News

An exciting and busy year for jazz

Join us for a wide range of events

Jan. 29
Mike Schiffer Tribute
Recognizing the Berkshires Jazz Living Legend,
sold-out two weeks in advance.

Feb. 25
Jazz Composer Showcase
Berkshires Jazz has commissioned 10 original works, one each from 10 composers in the northeast. They will all be performed in concert at the Berkshire Museum. It’s our entry in the city’s 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival.

March 11
Delfeayo Marsalis with the UMass Jazz Ensemble #1
The NEA Jazz Master and trombonist par excellence appears as guest soloist with one of the top big bands in New England and all of academia.

April 15
A Gershwin Extravaganza:
Ted Rosenthal, with Kids 4 Harmony
The Ted Rosenthal jazz trio plays his interpretations of familiar (and not-so-familiar) George Gershwin compositions. And, Ted performs Rhapsody in Blue with the Kids 4 Harmony strings ensemble

Apr. 21-30
Pittsfield CityJazz Festival
Emmet Cohen, Houston Person, et.al., plus our annual Jazz Crawl.

June 9-11
Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend
Details tbd

July 15
LuLuFest
In collaboration with the Ritenuto Foundation, an all-day event featuring women in jazz: clinics, master classes and workshops, culminating with a concert by women-led bands.

Later July, date TBA
Berkshire Jazz Showcase
Featuring Berkshires-based groups,
outdoors on the Pittsfield Common

Nov. 12
Django Festival All-Stars
Their first U.S. date, en route to a week-long residency
at the Birdland Jazz Club in NYC.

And more. Come back for updates.

A tribute to Berkshires’ own Mike Schiffer

Sunday, Jan. 29, 4pm

The Lenox Club, Lenox, Mass

He’s been making jazz, and nurturing young jazz artists, for more than 50 years, and Berkshires Jazz thinks it’s about time we paid tribute to Mike Schiffer. At the age of 93, he is still playing. But this time, on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 29 (4pm), he’ll be among us, in the audience.

Known first and foremost as a performer, Mike also booked the talent at the legendary, and lamented, Castle Street Café for as long as the jazz program existed at that Great Barrington venue. He presented young and seasoned artists alike, and introduced audiences to budding talent. Several of them –including guitarist Rob Putnam, and pianists Rob Kelly and Benny “Fingers” Kohn—will serenade Mike at the Lenox Club. And perhaps a couple of surprises. Your ticket includes complimentary wine, beer, and light hors d’oeuvres.

A tribute to Berkshires’ own Mike Schiffer There will be brief remarks from legislator Smitty Pignatelli, musicologist and jazz historian Jeremy Yudkin, and educator, musician, and presenter Andy Wrba. And some of the best jazz piano you can hear hereabouts. And a few surprises (oh..we already said that). Among them, if we’re lucky, Mike will say a few words and play a number or two.

What promises to be a wonderful event, musically and socially, tickets are sold out.

Reflections on a memorable year

And a look-ahead to 2023

Regardless of which holidays you celebrate –Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or none or all of the above–, this is a good time to reflect on the year just passed, and to look ahead to more great things. Full of surprises and thankfully marked by the return of live music in the Berkshires, 2022 has proven to be a memorable year.

Imagine: the Diva Jazz Orchestra, two concerts by the young lioness Grace Kelly, the weekend Lenox Jazz Stroll, the Berkshires debut of rising prodigy Brandon Goldberg, the joy of Eddie Allen’s Jazzy Brass for the Holidays, and topping it off with Ted Rosenthal’s wonderland concerts at the Gateways Inn in Lenox.

You don’t have to imagine that, because it all happened. Right here in the Berkshires. Plus George Russell, Jr., Lydia Harrell, the Berkshire Jazz Showcase, and…well…you get the picture.

Many of these events would have been impossible without the generous support of foundations, businesses, and individuals like you. Thank you for being there. If you’re interested in making a tax-deductible donation before year-end, we welcome that support. There is an instant donation button (PayPal) above, and a separate donation button that links to other options, as well.

In addition to traditional ways of supporting Berkshires Jazz, you can donate securities, such as stocks, bonds, money markets, CDs and mutual funds. The benefits are many, and include taking any tax deduction based on the full appreciated market value of these securities. This can increase the impact of your donation, and enable us to continue our mission of presenting jazz events, supporting jazz education, and promoting the local jazz scene.

