John Lee Band to open 15th Jazzfest

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance will open Jazzfest at Tusten with The John Lee Band, featuring special guest Claudio Roditi, on Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street.

Bassist John Lee brings together a sextet of dynamic players who are associated with Dizzy Gillespie’s bands and orchestras. Lee served as bassist for Dizzy’s 70th Anniversary Big Band and the United Nation Orchestra. A composer, producer and teacher, Lee has played in the bands of Sonny Rollins, Max Roach and Joe Henderson. He is currently a member of the Fantasy Band.

Trumpeter Roditi, another Gillespie Band alumni, has recorded with Tito Puente and Slide Hampton and released over 15 CDs as a leader. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1946, Roditi grew up listening to Louis Armstrong, Harry James and other American trumpeters as he absorbed the influences of Brazilian music. By the time he was 13, thanks to an American uncle’s record collection, he was familiar with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Roditi arrived in the United States in 1970 to study at Berklee School of Music. In 1976 he moved to New York City.

Rounding out the ensemble is Tomoko Ohno (piano), who has performed at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall, The Blue Note and appeared on live radio broadcasts by WGBO and WNYC; Ed Cherry (guitar), who spent over 10 years performing in the various bands of Dizzy Gillespie; Karl Latham (drums), whose drumming has provided the spark for many developing artists in New York; and Duke Lee (percussion), whose interest in Afro-Cuban, Indian and Brazilian rhythms has found him playing with the likes of leaders such as David Valentin, Pauito D’Rivera and Cyrus Chestnut.

Admission costs $25. For more information call 845/252-7576.