BerkshiresJazz.org

Word is beginning to spread about Claire Daly, who entered hospice in Boulder last week.

She played here in the Berkshires a half-dozen times for us, each one a unique and special occasion. Her gigs with Berkshires Jazz included as part of Clem DeRosa’s American Jazz Repertory Orchestra; on her Baritone Monk project; our Women in Jazz night with Peggy Stern and Grace Kelly; with another big band, forming a sort of “saxophone colossa”, with Ada Rovatti and Sharel Cassity in front of the Empire Jazz Orchestra; and a wonderful guest gig with Jason Ennis, Miro Sprague, and Marty Jaffe, a trio that has since recorded as Tone Forest.

Most recently, Claire played at the Bousquet Jazz Festival in August of 2023, on the runup to her CD release concert at Dizzy’s. She was experiencing pain in her shoulder/neck area, was going to the doc the next week. Test disclosed a malignancy. A few months later, she said the treatment wasn’t working and they were going to try something new. Alas, good news was not forthcoming.

She impacted many a young and budding musician as part of the Litchfield Jazz Camp faculty, a haven for young jazz talent. In that role, for many years she was also our eyes and ears in identifying candidates for our Jazz Prodigy series. Her impact was deep and will be long-lasting.

According to a friend’s post, her health is rapidly declining, and she is too fragile to return to New York. She has a profile on Caring Bridge, where sentiments can be left. We’re told that she can see them and it lifts her spirits. https://www.caringbridge.org/site/b1207361-5c3a-348d-8340-42142f50709f

Wow! Great photos from last night's performance with Grace Kelly Music, the clinic Grace held with Kids 4 Harmony, and more!

‼️LIMITED TICKETS remain for Berkshires Jazz’s hottest ticket of the year! 🎷Alto saxophone lioness and vocalist Grace Kelly Music brings her 15-piece large ensemble, conducted by Grammy and Tony Award winning Bryan Carter, augmented by Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble, to Lenox this Sunday!

Tickets: https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly/

Call now to connect with business.

Saturday evening! Becket Arts Center's last outdoor concert of the year! "Music Brings Communities Together" with Wanda L. Houston!

🎶🎤Join us for the Wanda Houston Band! This group brings their blues-jazz sound to the the Becket Arts Center's lawn stage on October 12th at 5pm. Bring a chair, a friend, and enjoy the last outdoor concert of the year (weather permitting). Donations are appreciated.

Renowned for her dynamic and soulful approach to jazz and blues, Samirah Evans brings a unique New Orleans flavor to her performances. She is performing "All of Me: A Tribute to Billie Holiday" TONIGHT at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCHtI9QCWig&t=38s

➡️TICKETS: https://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/all-of-me-a-tribute-to-billie-holiday-starring-samirah-evans/

Autumn Leaves Middlebury Town Hall Theater performance October 13, 1923Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils Reunion Samirah Evans (v) Miro Sprague (p) Matt Dwonszyk(b) Mi...

There are TWO Fall Jazz Sprawl events tonight!

✨Check out Misty Blues at Dotties Coffee Lounge (444 North St., Pittsfield). Dottie's is serving dinner at 6pm; music at 7pm.

Info: https://www.dottiescoffeelounge.com/events-calendar/2024/2/2/misty-blues-83kan-tp9a4-3semg-a8ye2-e8zcw-khgfp-t4f2h-7sdxe-x8rp5-cz97y-nb6rm-shs5x

✨"All of Me: A Tribute to Billie Holiday" starring Samirah Evans
at The Colonial Theatre/Berkshire Theatre Group (111 South St., Pittsfield) at 7:30pm.

Info & Tickets: https://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/all-of-me-a-tribute-to-billie-holiday-starring-samirah-evans/

Misty Blues Band October Supper Club — Dottie's Coffee Lounge October Supper Club and Misty Blues residency   Every Friday in October

Tonight!!

Come out to see us tonight, 7-10pm. Dottie’s has an amazing dance floor!!!!

Check out yesterday's Berkshire Eagle interview with Grace Kelly Music!

Grace Kelly will play songs from her latest album, "Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies," during her 2024 Fall Jazz Sprawl concert on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 7:30pm at Shakespeare & Company. Grace Kelly brings her 15-piece large ensemble conducted by Grammy and Tony Award winning Bryan Carter, augmented by Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble.

