Bobby Broom Tribute to Russell Malone
18th Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival
sponsored by Michael & Kathie Anthony
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of guitarist Russell Malone on August 23. Russell was scheduled to perform at the festival this year at Outpost as well as in Santa Fe and Taos (Sept 19-21). His death was sudden and tragic and he died way too young at the age of only 61. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all his friends. Guitarist Bobby Broom graciously agreed to jump in and play a concert in tribute to his fellow guitarist, friend, and colleague and will be accompanied by the rhythm section who were to accompany Mr. Malone. PLEASE NOTE: For those of you who have already purchased tickets to the Russell Malone concert, we encourage you to keep your tickets for this Bobby Broom Tribute concert - which will be great! If you would prefer to switch your tickets to another NM Jazz Festival concert at Outpost, you may do so. Please email Jalila Arthur Brewer at volunteer@outpostspace.org to let her know which concert you would prefer. Lastly, if you would prefer to get a refund, we will certainly honor that request.
Broom will be accompanied by the rhythm section who were to accompany Malone: Richard Germanson, piano; Vincent DuPont, bass; & Neal Smith, drums. Celebrated for his work with tenor saxophone legend Sonny Rollins (with whom he appeared at the New Mexico Jazz Festival in 2007) and Kenny Burrell’s Jazz Guitar Band, guitar great Bobby Broom was a 16-year-old prodigy who started studying the guitar at age 12 under the aegis of Harlem-based guitar instructor Jimmy Carter. He attended New York’s High School of Music and Art at which time he was performing several nights a week with pianist Al Haig (Charlie Parker’s pianist). During that same time, he turned down an invitation from Sonny Rollins to go on the road, and only after attending the Berklee College of Music and beginning his career in New York City, did he accept that offer four years later. He went on to enjoy two stints (1982-1987 and 2005-2010) with Rollins, who told DownBeat, “Bobby is one of my favorite musicians. He explains why I like the guitar. He’s got a strong musical sixth sense.” Broom moved to Chicago in 1984, where he continued touring with Rollins, joined forces with Kenny Burrell, played briefly with Miles Davis’s group, toured with Dr. John, and performed with such local Chicago stalwart players as Hammond B-3 organ veteran Charles Earland. He has a great fondness for jazz organ, which goes back to when he was only 10 years old and eventually went on to record on two of Earland’s albums, after which he went on to play and/or record with other Hammond B-3 masters including Jimmy McGriff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Melvin Rhyne and Jimmy Smith. Broom has also led his own organ groups, including the Deep Blue Organ Trio, a Chicago collective featuring Chris Foreman that lasted 25 years, and the Bobby Broom Organi-Sation. His albums with the Deep Blue Organ Trio included the Stevie Wonder salute, Wonderful and The Organi-Sation made its record debut in 2018 with Soul Fingers, which included Curtis Mayfield’s “Get Ready” and the Beatles’ “Come Together.” A tenured Associate Professor of Jazz Guitar and Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University, Broom was awarded a B.A. in music from Columbia College and an M.A. in jazz pedagogy from Northwestern University. He has long been involved in music education, previously teaching at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, DePaul University, Roosevelt University, and the American Conservatory of Music. $50/$40 Outpost Members (No Member Passes). $15 Students with current valid ID.
The Bobby Broom Russell Malone Tribute will also perform in Santa Fe on Friday, September 20, 7:30pm at UNIT “B” @ Chocolate Maven. 821 West San Mateo Road, Santa Fe. For info: santafemusiccollective.org
Outpost Performance Space Jazz Festival 2024 Concert Deal!
Buy four tickets to Jazz Festival concerts at the Outpost and get one free pass! Once you have purchased four tickets to Jazz Festival concerts at the Outpost, send an email to volunteer@outpostspace.org to request your “fifth FREE ticket” and we will send it to you. Please note that this offer is subject to availability—so do it early! This offer does not pertain to Jazz Festival events outside of the Outpost.
