[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Appreciation Month

[Harry Callaghan]

If I am not mistaken, the following information originated with east coast
concert promoter Bruce Gast...I personally "lifted" it from a post to the
Tradjazz list by Bruce McNichols as I thought it would also be of interest
to DJMLers

You must scroll all the way down to view pertinent data regarding the OCC
and Bickford..

HC


 APRIL IS JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH (JAM!)

 April was declared by Congress to be Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM,
appropriately), at the behest of the Smithsonian Institution.  New Jersey
continues to enjoy participating in this nationwide program, as it has every
year of its existence, and has registered three concerts as its contribution
to this, the Tenth Annual celebration of JAM!  Jazz is, as JAM states,
"spontaneous, never ordinary, completely genuine."  Come out and support
this worthy program.

 Wednesday, April 6 (OCC) -- The return of 85 year old jazz legend Bucky
Pizzarelli, with young violinist Aaron Weinstein ("the rebirth of hot jazz
violin." -- Nat Hentoff) and swinging bassist Jerry Bruno.  No hype needed.
 Don't expect to find a lot of empty seats for this one!

 Monday, April 11 (Bickford) -- The popular Midiri Brothers return to weave
their amazing jazz and swing magic in this acoustic hall.  They'll be
introducing their new CD here, backed by the band that did so well reopening
OCC in January: Brooks Tegler (drums), Pat Mercuri (guitar), Ed Wise (bass)
and Dean Schneider (piano).  Joe Midiri plays various reeds, while Paul
Midiri plays vibes and occasional trombone.

 Monday, April 25 (Bickford) -- What better way to spend Easter Monday than
with Elite Syncopation, the outstanding quintet that plays early jazz,
ragtime, swing and pop favorites in a spritely manner, using chamber music
instrumentation.  Absent here for a couple of years, and sorely missed.  A
rare visit by this unique group from New England.

 MAY MADNESS

 Just a couple of concerts in May, but they're impressive!

 Monday, May 2 (Bickford) -- Beacon Hill Jazz Band, grown to 9 pieces with
the addition of harmonica and vocal star Rob Paparozzi.  Jazz, blues, swing
and some that defy categorization.  A return visit after ovations here from
a fairly full house.  Leader Marty Eigen (tenor sax) is joined by regulars
Bill Ash (trumpet), Chris Cottier (baritone sax), Doug Wintz (trombone),
Flip Peters (guitar), Fred Fischer (piano), Bob Funesti (bass) and Mike
Walter (drums).

 Wednesday, May 18 (OCC) -- The popular Atlantic City Jazz Band returns,
with early jazz (perhaps Scott Joplin or Jelly Roll Morton) spiced up with
some Gershwin, Berlin, Arlen, Ellington and Mercer compositions.  Seven
pieces, all hot players.  Great fun last time.

 JAZZ SUMMERFEST

 The Bickford Theatre runs an intensive schedule a jazz through the warm
months, nearly a concert a week.  Here are some of the attractions booked
thus far:

 Monday, June 6 (Bickford) -- If pianist Derek Smith had simply played for
Benny Goodman, he'd be worth hearing.  But his repertoire is immense, and he
presents it all with energy and dry humor.  You've heard him at the
ChickenFat Ball, but a solo evening is especially invigorating for fans.

 Monday, June 13 (Bickford) -- Master guitarist Frank Vignola is back after
his near sellout last year, with blazing second guitar Vinny Raniolo and hot
violinist Zach Brock.  Blinding speed and unique treatments make every
number memorable.  Order early for this one!

 Monday, June 20 (Bickford) -- Bob Seeley is considered by experts to be the
greatest living boogie woogie piano player.  He's featured prominently in A
Left Hand Like God, and Dick Wellstood (no slouch at the keyboard himself)
referred to Seeley (in admiration... and perhaps fear) as "that steel-
fingered monster from Detroit."  Come out to hear some "industrial strength"
stride and boogie.

