THE JAZZSCHOOL ANNOUNCES MAY 2013 CONCERTS
TICKETS ON SALE AT JAZZSCHOOL.ORG
BERKELEY, CA: The Jazzschool continues its acclaimed concert series in the heart of the Berkeley Downtown Arts District. All events take place in the historic Kress Building at 2087 Addison Street, near Shattuck, unless noted otherwise.
4th ANNUAL JAZZSCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL
at the Freight & Salvage Friday May 3, 8pm FREE
The Jazzschool’s 4th Annual High School Invitational showcases outstanding high school jazz programs from around the Bay Area. This unique event, hosted at the Freight & Salvage, gives talented young musicians the opportunity to perform alongside their peers in a friendly, non-competitive environment. This year, select high schools include El Cerrito High School and Northgate High School from Walnut Creek, who will receive Outstanding Musician awards and Jazzschool scholarships.
7th ANNUAL JAZZSCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL INVITATIONAL
Saturday May 4, 8pm FREE
Showcasing middle school jazz programs from throughout the Bay Area, this unique event provides school programs the opportunity to perform alongside their peers in a friendly, non-competitive environment. Select middle schools perform for each other and receive awards and scholarships. Join these young musicians at the Jazzschool for an exciting evening, showcasing the future of jazz!
BAY AREA JAZZ ALL-STARS
Sunday May 5, 4:30pm $15 general / $12 student & senior An afternoon of deeply swinging jazz from some of the top players in the Bay Area: Chuck MacKinnon, trumpet; Al Bent, trombone; Mark Levine, piano; John Wiitala, bass; and Ron Marabuto, drums. The Jazzschool is pleased to include this event as part of National Chamber Music Month.
JAZZSCHOOL YOUNG MUSICIANS PROGRAM SHOWCASE
at Yoshi’s Oakland Monday May 6, 7pm Come out for a night with the Jazzschool Young Musicians Program, featuring up-and- coming young musicians from around the greater Bay Area. Featured ensembles include the Middle School Jazz Ensemble, Advanced Middle School Jazz Workshop, High School Jazz Ensemble II, High School Jazz Ensemble I, and the award-winning Advanced High School Jazz Workshop.
BILL EVANS: THE BANJO IN AMERICA
Friday May 10, 8pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Tracing the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, Bill Evans performs musical examples from the 1700s to the present day on a variety of vintage instruments, ranging from an African ekonting to a mid-19th century minstrel banjo, a modern bluegrass banjo and even an electric banjo. From an 18th century African dance tune to the music of the Civil War, and from early 20th century ragtime to more recent folk and bluegrass banjo styles, Bill’s performances illuminate and entertain. Evans is the author of Banjo for Dummies, the world’s most popular banjo book, and he has performed and recorded with acoustic luminaries David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Dry Branch Fire Squad, the Infamous Stringdusters, Tim O’Brien, Joy Kills Sorrow and others.
JOE MULHOLLAND AND STEVE ADAMS
Saturday May 11, 8pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Pianist Joe Mulholland (Berklee College of Music faculty) and saxophonist Steve Adams (Rova Saxophone Quartet) perform in an intimate duo setting. Mulholland’s latest album Unspoken is an eclectic set of jazz compositions, by turns lyrical, quirky, energetic and swinging. With their rich harmonic and melodic palettes and complementary rhythmic energy, this pairing of two adventurous and acclaimed musicians is sure to be a rare treat.