We have exciting plans for next year, including NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis, a performance of Rhapsody in Blue by Ted Rosenthal with the Kids 4 Harmony strings orchestra, the return of two of our jazz prodigies for a headline concert, Emmet Cohen with Houston Person, and more. And, of course, more programs in the schools. Your donations will help bring these and other programs to local audiences at accessible ticket prices, and help spread the word through the whole year.

So, whether it’s Christmas time in your house, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or none or all of the above, happy holidays. Thank you for keeping in touch, and for your support.

Eddie Allen’s holiday brass

Dec. 10, 2022. 7pm

Shakespeare & Company. Lenox, Mass.

Trumpeter, composer, arranger, and author Eddie Allen is one of the most versatile musicians on the New York scene, playing everything from big bands to ensembles to R&B/Pop to Latin to symphonic to Broadway. His holiday brass septet will feature two trumpets, trombone a Eddie Allen’s holiday brass nd French horn, plus rhythm section. They will be playing his original arrangements of favorites from his well-received recording, “Jazzy Brass for the Holidays.”

A brass septet –or, more accurately, a brass-oriented jazz ensemble—is the perfect configuration for this repertoire of holiday music. The family-friendly concert starts at 7pm, and takes place the beautiful confines of the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, on the campus of Shakespeare & Co., 70 Kemble St., Lenox, Mass.

Allen has worked with such jazz greats as Art Blakey, Billy Harper, Randy Weston, Dizzy Gillespie, and Benny Carter. He has recorded and performed with, as well as composed for: Louis Hayes, Lester Bowie, Jack McDuff, Etta Jones & Houston Person, and Mongo Santamaria. You get the picture: he’s one of the most accomplished and well-rounded talents on the jazz scene. And, he continues to work as a freelance musician and clinician.

“Joyous and jazzy brass…” –JazzTimes Magazine
“A horn man to watch.” –The Washington Post
“…Bracingly vivid trumpeter…” –The Village Voice (N.Y.C.)

Usher-in the Christmas season with this musical delight.

Click here for tickets, or paste this URL into your browser:

https://www.shakespeare.org/shows/2022/eddie-allens-holiday-brass

An evening of big band jazz with Grace Kelly and the UConn Jazz Ensemble

Berkshires Jazz presents an evening of big-band jazz, with saxophonist-vocalist Grace Kelly and the UConn Jazz Ensemble, Sunday, Oct. 9, in Dalton, Massachusetts. It’s the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, the peak weekend for fall foliage viewing. When the sun goes down, the Jazz begins. More precisely, 7pm.

NOTE: the online box office is closed. Tickets will go on sale at The Stationery Factory on Oct. 9, at 6:30pm. Premium Seating may be limited.

An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and band leader Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts . . . 14 acclaimed albums . . . and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl and as part of the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – all before reaching her mid-twenties. She takes a break from her band’s 28-city CD tour and returns to the Berkshires for a special appearance at The Stationery Factory. An evening of big band jazz with Grace Kelly and the UConn Jazz Ensemble

As a young lion in jazz, Grace Kelly’s honors include multiple ASCAP Composer Awards, Song of the Year in the 2018 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and she has been named nine years consecutively in the Annual Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll, “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” (the youngest ever named to Downbeat critics poll in 2009). She has played in the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and was featured in Amazon’s Emmy-nominated series Bosch, where she played her original composition, “Blues for Harry Bosch”. That appearance has brought her wide recognition beyond the regular jazz audience, attracting crowds of all ages and description to her concerts. And, now’s your chance to catch her in a different setting.

The 20-piece UConn Jazz Ensemble is renowned as one of the outstanding jazz aggregations in the northeast. Their Stationery Factory performance includes their own material plus several big-band arrangements of Grace Kelly’s vocal and instrumental compositions. The band is directed by John Mastroianni, a top leader, composer/arranger and alto saxophonist who has appeared with several big bands in the area, including the New England Jazz Ensemble, the Greg Caputo Big Band, the Jeff Holmes Big Band, and others.

The venue, The Stationery Factory (63 Flansburg Ave., Dalton), has stunning acoustics, rarely put to the test by large jazz ensembles. The audience is in for a unique and memorable music experience.

