FRANCISCO MELA’S CRASH TRIO WITH SPECIAL GUEST NICHOLAS PAYTON Francisco Mela is not only the first Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, he also performs here in two configurations: in a trio at the Saint Paul Central Library (“Jazz in the Library,” June 21) and as the festival finale act with his Crash Trio and all-star trumpeter Nicholas Payton. A charismatic drummer favored by luminaries from McCoy Tyner to Kenny Barron to Joe Lovano, Cuban native Mela has appeared locally at Jazz Fest, the Dakota, Hopkins Center for the Arts and MacPhail. Francisco also toured with Jane Bunnett’s “Spirits of Havana” and has four acclaimed albums to his credit. Joining Mela’s Crash Trio will be Nicholas Payton, an Elvin Jones alum and multi-Grammy winner/nominee recognized as one of the leading voices of jazz in the 21st century and bassist, Gerald Cannon. Sat June 27 at 8:30 p.m., AARP Main Stage at Mears Park http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/11366/68/ (Mela) http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nicholas-payton-mn0000335431/biography (Payton)
