Christopher Culpo solo concert in Pittsfield June 25
Christopher Culpo will give a solo piano concert at First Church of Christ on Park Square, 27 East Street, Pittsfield, MA on Tuesday, June 25 at 7pm. Mr. Culpo, a Pittsfield native, lives in France.
The music of Christopher Culpo is unclassifiable, having its place in the world of theater and dance, in clubs and concert halls. As a performer and composer, Culpo lies at the confluence of contemporary classical music, jazz and free improvisation.
Some recent commissions and performances have been with the Orchestre Nationale of France, the Verge Ensemble in Washington DC, and the Ensemble Itineraire in Paris.
In May, 2013 his orchestra piece Murmurations was broadcast by Radio France. In February 2012 Culpo was awarded the Clefworks composition prize and his work Of Ground, or Air, or Ought- was premiered by the ETHEL quartet in Montgomery, Alabama.
Recent activities as a performer include appearances at Festivals in France, Belgium, South Africa, Italy, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
As a performer, Culpo has released three albums: Portrait in Black & White with saxophonist Jean Charles Richard, Love & Bananas Are Here with the Culpo/Richard/Herbert Trio and Fresh Frozen with clarinetist/saxophonist Achille Succi and tubist Oren Marshall.
Culpo will perform his own compositions along with works by Ellington, Monk, Mingus, Cole Porter, and others.
Christopher Culpo concert info and audio clips
A freewill offering will be taken with donations going to St Joseph’s Kitchen and the artist. Phone: 413-447-7351. Parking is available at Berkshire Bank lot after 6 pm.
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.
The Williams College Department of Music presents the Lionel Loueke Trio, featuring guitarist Lionel Loueke performing with the Williams Jazz Ensemble directed by Andy Jaffe on Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. in Chapin Hall on the Williams campus. This free event is open to the public.
The Williams Jazz Ensemble’s special guest is a musician who draws on many traditions. The resulting blend pleases jazz aficionados, if the critical reviews are to be trusted. More importantly, he speaks his musical language so clearly and fluently that everyone can join the conversation. Praised by his mentor Herbie Hancock as “a musical painter,” Mr. Loueke combines harmonic complexity, soaring melody, a deep knowledge of African folk forms, and conventional and extended guitar techniques to create a warm and evocative sound of his own. He is hailed as a “gentle virtuoso” by Jon Pareles of The New York Times. Mr. Loueke brings jazz into vibrant contact with the sounds of West Africa, in particular his native Benin. The title of his latest album Heritage is a direct reference to his personal odyssey. “I have two heritages,” Mr. Loueke says. “One is from my ancestors from Africa, and that goes through my music, my body, my soul, every aspect of what I do. But also I have the heritage from the Occident, from the West, from Europe and the U.S. I speak English, I speak French, and I have that heritage too. I called [my latest] album Heritage because I’ve been blessed by all different parts of the world, and most of the songs reflect that.”
Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit May 5th, 2013
Percussionist, author, activist, and Pittsfield native Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit will present a free concert on Sunday, May 5th, 2013, at 3 pm. at the Zion Lutheran Church at 74 First Street, Pittsfield, MA. The event will be celebrating our ancestors and featuring selections from the Ancestors CD and Blood Drum Spirit Live in China CD. A free will offering is suggested and all proceeds from offerings will be donated to the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations Emergency Fuel Fund and to Berkshires Jazz, Inc. Hartigan will be joined by saxophonist David Bindman, pianist Art Hirahara, and bassist Wes Brown.
The Blood Drum Spirit ensemble brings a global vision to music, exploring deep into the world’s great traditions through the prism of live jazz performance. Ensemble members have lived, played and toured throughout Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including four tours of China as featured ensemble at the renowned Beijing Midi Jazz Festival. They have released three double CDs, most recently Ancestors and Blood Drum Spirit Live in China, (Innova 2008), both to critical acclaim. In its 27th year, Blood Drum Spirit features a combination of world music with extended improvisations, original compositions reflecting influences from India and Africa, as well as unique interpretations of jazz classics in the African American tradition. For more information visit www.blooddrumspirit.com or royalhart.com/ensembles.
