The Jazz Loft

We are only a few days away from the John Monteleone: Art of the Guitar Festival

You do not want to miss Charlie Christian’s Gibson ES-250 on display!!! Now owned by Lynn Wheelwright. Enjoy the history and story of acquiring this amazing piece of history!!

Launched in 1939, the 250 was among the Gibson brand’s earliest electrics and the company’s first high-end professional electric Spanish guitar. It marked a distinct upgrade from the groundbreaking ES-150, with a wider body, carved spruce top, two-piece maple neck, and the pickup’s bar polepiece now cut into six pieces, intended to sense each string individually without crossover.

The 250 lasted just 13 months in the Gibson line and seems to have been built as more or less a custom model, given the number of variations during its short lifespan. It didn’t take Lynn long to decide to call the seller and find out more details for his growing database. After a few moments of uncertainty with a flashlight and a hard-to-read serial number on the guitar’s label, the owner declared it was definitely 96030.

Lynn had to hand the data he’d compiled during a visit to Gibson HQ and its early records when he was researching another ES-250. Now, though, he searched for 96030. And there it was: April 19, 1940, 1 ES-250 (Sn 96030) sent to Chas Christian, along with a 600 SW case and an EH 150 amp (Sn 12706). Chas Christian? That must be Charlie Christian, the brilliant pioneer of early electric jazz guitar! Whereupon Lynn sat down, weak at the knees. He managed to ask the seller to check one more time. Yes: definitely serial 96030.

Lynn struck a deal and bought the guitar. A few days later, FedEx unloaded it at his door. “I’ve opened many a guitar box in my life,” he admits, “but this one had my hands a little unsteady. I took the tweed case into the house, sat it on the kitchen counter, and stared at it. I thought about how Charlie might have carried it with him to those smoky all-night jams. And I was reminded of a story Les Paul would tell about how he would cruise Harlem, looking for guitarists to put in their place. Which he did—until the night he ran into Charlie”

John Monteleone: Art of the Guitar Festival
Artist Spotlight: STEVE SALERNO

Steve Salerno is an active performer of both Jazz and Classical music and is a regular presence at The Jazz Loft. Steve has performed throughout the United States and the world.

He is a member of the Ray Anderson Organic Quartet, Paul Smoker 4-Tet, Mala Waldron Quartet, Blue P**a Trio, a duo with the MET’s lyric soprano, Susanna Phillips, a duo with NY Philharmonic’s principal percussionist, Christopher Lamb and leads a variety of groups, including his Jazz quartet, Exiles.

Performance:
THURS. AUG 1st at 6pm
Workshop with John Monteleone:
SAT. AUG 3rd at 12pm

John Monteleone Art of the Guitar Festival presents The Iconic & Historic Guitar Gallery!! 🎶

August 1-3, 2024

Here are a few of the incredible guitars that will be on display at the festival:

- Bucky Pizzarelli’s John D’Angelico’s Excel
- John Monteleone Grand Central Station
- George Benson’s 1958 John D’Angelico Blonde New Yorker
- James L. D’Aquisto Excel
- Al Viola’s Epiphone (Frank Sinatra guitarist)

🎟️ Book you tickets now! To purchase tickets and find out more information visit our website at ( www.thejazzloft.org/monteleone) This is a very special festival that you do not want to miss!

Need to escape the heat? Come visit The Jazz Loft and check out some of our amazing shows ☀️🎶

WED (7/17) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (7/18) - Richie Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band @ 7pm
TUES (7/23) - Summer Swap @ 6pm
WED (7/24) - Guitar in the Garden @ 6pm
WED (7/24) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (7/25) - Interplay Jazz Orchestra @ 7pm
FRI & SAT (7/26 & 27 ) - Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool @ 7 pm

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

John Monteleone: Art of the Guitar Festival 2024 ✨

We have such amazing and talented musicians for this years festival!! Check out the official line up & schedule!!🎶

THURS (8/1): Opening Reception with John Monteleone, music by Steve Salerno and a first glimpse of the Guitar Gallery @ 6pm

FRI (8/2): Performance by Laurence Juber @ 5pm

Performance by The Anthony Wilson Organ Trio @ 7pm

SAT (8/3): Guitar Workshop with John Monteleone & Steve Salerno @ 12pm

Performance by Frank Vignolo & Pasquale Grasso @ 4pm

Performance by Martin Taylor & Alison Burns @ 7pm

🎟️ Book your tickets now!! To purchase tickets and find out more information visit our website at (www.thejazzloft.org/monteleone)

The Jazz Loft Big Band Presents…

Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite ✨🎹

The Far East Suite is a 1967 concept album by Duke Ellington, inspired by his group’s 1963 tour of Asia. The album won a Grammy in 1968. The compositions were written by Ellington and his longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn.

