Charles Tolliver + Marcus Miller

Charles Tolliver Africa/Brass Celebrating Coltrane's Centennial Charles Tolliver (trumpet, direction), Camille Thurman (tenor saxophone, vocals), Darrell Green (drums), Antonio Faraò (piano), Chris Dahlgren (double bass), Musikene Big Band Self-taught, virtuoso and deeply committed to the essence of Afro-American Jazz, Charles Tolliver is one of the great trumpet players, composers and arrangers of our era, a musician who, over a career spanning more than six decades, has been able to maintain the legacy of John Coltrane and the sound of his album Africa/Brass (1961). In the 1960s, Tolliver worked with legendary figures such as Jackie McLean, Art Blakey and Sonny Rollins. He was also a member of Gerald Wilson's orchestra, where he played with Roy Ayers, and was a member of Max Roach's quintet, with whom he recorded Members Don't Get Weary (1968). He later formed the quartet Music Inc. with Stanley Cowell, with whom he founded Strata-East Records, one of the most influential independent labels in the history of jazz, a true standard-bearer of post-bop and the avant-garde of the 1970s. True to his spirit of creative independence, Tolliver has developed an extensive career at the head of large ensembles, combining energy, sophistication and risk. With Love (2007), nominated for a Grammy for Best Jazz Big Band, and Emperor March: Live at the Blue Note (2009) are two works that confirm his absolute mastery of the orchestral language. In 2026, John Coltrane would have turned 100 years old and, to commemorate it, Tolliver reformulates and reinterprets Africa/Brass (1961), one of the masterpieces of one of the greatest musicians in the history of jazz. Tolliver will be accompanied by 4 excellent musicians and a big band: the brilliant saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman, the powerful drummer Darrell Green, the virtuosity and overflowing creativity of Antonio Faraò on piano, the depth and expressiveness of Chris Dahlgren's double bass and the energy and know-how of the promising students who make up the Musikene Big Band. A unique opportunity to enjoy one of the great visionaries of contemporary jazz paying tribute to John Coltrane. A unique and unrepeatable concert. Marcus Miller: We Want Miles ! Marcus Miller (bass, bass clarinet), Mike Stern (guitar), Bill Evans (saxophone), Mino Cinelu (percussion), Russell Gunn (trumpet), Brett Williams (keyboards), Anwar Marshall (drums) The We Want Miles! project will feature a selection of tracks from the iconic album live on stage. We Want Miles! recorded in Japan in 1981, along with compositions from Miles' celebrated catalogue spanning from the 50s and 60s to his final period in the late 80s. Marcus Miller is one of the most influential artists of our time. In his long and successful career he has won two Grammy Awards, the Edison Lifetime Achievement Award, the Victoire du Jazz and, in 2013, he was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace. His signature bass sound can be heard on songs like Bill Wither's "Just The Two Of Us" and Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much". And throughout his career he has collaborated with artists such as Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Elton John, Bryan Ferry and Miles Davis himself, to whom this concert pays tribute. Miller, after several years of touring with Miles Davis' band, developed a close professional and personal relationship with him. This friendship led him to collaborate on several critically acclaimed albums and to be not only the bassist, but also the producer and composer of Miles Davis' last two albums: Tutu (1985) y Amandla (1989) Of the musical journey that awaits the audience at Trinity Square, Miller says: "Of course, we're going to play music from all the important eras of Miles' career, but I'm also going to use these incredible musicians to take Miles into the future and explore other things that Miles might have appreciated playing. After all, Miller points out, "Miles was never one to look back; he was always focused on what was ahead of him". Three other band members were also part of Miles Davis' own group: Mike Stern, Bill Evans and Mino Cinelu. All three helped bring Miles' almost 6-year musical hiatus to an end and helped him return to playing and composing jazz in a style more influenced by funk, pop and synthesizers. In fact, the three of them, along with Marcus Miller, coincided on the live album that gives its title to the concert we will see at the 61st Jazzaldia: We Want Miles (1982) The We Want Miles! project will be an exciting tribute to one of the most important figures not only in jazz, but in the history of music in general. A tribute to the legacy of Miles Davis and the profound impact he had on music.