2016 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival featured Scott Robinson, Karrin Allyson, Army Jazz Ambassadors

Final updated schedule before the 2016 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival

Jazz Prodigy Concert - Nathan Farrell, alto saxophone

Thursday, Oct. 13, 7pm - Jazz Prodigy Concert - Nathan Farrell, alto saxophone - Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave. (free)Sponsored by the Friends of the Athenaeum

Scott Robinson Quartet

Friday, Oct. 14, 8:00pm (doors open at 7:30pm) - Scott Robinson Quartet - Flavours Malaysian Restaurant (entrance on McKay Street)The online box office for the Scott Robinson Quartet performance is now closed. Some tickets will be available at the door starting at 7:30pm. To hold tickets, please call 413-841-7718 or email jazzpittsfield@aol.com.

Karrin Allyson U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors

Saturday, Oct. 15, 7:30pm - Karrin Allyson U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors - Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble - Colonial Theatre, 111 South St.$20/$35, Tickets: 413-997-4444, orwww.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.

Jazz Brunch

Sunday, Oct. 16, 11am-1pm -Jazz Brunch - Dredi (Jazz/Reggae) - Dottie’s Coffee Lounge - 444 North StreetA new part of the festival is a month-long exhibit of the works of award-winning photojournalist Ken Franckling. Opening with the First Friday Artswalk on Oct. 7, the exhibit of more than 20 of Franckling’s photos will hang at the Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave. Franclking will be present at the First Friday Artswalk reception on Oct. 7 (5-8pm), signing his book, “JAZZ IN THE KEY OF LIGHT.”In addition to visually capturing a variety of the world's jazz greats in performance or moments of personal reflection, Franckling paired the images with essential quotes from interviews he conducted over his long career, working for a variety of mainstream and jazz publications. It is not your typical fine art photography book,As part of its Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, a local group of professional musicians, the Pittsfield Sister City Jaz Ambassadors, visits elementary and middle schools in the county, educating and entertaining students.Most of the festival’s events are free, thanks to underwriting support from The Feigenbaum Foundation, North Coast Brewing Co., TD Charitable Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Berkshire Bank, the Crowne Plaza, and jazz advocate and educator Brent Banulis.

ABOUT THE HEADLINERS

Kicking-off “headline weekend,” the exciting, creative sounds of saxophonist Scott Robinson will fill Flavours Restaurant on Oct. 14, starting at 8pm - doors open at 7:30. ($25 advance; $30 day of show) Robinson graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1981; the next year, he joined the college's staff, becoming its youngest faculty member. He has appeared on more than 200 LP and CD releases, including eleven under his leadership. Robinson’s quartet makes its Berkshires debut at the popular nightspot (entrance on McKay Street, across the street from the parking lot and garage).The remarkable vocalist and pianist Karrin Allyson performs with her trio at The Colonial Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 15, at u7:30pm. Allyson has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the New York Times, which has called her a "singer with a feline touch and impeccable intonation.” After her set, the Jazz Ambassadors --America’s big band-- take the stage, and Allyson will return for some numbers with the big band.In addition to the headline performers, the Oct. 15 concert will be opened by the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble, which is in residence at Herberg Middle School. Under the direction of Chris Nelson-Unczur, the ensemble mainly comprises the student musicians in the Herberg Middle School Jazz Ensemble, augmented by graduates and visiting students. Tickets for the Oct. 15 headline concert is available at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.

Jazz About Town - Annual Jazz Crawl, Oct. 7-9, 2016, Downtown Pittsfield

Friday, Oct. 7Ken Franckling’s “Jazz in the Key of Light”Reception and book signing, 5-8pmFirst Friday Artswalk “after party”Jazz from 8-10pmWhitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave.Andy Kelly, Gypsy Jazz, 7pmPatrick’s Pub, 26 Bank RowDave Bartley, piano/vocal, 6:30-8:30pmPanchos, 156 North StreetBlue Light Trio, 7:30pmRainbow Restaurant, 109 First St.Saturday, Oct. 8John Kozinski, guitar, 6:30-8:30pmPanchos, 156 North St.Rich VInette Quintet, 7-10pmJ. Allen’s Clubhouse Grille, 41 North St.Warren Sieme, 7:30pmRainbow Restaurant, 109 First StreetNatalia Bernal and Jason Ennis, 8-10pmMission Bar and Tapas, 438 North StreetGruppo Mundo, 9pm-closeThe Lantern, 455 North StreetSunday, Oct. 9Rainbow Restaurant, 109 First StreetJazz Brunch11am-3pmOther events of interestMonth-long Jazz Photography exhibitKen Franckling’s“Jazz in the Key of Light”Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave.Sunday, Oct. 16Jazz BrunchDredi (Jazz/Reggae)Dottie’s Coffee Lounge444 North Street, 11am-1pmAndy Wrba and guests, 7:30pm, every Monday.Mission Bar and Tapas, 438 North StreetGruppo Mundo, 6:30pm, every WednesdayRainbow Restaurant, 109 First St.Berkshires Jazz, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to present jazz events and promote jazz education in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.