By Richard Houdek, Special to the Eagle – This city embraced its creators of painting, sculpture, photography, film and other visual expression Friday evening at its first ever Arts Walk, but it also acknowledged its reputation as a center of jazz performance.

Hundreds of curious viewers munched hors d’oeuvres while viewing artists’ works on nearly every available wall, table and pedestal, in boutiques, restaurants and even a barber shop. Scores then convened in Baba Louie’s Backroom where BerkshiresJazz.org offered a live double feature of music.

Elli Fordyce, enjoying her third career as a singer, was the headliner, joined by the Berkshires Jazz Trio — Andy Jaffe, keyboard, Richard Downs, bass, and Peter Coombs, drums — in a set that included reliable standards, often performed in fresh tempos and unlikely harmonies.

Fordyce, candid about being a mid-septuagenarian, displays still-fine vocal support and pitch, she scats easily and she and Jaffe’s instrumental ensemble meshed remarkably, given that they met only a couple of hours prior to the downbeat, and had virtually no rehearsal.

Earlier, Eli Neuberger’s Jazz Tuber Trio — Neuberger on tuba, Jimmy Mazzy, vocals and banjo, and Ted Casher on reeds — produced some persuasive Dixieland sounds.

Their repertory was filled similarly with standards, but their instrumentation, punctuated by Neuberger’s tuba, bombastic as well as occasionally surprisingly sensuous, created fascinating textures. Mazzy’s flexible high baritone is reminiscent of the favorite old jazz masters of song Fordyce and the two trios, all of whom contributed their services for the evening as a presumed benefit for BerkshiresJazz and the Arts Walk, returned to wind up the evening with a couple of numbers that also were unrehearsed. Casher noted that he had not played with Jaffe’s group for more than 30 years before Friday’s gathering. But such risks are what make the art of jazz exciting, both for the players, and certainly for their listeners.

Winning entry, Ky Hong Le, Miss Hall's School

2nd Place entry, Valerie Smalls, PHS

3rd Place entry, Lena Godfrey, Taconic H.S.

Honorable Mention and Judges Choice awards

• Judges Choice: Kaileigh Hyman St. Joseph’s H.S.
• Kristen Bossio, PHS
• Lauren Farry, PHS
• Winnie Lee, Miss Hall’s
• Hannah Penner, Miss Hall’s
• Emily Ren, Miss Hall’s

The Judges Choice selection is intended to call attention of especially creative work that would not be suitable to be a part of the festival marketing materials.

Project coordinator is Art Niedeck, a jazz musician and music educator, and chairman of the Education Committee of Berkshires Jazz, Inc., which is responsible for planning the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival and other events throughout the year. In addition to its mission of presenting ‘live’ jazz, the not-for-profit Berkshires Jazz is chartered to promote jazz education throughout Berkshire County. Its activities are supported by ticket sales from the festival, as well as donations from sponsors, which this year include the Pittsfield Cultural Council, the New England Foundation for the Arts, Berkshire Bank – Legacy Region, and Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Here is a report of Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors 2011 season, including feedback from the schools.

Mount Everett Regional High School, Sheffield. We did a seminar with the school’s jazz ensemble at 7:30 in the morning, which is their rehearsal time! (Too early for musicians, some might say). The young musicians got a lot out of it, and several came to jam with us at our performance, later in the morning. Here is a clip of us practicing with the students.

Abbott Memorial School, Florida, MA. Kindergarden through 8th grade. We played for the entire school in an underground cement gymnasium. They were dancing to the music. The band was interviewed by the school newspaper, and each class wanted to have their pictures taken with the band. They left the show loving jazz music!

New Marlboro Central School. pre K through 6th grade. Marvelous show. High energy. The kids all left feeling like jazz enthusiasts. The young teachers wanted dates with (pianist) Matt Cusson!

Lee Elementary School. The students were the most excited here! The teachers and administrators said that it was their best assembly, EVER!

Farmington River Elementary, Otis. These students don’t get much cultural enrichment, so, they cherished having live music to dance to, to learn the history of jazz, and how jazz works.

Morris Elementary, Lenox. They sent about 200 students to the show. As teachers were passing by in the hall, they were asking, “why didn’t our class get to come and see this great show, too?” That was the principal’s call. He really wants us back so he can have all of the students get to see the program. Huge success!

Clarksburg Elementary and Middle School, in this faraway northwest corner of the state. In addition to the music, we got to answer some great questions about jazz from. The show was lively, and the entire school attended.