Tomorrow, Friday, & Saturday
July 11th, 12th, & 13th at 7pm

Be sure to also check out all of our incredible Duke Ellington memorabilia, including Duke’s stage worn tuxedo!!

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

Loft School of Jazz Summer Camp!! ☀️🎶

July 22nd - July 27th
Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 1 pm

A fun and educational week open for all student instrumentalists, at all levels, in grades 7-12. Lots of playing, learning about jazz, and awesome guest artists. A week you do not want to miss!!

All information is on our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio ) under Loft School of Jazz!

Happy July!! 🎆🎶
Check out some of our upcoming shows this month!

WED (7/3) Young at Heart: The Great American Song Book @ 1pm
WED (7/3) - Jam Session @ 7pm
TUES (7/9) - Summer Swap: Arta Jekabsone Quartet @ 6 pm
TUES (7/9) - Jazz Loft Originals at the Della Pietra Family Auditorium @ 5 pm
WED (7/10) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS, FRI & SAT (7/ 11,12, & 13) - Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite @ 7pm
WED (7/17) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (7/18) - Richie Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band @ 7pm

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )
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Last week The Jazz Loft collaborated with the Pollock-Krasner House for a special listening session ✨

Using records from their private collection and playing them on the original equipment, restored by (Loft) technician and Director of Restoration John Piro

SAVE THE DATE!! ✨🎶

John Monteleone: Art of the Guitar Festival is AUG 1-3 at the Jazz Loft!!

We have an amazing line up of artists this year featuring:
Laurence Juber
Anthony Wilson
Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo
Martin Taylor & Alison Burns

Also a special Guitar Workshop with John Monteleone & Steve Salerno

Be sure to continue check out The Jazz Loft socials for some cool and exciting things about the Festival!!

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio ) See you there!!

Charlie Chaplin wants you to check out these upcoming shows ☀️

WED (6/26) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (6/27) - Interplay Jazz Orchestra @ 7pm
FRI (6/28) - Jon De Lucia: The Brubeck Octet Project @ 7 pm
SAT (6/29) - Havana Night @ 7pm
WED (7/3) - Young at Heart: The Great American Songbook @ 1 pm
WED (7/3) - Jam Session @ 7pm

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

June is here!! ☀️
Check out some of our awesome shows and series we have this month!!

TUES (6/4) - Summer Swap: Jazz Loft All Stars
@ 6pm
WED (6/5) - Young at Heart: The Latin Side @ 1pm
WED (6/5) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (6/6) - Jazz Loft Big Band @ 7pm
WED (6/12) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS- SAT (6/13,14 & 15) - Viva Cuba! @ 7pm

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

On May 21st, The Jazz Loft celebrated its 8th birthday and presented Charlie Parker Part Deux to members of our Friends Circle, honoring our donors and sponsors who made this all possible!! 🎶

Guests also had the chance to listen to Charlie Parker’s master acetates on a period 1940s RCA transcription turntable and sound system, including unreleased recordings that have not been played since Bird recorded them in the 1950s!!

Hangoutology Meets Mixology 🍸🎶

THURSDAY May 23th at 7pm

Tom Manuel hosts vintage craft cocktails and a listening session in the Coal Bin! Spinning rare unreleased master acetates from the 1930s -60s!

🎟️Tickets: $100 General Admission. Tickets are VERY LIMITED so purchase yours now by visiting our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio ) This is a rare and wonderful evening you don’t want to miss!

Happy May!! 🌸🎶
Check out some of our upcoming shows

TUES (5/7) - Bright Moments: SBU Graduate Jazz Combos @ 7pm
WED (5/8) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (5/9) - Jazz Dispatch: Madiran @ 7pm
MON (5/13) - Bright Moments: Emma Larson @ 7pm
WED (5/15) - Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (5/16) - Rich Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band @ 7pm
FRI (5/17) - Jamile & Miki Yamanaka Trio @ 7pm
SAT (5/18) - Jazz Loft Big Band ft. Richie DeRosa & Warren Vaché @ 7pm

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

Upcoming April Shows 🌷

TUES (4/9) - Bright Moments Series: Livio Almeida @ 7pm
THURS (4/11) - Jazz Dispatch: Madiran @ 7pm
THURS (4/18) - Richie Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band @ 7pm
FRI (4/19) - Dayna Sean Stephans Quartet @ 7pm
SAT (4/20) - Ben Rosenblum Trio @ 7pm
THURS (4/25) - Interplay Jazz Orchestra

🎟️ To purchase tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

Charlie Parker with Strings ✨

The Jazz Loft
THURS (4/4) & SAT (4/6) @ 7pm

The Staller Center
FRI (4/5) @ 7pm

Check out this article!!