YEHUDIT’S BIRTHDAY BASH AND JAM
Sunday May 12, 4:30pm FREE Violinist Yehudit (pronounced “yeah who DEET") is making a place for herself in the forefront of the jazz mainstream, following in the footsteps of jazz violinists from Jerry Goodman to Jean Luc Ponty. A classically trained player with a solid grounding in jazz, her credits include the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and the jazz/blues band John Handy with Class. Performing on electric and acoustic five-string violins, she produces a varied sonic palette, ranging from boppish licks and wails to warm, singing melody. Her music is firmly rooted in straight-ahead jazz, spiced with blues, free improvisation, and a dash of funk. Join Yehudit for this fun birthday celebration, which begins with a lively set of jazz and Brazilian classics, followed by an open jam session with the band (all instruments welcome). Featuring Yehudit, 5-string violins; John Douglas, saxophones, flute, clarinet; Steve Herrick, saxophones, flute; Rick Pollack, guitar; Jon Randall, bass; and Mark Bernfield, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Friday May 17, 6pm $10 general The Jazzschool Institute presents four student ensembles for Day One of our end-of- semester performance series!
JAZZ ARRANGING FOR SMALL ENSEMBLE
Erik Jekabson directs students in performance of their original arrangements.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Laurie Antonioli directs this eight-semester course covering a range of styles from the Great American Songbook to bebop, modal, world, contemporary popular, and free music. Featuring Andrea Claburn, Kyra Gordon, Lisa Lindsley, and Della Melton.
THE MUSIC OF ART BLAKEY
Jeff Denson directs an ensemble focused on the repertoire of Art Blakey. Featuring Chris Sullivan, alto sax; Joey Schneider, trumpet; Patrick Malabuyo, trombone; Christian Sullivan, piano; Colin McCuen, bass; and Aaron Hipschman, drums.
IMPROVISED MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Also directed by Jeff Denson, this ensemble explores the realm of “free” improvisation. Students are introduced to various techniques they may use to collectively compose in the moment. Featuring Madison Bohrer, tenor sax; Joey Schneider, trumpet; Tristan Norton, guitar; Casey Mattson, piano; Daniel Gerz, bass; and Kevin Coleman, drums. ELI GOLDLINK’S FLAVOR OF THE MONTH CLUB BAND & CHA CHING
Saturday May 18, 8pm $10 general Pianist Eli Goldlink returns to the Jazzschool with his Flavor of the Month Club Band, performing new original love songs inspired by artists such as Steely Dan, Usher, Bob Marley, Mac Dre and the Beatles. Featuring Rikki Gibson, lead vocal; Adriana Morrero, backup vocal: Eli Goldlink, piano and backup vocal; Tony Owen, guitar; and Bil Hager, bass and Nick De Ryss, drums.
Cha Ching is an exciting collaboration of musicians from around the world, including students in the Jazzschool Institute and performers that hail from South America and the Caribbean. They combine a wealth of rich musical styles to create an original sound that could only come from the Bay Area. Featuring Uri Macciovello and Adriana Morrero, vocals; Tony Owen, guitar; Jordan Wilson, tres/vocals; Eli Goldlink, piano; Bil Hager, bass; and Chris Heath, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Sunday May 19, 4:30pm $10 general The Jazzschool Institute presents two student ensembles for our second day of end-of- semester performances!
TRADITIONAL NORTH INDIAN ENSEMBLE
Directed by Arjun Verma, this instrumental ensemble is devoted to the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic underpinnings of North Indian music. Featuring Eli Goldlink, piano; Rikki Gibson, guitar; and William Rossel, tabla.
BRAZILIAN ENSEMBLE
Marcos Silva directs this ensemble focusing on the amalgam of Brazilian and American jazz styles of music and techniques. Featuring Tiffany Austin, vocal; Madison Bohrer, tenor sax; Dillon Vado, vibes; Casey Mattson, piano; Andrew Lion, bass; and Zachary Mondlick, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
at the Freight & Salvage Tuesday May 21, 8pm $10.50 advance / $12.50 at door The Jazzschool Institute presents three student ensembles for this end-of-semester performance series.
The Odd Meter Ensemble, directed by Jeff Marrs, explores the application of odd meters to jazz standards. Featuring Julian Kucera, guitar; Eli Goldlink, piano; Colin McCuen, bass; and Dylan Habegger, drums.
