Centenary Stage Hosts January Jazz Fest, 1/12, 19 & 26

"Ring in the new year with a jazz concert or three" at The David and Carol Lackland Center in Hackettstown says General Manager Catherine Rust. Centenary Stage Company will be presenting its annual JANUARY JAZZ FEST in the Sitnik Theatre on Saturday, January 12th, 19th, and 26th. This year's festival includes a tribute to Benny Goodman, a celebration of legendary female vocalists like Anita O'Day and Julie London, and a revival of gypsy jazz by The Hot Club of Detroit.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Benny Goodman has become synonymous with swing and jazz, having performed with musical legends like Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. Stan Rubin isn't new to the big band world either, known as "The Crown Prince of Swing," he's even played for Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco. And now, he brings a full orchestra to the Centenary Stage paying tribute to Benny Goodman and his contributions to swing and jazz. The Stan Rubin Orchestra will be performing its Benny Goodman Tribute on Saturday, January 12th at 8:00 p.m. in the Sitnik Theatre. Tickets are $32.50 at the door and $27.00 in advance.

Celebrating the classic jazz vocalists Anita O'Day, June Christy, Chris Connor, and Julie London, award-winning singer Kathy Kosins celebrates these women in her concert "To The Ladies of Cool." This concert is a multimedia event featuring a live band, musical shorts, videos and rarely seen photographs of each of the ladies plus stories behind the songs themselves. Kathy Kosins will be performing "To the Ladies of Cool" on Saturday, January 19th at 8:00 p.m. in the Sitnik Theatre. Tickets are $27.50 at the door and $22.50 in advance.

Drawing inspiration from the legendary Hot Club de France of the 1930's lead by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Gripelli, The Hot Club of Detroit is an ensemble jazz band that creates a sound that harkens back to these gypsy jazz greats. Their sound has been described as "a smorgasbord of exciting music" that also incorporates modern day influences with both acoustic and electric instrumentations. The Hot Club of Detroit will be performing on Saturday, January 26th at 8:00 p.m. in the Sitnik Theatre. Tickets are $30.00 at the door and $25.00 in advance.

"The Centenary Stage Company likes its reputation as offering the best deal in the state," says Artistic Director Carl Wallnau. The January Jazz Fest is also available for purchase as a Flex Pass for all three shows at $66 a person. To purchase tickets or to find more information on other performances in the 2012-2013 season, visit www.centenarystageco.org, or call (908) 979-0900.

The Centenary Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional equity theatre, in residence at Centenary College, dedicated to serving as a cultural resource for audiences of the Skylands Region with professional music, theatre and dance events and arts education programs throughout the year. Performances at the Centenary Stage Company are made possible through the visionary support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, and CSC members, friends and sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and The Holiday Inn, and Series sponsors, Fulton Bank, and Mamas and Café Bacci.

Pictured (top): Stan Rubin Orchestra; Photo credit: Bruce Gast. Pictured (middle): Kathy Kosins; Photo credit: Kathy Kosins. Pictured (bottom): Hot Club of Detroit; Photo credit: Cybelle Codish.

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