Search results for

A New Jersey lawmaker has recently introduced a bill that bans children under the age of 12 from playing tackle football in the Garden State.Assemblywoman…

The New York Guardians are one of eight teams in the newly created XFL. The American football team will play its home games at MetLife Stadium in East…

NY Red Bulls and Monmouth University broadcaster Matt Harmon honors his family's sports and education legacy

Thomas Hauser, acclaimed author and the official biographer of Muhammad Ali, joins SportsJam with Doug Doyle to talk about his memoir My Mother and Me

The 30th anniversary of New York Rangers legend Stephane Matteau and his quest to help others fight bullying and anxiety

For Women’s History Month, Leo Sidran reflects on the evolving role of women in jazz — from overlooked pioneers to contemporary innovators reshaping the music today. Featuring insights from Caroline Davis, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Melissa Aldana, the piece explores how representation, authorship, and canon-building continue to shape the sound of jazz.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced a further series of sweeping measures to address the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the City of Newark, which include a…

On this episode of JNIA, saxophonist Nicole Glover traces her journey to the top

New York’s Longest Running Jazz Concert Series

Celebrates “The Return of the Jam Session,” May 12, 2022

49th Season Finale of Famed Highlights in Jazz Series
At BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center

All-Star Lineup Features Wycliffe Gordon, Ted Rosenthal, Victor Lewis,
Brian Lynch, Peter & Will Anderson, and James Chirillo
Plus, a Surprise Special Guest!


You won’t want to miss the dynamic final Highlights in Jazz concert for 2022, when today’s top jazz players take to the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center stage to celebrate the Return of the Jam Session.

The May 12 event features Peter and Will Anderson on saxophones, flutes and clarinets; trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Ted Rosenthal, drummer Victor Lewis, trumpeter Brian Lynch and guitarist James Chirillo, playing together for the very first time.

To veteran producer Jack Kleinsinger, the jam session is the true heart of jazz, and a jam has become a Highlights in Jazz tradition. For each Return of the Jam Session concert, Kleinsinger brings together musicians who have never before played together in this configuration, showcasing them as they rise to the occasion, showing off their chops and flexibility. “I never ask anyone to bring their own band,” Kleinsinger notes. “I like to hear what happens when they’re outside their usual setting.”

This year’s lineup includes a spectrum of versatile players from different generations and musical backgrounds:

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon caught the ears of avid jazz listeners circa 1989 as part of Wynton Marsalis’ Septet; he was an original member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, starting in 1995. Wycliffe has performed with David Sanborn, Rene Marie, Dianne Reeves, Anat Cohen, Arturo Sandoval, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Tommy Flanagan, Shirley Horn, Joe Henderson, and Eric Reed, to name just a few. The trombonist has released close to three dozen CDs as a leader or co-leader, and is a perennial winner of “best trombonist” honors from numerous publications and professional organizations.

Saxophonists/clarinetists/flautists Peter and Will Anderson: Hailed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other august publications for their remarkable virtuosity, the identical Anderson twins began steeping themselves in classic jazz while still in elementary school. They absorbed the styles and sounds of Benny Goodman, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. They cite Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker as early influences. Since moving to the Big Apple, they’ve played with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Jimmy Cobb and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. In addition to releasing several albums as leaders, the Juilliard-trained twosome have appeared off-Broadway celebrating the music of Artie Shaw and the Dorsey Brothers.


Pianist Ted Rosenthal first hit the radar of many critics and listeners as the winner of an early Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition. Since then, he’s more than lived up to that early promise, releasing over a dozen well-received albums as a leader and accompanying NEA Jazz Masters Art Farmer, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer and James Moody, as well as a host of other jazz greats. The versatile Mr. Rosenthal has received grants and commissions from the NEA, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the New York City Opera; he earned a four-star DownBeat review for his solo album, The 3 B’s, focusing on tunes by fellow pianists Bill Evans and Bud Powell, plus Beethoven-fueled improvisations. An avid listener as well as player, in pre-pandemic times Ted often could be spotted in the audience of clubs and concert halls throughout the NYC metro area, listening raptly.

