Jazz Appreciation Month Events at the Library

JazzFresno presents the following free educational events at local public libraries as part of the month long celebration of April as National Jazz Appreciation Month.

Thursday April 17th - JazzFun for Kids - Book reading and craft project

7:00 PM - Politi Branch Library - 5771 North First Street, Fresno CA

Saturday April 19th - Jazz Lecture and Performance
2:00 PM - Gillis Branch Library - 629 West Dakota Avenue, Fresno CA

Click here for information about other upcoming Jazz Appreciation Month events this April...

 

Fresno State Jazz Band in Concert - Thursday April 24th

FRESNO STATE JAZZ BANDS “A” and “B” WITH SPECIAL GUEST DOUG BEAVERS, TROMBONE
Thursday, April 24 - 7:30 PM 

TICKETS:  $6.00 General - $5.00 Faculty/Staff/Seniors/Students 

Tickets are available in the Music

Department Box Office from 11 am to 1 pm, at the door or on-line at www.csufresno.edu/music


DOUG BEAVERS:
Recently garnering a Grammy Award for his work on Eddie Palmieri's star-studded release, Listen Here (2006), Doug Beavers Rovira has become known for his meticulous attention to detail, natural-born leadership, and his unbridled enthusiasm for music. These endearing qualities have earned him the opportunity to perform throughout the world with prominent figures in jazz and latin music, including Eddie Palmieri, Rosemary Clooney, Giovanni Hildago, and Mingus Big Band, both as trombonist and arranger and composer.

Doug has just finished a jazz orchestra release entitled  Jazz, Baby!, which features a 20-piece jazz orchestra performing traditional kids' tunes in a 1950's - 60's big band style. Featuring Matt Catingub, Linda Harmon & Giovanni Hidalgo and recorded at Lucasfilm's Skywalker Sound, the CD was released internationally October 23, 2007 on the Origin record label and has been receiving extensive radio airplay in the US and will be reviewed in several upcoming jazz and children's publications.

Doug Beavers Rovira is currently in the process of releasing his next jazz release, which features a 9 piece ensemble along with special guests trumpeter Alex Sipiagin and Cuban drumming sensation Dafnis Prieto.
 

JazzFresno Fall 2007 Event Photos

Karrin Allyson JazzFresno enjoyed a great season of activities this fall, with concerts by the Benny Green / Javon Jackson Project, and Karrin Allyson. Local photographer Tomas Ovalle was there at both events to document the performances. Feel free to browse the photos of these and other JazzFresno events at his website.
The Jackson/Green Project

Karrin Allyson

 

Tokyo Garden Jazz Jams

1st & 3rd Sundays of the Month at Tokyo Garden

tokyo garden For nearly five years, local jazz fans and musicians have had a home at one of Fresno's longtime restaurants and music venues, Tokyo Garden, located 1711 Fulton Street in downtown Fresno.  On the first Sunday of every month, local pianist and jazz educator Craig Von Berg hosts a jam session with his trio, featuring John Lauffenburger on bass and Brian Hamada on drums. On the third Sunday of the month, jazz guitarist and Director of Jazz Studies at Fresno City College, Mike Dana hosts the session, with his band. The sessions begin at 6:00pm.  

Jazz has always been a musical form passed on from musician to musician, and jam sessions have played a big role in the history of jazz. The story of virutally every major jazz musician almost always involves a jam session, as these are settings where musicians get to try out new ideas, and learn the language of jazz. Musicians of all levels are encouraged to participate, and should bring lead sheets (3) for the rhythm section. It's a fun, entertaining and educational experience, and a great way to get a taste of the local jazz scene.

Tokyo Garden's website...

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Tower Mosaic Jazz Jams

2nd and 4th Sundays at Tower Mosaic

Andre Bush and David Aus at Tower MosaicIn addition to the twice monthly jazz jam sessions held at Tokyo Garden, Tower Mosaic, located on Fulton Street in Fresno's Tower District, has begun its own twice monthly Sunday night jazz jam session. On the 2nd Sunday of the month, drummer Gary Newmark hosts a jam session with his group, featuring David Aus on piano and Roy Carlson on bass. On the 4th Sunday of the month, guitarist Andre Bush leads the jam session. Both Tower Mosaic jams begin at 7:00pm. Tower Mosaic also features performances by jazz artists during Arthop, the first Thursday of every month.
Tower Mosaic is located at 1040 N. Fulton in the Tower District (above Club Babylon) More information is available at http://towermosaic.org/
 

Gilbert Castellanos Quintet Photo Gallery

Gilbert CastellanosOn February 9th, 2007 JazzFresno presented the Gilbert Castellanos Quintet at the Roosevelt High Auditorium, kicking off JazzFresno's spring season 2007. It was a great evening of music and friends new and old, as it was Castellanos' first performance in his hometown since 2002. Local photographer Tomas Ovalle was there to document the event. You can see his photos of this concert, as well as some past JazzFresno events, at his online gallery:  propix.smugmug.com