The Jazz Loft & Staller Center to present three performances of ‘The Bird’s’ Iconic ‘Charlie Parker with Strings’ | TBR News Media The Jazz Loft & Staller Center to present three performances of ‘The Bird’s’ Iconic ‘Charlie Parker with Strings’ Arts & EntertainmentCommunityMusicVillage Times Herald by Press Release - March 27, 2024 0 155 Alto Jazz saxophonist and composer Charlie Parker broke all the rules of Jazz whe...

Dan Pugach Big Band at The Jazz Loft ✨

Check out this article by Dan Bilawsky

Dan Pugach Big Band at The Jazz Loft article @ All About Jazz Dan Pugach Big Band at The Jazz Loft article by Dan Bilawsky, published on March 27, 2024 at All About Jazz. Find more In Pictures articles

The Jazz Loft’s Annual SWING INTO SPRING is back 🌷🎶
Check out our amazing line up of artists and bands!!

TUESDAY March 19
• 7-9:30pm: COMMUNITY JAZZ NIGHT
at the Jazz Loft
• 6-8pm: LIVE JAZZ
at Bliss, Sweet Mamas, & Madiran

WEDNESDAY March 20
• 4-5:30pm: IMPROVISATION & JAM SESSION TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP at the Jazz Loft
• 6-8pm: LIVE JAZZ
at Madiran, The Three Village Inn, Bliss, The Country House
• 7-9:30pm: JAM SESSION-Keenan Zach Trio at the Jazz Loft

THURSDAY March 21
• 6-8pm: JAZZ DUO: Tom Manuel, Lee Tomboulian at The Country House
• 7-9:30pm: BAD LITTLE BIG BAND
with guest Bruce Bonvissuto, trombone at the Jazz Loft

FRIDAY March 22
• 7-9:30pm: DAN PUGACH BIG BAND
at the Jazz Loft

SATURDAY March 23
• 4-6pm: LIVE JAZZ at Schnitzels
• 7-9:30pm: ANDY MCKEE QUINTET
at the Jazz Loft

🎟️ To purchase your tickets and for more information check out our website www.thejazzloft.org ( link in bio )

Happy March!! We have some exciting shows this month that you do not want to miss!! 🍀

WED (3/6) Young at Heart: Broadway Jazz @ 1pm
Jam Session @ 7pm
THURS (3/7) Jazz Loft Big Band @ 7pm
FRI (3/8) Acoustic in the Living Room: Susanna Phillips @ 7pm
SAT (3/9) Joe Farnsworth Quartet w/ pianist Emmet Cohen @ 7pm
WED (3/13) Jam Session @ 7pm

Don’t forget to check out our Swing into Spring Schedule over on our website: March 19th - March 23rd

Tonight’s Acoustic in the Living Room 🎶

Tom Manuel (cornet), Steve Salerno (guitar), Rubens De La Corte (acoustic guitar)

BIRD IS BACK!!! ✨

Last week The Jazz Loft had a special unveiling of The Charlie Parker Exhibit for our Donors, VIPS, & friends circle! The Loft has many upcoming events to celebrate the music of Charlie Parker you DO NOT want to miss!!🎶

Upcoming events/ shows:

FEBRUARY

TUES (2/20) Clint Eastwood’s film BIRD showing @ 6pm
THURS (2/22) Jazz 101: Who is Charlie Parker? @ 6pm
BIRD IS BACK: concert presenting the music of Charlie Parker @ 7pm

APRIL
THURS, FRI, SAT (4/4,5 & 6) The Jazz Loft Big Band: Charlie Parker with Strings @ 7pm

A HUGE thank you to all our donors that made it possible to acquire this amazing memorabilia!! ❤️

Don’t shut the tv off just yet!!

In addition to The Jazz Loft’s spots on News12 this morning, there will be more pieces airing TODAY at 12 noon and 5pm!! Be sure to tune in ✨🎶

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**

TOMORROW (2/6) between 7am - 9am The Jazz Loft will be on News12 so be sure to tune it!!

In honor of Black History Month the Loft has acquired a new collection in honor of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald!! ✨🎶