For a quick tour of the world of contemporary jazz, take a glance at the discography of drummer Victor Lewis. Since the 1970s he’s been a regular in the studio as a leader and accompanying straight-ahead masters like Stan Getz, Kenny Barron, Dexter Gordon, Lew Tabackin and J.J. Johnson; adventurous souls including Carla Bley, George Adams, David Murray and Charles Tolliver; and vocalists Judy Niemack, Helen Merrill, Carmen Lundy and Abbey Lincoln. This thumbnail sketch leaves unexplored more than a few categories in which Victor has made his mark, but take our word for it that the drummer has been on the scene and consistently sounding great in person and on record for more than four decades.

While many of today’s players hold impressive jazz school degrees, trumpeter Brian Lynch is the rare one who is an honored graduate of a pair of the music’s most legendary and respected proving grounds: Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Horace Silver’s Quintet. Brian played with NEA Jazz Masters Toshiko Akiyoshi, Benny Golson and Phil Woods, and also has deep roots in Latin music, including stints with Eddie Palmieri, Conrad Herwig, Hector LaVoe and Lila Downs. The trumpeter has received numerous awards, grants and commissions, and appeared on hundreds of albums, including two dozen as a leader.

When looking for a guitarist who can swing, look no further than six-string maven James Chirillo. His credits span generations of giants, from those who invented and grew up in the genre (Benny Goodman, Benny Carter, Frank Wess, Eddie Barefield and Buck Clayton) to those who made swing their own in more recent years (Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, Michael Feinstein). James has also worked with Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano and a host of other jazz greats across many styles. He’s played on an abundance of albums, movie soundtracks, and Broadway shows, and is on Juilliard’s jazz faculty.

Presenting a surprise special guest is a series-long tradition for Highlights in Jazz, and the Return of the Jam Session concert will be no exception. The idea was planted in Kleinsinger’s mind long before he tried his hand at putting on concerts. A lifelong jazz enthusiast, the producer recalls the first major concert he attended, one of the earliest productions of the legendary Norman Granz. The surprise special guest that night was none other than Billie Holiday, one of the brightest jazz stars of the era. “She came out on stage and the crowd went wild,” Kleinsinger says. “It made such an impression on me. It was so exciting to see someone extra, people remember it for years. So I decided to do that when I planned my first concert.”

Sometimes the special guest even surprises Kleinsinger, like the time Gene Bertoncini showed up ax in hand. He had been sent in to sub by scheduled guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli who was running late. And sometimes the guests themselves are surprised: Kleinsinger keeps his eye on the crowd to see who he can grab to sit in. He recalls spotting Ellington alumnus Ray Nance in the audience and bringing him to the stage; since Ray wasn’t packing his violin or trumpet, he contributed by singing and dancing.

From his start as a producer in the early 1970s, diversity has been important to Kleinsinger. Not only has every event featured an integrated band, “I’ve consistently aimed for interplay between generations,” he says. “Highlights in Jazz was one of John Pizzarelli’s first gigs—at 15 he was on stage with his dad, Bucky, and Zoot Sims.” Another leap across the generation gap was a pairing of trumpeters: the very young Jon Faddis and senior statesman Doc Cheatham.

The concert wraps up the triumphant 49th season of the venerable series, which returns to the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center stage after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. That’s the longest break since the first Highlights in Jazz presentation in the early 1970s. “This season is a beacon of the return to normal,” Kleinsinger declares.


All Shows At

BMCC TRIBECA Performing Arts Center
Borough of Manhattan Community College
199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
http://tribecapac.org
TRIBECA SAFE – COVID POLICY

Please Note: For all concerts at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, patrons will be entering through our temporary entrance – the West Street Gate – between Chambers Street and Harrison Street.
Go to 190 West St., New York, NY 10013, and walk 50 feet north
to the West Street Gate Entrance.
Do not enter at our usual address on 199 Chambers;
Please go around the corner to West Street.