The winners of the annual Berkshires Jazz Student Art Contest, adjudicated from more than 70 entries from all four of Pittsfield’s high schools, will be announced on April 11. The ceremony will take place starting at 5:00pm in the Crane Room at the Berkshire Museum, where all entries will be hanging.
The occasion will open with a performance by the Pittsfield High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of band director Ronald Lively. Berkshires Jazz will also announce the headline performers for its two main events of the second half of 2013, the Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend in late July in downtown Lee, and the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in October, followed by the announcement of the Student Art Contest winners. Light refreshments will be provided, and many of the student artists will be on hand.
Students from Pittsfield and Taconic High Schools, as well as St. Joseph’s and Miss Hall’s, participated in this fourth annual contest. to create the graphic symbol The winning entry will become the graphic image for the eighth annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, which will be held from Oct. 9-19, 2013. It will appear on the festival’s poster, web site, advertising, and program booklet.
The contest is a way to engage more of the student community in a cross-genre creative activity. Many of the students conduct independent research the subject, and jazz music is sometimes played during the classes, as a way of inspiring the student artists. The top three entries receive small cash prizes and the opportunity to show their work in a world-class exhibit space at the Berkshire Museum.
This year’s judges included artist Anne Pasko; graphic designer Tom Buckley of Greylock Marketing Group; and fine art photographer Ken Green of Museum Facsimiles.
Art teachers engaged in the project were coordinator Colleen Quinn, Pittsfield High School; Lisa Ostellino and Barbara Patton, PHS; Marybeth Eldridge and Mike Boroniec, Taconic; Dale Zola, St. Joseph’s; and Ellie Kreischer and Sophia Lee from Miss Hall’s.
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 Greylock Federal Credit Union the Pittsfield Cultural Council, and jazz education pioneer Jamey Aebersold.
Claire Daly plays Thelonious Monk tribute March 29, 2013 in Pittsfield, MA
Claire Daly brings her Baritone Monk repertoire for a special concert at the Berkshire Museum on Friday evening, March 29, at 7pm. Celebrating the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, Claire’s latest CD has been played on national media and has heralded as among the most important releases in the past year.
“Unless you’ve been comatose these past few years you must be aware that Claire Daly has established herself as one of our most compelling and creative voices on the baritone saxophone.” Bob Bernotas, JazzImprov Magazine
Her career has included anchoring the sax section in the Diva Big Band for seven years, freelancing in New York doing every imaginable kind of gig, recording a dozen CDs. Her latest work is Baritone Monk, a salute to pianist/composer Thelonious Monk, which she will be performing in Pittsfield on March 29. In addition to her recorded work, she has performed on numerous film scores and in many festivals and venues. She appeared twice at the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, headlining her own quartet at the Women in Jazz night (2007) and with the American Jazz Repertory Orchestra (2010).
She is a six-time winner of the Downbeat Critic’s Poll “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition,” and having achieved that recognition, has also been the winner of the Jazz Journalist Association “Baritone Sax of the Year” award. “Bariton Monk” is supported by a grant from North Coast Brewing.
Tickets are $15, and are available by phone at 413-443-7171, ext. 10.
Jeff Holmes Quartet concert in Pittsfield April 5, 2013
A jazz concert by the Jeff Holmes Quartet is on the schedule April 5, 2013 at Baba Louie’s in Pittsfield, MA. On the first Friday of April, Berkshires Jazz welcomes Jazz Appreciation Month, a program of The Smithsonian Institution, with this concert and CD-release party. An accomplished composer, educator, and multi-instrumentalist, Holmes plays piano on his first small-group recording, Of One’s Own. The CD is receiving lots of airplay (and online), and will be performed along with other works on April 5 at Baba Louie’s Backroom, 34 Depot Street, Pittsfield. Starting time is 8pm, as the museum and gallery activities of Pittsfield’s monthly First Fridays Artswalk wind down. Tickets: $20 (advance purchase highly recommended). Dinner available separately either in Baba Louie’s main dining room or in the backroom.
