Tenor saxophonist IGOR BUTMAN & organist JON HAMMOND
Backstage at Le Club jazz club in Moscow with Igor and Jon beaming after first successful concerts in Russia together!
Note: See's Candy *in box, is a major sponsor of jazz events & concerts in San Francisco Bay Area thanks to Charles N. Huggins and company.
Jazz Quad article: "Blues In The Moscow White Nights" |
The story of my first concerts in Russia with Igor Butman (sax), Eduard Zizak (drums) by organist Jon Hammond (USA) for Jazz QuadComing to Russia to play in concert together with Igor Butman and Eduard Zizak recently, was one of the greatest experiences in my life/career! I was highly anticipating this journey for many reasons. First of all since my family originally came from Russia and Latvia many years ago, I had heard so many stories as a young child about the land and people I was about to visit. My grandparents were never able to return to Russia but when I arrived it felt like I was coming home. |
Jon Hammond with South African Minister-Counsellor Mpendulo Kumalo
foto by Jennifer Frizzell
Igor Butman, Eduard Zizak, Jon Hammond
Igor, Eduard and Jon in concert at Le Club jazz club, Moscow June 22, 2003
foto courtesy of Igor Moskvichev
The Journey Home to USA from MoscowAfter the 2nd successful night playing in trio with Igor and Eduard, we sadly said our goodbyes. But we are very excited about Igor coming to New York with his entire 18 piece bigband to perform in concert with Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in September! |
Jon Hammond tries on a Russian hat at GUM
We went shopping in the famous GUM department store complex. Here I tried on a typical Russian fur hat. It is very warm in the summer! But good for winter I am sure.
Jon Hammond standing at the Le Club marquis
We were very happy to find Le Club by Metro on our first full day in Moscow, and there I am standing by the poster for my concerts there with Igor and Eduard!
JON HAMMOND Hot Links! |
Moscow White Nights...view outside our hotel window
This stunning view of Red Square from our hotel room window gave me the inspiration for the title "Blues In The Moscow White Nights" (like Blues in the Night) we played the song live on the Le Club sessions!
Igor Butman & Gary Walker at WBGO
Very early on morning of Fri. March 5th, 2004 Igor and I met at Port Authority Bus Station and took the bus out to WBGO radio in Newark NJ. I was assigned to the task by Gary to bring Igor in time for a broadcast interview that morning. Gary was my initial connection to Igor so they are old buddies as you can see in this photo I shot outside of WBGO at 54 Park Place in Newark. I'll be returning to Moscow to play with Igor again this coming July.
Jon Hammond and Igor Butman on Russian TV
Igor translates for Jon on Russian television as he speaks about how it is to be in Russia performing with Igor Butman. The power of the universal language of music has brought it all together, and Jon is explaining his wish to dedicate original composition "Soon I Will Be Free" to the peoples of Russia and the former USSR.