Tuesday, February 9 2010

With Chris O'Brien, Hanneke Cassel, Mark Erelli, Margaret Glaspy and more!

The trio is led by guitarist and Boston resident David Ehle with a bassist and drummer plus special guest musicians.

This is an open jazz jam session where all are invited to bring your instrument and your voice or just come enjoy the fun.

For information contact David Ehle 617-572-3692.

The Wolverine Jazz Band has been performing in the Boston area since 1996, specializing in the “Traditional Jazz” – New Orleans – style music of the 1920’s and 1930’s. The band is comprised of musicians known throughout New England as established masters of the style, who are also noted for communicating the sheer joy of the music. Typical fare during an evening with the Wolverines is a mix of tunes composed or made famous by Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, as well as a variety of lesser-known composers. We also take pride in featuring a wide selection of obscure gems from the Jazz Era.

Dead Cat Bounce, Boston’s Outstanding Jazz Act (Boston Music Awards, Phoenix Music Poll and Improper Bostonian) and recipient of commissions from Meet the Composer and Chamber Music America, is one of the few recent jazz bands to have arrived on the scene with its own distinctive voice. Featuring four saxophones of all ranges plus upright bass and drums, Dead Cat Bounce is the unique artistic vision of Matt Steckler, its founder and leader. Their eclectic approach to rhythm is informed by traditions from the Caribbean, Deep South, Brazil, West Africa, Eastern Europe and Detroit.

Co-creators Bradley "Shooz" Rapier and Danny Cistone have collaborated with members of the award winning Groovaloos to create the hip hop sensation, GROOVALOO. Cistone, who also directs the production, worked with Rapier and The Groovaloos over a period of years exploring actual experiences of individual members and of the group as a whole. The process was challenging to say the least as various members were pushed to the limit, revealing their deepest fears and personal secrets along the way. Based on these true-to-life stories of The Groovaloos themselves, and told by the dancers who lived them, GROOVALOO combines the authenticity of A CHORUS LINE with the energy of STOMP as it embarks on a journey through the diverse world of hip hop dance.

Driven by jaw-dropping displays of physical ability, a vibrant musical score and powerful spoken word poetry, the show's intertwined stories chronicle the struggles, hopes and triumphs of the 14-member cast as they discover the true meaning of family and share what it's like to be "in the circle".

Matt Glaser is the only tenured professor of violin in the United States who specializes in jazz, folk and swing instead of classical music. What Ken Burns brings to our eyes and brain, Matt augments with ear candy.        http://www.facebook.com/mattglaser

Andy Statman's virtuosity, on mandolin and clarinet, is legendary and his versatility stunning. Had there been a planetarium in 19th century Galicia, or a kosher deli in Depression-era Kentucky, Andy Statman's music might have been playing in the background. http://www.andystatman.org/Read.htm

Tony Trischka is one of the most influential bluesgrass / newgrass banjo pickers of our time. Period. Thanks to Tony, there is a Bela. http://www.myspace.com/tonytrischka

Bezanson Recital Hall

REPERTOIRE: New works by Alex Lee-Clark, Brian Thomas, Marek Novotny, Eric Blanchet, Chris Lapidas & Steve Turcott, performed by Jazz majors, jazz ensembles & faculty

TICKET INFORMATION: No charge, free and open to the public

"Our group starts with bass, drums, and piano. Ken & I (Ted) have been around longer than the other Jazz Jam musicians. We are probably not as "out of the box" (that's Michael's favorite term) as some of the younger musicians hosting the Jam, but we bring a wealth of jazz experience to the party." And, we love "out of the box" folks to jam with. Give us your freedom of expression; we give you a solid base of jazz experience. You draw us out; we draw you out!

Our bassist, Ken Steiner, has extraordinary pizzicato technique. He has been gigging in the Boston area for the last 35 years in a variety of settings. In addition, Ken helps keep everyone on the same page. I hesitate to say he keeps us straight, but you'll know what I mean when you jump in." - Ted

The new Berklee Artists Series at Scullers, is a monthly concert series featuring Berklee faculty artists and students in intimate combined concert performances at the world renowned Scullers Jazz Club. Tonight the series spotlights pianist/composer Marc Rossi.

Lots of people cover Miles Davis, but this is the first Miles Davis cover band we know of, Bitches Brew, a collection of Boston-scene veterans and younger players, who have formed to work on Miles' initial, electric period, from In a Silent Way through Jack Johnson. -The Phoenix, November 2007