 Monday, June 27 (Bickford) -- Dan Levinson's ode to Jimmy Noone's Chicago
jazz, the Apex Project, with an all-star cast you will certainly recognize:
Pete Martinez (Albert clarinet, from Big 72), Kevin Dorn (drums), Cassidy
Holden (bass, from Fête Manouche), Jan Frenkel (piano) and Molly Ryan
(guitar and vocals)..  Hot, tasty jazz.

 COMING LATER IN THE SUMMER: Trumpet sensation Bria Skonberg, the String of
Pearls vocal trio, the Full Count Big Band,  British stride piano champ
Neville Dickie, the very popular Paris Washboard (this year with Louis
Mazetier at the piano!) and Allan Vaché's tribute to Benny Goodman,
celebrating the Palomar Ballroom anniversary.  Contact the Box Office for
these summertime dates.

 SUMMER JAZZ AT THE SHORE

 Wednesday, June 22 (OCC) -- "Boogie Bob" Seeley returns with some exciting
solo piano.  Boogie woogie, of course, but also stride, rags and blues.
 Dick Hyman views him as "a force of nature."  The tsunami of the piano,
perhaps?  You'd never believe he's an octogenarian!

 Wednesday, July 27 (OCC) -- Trumpeter Al Harrison brings his famous
Dixieland band here for the first time.  Big sound!  You heard him play at
The Stomp.

 Wednesday, August 17 (OCC) -- The Vaché Brothers Band, with both Warren and
Allan Vaché, plus their stellar sidemen.

 JUST BOOKED: Wednesday, September 14 (OCC) -- The 18 piece Jazz Lobsters
play on their home turf following a tour de force at the Bickford.

 MidWeek Jass is back on the Ocean County College campus again, just outside
of Toms River.

 WHERE TO FIND JAZZ

 The Bickford Theatre/Morris Museum: On Columbia Turnpike/Road (County Road
510) at the corner of Normandy Heights Road, east of downtown Morristown.
 Near Interstate 287 and the Route 24 expressway.  This is a 300-seat hall
with generous parking on site.  Wheelchair access.  Weeknight concerts are
one long set (8 to 9:30 PM).  Tickets are generally $15 in advance, but $18
at the door.  Tickets may be purchased via credit card over the phone by
calling the box office at (973) 971-3706.  The box office can also provide
information, directions or a simple "jazz map."

 New Jersey Jazz Society:  Multi-band concerts and festivals are held at
various locations several times each year.  Information is available by
calling (800) 303-NJJS.  Tickets may be purchased at the gate (higher prices
generally) or by mail with SASE.  Checks payable to NJJS.  Membership is
inexpensive, and gets you significant event discounts plus the acclaimed
Jersey Jazz monthly magazine.  Membership information and ticket orders:
www.njjs.org.

 Ocean County College:  Midweek Jazz concerts are held on Wednesday evenings
(now back at their comfortable, newly refurbished Arts and Community
Center).  Concerts begin at 8 PM and run as one extended set until about
9:30 PM.  Tickets are $13 in advance, but $15 at the door.  RESERVED SEATS
too!  Call their Box Office at (732) 255-0500 for information, credit card
purchases (no fee) or driving directions, which are also available from
their web site: www.ocean.edu.  The hall is at the end of College Drive,
just off County Road 249, known locally as Hooper Avenue.  There is a HUGE
parking area just across from the building.

 The American Rag, a monthly publication with "news you can use" about
traditional jazz and ragtime, should be on your subscription list.  Learn
about it at www.americanrag.com.  Nationwide festival news.

 TELL YOUR JAZZ-LOVING FRIENDS ABOUT THIS E-MAIL REMINDER SERVICE.  Send us
an e-mail at Jazzevents at aol.com if you wish to unsubscribe.  Make it clear
you are not signing up again!  Please also let us know of changes of e-mail
address.  There is no forwarding service, so we lose you when you move.

 Listings are available on the Internet, too.  Consult the NJJS web site at
www.njjs.org 24 hours a day.

 Thank you for supporting live jazz!


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