Wednesday, 5/4 at Mezza 6:30 - 9:30
Jeffrey Arthur, vocals Warren Stirtzinger, guitar Randy Stirtzinger, vibraphone Wayne Moose, bass yours truly, drum set
I have to admit it. Jeffrey surprised me. We did a Mezza hit back in December, and I had the pleasure of accompanying a seasoned singer who knew standards, knew his keys, swung hard, sang in tune, and chose his material for variety of groove and sentiment. It was a blast! (Being skeptical of singers one has never worked with is a storied tradition among accompanists…) Jeffrey even charmed the ladies with his ballroom dancing skills! So if you are a fan of the great American Songbook, an intimate atmosphere, craft beers, and a general good time, please consider joining us. Mezza is at 929 Elmwood Avenue between Bidwell & Delevan.
Thursday, 5/19 at Williamsville East High School 7:30
Pianist Bill Charlap with the Williamsville East Jazz Orchestra
And they mean Jazz Orchestra… Literally a swinging big band within a string orchestra… And if you weren’t sitting in a school auditorium seeing what you’re hearing, you could not be convinced that these are high school musicians. Wayne Moose and Steve Shewan direct a music program at Williamsville East that rivals any Arts Academy anywhere. And to their credit, the annual Legends of Jazz concert is about the kids. The opening half of the program will feature Bill Charlap in a trio setting, accompanying student soloists and vocalists. The second half features the guest artist with the Jazz Orchestra.
One of the world’s premiere jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed with many leading artists of our time, ranging from Phil Woods and Tony Bennett to Gerry Mulligan and Wynton Marsalis. He is known for his interpretations of American popular songs and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gershwin. Lyricists Alan & Marilyn Bergman have said, "Bill Charlap's playing is unique, warm and intelligent. He not only plays the melody - he also plays the lyric. And, for lyric writers, that’s as good as it gets."
In 1997, Charlap formed the Bill Charlap Trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington (no relation), now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. In 2000, he was signed to Blue Note Records and has since received two Grammy Award nominations, for Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein and The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard. In 2009, Charlap was the pianist and musical director for The Blue Note 7, an all-star jazz septet celebrating the legacy of Blue Note Records on its 70th anniversary. The septet performed a 50-city tour and released the CD, Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records. Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap are the recipients of a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop album, for their 2015 release, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.
Charlap is the artistic director of New York City’s Jazz in July Festival at the 92Y, in New York City. The year 2016 will mark his 12th anniversary as artistic director. He has produced several concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center and an evening of George Gershwin’s music at the Hollywood Bowl. Charlap's long-awaited new recording debuts on Impulse Renaissance Records. THE BILL CHARLAP TRIO: NOTES FROM NEW YORK features the trio in peak performance, and was recorded immediately following a two-week run at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola.
Born in New York City, Charlap began playing the piano at age three. His father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and his mother is singer Sandy Stewart, who appeared on the Ed Sullivan and Perry Como shows and earned a Grammy nomination for her recording of “My Coloring Book.” In 2005, Charlap and Stewart released the acclaimed CD, Love Is Here To Stay (Blue Note). Charlap is married to renowned jazz pianist Renee Rosnes. The two artists often collaborate in a duo piano setting. In 2010, Charlap and Rosnes released Double Portrait (Blue Note).
All tickets are reserved seating and cost $16.50. The Legends of Jazz concerts traditionally sell out, so advance purchase is highly recommended. Reserve your tickets at www.ticketpeak.com/wmb. For more information, contact WEHS Music at 716-626-8425 or legendsofjazz@gmail.com.
Upcoming for your correspondent…
Thursday, 5/19 with Bill Charlap and Wayne Moose at the Williamsville East Legends of Jazz concert 7:30
Sunday, 5/22 with Ron Corsaro - Jazz Vespers at Christ United Methodist - 4:30
Friday, 6/3 with Ralph Fava - 100 American Craftsmen at the Kenan Center - 6:00
Saturday, 6/4 with Ron Corsaro - 100 American Craftsmen at the Kenan Center - 3:00
Saturday, 6/4 with Phil Sims & Joanna Batt at the Roycroft - 8:00
Monday, 6/13 with the Buffalo Brass Big Band at the Sportmen’s - 7:00
Thursday, 7/7 with Barbara Jean at Falconer Park - 6:30
Sunday, 7/10 with Cindy Miller at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery - 2:00
Thursday, 7/14 with Laurie Bordonaro at Russell Park in Akron - 12:00
Sunday, 7/17 with George Caldwell & Bobby LaVell at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery - 2:00
Thursday, 7/21 with Barbara Jean at Ellery Park in Jamestown - 6:30
Sunday 7/24 with Don Rice at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery - 2:00
Sunday, 7/31 with Mike Costley & Bobby Militello at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery - 2:00
Sunday, 8/7 with Three Generations of Hasselbacks at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery - 2:00
Friday, 8/26 with Carol McLaughlin at the Lewiston Jazz Festival - 7:15
Saturday, 8/27 with Barbara Jean at the Lewiston Jazz Festival - 5:00
Saturday, 8/27 with Doug Stone at the Lewiston Jazz Festival - 7:15
The Primaries, and the march to November…
Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.
- Gore Vidal
Health,
Hope,
Dialogue,
Respect,
Tolerance,
Family,
Friendships,
dan
