'Highlights in Jazz' Series Ends 5/13 with Billy Taylor Trio, et al.

After 37 years, Jack Kleinsinger has decided to end his 'Highlights in Jazz' concert series. On May 13, 2010, the 300th concert of the series, Kleinsinger will present the last 'Highlights' show. He notes that his decision was not an artistic one, but a financial one: "If someone can come up with the financing necessary to produce the annual series I'll continue," he said. "But with cuts in arts funding and private sponsorships for jazz down it's not likely I'll continue."

The final show will be performed on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at TRIBECA Performing Arts Center at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street. Tickets may be ordered for $35.00 (student tickets are $32.50) and can be purchased by calling the TRIBECA Box Office at (212) 220-1460 or by visiting http://www.tribecapac.org/music.htm. They can also be purchased by mail. Checks should be made payable to and mailed to: Highlights in Jazz, 7 Peter Cooper Road, New York, NY 10010. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The 'Highlights in Jazz' Grand Finale will feature the Billy Taylor Trio, Gene Bertoncini & Harvie S, Vince Giordano and His Nighthawks, with Ms. Vinnie Knight and Sol Yaged. Musicians include Billy Taylor on piano, Winard Harper on drums, and Chip Jackson on bass.

An ambassador of the jazz community to the world-at-large, Dr. Billy Taylor's recording career spans nearly six decades. He has also composed over three hundred and fifty songs, including "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free," as well as works for theatre, dance and symphony orchestras. Now in his eighties, and officially retired from active touring and recording, he remains active with his educational activities and a full schedule of speaking engagements and appearances on radio and television.
http://www.billytaylorjazz.net/

Gene Bertoncini's fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades as the "Segovia of jazz." An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws, Paul Desmond among others, as well as such distinguished singers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone, and Eydie Gorme.
http://www.genebertoncini.com/

Harvie S, award-winning composer, arranger, bassist, educator and producer, has performed and recorded with Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Tony Bennett, Ray Baretto, Michael Brecker, Jean Pierre Rampal, Paquito D'Rivera, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Mark Turner, Jim Hall, Stefon Harris, Billy Hart, Lee Konitz, Yusef Lateef, Dave Leibman, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Paul Motion, Chico O'Farrill, Danilo Perez, Maria Schneider, Zoot Sims, Toots Thielemans, Ray Vega, James Williams, StEve Wilson, Phil Woods and countless others.
http://www.harvies.com/

Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks are renowned on the New York scene for their commitment to preserving and authentically presenting 1920s and ‘30s jazz and popular music.
http://www.myspace.com/vincegiordanothenighthawks

Ms. Vinnie Knight was born in Harlem, New York and later moved to Brooklyn. At an early age she sang in church choirs and performed in school plays. Her father was singer and guitarist and traveled the world. Vinnie studied dance with 'La Rocque Dance' theater and music at the Julliard School of Music and Kings Borough Community College.

Sol Yaged was born in Brooklyn and has been, with the exception of three years of military service, playing clarinet continuously in and around the NYC area since 1942. Even at the age of 84, Yaged's schedule makes him one of the busiest working musicians in the city.

This event is made possible with public funds from the NYS Council on the Arts, a State agency.