Clayton Hamilton News

Los Angeles-based singer Staci Griesbach interprets songs from Twain’s breakout album The Woman In Me.  Celebrating the album’s 25th anniversary, Griesbach’s “My Shania Twain Songbook” album reimagines a selection of songs from Twain’s iconic album including the #1 hit and fan-favorite Any Man of Mine.  

The Sorting Room Sessions, the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts' popular nightclub series, goes virtual with six entertaining programs, including two holiday-themed shows, featuring an array of captivating magicians and stellar pop, jazz and classical music artists.

The Sorting Room Sessions, the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts' popular nightclub series, goes virtual with six entertaining programs, including two holiday-themed shows, featuring an array of captivating magicians and stellar pop, jazz and classical music artists.

The Philly POPS announces today the mission and ongoing work of its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force.

Gail Boyd, Founding President of Gail Boyd Artist Management, has been elected as President of North American Performance Arts Managers and Agents (NAPAMA). Boyd's appointment is particularly momentous as she is the first African American woman to step into this prominent role. She is also the first NAPAMA President to come from the jazz music industry.

Patsy Cline's trailblazing spirit is remembered in a?oeMy Patsy Cline Songbook,a?? the first-ever, full-length jazz tribute album arriving August 23, 2019.  Drawing on her country roots, vocalist Staci Griesbach's debut album explores looking at the Nashville Songbook as another treasure trove to consider reinterpreting for jazz, much like the traditional Great American Songbook.

Today, the Philly POPS officially welcomes Broadway legend Todd Ellison as Music Director of the 2019-2020 TOPS of the POPS season. Likewise, the POPS welcomes its new Artistic Director for Jazz, world-renowned trumpet player Terell Stafford.

The Philly POPS and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will present the School District of Philadelphia's All-City Jazz Festival. The day of free jazz performances by student and professional musicians will be held in the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater and Commonwealth Plaza on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from noon 9 p.m. This will be the POPS's fifth year presenting this event and the third year in partnership with the Kimmel Center.

The annual Highlights In Jazz series, a fan fave for almost a half century, can be counted on to deliver concerts that surprise and delight savvy jazz fans. The third event of the 2019 lineup showcases one of the series' most beloved traditions: paying homage to a living jazz great. The Highlights In Jazz presentation Salute to Randy Brecker celebrates the music and contributions of this beloved trumpeter and contemporary jazz icon. “Let's honor them while they can smell the roses,” declares producer Jack Kleinsinger.

Following the immense artistic success of JAZZED! The Philly POPS BIG Band with Terell Stafford in January, The Philly POPS has designated Terell Stafford as the Artistic Director for Jazz for The Philly POPS.

GHOSTLIGHT DELUXE, an imprint of Ghostlight Records, has announced the release of For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole - the new album from the JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO - in physical, digital and streaming formats today, Friday, February 8. Following high-profile collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald, Pizzarelli returns to his roots to honor his hero, the legendary jazz/pop vocalist and pianist Nat King Cole, whose centennial is being celebrated around the world this year with various concerts, books and recordings. For Centennial Reasons completes an epic trio of Pizzarelli albums saluting Cole, starting with Dear Mr. Cole, which helped put Pizzarelli on the map as an influential jazz guitarist and singer in 1994, and continuing with P.S. Mr. Cole, which cemented his legacy five years later. To order the album, please visit ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/pizzarelli-natkingcole

World renowned singer Jack Jones and celebrated drummer Jeff Hamilton kick off the 19th annual Newport Beach Jazz Party February 14, 2019 at the Newport Beach, CA, Marriott Hotel and Spa. Tickets are available by calling 949-205-1252 and by visiting NewportBeachJazzParty.com.

The Philly POPS will offer free tickets for furloughed government employees during the federal government shutdown. Government employees may present their IDs at the Kimmel Center Box Office to receive one free, complimentary pair of tickets to JAZZED! running January 18, 19 and 20 (One pair per Government-issued employee ID).

GHOSTLIGHT DELUXE, an imprint of Ghostlight Records, has announced the release of For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole - the new album from the JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO - in physical, digital and streaming formats on Friday, February 8. Following high-profile collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald, Pizzarelli returns to his roots to honor his hero, the legendary jazz/pop vocalist and pianist Nat King Cole, whose centennial is being celebrated around the world this year with various concerts, books and recordings. For Centennial Reasons completes an epic trio of Pizzarelli albums saluting Cole, starting with Dear Mr. Cole, which helped put Pizzarelli on the map as an influential jazz guitarist and singer in 1994, and continuing with P.S. Mr. Cole, which cemented his legacy five years later. To pre-order the album, please visit the label HERE.

The Philly POPS presents Jazzed! The Philly POPS BIG Band with Terell Stafford, a swinging program honoring Philadelphia's unique contributions to the history of jazz, January 18 20 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This performance is a part of The Philly POPS 40th Anniversary Season, which celebrates artists and music with connections to Philadelphia and the POPS.

The Philly POPS presents Jazzed! The Philly POPS BIG Band with Terell Stafford, a swinging program honoring Philadelphia's unique contributions to the history of jazz, January 18-20 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This performance is a part of The Philly POPS 40th Anniversary Season, which celebrates artists and music with connections to Philadelphia and the POPS.

Smooth notes that sing, the beat of the drum that pulsates, and moan of emotion from the horn create the American-made music of jazz. Fans, devotees, and music lovers will relish The Jazz Eclectic Concert Series Vol. 4 to be performed at Myron's Cabaret in the Smith Center on Nov. 27.

To help community members get in the festive spirit, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts  announced today it will present a variety of shows this holiday season that span a broad range of genres to entertain all audiences. These include Broadway smash "The Lion King" with eight performances during the week of Thanksgiving, DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular, A Well-Strung Christmas, Broadway legend Kelli O'Hara with Seth Rudetsky, Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker," the Las Vegas Philharmonic's "A Classic Holiday," Clint Holmes' "Holmes for the Holidays," Graham Dechter & Friends, and Frankie Moreno's "With Plenty of Mistletoe."

Jazz fans know they can count on the Highlights In Jazz concert series to showcase the gifted players who shaped jazz history and continue to contribute to its long and rich legacy. This third concert of the 46th season is no exception: The music is sure to dazzle - and swing - when you have such renowned musicians on hand as pianist Dick Hyman, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, bassist Jay Leonhart, saxophonist/clarinetist Ken Peplowski, and drummer/vibraphonist Chuck Redd.

Jazz clarinetist Ken Peplowski will pay tribute to jazz legend Benny Goodman at the Bickford Theatre on Thursday, May 3.  He and his Sextet, featuring Chuck Redd on vibes, Rossano Sportiello on piano, Sean Smith on bass, Matt Witek on drums, and Hilary Gardner on vocals, remember the great clarinetist in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the famous Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert of 1938.