We had about 1,700 spectators at the shows this fall. That would include 1,500 students and 200 parents, PTO members, teachers, and administrators. Thank you for the opportunity to offer these performances, and to introduce our young people to jazz music. It is a true gift that they are receiving! The school administrations thanked the Jazz Festival Committee, our sponsors, and the Sister City Jazz Ambassadors profusely!

Feedback from the schools

The schools reacted positively to the Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors’ outreach in 2011, part of the extended activities of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival. Here are some of their responses.

I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful performance by the talented Sister City Jazz Ambassadors. It’s not often that both students and adults alike find a program so totally engaging. Everyone had praise and thoroughly enjoyed it. We all learned quite a bit about the history of jazz while being swept away by your highly entertaining and interactive presentation. We hope to have you back. – Linda Reardon, Principal, Clarksburg School

As an employee at Farmington River Elementary, as well as a parent of an aspiring 4th grade saxophone player, I was very happy to hear of your planned visit to our school. I’m must say that The Sister City Jazz Ambassadors far surpassed expectations!! Your ensemble was absolutely outstanding and not only did you perform an amazing set, your ability to engage the children (and adults!) was truly inspirational. Thank you for all your hard work and your passion for communicating the love of Jazz music to our youngest citizens. I look forward to attending your future concerts. – Ilona Packie

Thank you so much for coming to our school! It was by far the best assembly we have had in many years. The music was outstanding and the children learned so much about jazz. Encouraging the students to get up and dance the Charleston was great way to include movement into the presentation. Your group did an outstanding job introducing their instruments and encouraging children to play music. It was truly an inspirational performance. – Mary Turo, Principal, Farmington River School

We really enjoyed the performance, both kids and teachers! You guys were great and I love the educational aspect of it. We wish you well on the rest of your performances! – Courtney English, Band Director, Southern Berkshire Regional School District

Festival At A Glance

• Oct. 6, 6:30pm – Pre-festival kickoff party – Sister City Jazz Ambassadors – Patrick’s Pub, Bank Row, 499-1994
• Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 7-8 – Jazz About Town:
  • Fri. Oct. 7 – “We B 3″ – Lantern Restaurant- 445 North Street, 448-2717 – 9-12 PM
  • Fri. Oct. 7 – John Kozinski Quartet – Patrick’s Pub – Park Square, 499-1994 – 6:30 to 9:30 PM
  • Fri. Oct. 7 – Noah Weiss Trio – Baba Louie’s Sourdough Pizza – 34 Depot Street, 499-2400 – 6 – 9:30 PM
  • Fri. Oct. 7 – Sonny and Perley – Trattoria Rustica – McKay Street, 499-1192 – 6 – 9 PM
  • Sat. Oct. 8 – Rob Fisch Trio – Brulees Restaurant – 41 North St. 443-0500 – 7 – 10 PM
  • Sat. Oct. 8 – Ted Murray Quartet – Patrick’s Pub, Park Square, 499-1994 – 6:30 to 9:30 PM
• Oct. 12, 7:00pm – The Alma Macbride Trio – Berkshire Music School, 30 Wendell Ave.
  The inaugural concert in our “Jazz Prodigy” series
• Oct. 14, 7:30pm – The Armen Donelian Trio – Baba Louie’s Music Hall, 34 Depot St.
• Oct. 15, 8:00pm – The Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street
  The Grace Kelly Quartet with NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods and special guest Greg Caputo, drums plus the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble.
• Oct. 20, 5-8pm – Third Thursday block party; North Street and environs. Music, food, fun

Download the Festival At A Glance in other formats:
.pdf,
.txt.
Jazz About Town (PDF rackcard)

Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors – Kittredge Elementary School in Dalton, Mass.

BerkshiresJazz Youth Ensemble & Student Art Contest

John Krebs, PHS, winning entry Berkshires Jazz art contest.

Photos: Lee Everett/Fine Line

John Krebs, PHS, winning entry Berkshires Jazz art contest.

Art teachers engaged in the project were coordinator Colleen Quinn, Pittsfield High School; Lisa Ostellino and Barbara Patton, PHS; Marybeth Eldridge, Taconic H.S.; Dale Zola, St. Joseph’s H.S.; Ellie Kreischer and Sophie Lee from Miss Hall’s. Judges were

Molly Rose Morgan entry in Berkshires Jazz art contest