Michael Zilber directs the Miles Davis/Wayne Shorter Ensemble, focusing on the classic compositions of iconic Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter. Featuring Andrea Claburn, vocal; Nicholas De Ryss, vibes; Tristan Norton, guitar; Eli Goldlink, piano; Dean Muench, bass; and Zachary Mondlick, drums.
The Advanced Jazz Workshop, also directed by Zilber, is a performance ensemble for higher skill level students, exploring important innovations by post-bop luminaries including Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dave Liebman and Michael Brecker. Students also perform original compositions. Featuring Jesse Levit, alto sax; Madison Bohrer, tenor sax; Patrick Malabuyo, trombone; Lu Salcedo, guitar; Colin McCuen, bass; and Marshall Williams, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
at the Freight & Salvage Wednesday May 22, 8 pm $10.50 advance / $12.50 at door The Jazzschool Institute presents three student ensembles for this end-of-semester performance series.
Mads Tolling directs the Jazz Fusion Ensemble, focused on the music of Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius, Jean-Luc Ponty and others in the jazz fusion vein.
Bill Evans directs the Bluegrass Ensemble, focusing on bluegrass technique and repertoire. Featuring Kyra Gordon, vocal; Andy O'Brien, mandolin; Yehudit, fiddle; Jan Purat, fiddle; Simon Linsteadt, guitar; Ross Howe, guitar; Bill Evans, banjo; and Seth Honig, bass.
Paul Mehling and Evan Price co-direct the Gypsy Jazz Ensemble in the style of Django Reinhardt’s and Stephane Grappelli’s Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Beginning with their first recordings in 1934, these two innovators forged a new genre — gypsy jazz or jazz Manouche — acoustic music combining pumping, infectious rhythm with virtuosity, inventiveness, and soul. Featuring Della Melton, vocal; Lucy Southern, violin; Robert Feiner, violin; Samuel Boer, guitar; Ross Howe, guitar; Leo Nava, guitar; and Craig Browning, accordion.
KAI ECKHARDT’S ZEITGEIST
Friday May 24, 8pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Renowned bassist and composer Kai Eckhardt presents his latest project, a blend of funk, jazz and world music ranging from blazing instrumentals to soulful contemporary vocals. Kai’s jaw-dropping credentials include music icon Wayne Shorter, legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, jam band Garaj Mahal, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Dewey Redman, Billy Cobham, Steve Smith, Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain and others. Zeitgeist features some of the Bay Area’s very hottest electric jazz players — Kai Eckhardt, bass and vocals; Osam Ezzeldin, keyboards; Chris Robinson, guitar; and Deszon Claiborne, drums. Do not miss this one!
PRIMAVERA LATIN JAZZ BAND
Sunday May 26, 4:30pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Primavera blends Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian bossa and classic American jazz for a lively set of freshly arranged jazz standards and originals. Vocalist Ana Nitmar adds spice with soulful renditions of classics from the Latin Songbook. Also featuring Jane Lenoir, flute; Rick Brown, trombone; Lena Johnson, piano; Jeff McNish, bass; Glen Iwaoka, drums; Al Standford and Ron Duben, percussion.
JAZZSCHOOL VOCAL JAM SESSION
Sunday May 26, 7pm $5-$10 sliding scale The Jazzschool Vocal Department presents a monthly jazz vocal jam session, hosted by Ms. Angharad Jones. All are welcome! Singers should bring three copies of their song for the band. Please arrive by 6:30 pm to sign up. SEASONS GUITAR QUARTET
Featuring Anthony Wilson, Julian Lage, Chico Pinheiro & Larry Koonse Friday May 31, 8pm $20 general / $18 student & senior
Founded in 2011 for a performance and live concert recording at NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Anthony Wilson’s Seasons Guitar Quartet features the master guitarist, composer and arranger exploring his deep rapport with three of today’s finest young jazz guitarists: Julian Lage, Chico Pinheiro, and Larry Koonse. Much more than a chops-laden supergroup, the Seasons Guitar Quartet is an ensemble in the most complete sense of the word. They combine Wilson’s rich, detailed composing and arranging with the interpretive and improvisational voices of four exceptionally strong instrumentalists and empathetic accompanists, working together to create a modern chamber-group sound based on the guitar’s various traditions — from American “roots” forms such as blues and bluegrass, to Brazilian samba and choro, to the most traditional as well as the most current edge of modern jazz.
