Saturday September 24, 2011, 7:30 p.m. - Heroes Sports Lounge$10 general / $8 JazzFresno members / seniors / students (under 21 welcome!)
with Martin Nevin, bass, and Peter Kronreif, drums
Prepare to be astonished by the bold compositions and stylish approach of the Le Boeuf Brothers , jazz twins with an ear for innovation, drama, and a touch of humor. Part of a growing New York jazz scene characterized by odd time signatures, current indie rock, and the influences of artists such as Radiohead, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Herbie Hancock, Remy and Pascal Le Boeuf (saxophone and piano) play a sophisticated brand of modern jazz that, despite it's complexity, remains upbeat and accessible to any audience.
"Even by the uncanny standards of identical twins, the Le Boeuf Brothers have forged a remarkably close connection. What sets them apart from other siblings who share the same DNA and a preternatural level of communication is that they practice it in public, on the bandstand, to unique artistic effect." (Metroactive).
The Le Boeuf Brothers' list of awards is a lengthy one, including Independent Music Awards for Best Album & Best Song; 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition, 12 ASCAP Young Composer Awards and various awards from Downbeat Magazine. Additionally, the Le Boeuf Brothers have received grants/commissions from Chamber Music America (CMA), ASCAP/IAJE, and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). The Le Boeuf Brothers have also toured internationally and performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Umbria Jazz Festival, and Jazz @ Lincoln Center.
The New York Times says of Le Boeuf's latest album, "this group has an impressively self-assured new album 'House without a Door' which reaches for the gleaming cosmopolitanism of our present era." Their upcoming album "In Praise of Shadows," supported in part by a contribution from the Edward & Sally Van Lier Fund of the NY Community Trust, is set to be released on September 20th, 2011. What differentiates this album from others is that the Le Boeuf Brothers continue to sculpt their compositions after the initial recording process using modern production techniques, sound collages, and layered arranging/recording methods. This new direction lays the foundation for the next decade of jazz innovation.
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Friday May 20, 2011, 7:30 p.m. - Club One Casino ShowroomFree Parking! (Parking Structure 8, Blue Level (directly underneath Club One)
$12 general / $10 JazzFresno members / $8 students (under 21 welcome!)
with Noah Garabedian, and Evan Hughes
 At the age of twenty-two, New York pianist Julian Waterfall Pollack has the jazz community abuzz with his mature, technically ferocious, and dynamic piano playing. A classically trained pianist, Pollack has unleashed into the world a singular blend of music that combines his love for today’s popular music styles and a respect for the classical tradition.
Having just released his second album, Infinite Playground (Junebeat Records, 2010),San Francisco Chronicle music critic David Wiegand writes that the new album"provides ample evidence that Pollack is a ferociously assured and creatively dazzling pianist, composer and arranger." During a prime time NPR interview, Wiegand stated,"You often hear young people who are really, really talented; what you don't hear--that I hear in Julian's music--is maturity and soul and a lot of thoughtfulness." Infinite Playground received a five star rating from the San Francisco Chronicle and has been garnering much critical acclaim from other publications and critics.
YouTube link to "Infinite Playground" trailer |
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Saturday, May 21, 2011 - E&e Performing Arts Center, Kingsburg, CA
May 21, 2011 ~ 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
$12 Adults, $10 Students/Seniors/JazzFresno members
VERY LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE
E&e Performing Arts Center
1440 Draper St., Kingsburg, CA
(559) 897-5570 for more info.
Tickets on sale May 1st:
Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce (559) 897-1111.
This Swedish Festival weekend, E&e Performing Arts
Center hosts KHS alum from the past four decades.
Don’t miss one of the finest jazz groups to hit the valley in many years!
On Saturday, May 21st in downtown Kingsburg, the KHS alumni all-star jazz band will be performing at 5:00 p.m. in the new E&e Performing Arts Center (located near the “Coffee Pot Water Tower”). This group includes the top KHS musicians from the last 40 years, including Dr. Larry Engstrom – director of the Reno International Jazz Festival, Scott Englebright- former lead trumpet with Maynard Ferguson, Brian Hamada- first call jazz drummer in the valley, Dale Engstrom- director of bands at Fresno City College, Gene Doi- top jazz saxophonist in the valley, Rodney Yokota- bassist for the Fresno Jazz Composers Orchestra, and many others.
Visit the E&e website to find out more information on this special event:
E&e Performing Arts Center
Confirmed Musicians Include: Ron Adolph, Gary Anderson, Gene Doi, Nancy Doi, Scott
Englebright, Dale Engstrom, Larry Engstrom, Brian Hamada, EJ Hinojosa, Mike Johnson, Jeff
Loven, Kerry Pickrell, Mike Schofield, Kevin Yokota and Rodney Yokota.
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Wednesday May 4, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
$12 general / $10 JazzFresno members / $8 students
Acclaimed baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan appears in concert with the Clovis High School Jazz Ensembles, Wednesday May 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall, on the campus of Clovis North High School.
Winner of the 2011 JazzTimes Readers and Critics polls for baritone saxophonist of the Year!
Winner of the 2009 and 2010 Jazz Journalists Award for baritone saxophonist of the Year!
