32nd ANNUAL JOHN COLTRANE MEMORIAL CONCERT IN BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 26-27

The music and life of legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is being celebrated in Boston next month at the 32nd annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert. This annual gathering of Boston’s jazz musicians, artists, African-American leaders and music lovers showcases Coltrane’s musical genius as well as his spiritual wisdom and optimism about transforming society through music and culture.

This year's John Coltrane Memorial Concert includes two concerts taking place on September 26 and 27 (see details below), featuring a host of world-class musicians who will reflect upon the rich musical and spiritual legacy of 'Trane through contemporary interpretations of his works.

The inspiration for this year’s weekend of events is drawn from John Coltrane’s early solo album entitled “The Believer” which was recorded in the late 1950’s while he was still a member of the Miles Davis sextet.

The John Coltrane Memorial Concert was started in 1977 in Boston and since 1986 has been run by the Department of African American Studies at Northeastern University, thanks to the efforts of saxophonist Leonard Brown, co-founder of the JCMC and a faculty member in the department.

The master of ceremonies at both concerts is Eric Jackson, host of one of the nation's premier jazz radio programs, "Eric in the Evening" on WGBH-FM radio in Boston.

At the opening concert on Saturday at Blackman Theater, organizers are using the occasion to honor Edmund Barry Gaiter, Executive Director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and Museum for his 40 years of leadership, advocacy and vision.

Also affiliated with this year’s activities is the Ascension art installation created by artists of the African American Master Artists in Residence Program (AAMARP) at Northeastern’s Ryder Hall at 11 Leon Street. The exhibit runs from September 1-28 and is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

*************************************************

September 26/ Saturday
John Coltrane Memorial Concert:

The Believer, Concert 1
Blackman Theater @ Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue, Boston

Starring the 14 piece all-start John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble, featuring Carl Atkins (sax), Leonard Brown (sax), Sa Davis (percussion), Mark Harvey (trumpet), Tim Ingles (bass), John Lockwood (bass), Bill Lowe (tuba), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Bill Pierce (sax), George W. Russell Jr. (keys), Syd Smart (percussion), Stan Strickland (sax/flute), Alvin Terry (percussion) & Gary Valente (trombone). Click here for samples of the Ensemble’s previous work.

September 27/ Sunday
John Coltrane Memorial Concert:

The Believer, Concert 2ACT/Roxbury Hibernian Hall
184 Dudley Street, Roxbury

Starring master instrumentalist and vocalist Stan Strickland (sax/flute), who will perform a unique tribute to ‘Trane’s legacy with his ensemble including John Lockwood (bass), Laslzo Gardony (keys), & Yoron Israel (drums), along with appearances by members of The John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble (Bill Lowe on tuba, Syd Smart on percussion, Jason Palmer on trumpet & Leonard Brown on sax).

Ticket: $20 general admission; $17 NU faculty & staff, WGBH Members, non-NU students, seniors; $15 NU students.For advance tickets and information: 617-373-4700 (TTY 617-373-2184), www.gonu.com/tickets; for tickets day of show, cash only at the door.

The sponsors of this year’s John Coltrane Memorial Concert include Northeastern University WGBH, ACT Roxbury and the National Center of Afro-American Artists.

For updates on sponsors and other pertinent information, log onto www.jcmc.neu.edu or call 617-373-8700.

For press information, please contact Mary Curtin at 617-241-9664, 617-470-5867 (cell), marycurtin@comcast.net

KAT EDMONSON SEXTET ADDED TO THE JAZZ CAFÉ AT THE TANGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL

Vocalist Kat Edmonson and her Sextet performs on Sunday, Sept 6, at 12:30 pm in the Jazz Café at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival in Lenox, Massachusetts.

The Austin-based vocalist made her Northeast debut in June at the Jazz Standard in New York. Edmonson’s first CD, “Take to the Sky,” includes selections from Cole Porter, Henry Mancini, John Lennon and Carol King. “Take to the Sky” was mastered by industry superstar, Doug Sax (Pink Floyd, Bette Midler, Neil Young).

Edmonson’s original song, “Lucky” (previously released as an MP3) was featured on the nationally broadcast television program, “The United States of Tara,” produced by Steven Spielberg on the Showtime network.

Nate Chinen of the New York Times says Edmonson … “is a promising young jazz singer with a kittenish voice and an amiably relaxed style,” and Michael Corcoran of the Austin-American Statesman, calls her “Austin’s Great Jazz Hope.”

