Greg Caputo Big Band, Phil Woods, Freddie Bryant Quartet concerts in Lee, MA July 25-28
Greg Caputo Big Band, Phil Woods, Freddie Bryant Quartet concerts in Lee, MA July 25-28
The second annual Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend brings marquee performers and local jazz musicians to downtown Lee, July 25-28, 2013. Berkshires Jazz, Inc. in collaboration with Berkshire Gateway Preservation, Inc., present the Greg Caputo Big Band, Phil Woods, and the Freddie Bryant Quartet in the striking performance space at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, and other venues.
With schooling in Brazilian music, classical and jazz, Freddie Bryant’s art is starting to challenge traditional labels. His talents are now being sought out by artists from diverse background ranging from trumpet great Tom Harrell to the Mingus Orchestra, vocalist Eliane Elias to Klezmer virtuoso clarinetist Giora Feidman. His quartet’s repertoire (Friday, July 26, 8pm) will include much of the music from their latest CD, Live Grooves.
“Benny Goodman to Gordon Goodwin” program features Phil Woods
Described as “the keeper of the big band flame,” drummer Gregory Caputo fronts a 16-piece unit that will perform a salute to some of the biggest bands of the jazz era. His program, “Benny Goodman to Gordon Goodwin,” will feature the NEA Jazz Master and multiple Grammy Award winner Phil Woods, who returns to the Berkshires after two appearances at the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in 2006 and 2011. Woods is a guest artist on Caputo’s CD “Velocity,” and their performance (Saturday, July 27, 7:30pm) will include much of the material from that live recording.
The Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend had its premiere last September, under the direction of Rich Vinette. Earlier this year, Berkshire Gateway Preservation, Inc. and Berkshires Jazz, Inc. combined efforts on this event, moving it to the peak weekend of the tourist season. Other performers to be announced. Tickets and info: Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend.