Steve Nelson News

The Highlights In Jazz 45th Anniversary Gala launches the new season Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 8 P.M. featuring the Bucky Pizzarelli Trio with guitarist Russell Malone, and bassist Martin Pizzarelli, with acclaimed singer Allan Harris. Plus a surprise special guest!

Dave Stryker has announced a few upcoming live performances across the country for the coming months. Check out the listings below.

Producer Jack Kleinsinger and the entire Highlights In Jazz family joins the rest of the jazz world in mourning the late Kevin Mahogany, who passed away December 17, 2017. He was originally scheduled to appear at the season kickoff concert.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, announces its Top Holiday Songs for 2017. According to an ASCAP analysis of streaming and terrestrial radio data, 1994's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You,' written by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey, moves to #1, joining enduring Christmas classics like 'A Holly Jolly Christmas'(written by Johnny Marks, 1962) and 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow'(written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, 1945), at the top of the charts. (Check out ASCAP's interview with Afanaseiff about writing 'All I Want' at http://bit.ly/2k8S9E0)

Gene Autry's famous song, Frosty The Snowman (written by Jack Rolling and Steve Nelson) first the radio in December of 1950 and since then there have been many incarnations of Frosty: from famous recordings like The Chipmunks or The Jackson 5 to the beloved 1969 animated special, which airs on TV every year. A new version of this holiday classic written by William Francis is currently playing at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo Park.

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), recent recipient of three 2017 Helen Hayes Awards, brings to the stage the tale of winter joy, Frosty the Snow Man, directed by Jason Schlafstein. Based on popular song written by Walter 'Jack' Rollins and Steve Nelson, this beloved tale of a snowman dancing through life is recommended for all ages and opens November 19, 2017. Tickets are $19.50 each and can be purchased online at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org or by calling 301-634-2270.

Ahoy, me Hearties! Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), recent recipient of three 2017 Helen Hayes Awards, is proud to announce its 66th Season featuring five main stage productions based on popular children's stories and books with two world premieres and one exceptional nation-wide, seven-theatre partnership. This stand-out season will delight audiences in the DC area with award-winning directors and artists.

Pianist Ben Rosenblum will perform music from his debut release Instead alongside a veteran rhythm section of jazz masters, including Curtis Lundy (Grammy-nominated bassist famous for his work with Betty Carter) and Billy Hart (legendary drummer with Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock) at Mezzrow (163 West 10th Street) on Sunday, May 21.  

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) honors the 2017 NEA Jazz Masters at a tribute concert held in collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, hosted by Jason Moran.

Pianist Ben Rosenblum will present unique solo piano programs each Tuesday in April at The Kitano, (66 Park Ave, no cover, $15 min food/drink charge), including: selected standards and originals (April 4), selections from unusual inspirations/sources (April 11); special guests (April 18); and selections from his debut album (April 25).  Ben's music has earned numerous awards, including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award and several Downbeat Student Music Awards (best original composition and best original arrangement), and has been described as "mature beyond his years." (John Neudorf)

Announcing the 12th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, a Spring SoCal Tradition, Keeping the Blues Alive for a dozen consecutive years, taking place Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Studio Channel Islands, 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo. Gates open 10:00 am, music begins at 11:00 am. Tickets $30. (Pre-Sale), $40. (Day of Show). Kids 12 and under, free with paid Adult General Admission. V.I.P. Tickets $125. (online only). Festival proceeds benefits Food Share and other Ventura County area charities (please bring a food item to donate). Info: (805) 501-7122 or visit venturacountyblues.com/.

OneTrickDog* Records is pleased to announce the release of Instead, the debut album from New York pianist and composer, Ben Rosenblum.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts will celebrate the 2017 NEA Jazz Masters with a free concert, Monday, April 3, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall. The performance will honor the recipients of the nation's highest honor in jazz, highlighting their lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz music. The concert, held during Jazz Appreciation Month, will also be streamed online at www.kennedy-center.org. In addition to the April 3 concert, the NEA Jazz Masters will hold a listening party at National Public Radio headquarters on Sunday, April 2, and a master class for young musicians to learn from the Jazz Masters themselves at Howard University on Tuesday, April 4.

Guitarist, Roni Ben-Hur celebrates the music of two iconic musicians who had a major influence on his style, Brazilian guitarist and composer, Beden Powell, on February 17, and the high priest of jazz, Thelonious Monk, on February 18. For these two nights, Roni assembled a top flight quartet featuring the lyrical Steve Nelson on vibes, soulful bassist, Santi Debriano, and two separate drummers for each night, Helio Schiavo, who toured and recored with Baden Powell for over a decade, and Leroy Williams, who started his career as a member of Thelonious Monk's quartet. In these two concerts, Roni introduces a fresh and personal take on the music of Powell and Monk, while keeping a direct link to their original intent. Having Helio Schiavo and Leroy Williams in the group allows Roni, Steve and Santi to hear and feel first hand what Powell and Monk were like on the and off the stage, and gives their performance an added depth and perspective.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for February 20-26, featuring Cyrus Chestnut Quartet, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Eric Comstock & Jon Burr, and more. Scroll down for details!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its February 2017 lineup - scroll down for details!

OneTrickDog* Records is pleased to announce the release of Instead, the debut album from New York pianist and composer, Ben Rosenblum.

Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship in FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, the popular animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante, to be rebroadcast Today, Dec. 10 (9:00-9:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Originally broadcast 12/07/69.)

Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship in FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, the popular animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante, to be rebroadcast Saturday, Dec. 10 (9:00-9:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Originally broadcast 12/07/69.)

Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship in FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, the popular animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante, to be rebroadcast Today, Nov. 25 (8:00-8:32 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.