Grammy Nominated Pianist Curates Jazz Series At Patchogue Theatre

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts is proud to present Grammy nominated jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter Judy Carmichael in "Swing Time!" on Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m., her first performance in a Jazz Inspired series that Carmichael has curated in partnership with Patchogue Theatre. Executive Director Gary Hygom approached Carmichael about bringing her NPR / Sirius-XM radio series Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired, now its eighteenth year, to the Main Stage.

"I'm thrilled to perform my show 'Swing Time!' at the beautiful Patchogue Theatre," says Judy Carmichael, "and to have the opportunity to present other great musicians who are primarily jazz performers, like the bandleader Vince Giordano and his Nighthawks or those who surprise us with their love for jazz, like Penn Jillette, who will leave his magical partner Teller in Vegas to fly to us for a swinging evening of jazz with the great pianist Mike Jones to celebrate their first CD. I can't wait to interview and perform onstage with this fascinating group of guests we've put together for our fun series together."

Carmichael is considered one of the leading interpreters of classic swing and stride piano. The great Count Basie nicknamed Judy "Stride" in reference to her mastery of that early piano style popularized by Fats Waller and Art Tatum.

Carmichael's "Swing Time!" concert on March 24, will celebrate the music of Gershwin, Benny Goodman and other swing era greats in an evening of gems from the Great American Songbook. Carmichael will perform with her quartet and special guest American jazz tenor saxophonist Harry Allen.

The other performances in Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired programming series, live at Patchogue Theatre, include: Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks (April 20), The Show Before The Show Starring Penn Jillette and Mike Jones (May 19) and Sergio Mendes (July 1).

Judy Carmichael will also lead a "History & Culture Of Jazz" master class at Patchogue Theatre on Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. It will be the second class in the Theatre's new master class series connecting Long Islanders to musicians renowned in their discipline.

Tickets for "Judy Carmichael in Swing Time!" and the rest of her Jazz Inspired series programs are now available online, by phone or at the box office. Ticket prices for "Swing Time" range from $25 to $55, plus applicable ticket fees. For more information on Judy Carmichael's "Jazz Inspired" programming, visit the Patchogue Theatre website at PatchogueTheatre.org/Events or call the box office at 631-207-1313.

ABOUT PATCHOGUE THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (PTPA) Patchogue Theatre first opened in 1923 as the largest theatre in Suffolk County. It still is, with the installation of 1,106 brand new seats during the 2016 renovation. Saved by Village of Patchogue in 1996 and lovingly restored it to its original grandeur, this beautiful and historic venue was in use 245 days with over 155,000 in attendance for its 2017-2018 season. The Patchogue Village Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. operates Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA) as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to serve as a cultural center for Long Island by showcasing a broad variety of performing arts for a wide-ranging audience at affordable prices. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 71 East Main Street in Patchogue, N.Y., and can be reached at 631-207-1313 or by visiting PatchogueTheatre.org.