Grace Kelly, who appeared at the 2006 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival as a guest soloist, and in 2007 as a featured artist, has been named “Alto Saxophone, Rising Star” in the 2009 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll. Congratulations to this legend-in-the-making!
Here is a video clip, made by Jenn Smith of the Berkshire Eagle, from our Jazz in Schools program, part of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, showing the Sister City Jazz Ambassadors playing at Hancock Elementary School in Hancock, MA (featuring Charlie Tokarz, sax and clarinet; Andy Kelly, guitar):
First report of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s 2009 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival performance with the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble at the sold-out Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield has been posted at BerkshireLinks.com. It includes a three and a half minute video clip that segues from the afternoon rehearsal to the evening performance with Mr. Brubeck sharing the piano with Pittsfield HS student Samuel Landes.
Following, is more video from rehearsal, including final preparations for Mr. Brubeck’s transition with PHS student Sam Landes, and interactions with Art Neideck, Ron Lively, and Ed Bride. And there’s another video clip from the concert that can be seen here on YouTube.
2009 festival is underway…
See a video montage at BerkshireLinks.com from the opening performance of the festival, royal hartigan and blood drum spirit. More video will be posted here soon.
Barbara Dennerlein was interviewed by Jason Crane for The Jazz Sessions before her October 19, 2008 performance during the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.
Barbara Dennerlein – The Jazz Sessions interview.
The Jazz Session
Noah Baerman’s “Know Thyself,” world premier at Wesleyan University
World Premiere of Noah Baerman’s “Know Thyself,” an extended suite for jazz septet, 8pm Friday, November 13 at Crowell Concert Hall, Wesleyan University, Wyllys Ave. Middletown, CT.
Wayne Escoffery – tenor and soprano saxophones
Erica von Kleist – alto saxophone and flute
Chris Dingman – vibraphone
Amanda Monaco – guitar
Henry Lugo – bass
Vinnie Sperrazza – drums, marimba
Noah Baerman – piano, melodica, composer
www.wesleyan.edu/cfa
8:00 start time (1 set of tunes featuring the band members, followed by “Know Thyself”)
Admission $15 (various discounts available for students, seniors and Wesleyan community)
Made possible through generous support from Chamber Music America’s “New Works: Creation and Presentation” program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.