Count Basie News

Arete Productions, the performance arm of Santa Barbara School of Performing Arts (SB SOPA), will present the Broadway hit musical 13,a grown-up story about growing up, at the Marjorie Luke Theater this weekend, May 30 and 31, with a preview and showcase on May 29, featuring local artists, SOPA star alumni and the Inner Light Community Gospel Choir. Proceeds from the showcase will benefit Santa Barbara School of Performing Arts scholarship students.

Emblem/Atlantic recording artist Rob Thomas has announced details of his eagerly awaited new single. 'Trust You' the multiple-GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter's first new solo release in more than six years is available now on all DSPs. Fans can purchase the single here: http://smarturl.it/TrustYou

Arete Productions, the performance arm of Santa Barbara School of Performing Arts (SB SOPA), will present the Broadway hit musical 13,a grown-up story about growing up, at the Marjorie Luke Theater on May 30 and 31, with a preview and showcase on May 29, featuring local artists, SOPA star alumni and the Inner Light Community Gospel Choir. Proceeds from the showcase will benefit Santa Barbara School of Performing Arts scholarship students.

KJazz is throwing its third annual benefit concert at the Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, June 27th at 8pm. The show will feature a Swinging Tribute to Count Basie by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and special guests Lee Ritenour, Gregg Field, and the Sara Gazarek Band.

Beginning performances tonight, FOR THE LAST TIME is a new jazz musical with music and lyrics by celebrated composer Nancy Harrow (This Side of Paradise), book by Will Pomerantz and Nancy Harrow, directed by Will Pomerantz (The Blue Flower), arrangements/ orchestrations by Dennis Mackrel (Conductor of the Count Basie Band), with music direction by Cody Owen Stine (Murder Ballad). It is getting its world premiere at Theater Row's Clurman Theatre and will celebrate its opening on May 28 and running through June 20, 2015. Tickets are $39-79 and can be purchased by visiting www.Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

The 10th Anniversary celebration of The Shubert Foundation/Music Theatre International arts education program, Broadway Junior, will take place today, May 19, 2015 at at 10:30 a.m. at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 W. 45th St.). The event will be hosted by 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' star Darren Criss.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a star-studded 2015-16 season of music, dance, theater, comedy, film and more. Among the many highlights are performances by BalletBoyz, Margaret Cho, Joan Collins, Alan Cumming, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Ana Gasteyer, The Hot Sardines, Jane Lynch, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The TEN Tenors, all of whom will be making their Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts debuts, alongside returning favorites such as Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt, Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez, Martin Short, and Tommy Tune.

International touring and recording artist Clairdee joins forces with the Capital Jazz Orchestra, Clayton 'Skip' Poole, Music Director, for a very special 100th birthday tribute to the great “Lady Day”, Billie Holiday, tonight, May 15, at 7:30pm. Based in San Francisco, Clairdee will be performing such Billie classics as “Travelin' Light,” “Any Old Time,” and “God Bless the Child,” along with many other selections featuring both the big band and the more intimate CJO combo.

On Friday, June 12 from 7 to 10 p.m., The Jost Project will perform at Chris' Jazz Cafe and salute a legend in Philadelphia -- Composer Evan Solot.

The 10th Anniversary celebration of The Shubert Foundation/Music Theatre International arts education program, Broadway Junior, will take placeTuesday, May 19, 2015 at at 10:30 a.m. at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 W. 45th St.). The event will be hosted by "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" star Darren Criss.

Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne adds September and October U.S. shows his 2015 tour in support of his album,Standing In The Breach.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present APOLLO LINK, Monday, May 11th at 7pm.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its performances for May 18 - May 24, featuring Diane Schuur, Lorin Cohen, Natalie Douglas, and more. Scroll down for details!

 Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and  Frank Sinatra is 100.  Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and  exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors.  Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals. 

To mark the 100th birthday year of America's favorite crooner, Pinnella and the Topilow brothers will present an evening of Frank Sinatra's biggest hits, many newly arranged by bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, including such favorites as 'In the Wee Small Hours,' 'Come Fly with Me,' and 'I've Got the World on a String.'

Omaha Performing Arts again presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing this summer. The free outdoor concert series runs six consecutive Thursdays, from July 9 to August 13, 2015, in Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. on the permanent stage of The Pavilion at Turner Park. The lawn is open beginning at 5:00 p.m. every Thursday. This is the fifth year Omaha Performing Arts has presented the popular series.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its May 2015 schedule, featuring The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, BossaBrasil, Diane Schuur, Freddy Cole Quartet, Barbara Carroll, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more! Scroll down for details.

Playwrights Theatre is pleased to announce the High School and Elementary School winners of the 32nd Annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga's CHEEK TO CHEEK tour is now the fastest sell-out in Ravinia history! The Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, performances are officially sold out.