“Nothing short of gorgeous: as close to understanding the marriage of artist and instrument as we’ll get in this lifetime.” — DownBeat
For the last ten years, Anthony Wilson has been a member of Diana Krall’s quartet and he has appeared with a who’s who of modern music. Willie Nelson, Bobby Hutcherson, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Madeleine Peyroux, Joe Sample, and producers Tommy LiPuma and Joe Henry are just a few of the artists with whom Wilson has forged lasting partnerships. Anthony Wilson’s harmonic sophistication, technical control, and sheer suave elegance place him in the major ranks of jazz guitarists. DownBeat Magazine noted Wilson’s resemblance to Jim Hall, “in his harmonic sense and his relaxed, softly sparkling romanticism.” And the Village Voice wrote “He’s the real thing, with a voice and manner all his own and a promise that stretches to the horizon.”
Bay Area audiences will need little introduction to guitar phenoms Chico Pinheiro, Julian Lage and Larry Koonse, whose collaborations with renowned artists such as Gary Burton, Dianne Reeves and Luciana Souza have helped to create a major buzz about all three of these legends-in-the-making.
The Jazzschool is a nonprofit organization for the study and performance of jazz and related styles of music. Generous support is provided by the following: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Koret Foundation, Another Planet Entertainment, Mary A. Crocker Trust, The Bernard Osher Foundation, Jamey Aebersold Jazz, the City of Berkeley, the Whitman Family Foundation, the William E. Robinson Foundation and Wells Fargo.
TICKETS ON SALE AT JAZZSCHOOL.ORG
BERKELEY, CA: The Jazzschool continues its acclaimed concert series in the heart of the Berkeley Downtown Arts District. All events take place in the historic Kress Building at 2087 Addison Street, near Shattuck, unless noted otherwise.
4th ANNUAL JAZZSCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL
at the Freight & Salvage Friday May 3, 8pm FREE
The Jazzschool’s 4th Annual High School Invitational showcases outstanding high school jazz programs from around the Bay Area. This unique event, hosted at the Freight & Salvage, gives talented young musicians the opportunity to perform alongside their peers in a friendly, non-competitive environment. This year, select high schools include El Cerrito High School and Northgate High School from Walnut Creek, who will receive Outstanding Musician awards and Jazzschool scholarships.
7th ANNUAL JAZZSCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL INVITATIONAL
Saturday May 4, 8pm FREE
Showcasing middle school jazz programs from throughout the Bay Area, this unique event provides school programs the opportunity to perform alongside their peers in a friendly, non-competitive environment. Select middle schools perform for each other and receive awards and scholarships. Join these young musicians at the Jazzschool for an exciting evening, showcasing the future of jazz!
BAY AREA JAZZ ALL-STARS
Sunday May 5, 4:30pm $15 general / $12 student & senior An afternoon of deeply swinging jazz from some of the top players in the Bay Area: Chuck MacKinnon, trumpet; Al Bent, trombone; Mark Levine, piano; John Wiitala, bass; and Ron Marabuto, drums. The Jazzschool is pleased to include this event as part of National Chamber Music Month.
JAZZSCHOOL YOUNG MUSICIANS PROGRAM SHOWCASE
at Yoshi’s Oakland Monday May 6, 7pm Come out for a night with the Jazzschool Young Musicians Program, featuring up-and- coming young musicians from around the greater Bay Area. Featured ensembles include the Middle School Jazz Ensemble, Advanced Middle School Jazz Workshop, High School Jazz Ensemble II, High School Jazz Ensemble I, and the award-winning Advanced High School Jazz Workshop.