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Baba Louie’s Backroom,
34 Depot Street, Pittsfield
Show time: 8:00pm. – All tickets $20.
Please indicate a name for reserving your ticket(s).
By Ed Bride, president of BerkshiresJazz. The passing of jazz master Dave Brubeck is unarguably one of the most noted and widely-reported transitions in the music industry — if not the entire cultural scene — this year. His was one of the few household names that jazz has produced, and the Berkshires were blessed by his presence many times over his more than 60-year career.
Consider this: his 1950s-era performances at Music Inn set the stage (sorry) for his legendary musical output that spanned classical and jazz, as well as reaching popular audiences; his many appearances at the now-extinct Tanglewood Jazz Festival drew throngs, as well as rave reviews. What many people may not realize is that Brubeck’s final appearance in the Berkshires was barely three years ago: in Pittsfield, on Oct. 27, 2009, the headline concert for our 5th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.
Those who were privileged to work with Dave at that event were impressed with his professional demeanor, his outgoing personality, his humility, and, despite his frailty, his abilities. Although he hobbled to the piano, when he sat down he became 50 years younger. It was amazing.
Equally important, he enjoyed working with the student musicians in the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble, sharing the piano bench with then-freshman Sam Landes, creating a lifelong memory for students, families, and all members of the audience.
They collaborated on a tune of Brubeck’s choosing, his frequent encore: the popular Duke Ellington theme, Take the ‘A’ Train. Written in the key of C, it was transposed to A-sharp for the student version, and Dave quipped that he hoped he could play it in that key, which he had never done before.
Video of Dave Brubeck at rehearsal with the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble
I was fortunate to sit next to Dave at a panel during one of the aforementioned Tanglewood Jazz Festivals. The purpose of that 2004 panel was to reminisce about Music Inn; other panel members included Dave’s wife Iola; Benjamin Barber, who had grown up at the famous Lenox jazz resort; and several media people. Representing the New England Jazz Hall of Fame, I was there to present the hall’s “Unsung Hero” award to Stephanie Barber, proprietress of Music Inn, for her work as a jazz advocate. Stephanie had recently passed away, and the award was accepted by her family.
As a frequent Music Inn resident and performer, Dave recollected many anecdotes for the audience at that panel. Here are two of my favorites:
He often stayed at Music inn with his young family, in rooms adjacent to the famous Music Barn. During one concert, he recollected, the Stan Kenton band was performing in its usual loud, dissonant, bombastic style; Dave’s young daughter found her way to the wings of the stage, where she blurted out, “Hey, can’t anybody get some sleep around here?”
The panel discussion was captured on video, and if I recall correctly, Dave’s story is included on the documentary film that was made about Music Inn.
Belying the jazzers’ reputation as wild-living, irresponsible chemically dependent characters, Dave remained a devoted, clean-living spouse for their entire marriage. And as for the night-life at Music Inn, he recalled the “wild” croquet games that went well into the night, requiring automobiles to assemble around the court, with their headlights on for illumination.
Dave Brubeck helped Berkshires Jazz, Inc. achieve both aspects of its mission of presenting memorable jazz events and encouraging jazz education in Berkshire County. His Berkshires appearance in 2009 turned out to be the last time that some 750 people at the Colonial Theatre, including this writer, would ever see him. My last memory is walking from the “green room” to his car, his hand on my shoulder all the way to the door of his vehicle, with Iola and manager/friend Russell Gloyd following.
No photographer to record the moment, it now seems both surreal and profound that this great man of music would exit the Berkshires via the stage door of The Colonial Theatre. But he left many smiling faces, people tapping “Take 5” on uncontrollable toes for days to come.
We may never see the likes of Dave Brubeck again, and the Berkshires are fortunate to have shared his presence. He touched so many lives: young musicians, fans, other composers. A veritable ambassador for jazz, he was universally loved and respected. And now, after inevitably shedding some tears, his name again brings a smile to my face.
