Symphony Space Presents SEEING JAZZ WITH GEORGE WEIN Series

Seeing Jazz with George Wein is a unique new series at Symphony Space which features jazz impresario George Wein-founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival-showing images from his extensive historic photo album, sharing anecdotes about a life lived in jazz and welcoming guest artists to the stage. Guest performers include critically acclaimed Israeli clarinetist Anat Cohen with guitarists Howard Alden and Gene Bertoncini (January 21), legendary pianist Randy Weston (March 11) and young virtuoso vibraphonist Stefon Harris (April 8).

Hailed as "a pioneering force" in the jazz community by The New York Times, George Wein is the founder of many of the world's best-known music festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival and New York City's JVC Jazz Festival. Over the course of a 60-plus year career in jazz Wein has amassed a considerable album of photographs of jazz legends, which he graciously shares with Symphony Space's audience for a rare viewing. Wein will also appear on stage to discuss the images and share anecdotes about a life lived in jazz.

Clarinetist Anat Cohen won the awards for "Up and Coming Artist" and "Clarinetist of the Year" from the Jazz Journalists Association in 2007. She has appeared at major jazz festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. Downbeat magazine recently praised her "gift for melody and...improvisational fluidity that has few peers today." Pianist Randy Weston, who began his recording career in 1954 for the legendary Riverside record label, is best known for fusing traditional jazz with North African elements; he has been deemed by The New York Times as "one of the principal agents of an African jazz aesthetic." Vibraphonist Stefon Harris has been called "one of the most important young artists in jazz" by the Los Angeles Times. Harris has played with numerous jazz luminaries including Kenny Barron, Steve Turre, Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter in addition to releasing six critically acclaimed albums.

Since opening in 1978 with a 12-hour marathon concert called Wall to Wall Bach, Symphony Space has earned its place as an innovative, multi-disciplinary cultural center in the heart of New York City's acclaimed Upper West Side neighborhood. In its two performance spaces, diverse programs bring great actors, musicians, writers, and dancers together with the public in a unique melding of world-class artistry in an informal and intimate setting.

SEEING JAZZ WITH George Wein
Anat Cohen with Howard Alden & Gene Bertoncini
January 21 at 7:30 p.m. $25; Day of Show $30; Members $20
Jazz impresario George Wein-founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival-shows images from his extensive historic photo album, shares anecdotes about a life lived in jazz and welcomes Israeli clarinetist Anat Cohen and guitarists Howard Alden and Gene Bertoncini who perform a set on stage in the intimate Leonard Nimoy Thalia.

Randy Weston
March 11 at 7:30 p.m. $25; Day of Show $30; Members $20
Jazz impresario George Wein-founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival-projects images from his extensive historic photo album, shares anecdotes about a life lived in jazz and welcomes leading jazz artist Randy Weston to perform a set on stage in the intimate Leonard Nimoy Thalia.

Stefon Harris
April 8 at 7:30 p.m. $25; Day of Show $30; Members $20
Jazz impresario George Wein-founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival-projects images from his extensive historic photo album, shares anecdotes about a life lived in jazz and welcomes leading jazz artists who perform a set on stage in the intimate Leonard Nimoy Thalia. The spotlight's on Stefon Harris, vibes virtuoso.
BOX OFFICE

Tickets for performances are available:

• In person at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, Tuesday-Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Over the telephone at (212) 864-5400, Tuesday-Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,

• Online at symphonyspace.org.

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