🎟️Tickets: https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly/

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/arts_and_culture/berkshirelandscapes/berkshire-jazz-sprawl/article_dadead38-f3ce-5811-9d4a-cd484f388854.html

Saxophonist Grace Kelly was first inspired by Charlie Parker as a child. He's also inspired her latest album 'Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies' Kelly will appear in concert, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Shakespeare & Company with her quartet, augmented by the Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble.

Tonight's FALL JAZZ SPRAWL event takes place at Dotties Coffee Lounge in Pittsfield, where you can enjoy dinner (6pm) before a FREE performance from 7-10pm by The Lucky 5 — a hard-swinging jazz band that blends 30s- and 40s-style swing with gypsy and Parisian flavors to create a unique blend of music that stands by itself.

Reservations required for dinner (413-443-1792).

Fall Jazz Sprawl Dinner featuring Lucky 5

Head to The Lion's Den (30 Main St., Stockbridge) for tonight's FALL JAZZ SPRAWL performance! The Paul Ostermayer Quartet will be filling the cozy Den with jazz from 7–10pm. $10 music charge. Hope to see you there! 🎷

Day 2 of the Fall Jazz Sprawl features a FREE performance with the Tarik Shah Trio tonight (10/8) at St. Stephen's Parish, Pittsfield MA (67 East St.) from 4:30–6pm!

Tarik Shah Trio @ The Tasting Lab 4/21/23 "Alone Together" Bass: Tarik ShahGuitar: Luke FrancoDrums: Matt Niedbalski

Don't miss Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies this Sunday, October 13 at 7:30pm at Shakespeare & Company! 🎷 Alto saxophone lioness and vocalist Grace Kelly brings her 15-piece large ensemble, conducted by Grammy and Tony Award winning Bryan Carter, augmented by Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble, to the Berkshires!

➡️TICKETS: https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly/

The 2024 FALL JAZZ SPRAWL kicks off this Monday! Seven days of both free and ticketed jazz events throughout Berkshire County — a different venue and artist each day!

Here's the schedule! You can find info about the Sprawl and more on our ✨NEW✨ website!

https://berkshiresjazz.org/news/2024-fall-jazz-sprawl

✴ Monday, Oct. 7

George Schuller Trio
Methuselah Bar and Lounge
391 North St., Pittsfield, 7–10pm
FREE

✴ Tuesday, Oct. 8

Tarik Shah Trio
St. Stephen's Parish, Pittsfield MA
67 East St., Pittsfield, 4:30–6pm
FREE

✴ Wednesday, Oct. 9

The Paul Ostermayer Quartet
The Lion's Den
30 Main St., Stockbridge, 7–10pm
$10 music charge

✴ Thursday, Oct. 10

The Lucky 5
Dotties Coffee Lounge
444 North St., Pittsfield
Dinner at 6pm; music at 7pm. FREE
Dinner info: https://www.dottiescoffeelounge.com/events-calendar/2024/5/24/lucky-5-s7yy8-dmwa7-as29n-4pdt3

✴ Friday, Oct. 11

Misty Blues
Dotties Coffee Lounge
444 North St., Pittsfield
Dinner at 6pm; music at 7pm. FREE
Dinner info: https://www.dottiescoffeelounge.com/events-calendar/2024/2/2/misty-blues-83kan-tp9a4-3semg-a8ye2-e8zcw-khgfp-t4f2h-7sdxe-x8rp5-cz97y-nb6rm-shs5x

Samirah Evans and a tribute to Billie Holiday
The Colonial Theatre/Berkshire Theatre Group
111 South St., Pittsfield, 7:30pm
Tickets: https://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/book/?event_id=175602

✴ Saturday, Oct. 12

The Wanda Houston Band, “Music Brings Communities Together”
Becket Arts Center
7 Brooker Hill Rd., Becket, 5–7pm
FREE, donations accepted

✴ Sunday, Oct. 13

Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies with Kids 4 Harmony
Grace Kelly Music
Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare & Company
70 Kemble St., Lenox, 7:30pm
Tickets: https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly/

2024 Fall Jazz Sprawl — Berkshires Jazz October 7–13 Seven days of jazz — a different venue and artist each day! 

Schedule for the Fall Jazz Sprawl, a full week of free and ticketed events running from Oct. 7-13, and concluding with the Grace Kelly concert.

