By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Saxophone lovers will get a treat this Friday at Rudy’s Jazz Room with a special tribute to a living legend and showcases from two of the area’s finest saxophonists. The evening begins at 5:30 with a tribute show. “The Music of John Coltrane & Friends” spotlights Chicago drummer John Hanrahan heading a group that will perform some of Coltrane’s finest tunes. Hanrahan has extensive experience in both jazz and blues circles, and will be heading a quartet. Tickets for this show are $14 at the door.
Prolific saxophonist Don Aliquo has played with numerous great musicians. His most recent release was “The Innocence of Spring” which was recorded live with pianist Michael Jefry Stevens at Hinton Hall on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University where Aliquo is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies. He’ll be playing with a top rhythm section that includes pianist Bruce Dudley on piano, Jonathan Wires on bass, and Jordan Perlson on drums. Tickets for this second show are $22.
Capping off the evening will be the Alex Murphy Trio featuring Joel Frahm. This last show begins at 11 p.m. It features Chicago jazz artist Murphy, who’s shared a stage with many jazz heavyweights, among them Nicholas Payton, Dave Douglas, Bobby Broom, Dezron Douglas, Pharezz Whitted, Mark Colby, Matt Ulery, Dennis Carroll, Roger Ingram, and Joe Grandsden. Backing him will be saxophonist Joel Frahm, who’s relocated to Nashville after more than three decades in New York City. Some of his collaborations include Betty Carter, Kenny Barron, Freddy Cole, Dianne Schuur, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, Bill Charlap, Brad Mehldau, Matt Wilson, Cyrille Aime., Tickets for this show are $12.