Joe Williams News

In four stellar concerts featuring some of the brightest luminaries in jazz today, 2019's Highlights In Jazz series brings together a multitude of beloved jazz musicians spanning an eclectic mix of generations and styles. You'll hear unforgettable performances from jazz veterans including Warren Vaché, Houston Person, and Norman Simmons; up-and-comers like Veronica Swift, Christian Sands, and Peter and Will Anderson; and straight-ahead stalwarts such as Steve Turre, George Cables, Buster Williams, along with many more. These gifted players and others will pay tribute to a pantheon of jazz legends, including this year's featured honoree, trumpeter Randy Brecker; plus, the music of Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong will also be featured.

Legendary jazz harpist-pianist-singer Corky Hale, who has performed with some of the greatest stars in music history, as well as been a pioneering social activist, is publishing a new biography this month, 'Corky Hale Uncorked,' written by Jerry Leichtling and Arlene Sarner. 

An American icon comes home.  During the early years of his career, American composer, conductor and arranger Henry Mancini and his family lived not far from where California State University, Northridge campus now stands.  On Saturday, October 13 at 8pm, Mancini's music comes home to Northridge as The Soraya presents Moon River and the Music of Henry Mancini.  Starring Monica Mancini with special guest three-time Tony nominated Joshua Henry, Moon River and the Music of Henry Mancini features Gregg Field as Music Director and Chris Walden conducting the New West Symphony.  

Paul Jost, the unique vocalist and arranger often described as a 'passionate storyteller', performs at Mezzrow Jazz Club, 163 W 10th St in New York, with his quartet today, August 21, 8 and 9:30 p.m. shows. Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger but it is his work as a vocalist that makes him a standout. Performing music from his soon-to-be-released album, 'Simple Life,' he is joined by his quartet, the musicians on his album … Jim Ridl-piano, Dean Johnson-bass and Tim Horner-drums. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. There's a $20 cover charge. Reservations at www.mezzrow.com or call (646) 476-4346.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Count Basie Orchestra, Natalie Douglas Tributes: Ella Fitzgerald, The Renee Manning/Earl McIntyre Septet, Nina Storey at the Birdland Theater, and more!

Paul Jost, the unique vocalist and arranger often described as a 'passionate storyteller', performs at Mezzrow Jazz Club, 163 W 10th St in New York, with his quartet on Tuesday, August 21, 8 and 9:30 p.m. shows. Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger but it is his work as a vocalist that makes him a standout. Performing music from his soon-to-be-released album, 'Simple Life,' he is joined by his quartet, the musicians on his album … Jim Ridl-piano, Dean Johnson-bass and Tim Horner-drums. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. There's a $20 cover charge. Reservations at www.mezzrow.com or call (646) 476-4346.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

With the August 31 release of her debut recording 'Getting Sentimental,' Chicago's Gayle Kolb makes a triumphant statement in song after a stretch of years away from music. Produced and arranged by acclaimed Chicago bassist Dennis Carroll for JeruJazz Records, the album reveals Kolb's metamorphosis from a former nightclub headliner in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and her hometown of Chicago into a compelling jazz artist in full command of her material and her gift.

Internationally-acclaimed jazz and blues singer, Kim Nalley, returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko for a limited two-week engagementAugust 2-­12, 2018.  Joined by her band-Tammy Hall (piano), Michael Zisman(bass) and Kent Bryston (drums)-plus special guest, legendary jazz tenor saxophonist Houston Person, Nalley will present a memorable evening of jazz and blues standards.

MOMENTUM ARTISTS and ARTS-NYpresentSecret Jazz NYC Cabaret with Mark Berman and Ken Ard Saturday, April 28, 2018, 6:30 pmDon't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036.

Arizona Theatre Company presents LOWDOWN DIRTY BLUES. Rousing performances by Felicia Fields, Shake Anderson, and Chic Street Man. At the Herberger Theater in Phoenix through April 22nd.

Acclaimed Jazz harpist-pianist-vocalist Corky Hale will present a 103rd Birthday Show honoring Billie Holiday on Sunday, April 8 at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.  Hale is one of the few people still performing who was actually a close friend of Holiday's, playing for her on the 'Stars of Jazz' TV show, and on several recordings and live appearances, and this will be her fourth annual birthday salute to the singer.

There's no time more appropriate for a PEACE AND LOVE concert than now, and on April 6, 2018, TJP (formerly known as The Jost Project) is proud to perform in the Great Stair Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of their Friday Nights series. TJP will perform two sets of music at 5:45 and 7:15 p.m. As the perfect complement to the Museum's exhibit -- Design in Revolution: A 1960s Odyssey - TJP's music and the exhibit have a similar focus on the 1960s, a time of tumultuous political and social change, when messages of "peace and love" were everywhere. The exhibit is in Perelman Building, located at 2525 Pennsylvania Avenue, across from the museum. The concert is free with museum admission.

Experience Chicago's blues music legacy at the 35th Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening June 8-10 in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.). The Blues Festival will spotlight the great Chicago-born music tradition with live performances by the genre's leading artists at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the city's premier outdoor music venue. The previously announced headliners include: Corey Dennison Band; Mississippi Heat with Billy Flynn and Giles Corey; Special Tribute to Bob Koester and the 65th Anniversary of Delmark Records; Selwyn Birchwood; Willie Clayton; Little Walter Tribute; Fantastic Negrito, Kenny Neal and Mavis Staples.

Valley jazz icon Dennis Rowland and celebrated sculptor Doug Hyde of Prescott were named Artists of the Year in a rare tie for the honor at the 37th annual Governor's Arts Awards at the Arizona Biltmore Resort on Thursday, March 22.

'THE FOREIGNER' by Larry Shue is called 'one of the funniest plays of the 20th century!' and 'a comic gem from start to finish!' Come see The Lakeway Players production where you can bring in food, beverages, and alcohol and watch the play at a table with friends!

Elisa Monte Dance (EMD), the newest organization to call Harlem home, will return to City College's Aaron Davis Hall for two original evenings of collaborative works in celebration of their 37th season. Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher, who succeeded founder Elisa Monte in 2016, will present her newest work The Best-Self Project, a full-length premiere on March 16. Rea-Fisher has also curated a mixed-bill program on March 17 that will showcase a collection of new and restaged works featuring celebrated icons Tony Danza, Clifton Brown, Ayodele Casel, and more. 

Elisa Monte Dance (EMD), the newest organization to call Harlem home, will return to City College's Aaron Davis Hall for two original evenings of collaborative works in celebration of their 37th season. Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher, who succeeded founder Elisa Monte in 2016, will present her newest work The Best-Self Project, a full-length premiere on March 16. Rea-Fisher has also curated a mixed-bill program on March 17 that will showcase a collection of new and restaged works featuring celebrated icons Tony Danza, Clifton Brown, Ayodele Casel, and more. 

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) today announces the appointment of vocalist Carmen Bradford to its Roots, Jazz, and American Music (RJAM) faculty.

The nominations have been announced for the British Academy Children's Awards, which honour the very best in children's media. The ceremony will be held at the Roundhouse, London, on Sunday November 26th and will be hosted by British actor, writer and comedian Doc Brown.