2024 Fall Jazz Sprawl: Seven days of jazz — a different venue and artist each day!
Monday, October 7 - Sunday, October 13

The annual Fall Jazz Sprawl offers a week of free and ticketed jazz events throughout Berkshire County. The series includes events that were organized by BerkshiresJazz.org, as well as others that were planned and sponsored by the venues presenting the artists.

The series concludes with a headline concert featuring the Grace Kelly Quartet plus a string section augmented by the Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble.

The schedule currently includes:

Monday, October 7: George Schuller Trio
Methuselah Bar & Lounge, 391 North St., Pittsfield, 7–10 pm. FREE

Tuesday, October 8: Tarik Shah Trio
St. Stephen’s Church, 67 East St., Pittsfield: Community concert, 4:30–6 pm. FREE

Tuesday, October 8: The Paul Ostermeyer Quartet
Tito’s Mexican Bar & Grill, 34 Depot St., Pittsfield, 5:30–8:30 pm. FREE

Wednesday, October 9: The Paul Ostermayer Quartet
The Lion’s Den, 30 Main St., Stockbridge, 7–10 pm. $10 music charge

Thursday, October 10: The Lucky 5
Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 444 North St., Pittsfield
Dinner at 6 pm (click here for details: www.dottiescoffeelounge.com). Music at 7 pm. FREE

Friday, October 11: Samirah Evans and a Tribute to Billie Holiday
The Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield, 7:30 pm. Ticketed event. Click here for tickets: www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/all-of-me-a-tribute-to-billie-holiday-starring-samirah-evans

Saturday, October 12: The Wanda Houston Band “Music Brings Communities Together”
Becket Art Center, 7 Brooker Hill Rd., Becket, 5–7 pm. FREE, donations accepted.

Sunday, October 13: The Grace Kelly Quartet with Kids 4 Harmony
Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox, 7:30 pm.
The Sprawl will culminate in a concert featuring Grace Kelly performing from her latest album Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies, which reimagines themes from current and classic movies for jazz quartet and orchestra. In addition to the rising saxophonist and vocalist, the orchestra will be augmented by the Kids 4 Harmony Advanced Strings Ensemble.
Ticketed event. Click here for tickets: https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly

Featured image: Grace Kelly

Our hottest ticket of the year, don't miss out! On Sunday, October 13, alto saxophone lioness and vocalist Grace Kelly Music brings her 15-piece large ensemble conducted by Grammy and Tony Award winning Bryan Carter, augmented by Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble, to Shakespeare & Company!

Kids 4 Harmony is participating in a very special performance opportunity thanks to a collaboration with Grace Kelly brought to life by BerkshiresJazz.org. Her latest album, “Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies,” adapts classic and current movie themes for an orchestral setting along the lines of the historic “Charlie Parker with Strings.” The new release will be performed with a full-string section augmented by the Kids 4 Harmony advanced ensemble. Tickets available at:https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly/

Berkshires treasure Samirah Evans celebrates the music of Billie Holiday on Oct. 11, in an intimate "On Stage" presentation at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.

All of Me: A Tribute to Billie Holiday Starring Samirah Evans - Berkshire Theatre Group With a dynamic and soulful approach to jazz and blues, Evans brings a unique New Orleans flavor to her performances.

Jazz vocalist Suzi Stern takes on a role as impresario, hosting a salon concert at her Lenox, Mass. residence this Sunday, Sept. 22. The affair features guitarist John Stowell. Suzi will also be singing on a few compositions, saxophonist and flutist Paul Ostermayer will be playing, and George Oldziey will join on piano for a few tunes….and no telling what other surprises may grace the room.

In this intimate setting, it is suggested that guests bring their own drinks or snacks. This way all of the donations can go to the touring artist.

Details:
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2:00-4:00pm
57 Taconic Ave., Lenox

Suggested donation $25
Text Suzi with any questions (512) 924-5821

suzi.stern.58

Berkshires Jazz’ hottest ticket of the year features a new suite for jazz quartet and orchestra, headlined by saxophonist Grace Kelly and a string section augmented by Kids 4 Harmony. Her latest album, “Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Moves,” reimagines classic and current movie themes for an orchestral setting, along the lines of the historic “Charlie Parker with Strings”. Only 32 years old, saxophonist-songwriter-singer Grace Kelly has been on stage for more than half her life, and is recognized as an unequivocal musical prodigy. The new release --her fourteenth-- will be performed in the luscious setting of the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare and Co. The orchestra will be conducted by two-time Grammy winner Bryan Carter. The limited VIP seating includes Meet and Greet with the artist, a signed poster, and photo opportunity.