Promoting Jazz in the Berkshires – Berkshires Jazz is committed to bringing jazz to the Berkshires, year’round. And we’re just as pleased to help spread the news about other venues, such as Tanglewood. Thanks to a special collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, three friends of Berkshires Jazz and their guests received free tickets to the amazing Tanglewood performance of Monty Alexander, on Sunday, Aug. 25. As an encore to last weekend’s giveaway, we were also able to offer free tickets to this weekend’s performance of Donal Fox (Saturday, Aug. 31, 1pm) and Harry Connick, Jr. (Saturday, Aug. 31, 7pm).
Tickets for the Aug. 31 concerts are still available from the Tanglewood box office, just click on the above links (Donal Fox or Harry Connick, Jr.) for more information.
Thank you for all who participated, and congratulations to those who will receive tickets.
Donal Fox Scarlatti Jazz Project at Seiji Ozawa Hal
Back by popular demand, composer, pianist and innovator Donal Fox will perform his Scarlatti Jazz Project at Seiji Ozawa Hall. Donal Fox has forged a unique amalgam of jazz, Latin, and classical music. Combining deep grooves with sophisticated contrapuntal lines, he and his quartet create a striking musical collage that is at once stirring, visceral, imaginative and intellectually satisfying. Fox mines the rich resources of jazz and classical literature, crafting an expanding repertoire of original compositions seamlessly wedded to the undeniable pulse of Afro-Cuban jazz. His inventive blend marches boldly toward new sounds, effortlessly “confounding the genre police.” (Downbeat) We love confounding the genre police. It’s an event not to be missed.
Harry Connick, Jr. at Tanglewood
And, what can be said about Harry Connick, Jr. that has not already been written? His meteoric rise in the world of music was only a prelude to a multi-faceted career. Accomplished as a pianist, vocalist, composer, band leader, actor, and philanthropist, Harry Connick has received awards and recognition for his live and recorded musical performances, and for his achievements on screens large and small as well as the Broadway stage. Throughout his stellar career, Harry Connick, Jr. has earned three Grammy awards, two Emmy Awards, and two Tony nominations, and spearheaded efforts to help rebuild his hometown of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This performance with his band will be in support of his new album release EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW, a collection of original songs that touches on some of Harry’s deepest feelings about life and love.
Armen Donelian concert in Pittsfield Feb. 15, 2013
Berkshires Jazz, Inc. announces its participation in Pittsfield’s second annual 10×10 Upstreet Winter Arts Festival, with a special concert by the remarkable pianist and composer Armen Donelian. For the Feb. 15 concert at Baba Louie’s Backroom, the Armen Donelian Trio explores the music of 10 American composers whose inspiring work spanned jazz’ first century. From Jelly Roll Morton to Chick Corea, Art Tatum to Duke Ellington and others, the virtuoso pianist adds his unique interpretation to 10 pieces by 10 masters of jazz’ first 10 decades. The trio comprises Donelian on Piano, Dave Clark, bass, and Conor Meehan, drums.
[one_half]
Baba Louie’s Backroom,
34 Depot Street, Pittsfield
Show time: 8:00pm. – All tickets $20.
Please indicate a name for reserving your ticket(s).
Called a pianist with a crystalline touch, but a penchant for avant gardism (New York Times), Armen Donelian has performed in 23 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle and Far East. Since 1975, he has performed and recorded as a featured solo pianist, leader of his own quintet and trio, and with Jazz legends including Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Paquito D’Rivera, Mongo Santamaria and Billy Harper. He is composer of more than 90 works, and has produced 12 critically acclaimed recordings.
Armen Donelian is a Fulbright Senior Scholar for work in Armenia, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden. He has received six Jazz Performance Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts for concerts and master classes. His trio first appeared at the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in 2011 and received rave reviews.
Baba Louie’s Backroom, 34 Depot Street, Pittsfield. Show time: 8:00pm. All tickets $20, 413-442-7718. Dinner available separately, either before the concert in the main dining room or in Baba Louie’s Backroom.