BILL EVANS: THE BANJO IN AMERICA
Friday May 10, 8pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Tracing the banjo from its West African roots to the New World, Bill Evans performs musical examples from the 1700s to the present day on a variety of vintage instruments, ranging from an African ekonting to a mid-19th century minstrel banjo, a modern bluegrass banjo and even an electric banjo. From an 18th century African dance tune to the music of the Civil War, and from early 20th century ragtime to more recent folk and bluegrass banjo styles, Bill’s performances illuminate and entertain. Evans is the author of Banjo for Dummies, the world’s most popular banjo book, and he has performed and recorded with acoustic luminaries David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Dry Branch Fire Squad, the Infamous Stringdusters, Tim O’Brien, Joy Kills Sorrow and others.
JOE MULHOLLAND AND STEVE ADAMS
Saturday May 11, 8pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Pianist Joe Mulholland (Berklee College of Music faculty) and saxophonist Steve Adams (Rova Saxophone Quartet) perform in an intimate duo setting. Mulholland’s latest album Unspoken is an eclectic set of jazz compositions, by turns lyrical, quirky, energetic and swinging. With their rich harmonic and melodic palettes and complementary rhythmic energy, this pairing of two adventurous and acclaimed musicians is sure to be a rare treat.
YEHUDIT’S BIRTHDAY BASH AND JAM
Sunday May 12, 4:30pm FREE Violinist Yehudit (pronounced “yeah who DEET") is making a place for herself in the forefront of the jazz mainstream, following in the footsteps of jazz violinists from Jerry Goodman to Jean Luc Ponty. A classically trained player with a solid grounding in jazz, her credits include the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and the jazz/blues band John Handy with Class. Performing on electric and acoustic five-string violins, she produces a varied sonic palette, ranging from boppish licks and wails to warm, singing melody. Her music is firmly rooted in straight-ahead jazz, spiced with blues, free improvisation, and a dash of funk. Join Yehudit for this fun birthday celebration, which begins with a lively set of jazz and Brazilian classics, followed by an open jam session with the band (all instruments welcome). Featuring Yehudit, 5-string violins; John Douglas, saxophones, flute, clarinet; Steve Herrick, saxophones, flute; Rick Pollack, guitar; Jon Randall, bass; and Mark Bernfield, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Friday May 17, 6pm $10 general The Jazzschool Institute presents four student ensembles for Day One of our end-of- semester performance series!
JAZZ ARRANGING FOR SMALL ENSEMBLE
Erik Jekabson directs students in performance of their original arrangements.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Laurie Antonioli directs this eight-semester course covering a range of styles from the Great American Songbook to bebop, modal, world, contemporary popular, and free music. Featuring Andrea Claburn, Kyra Gordon, Lisa Lindsley, and Della Melton.
THE MUSIC OF ART BLAKEY
Jeff Denson directs an ensemble focused on the repertoire of Art Blakey. Featuring Chris Sullivan, alto sax; Joey Schneider, trumpet; Patrick Malabuyo, trombone; Christian Sullivan, piano; Colin McCuen, bass; and Aaron Hipschman, drums.
IMPROVISED MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Also directed by Jeff Denson, this ensemble explores the realm of “free” improvisation. Students are introduced to various techniques they may use to collectively compose in the moment. Featuring Madison Bohrer, tenor sax; Joey Schneider, trumpet; Tristan Norton, guitar; Casey Mattson, piano; Daniel Gerz, bass; and Kevin Coleman, drums. ELI GOLDLINK’S FLAVOR OF THE MONTH CLUB BAND & CHA CHING
Saturday May 18, 8pm $10 general Pianist Eli Goldlink returns to the Jazzschool with his Flavor of the Month Club Band, performing new original love songs inspired by artists such as Steely Dan, Usher, Bob Marley, Mac Dre and the Beatles. Featuring Rikki Gibson, lead vocal; Adriana Morrero, backup vocal: Eli Goldlink, piano and backup vocal; Tony Owen, guitar; and Bil Hager, bass and Nick De Ryss, drums.
