May 2009

Jazz Week '09 in the Books; Jazz Week '10 Set for Apr. 24-May 2

Members Connection: Free Tix to Terence Blanchard, David Maxwell
Radio Waves
Buckle Up for a Summer of Jazz Festivals
Freebie Sampler
Thanks Again to Our Jazz Week '09 Sponsors
Write Us, Join Us, Please Pass This On...

Jazz Week '09 in the Books; Jazz Week '10 Set for Apr. 24-May 2

From Cambridge galleries and downtown clubs to suburban restaurants and the South Boston waterfront, jazz and its fans were everywhere during the nine days of Jazz Week '09 that wrapped up May 3. With more than 200 events in over 80 locations, the vast array of styles offered provided plenty of opportunities to answer the question posed by this year's theme, "What's your jazz?" Many of the week's performances were captured by a team of professional photographers who volunteered their talents. Check out their images in the Jazz Week gallery on JazzBoston's website.

The week got off to its annual rousing start when trumpeter Mark Harvey performed the National Anthem at Fenway Park (photo above) before a Red Sox-Yankees game, and the hits just kept coming after that. Hundreds attended Jazz Week @ the Boston Public Library, a free series presented by JazzBoston that included the Boston premiere of the film "Music Inn;" "Riffs & Raps II," a special introduction to jazz for pre-school and elementary school children; and Frank Wilkins' vocal showcase.

Several firsts were adding to the growing list of Jazz Week traditions, from a live show by Eric Hofbauer's Infrared Band at Barnes & Noble in the Back Bay to a free concert by New England Conservatory students at the State House, hosted by Lt. Governor Tim Murray and Ron Bell, Director of the Governor's Office of Community Affairs.

And this year, a number of restaurants, including Icarus, Upstairs on the Square, Avila, and The Fireplace, participated in the inaugural "Chefs Jam for Jazz Week," offering special prices for jazz-inspired lunches and dinners.

Get ready for even more special events next year, and save the date: Jazz Week '10 will run from Saturday, Apr. 24 through Sunday, May 2.

Members Connection: Free Tix to Terence Blanchard, David Maxwell
Scullers Jazz Club is offering JazzBoston members 10 pairs of free tickets to hear Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard (photo left) at his 10 p.m. show on Friday, June 26. The Regattabar has a pair of tickets to offer to the June 5, 7:30 p.m. show by pianist David Maxwell, which will salute the group Stuff. Write to newsletter@jazzboston.org now to claim these tickets.

JazzBoston members receive discounts at the Regattabar, Scullers, The Beehive, Ryles, The Redline Restaurant, the Jazz Club at the Multicultural Arts Center, the Vernissage Restaurant's "Jazz Thursdays at Vernissage," Restaurant Laura's "Thursday Night Jazz To Dine By," and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's Thursday evening jazz series, "Jazz at the Gardner." For discounts at all these venues, just show your JazzBoston card at the door, or when calling for reservations, give your name and member number.
Radio Waves
Step up and show your support for locally produced jazz radio in Boston! That's one of the takeaways from the batch of unhappy news that came out recently about jazz programming in the city. First came word that singer and long-time local jazz activist Ron Gill (photo left) was signing off WGBH 89.7 FM's "Jazz Gallery" program after more than two decades as a host. Gill, one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Jazz Coalition in the '70s, president of the New England Jazz Alliance, and renowned in recent years for his interpretations of the songs of Billy Strayhorn, is moving to North Carolina. His voice and commitment to the music will be missed around these parts.

Then there was the news that the "Jazz Gallery" itself was signing off at the end of May. Veteran hosts Al Davis and Kevin Ball will be still be heard as occasional subs on Eric Jackson's "Eric in the Evening" show, but the "Jazz Gallery" will be replaced by a nationally syndicated program, "Jazz with Bob Parlocha."

At WFNX-FM, "Jazz Brunch" host Jeff Turton cooked up his final Sunday sampler earlier this month after the station made the decision to turn off its only jazz program. Turton acknowledged he was "incredibly disappointed," but was circumspect about the show's demise after a 26-year run.

"Unfortunately, the decision FNX made is indicative of why radio continues to have difficulties," he told JazzBoston. "At a time when radio needs to distinguish itself and redefine its focus, what we see are stations cutting back and automating their programming." Turton added that he's hopeful that the Jazz Brunch will return at some point, but most likely in another format. "I've had many people suggest that I look towards the Internet and alternative modes of delivery for the show, so we'll see where that leads."

Local programmers and hosts are the heart and soul of jazz radio that airs in Boston, bringing uniquely personal insights about the city's scene to their shows and providing the city's musicians and fans with critical outlets to air great music and hear fresh ideas on a consistent basis. Developments at WGBH and WFNX underscore that it's a mistake to take locally-produced jazz radio for granted, so express your support as often as you can by sending an email or Tweet to your favorite host or station to ensure that we continue to keep the music and its broadcast champions on the air in these parts.

Buckle Up for a Summer of Jazz Festivals
Ready for a break from the city heat? Some of the best jazz festivals in North America are within driving distance of Boston. You can start making plans now by checking out these festival websites for details on who's performing where, and when: Discover Jazz Festival, Burlington (June 5-14) ; Freihofer's Jazz Festival, Saratoga (June 27-28); Montreal Jazz Festival (June 30-July 12); Litchfield Jazz Festival (July 31-Aug. 2); The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival (July 31-Aug. 2); George Wein's Jazz Festival 55 (aka Newport Jazz Festival) (Aug. 7-9); Tanglewood Jazz Festival (Sept. 4-6).

And for those who prefer to walk or take the subway or bus, the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival is set for Sept. 24-26.
Freebie Sampler
Late spring brings a strong lineup of free shows, starting with the Makanda Project performing the unrecorded compositions of the late Makanda Ken McIntyre on Saturday, May 30. The event takes place at 2 p.m. at the Boston Public Library Dudley Square Branch, 65 Warren St.

On Sunday, May 31 at 3:30 p.m., Charlie Kohlhase (photo left) and his Explorers Club celebrates the release of its debut CD, "Adventures," during the Chelsea Art Walk at Temple Emmanuel, 60 Tudor Street, Chelsea. Showtime is 3:30 p.m. Other freebies include the New England Conservatory Youth Orchestra conducted by Ken Schaphorst at Jordan Hall on June 2 at 8 p.m., and the Bitches Brew Band, Thursday, June 4, 6-8 p.m., at Mt. Washington Bank, 515 Centre St., Jamaica Plain.

Berklee College of Music's summer series kicks into high gear in June in locations around the Boston area. Highlights include Cuban saxophonist Carlos Averoff Jr., Saturday, June 13, 5 p.m., Derby Square, Salem, and Belgian pianist Casimir Liberski, Thursday, June 18, 12 noon, Kendall Square.
Thanks Again to Our Jazz Week '09 Sponsors
Jazz Week '09 wouldn't have been the success it was without the strong support of our sponsors. Thank you to the New England Conservatory of Music, this year's Primary Sponsor, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of its Jazz Studies Program during the 2009 - 2010 academic year; Scullers Jazz Club and the Joslin Diabetes Center's Singing for a Cure, Lead Sponsors; and the Boston Pops Orchestra, Live Nation, The Beehive, and John Hancock. Thanks also to the Phoenix Media/Communications Group, the official print media sponsor of Jazz Week '09, and WGBH 89.7 FM, the official radio sponsor.
Write Us, Join Us, Please Pass This On...
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