Winner of the 2009 DownBeat Critics poll for baritone saxophone!
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The Fresno City College Music Department will present four of its top jazz groups in a two-night concert series at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater in Fresno’s Tower District.
It has been a busy year for the FCC jazz program, with many successful concerts and festival performances. This jazz “double header” presents these outstanding musicians in a casual, jazz club setting—a perfect way to wrap up the school year.
Monday May 2, 2011, 7:30 p.m. - Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater
$10 general / $8 JazzFresno members/seniors/students
FCC Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by George Ramirez. An all-star
percussion section drives this exciting group, which was featured at
the City Jazz Festival.
FCC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mike Dana.
This award-winning band recently performed with jazz legend Bob
Sheppard, and is preparing for recording sessions later in May.
Tuesday May 3, 2011, 7:30 p.m. - Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater
$10 general / $8 JazzFresno members/seniors/students
FCC Jazz Combos, directed by Larry Honda. These small groups feature many of FCC’s top jazz players, performing original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards.
FCC Jazz Singers, directed by Julie and Mike Dana. The Jazz Singers have been featured on KSEE 24’s “We Are Fresno Live” show, and recently performed at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival.
The relaxed, informal setting at Roger Rocka’s makes it a great venue for jazz. In addition, dinner, appetizers, and beverages will be available from 6:00 p.m., making the two evenings even more of a celebration.
Admission for each night’s performance is $10 general, $8 student/senior/JazzFresno members.
For tickets and reservations, contact the Dinner Theater box office at (559) 266-9494.
Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is located at 1226 N. Wishon, just north of Olive Ave. in Fresno.
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Sunday May 1, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - Bethel Lutheran Church
free admission
Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan will be the special musical guest at May jazz mass at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fresno. The multi-Grammy award winner is an alumnus of the Woody Herman Band and the Mel Lewis Orchestra, and is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. May's jazz mass theme is "So What." The Bethel Jazz Ensemble will perform the music of Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Conrad Herwig, Russell Ferrante, and more. With saxes Gene Doi and John Ayala, trumpeter Justin Copeland, trombonist Les Nunes, vocalist Debi Ruud, bassist Nye Morton, drummer Gary Newmark, and music director/pianist David Aus.
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Friday April 1, 2011 - Fulton 55 Club
with the Fresno Jazz Composers Orchestra
Advance tickets : $16.00, available at The Iron Bird Cafe (cash only), The Laundry Room, and Fulton 55 (559) 412-7400.
JazzFresno Members : $12.00, available only at Sierra Nut House, 7901 N. Blackstone Avenue, Fresno, CA (559) 432-4023
Saxophonist Tim Ries has distinguished himself as one of the most sought after soloists, composers, arrangers and clinicians in the music business. Since moving to New York in 1986, he has worked with a
virtual who’s who of jazz, classical, pop and rock icons including his most recent employers, The Rolling Stones, with whom he has toured and recorded since 1999. He began his professional
career in 1983 with the great Maynard Ferguson, touring with the trumpet legend for two years.
Other performance and recording credits include: Stevie Wonder, Donald Fagen, Lyle Lovett, Sheryl Crow, Incognito, Blood Sweat & Tears, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Donald Byrd, Chico Hamilton, Phil Woods, Joe Henderson,
Tom Harrell, Al Foster, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Louie Belson, John Patitucci, Maria Schneider and the Prism Saxophone Quartet.
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March 4-5, 2011
Jeff Hamilton Trio
Friday March 4, 2011; 7:30 p.m.
$15 general/$10 Seniors/JazzFresno members/$8 student (w/ID)
Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Karen Marguth & Espacio
Saturday March 5, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
$10 general/$5 student (w/valid ID)
Buchanan High School
Multi-Purpose Room
1560 N. Minnewawa Ave., Clovis, CA
John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble
Saturday March 5, 2011; 7:30 p.m.
$20 general/$15 Seniors/JazzFresno members/$10 student (w/ID)
Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Tickets: http://www.sjvjf.net/
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JAZZ COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA
FEATURES GUEST ARTIST EVA SCOW,
PREMIERES TWO ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS
 The Jazz Composers Orchestra will perform its final concert of the year on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater in Fresno’s Tower District.
Fans of the “JCO” know the band for its adventurous and original music. This season’s concert continues that tradition, with the premiere of original compositions by Joe Lewis and David Swigart, and featuring the music of Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, and Vince Mendoza. The concert will also feature a guest appearance by jazz mandolinist Eva Scow on Chuck Owen’s “E -Ticket”. JCO Director Mike Dana notes “If you remember what an E ticket ride a Disneyland was like, you’ll have a sense of this tune—non-stop excitement from start to finish!”
The Jazz Composers Orchestra is directed by Mike Dana, head of the jazz studies program at Fresno City College. The roster (below) reads like a “who’s who” of jazz in the Valley. Members include music faculty at FCC, CSU Fresno, and many other valley schools. All play professionally as well, and have performed with an impressive lineup of jazz and pop artists. Dana: “These are some of the best jazz musicians around. There’s nothing like hearing a twenty-piece big band come roaring at you!”
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