Cha Ching is an exciting collaboration of musicians from around the world, including students in the Jazzschool Institute and performers that hail from South America and the Caribbean. They combine a wealth of rich musical styles to create an original sound that could only come from the Bay Area. Featuring Uri Macciovello and Adriana Morrero, vocals; Tony Owen, guitar; Jordan Wilson, tres/vocals; Eli Goldlink, piano; Bil Hager, bass; and Chris Heath, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Sunday May 19, 4:30pm $10 general The Jazzschool Institute presents two student ensembles for our second day of end-of- semester performances!
TRADITIONAL NORTH INDIAN ENSEMBLE
Directed by Arjun Verma, this instrumental ensemble is devoted to the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic underpinnings of North Indian music. Featuring Eli Goldlink, piano; Rikki Gibson, guitar; and William Rossel, tabla.
BRAZILIAN ENSEMBLE
Marcos Silva directs this ensemble focusing on the amalgam of Brazilian and American jazz styles of music and techniques. Featuring Tiffany Austin, vocal; Madison Bohrer, tenor sax; Dillon Vado, vibes; Casey Mattson, piano; Andrew Lion, bass; and Zachary Mondlick, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
at the Freight & Salvage Tuesday May 21, 8pm $10.50 advance / $12.50 at door The Jazzschool Institute presents three student ensembles for this end-of-semester performance series.
The Odd Meter Ensemble, directed by Jeff Marrs, explores the application of odd meters to jazz standards. Featuring Julian Kucera, guitar; Eli Goldlink, piano; Colin McCuen, bass; and Dylan Habegger, drums.
Michael Zilber directs the Miles Davis/Wayne Shorter Ensemble, focusing on the classic compositions of iconic Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter. Featuring Andrea Claburn, vocal; Nicholas De Ryss, vibes; Tristan Norton, guitar; Eli Goldlink, piano; Dean Muench, bass; and Zachary Mondlick, drums.
The Advanced Jazz Workshop, also directed by Zilber, is a performance ensemble for higher skill level students, exploring important innovations by post-bop luminaries including Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dave Liebman and Michael Brecker. Students also perform original compositions. Featuring Jesse Levit, alto sax; Madison Bohrer, tenor sax; Patrick Malabuyo, trombone; Lu Salcedo, guitar; Colin McCuen, bass; and Marshall Williams, drums.
JAZZSCHOOL INSTITUTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES
at the Freight & Salvage Wednesday May 22, 8 pm $10.50 advance / $12.50 at door The Jazzschool Institute presents three student ensembles for this end-of-semester performance series.
Mads Tolling directs the Jazz Fusion Ensemble, focused on the music of Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius, Jean-Luc Ponty and others in the jazz fusion vein.
Bill Evans directs the Bluegrass Ensemble, focusing on bluegrass technique and repertoire. Featuring Kyra Gordon, vocal; Andy O'Brien, mandolin; Yehudit, fiddle; Jan Purat, fiddle; Simon Linsteadt, guitar; Ross Howe, guitar; Bill Evans, banjo; and Seth Honig, bass.
Paul Mehling and Evan Price co-direct the Gypsy Jazz Ensemble in the style of Django Reinhardt’s and Stephane Grappelli’s Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Beginning with their first recordings in 1934, these two innovators forged a new genre — gypsy jazz or jazz Manouche — acoustic music combining pumping, infectious rhythm with virtuosity, inventiveness, and soul. Featuring Della Melton, vocal; Lucy Southern, violin; Robert Feiner, violin; Samuel Boer, guitar; Ross Howe, guitar; Leo Nava, guitar; and Craig Browning, accordion.
