Joe Williams News

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to present THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI, a heart-warming, captivating musical treat based on the famous O. Henry story. The holiday tale with music by Randy Courts and lyrics by Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts will be directed by Suzanne Beal with musical direction by Alison Shafer and choreography by Julie Herber. The show will run for five weeks beginning in December. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Dale Head (dalehead.net), a jazz and blues powerhouse vocalist and trumpet player, today announced that he will be celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the voice of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra, by reviewing 40 years of his amazing career. 'From his early days to his retirement in 1972 and his comeback in the Main Event, Frank Sinatra lived a life of legends,' said Dale Head. 'With this performance, we will show you how Frank rose to stardom, fell from grace, and came back, multiple times to be the most iconic entertainer of the 20th Century. Using photos, videos, creative narration, and recreating some remarkable vocal duets, our goal is to give you a taste of what it might have been like to be in the studio at Capital with Nelson Riddle, in the audience at the Sand with County Basie and Quincy Jones, or finally at Madison Square Garden when none other than Howard Cosell introduced Sinatra as a boxer making his comeback in the Main Event.'

Harrisburg native jazz pianist Steve Rudolph will perform with exceptional veteran jazz musicians, vocalist Dred 'Perky' Scott and bassist Hassan J.J. Shakur, in a program of jazz interpretations of Christmas favorites tonight, December 4, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ware Center. Favorites will include 'Let It Snow,' Mel Torme's 'Christmas Song,' 'Little Drummer Boy,' 'My Favorite Things,' 'Silent Night,' and many more. All tickets include complimentary beverage service which begins at 7:00 PM with the concert beginning at 7:30 PM. The Ware Center is located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

Harrisburg native jazz pianist Steve Rudolph will perform with exceptional veteran jazz musicians, vocalist Dred "Perky" Scott and bassist Hassan J.J. Shakur, in a program of jazz interpretations of Christmas favorites on December 4, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ware Center. Favorites will include "Let It Snow," Mel Torme's "Christmas Song," "Little Drummer Boy," "My Favorite Things," "Silent Night," and many more. All tickets include complimentary beverage service which begins at 7:00 PM with the concert beginning at 7:30 PM. The Ware Center is located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

Grammy-winning Count Basie vocalist Carmen Bradford joins the Capital Jazz Orchestra for A Carmen Bradford Christmas at the Concord City Auditorium “The Audi” Located at 2 Prince Street Concord, NH, on Sunday, December 13, at 4pm. Tickets for this festive performance start at $25 and are on sale now.

As a special tribute to the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and a heartfelt acknowledgement to “The Greatest Generation,” The Capital Jazz Orchestra will perform the music of the legendary Glenn Miller on Sunday, October 4, at 4pm. The Capital Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Clayton “Skip” Poole, will be joined by special guests Dave Scott, Liz Saunders, and the More Than Four vocal quartet for an evening that is sure to transport audiences back to the swing era with Miller classics including 'In the Mood', 'Pennsylvania 6-5000', 'Chattanooga Choo Choo', '(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo', and more!

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) Chief Executive Officer Marci Glazer announced the outstanding thinkers, writers and entertainers that will comprise the diverse lineup for the 2015-16 Arts & Ideas season.

Harold Lomax Ousley, born January 23, 1929 in Chicago, Ill., passed away yesterday, August 13, 2015.

In recognition of its 80th anniversary, the award-winning Count Basie Orchestra performs at the Suncoast Showroom this weekend, beginning tonight, July 17 and continuing tomorrow, July 18.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) Chief Executive Officer Marci Glazer announced the outstanding thinkers, writers and entertainers that will comprise the diverse lineup for the 2015-16 Arts & Ideas season.

July is a packed month at The Nash, kicking off with a 4th of July bash with the Bad Cactus Brass Band. The month also marks the beginning of the Catch A Rising Star Series, comprised of Arizona musicians ages 18 to 24, who have been specially selected by The Nash,. The Series provides a platform for these emerging artists to gain prominence in the jazz community.

The Spire Center for Performing Arts, the entertainment mecca of Plymouth, presents The Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra with special guest vocalist Renese King, tonight, June 25, 8 pm, sponsored by Rockland Trust, at The Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) this weekend, June 19 - 21, 2015.

William 'Count' Basie started the Count Basie Orchestra in 1935 in Kansas City, Mo. In his early days as a performer, Basie garnered experience as a silent movie pianist and organist, and eventually worked with the Theater Owners Booking Agency (TOBA) circuit. The TOBA was the vaudeville circuit for African-American performers during the 1920's and 1930's.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) family theatre, The Fun Company, is proud to present the World Premiere of 'A Wish Come True'. The modern day 'Aladdin' adaptation by MET company member Caitlyn Joy will be directed by fellow company member Lia Seltzer. Full of fun and memorable characters the show will feature catchy original music by local composer and Urbana high school student Connor Cochran. The magical tale tailored for audiences ages ten and older will run at MET in June for eight performances over four weeks. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

On June 12 at 8PM, the New Philharmonia Orchestra will conclude its 20th Anniversary Season with a gala performance featuring the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli in a program showcasing his signature style that sets the standard for stylish modern jazz.  

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) on June 19 - 21, 2015.

The Spire Center for Performing Arts, the entertainment mecca of Plymouth, presents The Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra with special guest vocalist Renese King, on Thursday, June 25, 8 pm, sponsored by Rockland Trust, at The Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth.

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.