Video sampler here: https://youtu.be/yzC_8WHjSFQ?si=tI3cQthjpeBJPdJk

Click for details and tickets: https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/berkshires-jazz-presents-grace-kelly/

BerkshiresJazz.org Promoting America’s indigenous art form, nurturing it with high quality jazz programs and education, and promoting the local jazz scene. Look for Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in the fall and the Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend each spring.

Although the Boston Symphony summer season is rapidly drawing to a close, two jazz events loom on the hallowed grounds of Tanglewood, in historic Lenox, Mass. And, while they both take place at the Linde Center for Music and Learning, the similarities end right there.

First up: Columbian-born jazz harpist Edmar Castaneda hits the stage this Sunday, Aug. 25. Then; on Friday, Sept. 6, a double bill featuring Wanda Houston’s Resonance Trio and Ted Rosenthal's All Star Sextet.

Followers of the long-lamented Tanglewood Jazz Festival may remember Edmar Castañeda, who first appeared there some 10 years ago. He immediately made an impact, and has since made a name for himself as the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso. His playing brings forth a brilliance that beautifully merges the jazz tradition with a diverse set of styles and genres while also bringing unbridled attention to a somewhat unfamiliar instrument. Castañeda was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY Award for the album Family and, in fall 2021, was heard in Disney’s Encanto, which features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Castañeda acts on the soundtrack and served as a music consultant on the film.

The Linde Center has stunning acoustics –as you’d expect of Tanglewood—and equally stunning views from its glass wall backing the stage. Edmar Casteneda's program takes place Sunday, Aug. 25, at 7:30pm. His quartet includes Castañeda on harp; AndreaTierra, vocalist; Shlomi Cohen, sax; and Rodrigo Villalon, drums.

Tix:
https://secure.bso.org/booking/production/bestavailable/25823

Renowned pianist Ted Rosenthal brings an all-star sextet to the Linde Center as part of the 5th annual Lenox Jazz Stroll. Presenting a unique Bernstein-inspired bop program (or is that a bop-inspired Bernstein program?), Ted’s group will perform "Bernstein & Bop: A Saxophone Colossus". The repertoire features Ted’s arrangements of classic Leonard Bernstein pieces intertwined with jazz standards. Berkshires –and world-wide—jazz followers know Ted Rosenthal as one the leading jazz pianist/composers of his generation. He will be joined by top musicians from New York City including Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone), Scott Robinson (tenor saxophone), Erena Terakubo (alto saxophone), Noriko Ueda (bass), and Dennis Mackrel (drums).

Wanda Houston & The Resonance Trio will perform a special opening set to begin the evening. Wanda is a staple of the music community in the Berkshires, and her voice has been featured at leading venues both locally and around the world. She will be joined by Eugene Uman (piano) and Tarik Shah (piano).

Since its inception in 2020, Mill Town Foundation has produced the Lenox Jazz Stroll to enrich our community through the power of music by cultivating a dynamic and inclusive environment where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the rich heritage of this uniquely American art form. Berkshires Jazz is delighted to be partnering with Mill Town in bringing this notable program to local audiences.

Tix:
https://secure.bso.org/booking/production/bestavailable/26557

secure.bso.org

Only 12 tickets left. Fair warning, folks.

The Django Festival Allstars in concert https://bit.ly/3s67FEf

The Berkshire Edge previews the Aug. 19 (4-10pm) Jazz Festival.

PREVIEW: Second Annual Bousquet Jazz Festival features Benny Kohn Trio, the Lucky Five, Claire Daly Quartet, and Dominique Eade "Dominique Eade is one of the most dynamic and influential jazz vocalists and jazz educators of the past quarter-century." — The New England Conservatory of Music

Word.

https://conta.cc/3KA37fl

I've heard of inherited talent, but this is ridiculous! Bravo. Doing the Berkshires proud.

The Diego Mongue Band Wins A Trip to The International Blues Challenge in Memphis | Nippertown The Diego Mongue Band will represent The Capital Region Blues Network in The Blues Foundation’s 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 202 ...