The Jazz Café is an informal, cabaret-style venue featuring emerging artists. Past Jazz Café performers have included Esperanza Spaulding, Grace Kelly, Sachal Vasandani, Aaron Parks and Spencer Day, among many others. Admission to the Café is free with a ticket to the main stage event that follows—A Piano Duet with Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller followed by the 2009 Grammy winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

Ms. Edmonson replaces the previously scheduled Steven Santoro Quartet. Mr. Santoro was invited to travel to the UK with Sting to record his upcoming DVD.

For complete ticket information and an overview of the festival which takes place September 4-6, go to tanglewoodjazzfestival.org or call SymphonyCharge at 888-266-1200.

Classical Bluesical Jazzi Festival on Martha's Vineyard, August 29

The First Annual Martha’s Vineyard Classical, Bluesical, Jazzi Festival (The CBJ Festival) takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at Union Chapel, Kennebec Avenue in Oaks Bluff.

Headlining the event is SAGE, an all-woman ensemble that delivers a unique brand of hot jazz, funk, and Latin licks, with classical grooves. SAGE features Lakecia Benjamin on alto saxophone, Bernice Brooks on drums, Miki Hayama on piano, Kersten Stevens on violin, Miriam Sullivan on bass and Ragan Whiteside on flute and vocal.

The concert starts at 7:00 p.m. and is free to the public.

Returning to the Vineyard to perform with SAGE is äj, (pronounced ahhsh) a contemporary jazz, blues and R&B ensemble from New York, by way of St. Louis. Featuring Andrea and James Rohlehr (pictured above), Äj is a unique ensemble of singers, songwriters and producers that has enriched the American Music landscape with many compositions heard on television and radio.

The CBJ Festival is designed to bridge and unify the music interests of jazz connoisseurs and young people, promoting intergenerational cultural exchanges based on themes of respect, humanity, environment and scholarship, says Sheila Baptista of Lewis and Kirk Music, Inc. one of the event organizers along with AndJam Enterprises.

For more information contact: 914 837-1995 or lewisandkirkmusic@yahoo.com.

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2009 TANGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 4-6

The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Labor Day Weekend Tanglewood Jazz Festival September 4-September 6, 2009 at the Orchestra’s summer home in the Berkshire Hills in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Jazz greats highlighting this year’s festival include Paquito d’Rivera (pictured left), Regina Carter, Nnenna Freelon, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, Kurt Elling, Harry Allen, Bucky Pizzarelli, Aaron Weinstein, Dave Holland, Steve Nelson, Chris Potter, Robin Eubanks, Antonio Hart, Gary Smulyan, Nate Smith, Alex Sipiagian, Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, Wallace Roney, Sean Jones, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Harolyn Blackwell and Mike Garson. All shows will be held in Seiji Ozawa Hall.

For additional information, bios, and photos n the performing artists, please review the electronic press kit at TanglewoodJazzFestival.org/presskit.

On Friday, September 4, at 8 p.m. the 2009 Tanglewood Jazz Festival will open with “An Evening with Paquito d’Rivera” in which the famed clarinetist performs pieces from his Latin jazz and classical repertoires. A 2005 NEA Jazz Master, winner of the 2008 Downbeat Reader’s Poll for best clarinetist and guest artist on Yo-Yo Ma’s most recent recording, Songs of Joy & Peace, d’Rivera has extensive expertise in both the jazz and classical music worlds.

On Saturday, September 5 at 2 p.m., John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey (in her Tanglewood debut) will tape their popular radio program, “Radio Deluxe,” at the festival for later broadcast on more than 60 stations nation-wide. Normally broadcast from their living room “high above Lexington Avenue,” the Tanglewood program will officially take Radio Deluxe on the road for the first time since the program’s inception in 2005. The show’s format, marked by the duo’s urbane, sophisticated humor, inventive playlist, and extensive knowledge of the Great American Songbook, is expanding its repertoire to include such rock era voices as Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell. “Radio Deluxe” from Tanglewood will feature special guests Kurt Elling, Bucky Pizzarelli, Aaron Weinstein and Harry Allen.

On Saturday, September 5 at 8 p.m., jazz violinist and MacArthur Fellowship recipient, Regina Carter will perform with her quartet in a program titled “Reverse Thread,” which includes material from her Paganini project plus music from Mali, Senegal, and Uganda. O Magazine said “Carter is a knockout violinist who leads a knockout band.”

