Berkshires Jazz » Alumni news

New England Jazz Ensemble

Admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:50:56 +0000

The New England Jazz Ensemble’s first “live” recording, at the inaugural Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, was so successful that the band decided to go live again with its new album. In concert at the Polish National Home theater in Hartford, June 5, 2010.

Noah Baerman’s “Know Thyself,” world premier at Wesleyan University

Admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:23:37 +0000

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.

Grace Kelly named in 2009 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll

Admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:43:59 +0000

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!

The Jazz Session interview with Barbara Dennerlein

Admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:01:49 +0000

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.

Grace Kelly featured on NPR and YouTube

Admin — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:48:11 +0000

David Was talks about Grace Kelly on the July 17, 2008 broadcast of “Day to Day” on NPR:
The New Grace Kelly, A Young Jazz Star.

Here is the performance with Phil Woods Was mentions, from the 2007 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival:

Grace Kelly wins four 2008 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards

Admin — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:11:21 +0000

Alto sax phenom Grace Kelly, who appeared at both the 2006 and 2007 Pittsfield CityJazz Festivals, has won four 2008 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards: Jazz Soloist, Jazz Vocalist, Extended Composition (101), and Arrangement (I Want To Be Happy). Congratulations, Grace!

Don Ellis bio-pic to be screened at Monterey Jazz Festival

Admin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:43:27 +0000

The Don Ellis bio-pic, ‘Electric Heart,’ which made its northeast debut at the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in 2007, will be shown at the 51st annual Monterey Jazz Festival. We’re honored to have been one of the first venues to screen this film. Congratulations to film maker John Vizzusi and to those who brought this interesting story to the silver screen.