Keystone Jazz Collective, Co-Founded By Pittsburgh Trombonist Reggie Watkins & Philadelphia Bassist Nimrod Speaks, Announces New Organization & July Concerts

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
June 26, 2018
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The KJC has the potential to grow by featuring prolific and inspiring artists within Pennsylvania, musicians and composers coming together to create something unique featuring the modern and historical contributions of the Keystone State's many artists.

The Keystone Jazz Collective is a tale of two Pennsylvania cities. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, not to mention the surrounding regions, have brought far more than their share of jazz to the world. Whether it��s

Billy Strayhorn

piano
1915 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Strayhorn and

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey from Pittsburgh,

Henry Mancini

composer / conductor
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Mancini from the nearby town of Alquippa, or

Benny Golson

saxophone, tenor
1929 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Golson,

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane, and

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner from Philadelphia, the list rapidly expands to include dozens of the greatest musicians of all time periods. Now the newly formed Keystone Jazz Collective promises to bring musicians from these cities and towns together to honor both the traditions and the new music in the most exciting creative music, ensembles, formats, and venues in the state and internationally.

In addition to its important networking and educational functions, the Collective is convening an ongoing series of concerts and recordings. The Keystone Jazz Collective summer kickoff concerts take place on July 27 Alphabet City, Pittsburgh, 8pm, free; July 28 Philadelphia Clef Club Of Jazz, 7pm, $15; July 29 Community Education Center, Philadelphia (presented by Leo Gadson), 5pm, $20.

Co-founded by Philly bassist/composer

Nimrod Speaks

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Nimrod Speaks and Pittsburgh-based trombonist

Reggie Watkins

trombone
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Reggie Watkins, the Keystone Jazz Collective is, like the famed San Francisco Jazz Collective, a multifaceted performance ensemble. Uniquely, it is also a project of the jazz community. According to Speaks, ��The KJC has the potential to grow by featuring prolific and inspiring artists within Pennsylvania, musicians and composers coming together to create something unique featuring the modern and historical contributions of the Keystone State��s many artists. Every time I share the concept in the local music communities, people react with great interest and want to hear more about it.��

Watkins adds his own reasons for taking on the project: ��I love the feel and history of my home scene in Pittsburgh and have always admired the vibrant and legendary Philadelphia music scene since the 1990s, playing at Warmdaddy��s and Ortlieb��s and later at Zanzibar Blue and Chris�� Jazz Caf��. Recently I��ve had the great fortune of performing with top Philadelphia musicians such as Nimrod as well as pianists

Luke Carlos O'Reilly

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Luke Carlos O'Reilly and

Orrin Evans

piano
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Orrin Evans.�� In addition to co-founders Speaks and Watkins, the group includes award-winning pianist Luke Carlos O��Reilly and in-demand drummer George Heid III. The Keystone Jazz Collective is:

About Reggie Watkins

Trombonist Reggie Watkins has toured and recorded with

Maynard Ferguson

trumpet
1928 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Maynard Ferguson, the Temptations, and pop artist Jason Mraz. Within the last year, Watkins has worked with Postmodern Jukebox, Ivan Neville��s Dumpstaphunk, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Orrin Evans Quintet, and the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. Currently Watkins leads his own groups in the Pittsburgh area including the Reggie Watkins Quartet and the Steeltown Horns. Watkins has released three critically acclaimed solo albums: A-List (2004), One for Miles, One for Maynard (2010), and Avid Admirer (2016), a tribute to the great trombonist Jimmy Knepper. Watkins has gained a worldwide reputation for his strong, groove-minded playing.

About Nimrod Speaks

Bassist/composer Nimrod Speaks began playing at the age of 14. After years of study completing his Master��s degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University, Speaks entered the arena performing with prolific artists like

Bootsie Barnes

saxophone, tenor
1937 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Bootsie Barnes,

Allan Harris

guitar and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Allan Harris, and

Tim Warfield

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Warfield. He has performed at prestigious venues and festivals around the world including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Blue Note in New York, the Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival in the U.K., and the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

About Luke Carlos O��Reilly

Luke Carlos O��Reilly is an award-winning pianist influenced by jazz, soul, R&B, gospel, Latin jazz, and the classical repertoire. Residing in Philadelphia, he has toured with jazz masters like

Curtis Fuller

trombone
1934 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Fuller,

Bobby Watson

saxophone, alto
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Watson,

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker,

Wycliffe Gordon

trombone
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Wycliffe Gordon,

Dave Valentin

flute
1952 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Valentin,

Billy Paul

vocals
1934 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Paul,

Slide Hampton

trombone
1932 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Slide Hampton,

Nicholas Payton

trumpet
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicholas Payton,

Fred Wesley

trombone
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Wesley,

Red Holloway

saxophone
1927 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Red Holloway,

Steve Turre

trombone
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Turre,

Chico Freeman

saxophone
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico Freeman,

Roy Ayers

vibraphone
1940 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy Ayers, Musiq Soulchild, Bilal, Carol Riddick, K��naan, and many others.

About George Heid III

Drummer

George Heid III

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">George Heid III came of age in Aspinwall, PA where in his father��s recording studio he was influenced by many music masters. Now fully matured as a musician, Heid leads ensembles that have toured extensively across the USA and in China, at venues and festivals such as Dizzy��s Club Coca-Cola (New York), JZ Club (Hangzhou), JZ Club (Shanghai), the Monterey Jazz Festival, Pittsburgh JazzLive, the Cleveland Jazz Festival, and many others.

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