Following Ms. Carter will be Grammy nominated jazz vocalist, Nnenna Freelon and classical vocalist, Harolyn Blackwell, in “Dreaming the Duke,” a program that celebrates the legacy and influences of the great Duke Ellington with innovative solo pieces, duets with chamber and jazz quartets and intimate vocal-piano selections. Noted pianist and arranger, Mike Garson, whose work with David Bowie and in jazz and classical genres has earned him high praise as an arranger, will perform as accompanist and musical director. They will perform classical Ellington standards and selections from Ellington’s famed “Black, Brown and Beige Suite.”

The Sunday afternoon concert on September 6 will open at 2 p.m. with a rare and exclusive piano duet featuring Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller on two nine-foot Steinways performing spontaneous improvisations on original and jazz standard compositions. Performed at the 2005 Marciac Jazz Festival in France, this program has only been performed a few times in the U.S. and in Europe. Barron recently received the BNY Mellon Jazz 2008 Living Legacy Award by the Bank of New York/Mellon.

Barron and Miller will be followed by one of the most enduring large jazz ensembles in the U.S., the Grammy-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Founded by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, the orchestra received a Grammy Award in 2009 for its recording, Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard (Planet Arts Records) in the “Best Large Jazz Ensemble” category. For over four decades the Orchestra has performed on Monday nights at the world-famous jazz club, the Village Vanguard in New York.

Closing the festival on Sunday, September 6, at 8 p.m. will be trumpeter Jon Faddis and his Quartet with guest trumpeters Sean Jones and Wallace Roney. “The Majesty of the Trumpet” is a celebration of the role of the trumpet in jazz throughout the past century, from Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

Jon Faddis will be bassist and big band leader, Dave Holland, with his all-star band including Chris Potter, Jaleel Shaw, Gary Smulyan, Steve Nelson, Nate Smith, Alex Sipiagian and Robin Eubanks. A native of the United Kingdom, Holland worked extensively with Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Jack DeJohnette and Herbie Hancock in addition to performing with chamber orchestras and classical composers.

Jazz Café artists this year include saxophonist Benny Reid, pianist and vocalist Michael Kaeshammer, pianist Evgeny Lebedev, vocalist Steven Santoro and violinist Ben Powell. Jazz Café events are free with a ticket to the main stage event.

For the first time, “The Jazz Session” produced and hosted by Jason Crane, will be on-site in the jazz tent conducting interviews with musicians and ticket holders for podcast downloading at thejazzsession.com and at allaboutjazz.com.

Tickets for the 2009 Tanglewood are available by calling SymphonyCharge at 888-266-1200 or online at tanglewood.org and in person at the Tanglewood Box Office in Lenox. For further information, please call SymphonyCharge at 888-266-1200 or visit our website at tanglewoodjazzfestival.org.

The Tanglewood Jazz Festival’s online media partner is jazzcorner.com.


2009 Tanglewood Jazz Festival
Ticket Prices
Friday, September 4, 6:30 p.m.
Benny Reid Quartet
Jazz Cafe
Admission free with ticket to main stage event

Friday, September 4, 8 p.m.
An Evening with Paquito d’Rivera
$41/$48/$59/lawn $17

Saturday, September 5, 12:30 p.m.
Michael Kaeshammer
Jazz Café
Admission free with ticket to main stage event

Saturday, September 5, 2 p.m.
“Radio Deluxe” with John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey
Special guests Kurt Elling, Bucky Pizzarelli, Aaron Weinstein, Harry Allen
Live taping for national radio broadcast
$32/$40/$55/lawn $18

Saturday, September 5, 6:30 p.m.
Evgeny Lebedev Trio
Jazz Café
Admission free with ticket to main stage event

Saturday, September 5, 8 p.m.
“Reverse Thread” with the Regina Carter Quartet
“Dreaming the Duke” with Nnenna Freelon, Harolyn Blackwell and Mike Garson
$45/$60/$75/lawn $19

Sunday, September 6, 12:30 p.m.
Steven Santoro Quartet
Jazz Café
Admission free with ticket to main stage event

Sunday, September 6, 2 p.m.
“A Piano Duet” with Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
$32/$40/$55/lawn $18

Sunday, September 6, 6:30 p.m.
Ben Powell Quartet
Jazz Café
Admission free with ticket to main stage event

Sunday, September 6, 8 p.m.
“The Majesty of the Trumpet” with the Jon Faddis Quartet and special guests
Sean Jones and Wallace Roney
Dave Holland Octet with Chris Potter, Robin Eubanks, Jaleel Shaw,
Alex Sipiagian, Gary Smulyan, Nate Smith, Steve Nelson
$41/$48/$59/lawn $17