Bar service will be available. There are two levels for seating; Premium (which includes a cocktail table and cushioned chairs), and General Admission. Don’t miss out. Click here for tickets.

Click here to enjoy a brief introduction to this most exciting and talented artist.

Project portrays creativity behind bars

“I Too Can Create”

Jazz-inspired artwork by current and former prison inmates

Art and music go hand in hand with a broad, inclusive definition of community – one that recognizes and celebrates the humanity of everyone. Jazz music, in particular, has a powerful legacy of social justice and inclusivity which is celebrated in a project that coincided with the 2022 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival. The Berkshire House of Corrections and the Committee for Public Counsel Services, in collaboration with Berkshires Jazz, Inc., encouraged the creation and presentation of unique works of art crafted by inmates at the House of Corrections. With the theme of “I Too Can Create”, the work embodies the notions of community, music, art and humanity.

Sharing this artwork created by currently and formerly incarcerated individuals emphasizes an idea of community that encompasses people inside and outside the Berkshire House of Corrections walls. Three pieces were singled out for their content, emotion, and creativity; two by current inmates are identified only by their initials; the third piece, by former inmate Kevin Scace, was created while he was incarcerated, and is among his works that were displayed in April at the Elusie Gallery in Easthampton.

The project mentor was Phyllis Kornfeld, author, artist, and teacher of art to incarcerated men and women for 40 years. She observes, “It is always an illuminating, exciting event to see the prisoners discover something very positive, and mysterious, coming from inside themselves. The art is often miraculously fresh, and despite the context, there is a lot of joy.” The project was coordinated by Katherine Grubbs, of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and Alan Bianchi at the Berkshire House of Correction.

In one of the myriad comments about the arts, John F. Kennedy remarked, “After the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battle, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”

These three artworks explore that human spirit. They were displayed at the Berkshire Athenaeum and Berkshire Museum (pictured here) during the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.

Project portrays creativity behind bars

Pittsfield CityJazz Festival April 23-May 1, 2022

Tickets Now On Sale

The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival returns after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event spans two weekends, taking place from April 23 to May 1, and becomes part of Jazz Appreciation Month.

The festival is made possible by a $10,000 grant from The Feigenbaum Foundation, and sponsorships from Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, and WETF, the jazz station (www.jazzradioWETF.org).

The lineup includes something for everybody.

“Jazz About Town” takes on two forms:
- the first Berkshires Jazz Jam (Saturday, April 23, at Mission Restaurant, 7-10pm), with rotating local artists; and
- the annual Jazz Crawl (Saturday, April 30, various venues through Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District).[see updated schedule below]
Jazz prodigy Ruby Farmer, a 16-year-old bassist who will be appearing during the 100th birthday observation of Charles Mingus. She will be accompanied by Benny Kohn (piano) and Conor Meehan (drums). Wednesday, April 27, 7pm. Berkshire Athenaeum, sponsored by the Friends of the Athenaeum. Free.
The George Russell, Jr. Trio with vocalist Lydia Harrell. The Boston stalwarts make their Berkshires debut with a program of jazz and blues. Click here for more information and tickets.
The first stop on a CD release tour by the DIVA Jazz Orchestra (“DIVA Swings Broadway”).
Plus: the latest iteration of the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble will open for DIVA’s concert, a matinee on Sunday, May 1. Click here for more information and tickets.

And once again, jazz brunch at Dottie’s opens our closing day. Open 8am-2pm, with music from 10am-noon, featuring Dave Bartley and Pete Toigo.

Annual Jazz Crawl
April 30, 2022
Sponsored by Pittsfield Cooperative Bank

4-6pm: Benny Kohn | Jeff Stevens Duo
• Hotel on North, 297 North Street

5-7pm: Dave Bartley Trio
• Flat Burger Society, McKay Street

5:30-7:30pm: Ennis/McEachern Quartet
* Methuselah, 391 North Street (updated item)

6-8pm: Luke Franco Quartet with special guest Mike Fahn
• Berkshire Palate, 297 North Street

7-10om: Andy Kelly’s Gypsy Jazz Ambassadors
• 101 Restaurant, 1 West Street

8-10pm: Kris Allen Trio
• Methuselah, 391 North Street

8-10pm: Michael Junkins Trio
• RJ’s Restaurant, 109 First Street

Dave Kidd interviews take on a new life

Preserving local jazz history beyond the Berkshires

By Barbara Kidd Seddon

[The legendary Berkshires radioman David Kidd interviewed countless jazz figures who performed here during the 1950s. In this blog post, his daughter Barbara reflects on those days. Barbara is Treasurer and a founding Board member of Berkshires Jazz, Inc. We encourage others to contribute their anecdotes about jazz in the Berkshires. Ed.]