Box Office 212-220-1460

THERE WILL BE A BOX OFFICE NIGHT OF EVENT

Ticket Prices
$50.00
$45.00 (Students)

Tickets can be purchased in advance through the online box office or by mail order.
You are now able to use your credit card now online at Tickets.TribecaPAC.org.
The theater is located at 199 Chambers St.,
but you must enter through the West Street entrance.

Bloomingdale School of Music announces a community concert and spring benefit A New Bloom on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 6:30pm at The Riverside Church Assembly Hall, 490 Riverside Drive, NYC. A New Bloom honors the legacy of Timothy McCullough, Bloomingdale School of Music Resident Teaching Artist and longtime faculty member, who passed away on November 22, 2021. https://www.bsmny.org/ Each year, Bloomingdale School of Music organizes a spring benefit punctuated with inspiring performances by BSM students and faculty. This year's event includes a variety of performances including a tribute performance for Timothy McCullough, as well as performances by students from the Music Access Program, the PS75 Partnership, and guest star Angela Birchett. This annual event raises money for Bloomingdale's programs and Student Scholarship Fund to provide access to music education for students who otherwise would not be able to afford it, and this year is more important than ever. For those wishing to get involved; you can donate directly to the event or participate in a raffle, which will be announced in the coming weeks.  Pianist Tim McCullough, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, was not only a talented educator, performer and accompanist, but a supportive colleague and wonderful friend. He was a member of the piano faculty at BSM from 2008-2021. His untimely passing has been a tremendous loss for the BSM community, but BSM looks forward to honoring him for his longtime service to the school and celebrating his legacy that will last for many years to come. Tim was born in Cardiff, Wales into a musical family. "I am fortunate to have a father who is a very accomplished pianist. By the time I was about six weeks old I had already heard a whole host of beautiful piano literature. As a result I grew up swimming in the sound of piano music." At age eight his family relocated to Dallas, Texas and Tim later moved to New York to pursue graduate piano studies. Although Tim also studied trumpet and viola in high school, "I always seemed to drift back to the piano. There is just so much great literature for this instrument." Tim's relationships with his students and their families was incredibly special. In his honor, BSM will raise up our their families with gratitude for their resilience, adaptability, flexibility, and commitment to music learning throughout the course of the past two years. Tim was comfortable teaching students of all ages. "The great thing about teaching one-on-one lessons is that I can adjust to the individual needs of each student." Tim worked to create a solid foundation of reading skills and technique with all his students. "I also think it is of great importance for the student to have a structured routine in their everyday practice so that they can progress naturally. I want to teach my students to learn how to practice effectively at home." Although he couldn't choose one favorite composer, Tim particularly enjoyed playing the music of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and Messiaen. He cited his father as one of his biggest musical influences. "He taught me how to read music and gave me a solid foundation for a good technique. Ruth Laredo showed me that practicing the poetry of the music is more important than only practicing the right notes! And seeing great artists and experiencing all the culture that New York has to offer has certainly left an imprint on me as well." In his free time Tim enjoyed practicing, cooking, and eating, "particularly great sushi!" "During the last 57 years, New York City has moved through so many chapters of triumph, sorrow, and uncertainty, but Bloomingdale has been here through it all as a pillar for music, learning, joy, and community," said Erika Atkins, Executive Director, Bloomingdale School of Music. "Music is not only a vital form of creative expression but a form of support and inspiration that brings us together every day. I am thrilled to bring our community together to remember Tim McCullough and celebrate the power of music in our lives."    