All day lawn pass Saturday and Sunday
$34

For additional information, bios and photos on the performing artists, please review the electronic press kit at tanglewoodjazzfestival.org/presskit or contact:

Boston Symphony Orchestra:
Bernadette Horgan (bhorgan@bso.org) and Kathleen Drohan (kdrohan@bso.org)
413-637-5280

Dawn Singh Publicity:
Dawn Singh
dawn@dawnsinghpublicity.com
617-765-4012 (google voice)

PROVINCETOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL, AUGUST 14-16

The 5th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival™ takes place on August 14 - 16, 2009 at the Provincetown High School in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

This is the only three-day Jazz Festival on Cape Cod and features local, national and international musicians, including:

. Shawnn Monteiro (Providence vocalist). Pictured above.

. New York's Finest Jazz Ensemble, The Police Jazz Ensemble from New York City, are making their Cape Cod debut.

. String of Pearls (vocal trio from New York City).

. Beat Kaestli (Swiss vocalist).

. Krisanthi Pappas (Boston vocalist).

. Jim Robitaille (guitar) & John Harrison III (piano).

. Andy Solberg (guitar); Fred Boyle (piano); Bryan Rizzuto, Bill Miele & Laird Boles (bass) and Bart Weisman (drums).

There will be three concerts at the Provincetown High School:
Friday, August 14, 8:00 pm
Saturday, August 15, 8:00 pm
Sunday, August 16, 1:00 pm.

Tickets are $25.00 per concert and a portion of the proceeds are donated to worthy causes in Provincetown.

For schedules, sponsors and ticket information please visit http://www.provincetownjazzfestival.org/

SALEM JAZZ & SOUL FESTIVAL - August 15th – 16th

(Photo: Boston Horns, by Tom Uellner)

SALEM, MA – The third annual Salem Jazz & Soul Festival is coming to Salem with a full music program of concerts on Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 15 & 16.
The lineup for the festival is: Saturday, August 15, from 10:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Salem High School Jazz Ensemble, Manami Morita & Randy Runyon Quintet, Gregorio Uribe Big Band, the Brotherhood of Groove, Sea Monsters, Revolutionary Snake Ensemble , with a special appearance by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra.

For Sunday, Aug. 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., the lineup is: Qwill & the Further from Zen Orchestra, Soul Force V, Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints and The Boston Horns Big Band. The MC for the festival on Saturday will be Holly Harris, from www.ultimateblues.com. Sunday’s MC will be the great local saxophonist, Henley Douglas, Jr.

A group of area residents and music enthusiasts have worked hard through the winter and summer months putting together this festival. The free, family-friendly event will present a dynamic program of jazz, funk and soul performed by some of the hottest bands from Boston and the North Shore. Proceeds from the Festival will support music education and cover the expenses for putting on the festival.

As in past years, there will be a full complement of vendors at the Festival offering a wide range of arts and crafts, goods and services for festival goers.

Salem Jazz & Soul Festival concerts are free and family-friendly events that present a dynamic program of jazz, funk and soul performed by some of the most accomplished bands from the area. For more information on the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, please visit www.salemjazzsoul.com

RESTAURANT WEEK BOSTON – FINE DINING IN A BEAUTIFUL CITY

Boston’s semi-annual Restaurant Week is upon us, and there’s no better way to enjoy the city’s hospitality at its finest than by sitting down to a meal.

This year Restaurant Week in Boston runs from August 9-14 and 16-21, and over 200 restaurants are participating, according to Patrick Moscaritolo, head of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes the event.

Moscaritolo says it’s a chance for the city’s best chefs “to get creative and showcase seasonal New England ingredients, farm fresh herbs and produce, and local seafood all at a tremendous value to diners. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the region’s outdoor cafes, patios and harborside dining.”

A number of restaurants with live jazz are participating, here is a sampling:

• Boston's Downtown: Les Zygomates
• Boston's South End: Beehive Jazz Club and Petit Robert Birstro
• Boston's Back Bay: Oak Room at Fairmont Copley Plaza, Skipjack's Restaurant and Top of the Hub Restaurant
• Boston's Waterfront: Lucky's Lounge
• Cambridge: Upstairs on the Square
• Brookline: The Fireplace
• Belmont: Savinos

For more details on Restaurant Week Boston, visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau web site at http://www.bostonusa.com/

For more information on jazz in Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com

(Photo: Chef Rachel Klein, Aura Restaurant at Seaport Boston Hotel)