KAI ECKHARDT’S ZEITGEIST
Friday May 24, 8pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Renowned bassist and composer Kai Eckhardt presents his latest project, a blend of funk, jazz and world music ranging from blazing instrumentals to soulful contemporary vocals. Kai’s jaw-dropping credentials include music icon Wayne Shorter, legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, jam band Garaj Mahal, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Dewey Redman, Billy Cobham, Steve Smith, Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain and others. Zeitgeist features some of the Bay Area’s very hottest electric jazz players — Kai Eckhardt, bass and vocals; Osam Ezzeldin, keyboards; Chris Robinson, guitar; and Deszon Claiborne, drums. Do not miss this one!
PRIMAVERA LATIN JAZZ BAND
Sunday May 26, 4:30pm $15 general / $12 student & senior Primavera blends Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian bossa and classic American jazz for a lively set of freshly arranged jazz standards and originals. Vocalist Ana Nitmar adds spice with soulful renditions of classics from the Latin Songbook. Also featuring Jane Lenoir, flute; Rick Brown, trombone; Lena Johnson, piano; Jeff McNish, bass; Glen Iwaoka, drums; Al Standford and Ron Duben, percussion.
JAZZSCHOOL VOCAL JAM SESSION
Sunday May 26, 7pm $5-$10 sliding scale The Jazzschool Vocal Department presents a monthly jazz vocal jam session, hosted by Ms. Angharad Jones. All are welcome! Singers should bring three copies of their song for the band. Please arrive by 6:30 pm to sign up. SEASONS GUITAR QUARTET
Featuring Anthony Wilson, Julian Lage, Chico Pinheiro & Larry Koonse Friday May 31, 8pm $20 general / $18 student & senior
Founded in 2011 for a performance and live concert recording at NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Anthony Wilson’s Seasons Guitar Quartet features the master guitarist, composer and arranger exploring his deep rapport with three of today’s finest young jazz guitarists: Julian Lage, Chico Pinheiro, and Larry Koonse. Much more than a chops-laden supergroup, the Seasons Guitar Quartet is an ensemble in the most complete sense of the word. They combine Wilson’s rich, detailed composing and arranging with the interpretive and improvisational voices of four exceptionally strong instrumentalists and empathetic accompanists, working together to create a modern chamber-group sound based on the guitar’s various traditions — from American “roots” forms such as blues and bluegrass, to Brazilian samba and choro, to the most traditional as well as the most current edge of modern jazz.
“Nothing short of gorgeous: as close to understanding the marriage of artist and instrument as we’ll get in this lifetime.” — DownBeat
For the last ten years, Anthony Wilson has been a member of Diana Krall’s quartet and he has appeared with a who’s who of modern music. Willie Nelson, Bobby Hutcherson, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Madeleine Peyroux, Joe Sample, and producers Tommy LiPuma and Joe Henry are just a few of the artists with whom Wilson has forged lasting partnerships. Anthony Wilson’s harmonic sophistication, technical control, and sheer suave elegance place him in the major ranks of jazz guitarists. DownBeat Magazine noted Wilson’s resemblance to Jim Hall, “in his harmonic sense and his relaxed, softly sparkling romanticism.” And the Village Voice wrote “He’s the real thing, with a voice and manner all his own and a promise that stretches to the horizon.”
Bay Area audiences will need little introduction to guitar phenoms Chico Pinheiro, Julian Lage and Larry Koonse, whose collaborations with renowned artists such as Gary Burton, Dianne Reeves and Luciana Souza have helped to create a major buzz about all three of these legends-in-the-making.
The Jazzschool is a nonprofit organization for the study and performance of jazz and related styles of music. Generous support is provided by the following: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Koret Foundation, Another Planet Entertainment, Mary A. Crocker Trust, The Bernard Osher Foundation, Jamey Aebersold Jazz, the City of Berkeley, the Whitman Family Foundation, the William E. Robinson Foundation and Wells Fargo.
