cut his chops, and became a 'Bob the Bear-catcher' under Mickeys' tutelage. A member of Mickeys' Quartet "The Manhattan Burn Unit" recorded on "Another Way Out", member of 'Wingspan' with Mulgrew
Miller and also playing regularly with Dave Holland is the brilliant fellow Pittsburger; Steve Nelson. We are also delighted to welcome to the Band John Eckert, one of the fiercest freelance trumpeters on the East Coast. Modestly; Eckert has played and recorded with a veritable who's really who the short list; Toshiko Akiyoshi, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Heath, Woody Herman, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan and Stan Kenton. Tenor Sax man Tommy Morimoto joins the Band. In New York since 2003 Tommy has appeared in concert with Dave Brubeck, Lew Tabackin, Les Paul, Christian McBride, Bobby Watson and the Mingus Big Band, also he is a featured sideman on the recording "Indestructible" Anita O' Day. Rising on the horizon is Alto Saxophonist Brent Birkhead, a Baltimore native and graduate of Howard University who has played with Jimmy Heath and Al Jarreau amongst others, and also a regular @ Bohemian Caverns, D.C. Rounding out the Band is Mark Johnson on Drums who has played with Abbey Lincoln, Geri Allen, Stanley Turrentine, Cassandra Wilson and David Murray.

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