As far as back as I can remember, my life at home was surrounded by music, whether it was jazz, folk or classical. Jazz musicians such as Rex Stewart, Randy Weston and Odetta were frequent guests. I grew up with Rex Stewart’s kids. As a result, our home was always desegregated, which made for a totally non-discriminatory upbringing. I went to Tanglewood for the classical music (my dad was an usher for several years) and to Music Barn to see such greats as Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and many more (and where I ushered) … (my personal favorite was Josh White.) Dave Kidd interviews take on a new life

In the fifties my father –David Kidd– was asked to do a talk show, which he called the Story of Jazz, on WBRK, the local radio station, and it was recorded in our living room. This meant no talking or other distractions while my father was talking. It was a labor of love on his part, as he received no remuneration for it. However, as a result, he has left a legacy the likes of which few people have left. That legacy consists of about 60 hours of interviews with people like Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and many more. Eventually WGY in Schenectady offered him a slot on Monday nights which he did from the late fifties until he passed in 1966 at the age of 49. [Dave is pictured here, right rear, with his wife Barbara (the author’s mother), Henry “Red” Allen (l) and Buster Bailey.]

With the help of Ed Bride, President of Berkshires Jazz, I was able to find a permanent home for these interviews at the International Jazz History Database, which is housed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. You can enjoy them any time, at https://www.jazzhistorydatabase.com/archives/david-kidd/index.php.

Andrea Brachfeld with Insight Concert Streaming on New Years Eve

Staying indoors on New Year’s Eve? Enjoy a special concert featuring the amazing flutist Andrea Brachfeld with Insight. The in-person performance, which took place at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, Mass., will be streamed as part of our way of celebrating the end of 2021.

Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. 8:00-9:45pm (Eastern).

Be there at our virtual concert by clicking here.

Virtually join Andrea and her virtuoso trio: Bill O’Connell, piano; Harvie S, bass; and Jason Tiemann, drums. As a way spreading good music and celebrating the season, the group will be performing “If Not Now, When,” an aptly-named original work that was commissioned by Chamber Music America.

So, ring out the old and usher in the new year with some of the most creative music you’re likely to experience any time soon. Recorded in high resolution, it’s a free concert, although voluntary contributions are always welcome.

Happy New Year!

Ted Rosenthal appears with Karrin Allyson, Dec. 5 in Lenox

Ted and Karrin will perform their Wonderland holiday show –jazz versions of holiday favorites and more– on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at the Gateways Inn in historic downtown Lenox, Mass. There will be two shows, at 5 and 7pm.

Karrin Allyson is a 5-time Grammy nominee with a major touring career, and appears in the Ted Rosenthal appears with Karrin Allyson, Dec. 5 in Lenox Berkshires for the first time since her thrilling performances at the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival and the inaugural Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend. Ted Rosenthal is one of today’s most noted jazz pianists, with periodic appearances at the Gateways and other venues. They will be joined by New York-based artists Noriko Ueda, bass, and Tim Horner, drums.

The Gateways Inn, in the picturesque village of Lenox, has fast become one of the best and most popular jazz rooms in the county. This is a rare opportunity to see these world-class artists working together in such an intimate setting.

“For those who like their holiday music sleek, chic, and elegant, Wonderland takes you there.” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

Online box office:
First set, 5pm:
https://gatewaysinn.ticketleap.com/wonderland5pm/

Second set, 7pm:
https://gatewaysinn.ticketleap.com/wonderland7pm/

Gateways Inn will also be serving dinner that evening. Separate dinner reservations recommended.

The concert is part of the Gateways jazz series, curated by Andy Wrba and presented in cooperation with Berkshires Jazz, Inc.

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