The Jazzschool Announces May 2013 Concerts

From a Jazzschool press release:

By Mike Charlasch

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 St., near Shattuck, unless noted otherwise.

The Jazzschool’s 4th Annual High School Invitational showcases outstanding high school jazz programs from around the Bay Area. This free event, hosted at the Freight & Salvage on Friday, May 3, at 8 p.m. 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.

Showcasing middle school jazz programs from throughout the Bay Area, the Seventh Annual Jazzschool Middle School invitational will be held on Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. The free concert also 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!

Other concerts also include:

BAY AREA JAZZ ALL-STARS
Sunday May 5, 4:30 p.m.
$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, 7 p.m.

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. Tickets available at www.yoshis.com

BILL EVANS: THE BANJO IN AMERICA
Friday May 10, 8 p.m.
$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, 8 p.m.
$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, 4:30 p.m.; 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, 6 p.m.
$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.