Charles Tolliver + Marcus Miller

Charles Tolliver Africa/Brass Celebrating Coltrane's Centennial

Charles Tolliver (trumpet, conductor), Camille Thurman (tenor saxophone, vocals), Darrell Green (drums), Antonio Faraò (piano), Chris Dahlgren (double bass), Musikene Big Band

A self-taught, absolute master of his craft, deeply committed to the essence of African-American Jazz, Charles Tolliver is one of the great trumpeters, composers and arrangers of our era, a musician who, throughout a career spanning more than six decades, has managed to preserve 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 part of Gerald Wilson's orchestra, where he met Roy Ayers, and was a member of Max Roach's quintet, with whom he recorded Members Don't Get Weary (1968). He later created the Music Inc. Quartet 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 forged a long and fruitful career at the helm 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 of his that leave no doubt as to his absolute mastery of orchestral language.

In 2026, John Coltraine would have turned 100. To commemorate this, Tolliver has decided to rework and reinterpret Africa/Brass (1961), one of the masterpieces by one of the greatest musicians in the history of Jazz. Tolliver will be accompanied by four excellent musicians and a big band: the brilliant saxophonist and vocalist, Camille Thurman; the powerful drummer, Darrell Green; the virtuosity and boundless creativity of Antonio Faraò on piano; the depth and expressiveness of Chris Dahlgren on double bass; and the energy and skill of the promising students from Musikene Big Band.

A unique opportunity to take in and enjoy one of the great visionaries of contemporary Jazz paying tribute to John Coltrane. A unique, once-in-a-lifetime concert experience.

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 include a selection of tracks from the iconic live album, We Want Miles! recorded in Japan in 1981, along with compositions from Miles’ celebrated catalogue, spanning the 1950s and the 1960s, up to his final period in the late 1980s.

Marcus Miller is one of the most influential artists of our time. In his long and successful career, he has won two Grammys, the Edison Award for a lifetime dedicated to Jazz, and the Victoire du Jazz award. In 2013, Miller was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace. His distinctive bass sound is there in songs like Bill Wither’s «Just The Two Of Us», and Luther Vandross’ «Never Too Much». Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists of the stature of 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.

After several years touring with Miles Davis’ band, Miller developed a close personal and professional relationship with Miles. That friendship led to his collaboration in several records acclaimed by critics and to him being not just the bass player but also the producer and composer of Miles Davis’ last two albums: Tutu (1985) and Amandla (1989).

Miller has this to say about the musical journey that awaits those who go to his concerts in Plaza de la Trinidad: “Of course we are going to play the music from all the important periods of Miles’ career, but I’m also going to make the most of these incredible musicians and have them take Miles into the future and explore other things that Miles would no doubt have enjoyed playing.” After all, says Miller, “Miles never was one to look back; he always focused on what lay ahead.”

Three other members of the band were also part of Miles Davis’ own group: Mike Stern, Bill Evans and Mino Cinelu. The three were instrumental in ending Miles’ near six-year musical hiatus and in him returning to playing and composing Jazz with a style more influenced by funk, pop and synthesisers. In fact, the three, along with Miller, appeared together on the live album that gives its name to the concert we will witness at the 61st edition of Jazzaldia: We Want Miles (1982).

The We Want Miles! project will be a moving tribute to one of the most important figures not only of the world of Jazz, but the history of music in general. A tribute to the legacy of Miles Davis and the profound impact he had on music.