Program Performances by BSM Trumpet Ensemble Program Leader: Brandon Vasquez  Performers: Sal Liebman, Kai Cooper, Calvin Lang, Araxi Kuhn Selection Title: "Spanish Voices" by James Olcott Performances by Students from A4TY Program Leader: Margo Cantor Performers: Angela Lau Selection Title: "The Suspicious Painting" by Arman Bruat Tribute Performance by faculty members Naho Parrini and Marc Peloquin, with guest artists Aundrey Mitchell and Margalit Cantor Performers: Naho Parrini (violin), Audrey Mitchell (viola), Margalit Cantor (cello), Marc Peloquin (piano) Selection Title: Schumann Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 47, III. Andante Cantabile Members of the Music Access Project with Guest Star Angela Birchett  Program Leader: Naho Parrini Performers: Aaron Nichols (cello, composer), Layton Yang Zhang (piano), Julian Walther (violin) Selection Title: "Feeling Good" from Roar of The Grease Paint - The Smell of the Crowd Performances by Students from PS75 Partnership Program Leader: Onagama Mhlontlo Everyone is invited to join Bloomingdale for an evening filled with music and the celebration of the community. All proceeds go towards supporting and providing access to Bloomingdale's music programs, financial aid, and the Tim McCullough Scholarship Fund.  $25 - Livestream Ticket  $100 - Single Ticket - Unreserved seating $500 - Sunflower Sponsor - Table for four during the pre-performance cocktail hour and listing as Sunflower Sponsor in the program $1,000 - Tulip Sponsor - Table tor six during the pre-performance cocktail hour, listing as Tulip Sponsor in the program, and a quarter page ad in the program $2,500 - Lily Sponsor - Table for eight during the pre-performance cocktail hour, priority seating for the performance, listing as Lily Sponsor in the program, and a half page ad in the program $5,000 - Rose Vice Chair Sponsor - Reserved table for ten during the pre-performance cocktail hour, concierge table service, priority seating for the performance, verbal acknowledgment from the stage, listing as Rose Vice Chair Sponsor in the program, and a full page ad in the program $10,000 - Orchid Chair Sponsor - Reserved table for twelve during the pre-performance cocktail hour, concierge table service, priority seating for the performance, verbal acknowledgement from the stage, listing as Orchid Chair Sponsor in the program, and a full page ad in the program Angela Birchett is a seasoned lead vocalist, session singer, live music host, actor, songwriter, educator and clinician. She hails from Detroit, Michigan. Angela made her Broadway debut in the 2015 Tony Award®-winning revival of The Color Purple and has several regional and touring credits, including: The Color Purple first national tour, Dreamgirls as Effie White, Once On This Island as Asaka, Smokey Joe's Café as BJ, and Hairspray national tour as Motormouth. Her television credits include CBS's Kevin Can Wait and NBC's Blindspot. Most recently she starred in Lifetime's movie event The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel as Jacky Clark Chisholm which reached 11 million viewers in its opening weekend, making it the most-viewed premiere on cable television of 2020! Angela is the founder of AB Creative, Inc., and has created educational programming and one-on-one development programs that encourage individuality, celebrate black culture through the performing arts, and equip students and aspiring artists with a "toolkit" to best tackle and seize their place in an ever-changing entertainment industry. Founded in 1964, Bloomingdale School of Music is dedicated to the belief that music changes lives and everyone should have access to high-quality music education regardless of economic status, race, religion, ability level, or gender. Bloomingdale is a music-driven community center where all are welcome to join and learn about music from top faculty. We are dedicated to our mission – to make music education accessible to all who want to learn – and remain focused on supporting this mission through our values. Bloomingdale School of Music gratefully acknowledges the support of the Baisley Powell Elebash Fund, Edwin Caplin Foundation, New York Community Trust, the Bay and Paul Foundations, the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, Con-Edison Arts and Culture Grants, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Hyde and Watson Foundation, the Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, Columbia Community Service, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, New York State Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell, New York City Council Members Helen Rosenthal and Mark Levine, the Manhattan Borough President, Con-Edison, the Turrell Fund, the Libby Holman Foundation, the Associated Chamber Music Players, the M&T Charitable Fund, the TD Bank Charitable Foundation, and Apple Bank.