John Jorgenson Quintet and Stellanovas this week at Jazz at Five

Jazz at Five 2012, Madison’s free live jazz concert series, heads into the homestretch of its 19th season Wednesday, August 29 with the John Jorgenson Quintet headlining. The Stellanovas open.

For new fans, the show starts promptly at 5:00pm. More information about the show, policies, and vendor information is available at jazzatfive.org.

About the John Jorgenson Quintet
The John Jorgenson Quintet features Grammy-award winning guitarist John Jorgenson, a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and six-year member of Elton John’s band. Artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgenson’s guitar work. Recently, John Jorgenson was chosen to portray Django Reinhardt in the feature film Head in the Clouds.

John Jorgenson is known as one of the pioneers of the American gypsy jazz movement. He has performed as a solo artist as well as collaborated with other musicians all over the world. His articles and lessons on gypsy jazz have appeared in prominent guitar magazines and he has given master classes around the country, and he has performed with some of the most respected European proponents of this style, Bireli Lagrene and Romane. His playing has been included on a CD with Babik Reinhardt and Jimmy Rosenberg, and on another featuring Angelo Debarre and Moreno. In 1988 Curb Records released Jorgenson’s After You’ve Gone CD, a collection of Reinhardt- and Goodman-styled 30′s swing, featuring guest artists Darol Anger and David Grisman.

At a John Jorgenson Quintet performance, audiences are amazed by John’s dazzling guitar work as well as his mastery as a clarinet player and vocalist. Whether playing his own accessible compositions or classic standards, John and his band make music that is equally romantic and ecstatic, played with virtuosity and soul.

Here is a sample of what you can expect Wednesday. More about John is available on his website.

About the Stellanovas
The Stellanovas are a local acoustic jazz ensemble comprised of veteran musicians who have recorded and performed with musicians as various as U2, The Smashing Pumpkins, Willy Porter, Taj Majal, The Indigo Girls, Koko Taylor, Ray Charles, Delbert McClinton, Greg Brown, Peter Himmelman, Asleep at the Wheel, and the Subdudes. The duo at the core of The Stellanovas (the husband/wife team of Mary Gaines and Chris Wagoner) have been performing together for almost two decades. The duo becomes a trio and a quartet by adding the intense soloing of Ed Fila on guitar and the very groovy Mr. Jim Huwe on drums.

Please visit the the Stellanovas artist page on jazzatfive.org for videos and a more detailed biography.

Rain location for tonight’s JAF concert

At this moment it’s overcast with a chance for showers. If the concert is moved inside here’s where to go:

Important: For the August 8 performance, the rain location will be at the Best Western Plus Inn on the Park (22 South Carroll Street, right downtown). This is a one-time change due to a scheduling conflict with the Overture Center—thank you so much to the Inn on the Park for opening their doors to us!

For the remainder of the season, the rain location will be in the main lobby at the Overture Center. As in the past, we will announce any location change by 2pm on the day of the show. We will announce the decision on our website and by email to anyone on our mailing list.

Charles McPherson this Wednesday!

This coming Wednesday Jazz at Five opens their season with a concert you do not want to miss, Charles McPherson, one of the world’s greatest living jazz saxophonists! The first recording my sax teacher gave me when I resumed playing was Charles McPherson’s, “Siku Ya Bibi”. What an amazing tone and incredible technique. I’ve been waiting 20 years for a chance to catch him live and here he finally is! Here’s more info from the Jazz at Five team: 
————————————————————–

Jazz at Five 2012, the Midwest’s premier free live jazz concert series, begins its 19th season Wednesday, August 8. The 2012 series, which features five nights of top national, regional, and local jazz talent, kicks off with renowned saxophonist Charles McPherson headlining and the Francesca Esme Quartet opening.

About Charles McPherson
Charles McPherson was recently featured at Lincoln Center showcasing his original compositions and arrangements with a seven piece ensemble. He has toured the US, Europe, Japan, Africa, and South America with his own group, as well as with jazz greats Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderly, Jay McShann, and others.

McPherson has recorded as guest artist with Charlie Mingus, Barry Harris, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. He has recorded as leader on Prestige, Fantasy, Mainstream, Discovery, Xanadu, and most recently Arabesque. His most recent recording is the highly acclaimed Manhattan Nocturne.

McPherson is a strong, viable force on the jazz scene today—he is at the height of his powers. His playing combines passionate feeling with intricate patterns of improvisation. Throughout his four decades of being an integral performer of jazz music, McPherson has not merely remained true to his BOP origins, but has expanded on them.

About the Francesca Esme Quartet
Francesca Esme is a Brooklyn singer in the tradition of the 1950′s, evoking such greats as June Christy and Peggy Lee with a bit of southern grit built in.

Daughter of Marc Johnson, a renowned bass player and former Madison resident, Esme proves the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. We’re pleased to bring her back to a city stage where she has roots.

Having been born into music, Esme has made the most of it ever since. Whether occasionally fronting Texas band Snarky Puppy on their tour stops or singing with Chicago’s Big Time, a Tom Waits tribute band, Esme shows what she does best: pop music in a jazz idiom. Take the time to listen to her own spin on the work of Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, and great Motown classics and you’ll be able to see for yourself that Esme has a musical sense all her own.

Vocal workshop with Cheryl Bentyne

Jazz at Five is honored to have Cheryl Bentyne, lead vocalist of the nine time grammy-winning “THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER” perform at this year’s concert.

She will be performing at Jazz at Five 2012 on Wednesday, September 5 and then again on September 6th for a different concert at The Brink Lounge. Cheryl is joined by Mark Winkler and the local trio, The Dave Stoler Trio.

She and performing partner, Mark Winkler, will be conducting a vocal workshop on Thursday afternoon, September 6th. If you or anyone you know is  interested in attending this workshop, please contact Gerri DiMaggio or Elizabeth Brink via the Jazz at Five contact page  for more details.

 

Jazz at Five Annual Fundraiser – April 1 at the Brink Lounge

Jazz at Five is hosting its annual fundraiser on Sunday, April 1 at the Brink Lounge in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy some of Madison’s best jazz artists while also helping to raise funds for Jazz at Five 2012.

•  Enjoy live jazz courtesy of Jazz at Five 2012 artists MadiSalsa and the Michelle DuVall Quartet featuring Doug Brown.
•  Enter a raffle for the chance to win Delta Airlines tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and other unique items. Raffle tickets are $5 or five for $20.
•  Enjoy great food and drinks from the Brink Lounge, one of Madison’s most popular live music venues.
•  Show your support for Jazz at Five, a unique Madison tradition.

Proceeds from ticket sales and the raffle will be used to support the 2012 season of Jazz at Five. For more information, please email info@jazzatfive.org or call (608) 609-1517. 

Jazz at Five finale September 7

Here’s the press release from Jazz at Five for their last concert of the year. They are also asking for your help completing a survey requested by one of their funders, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commision. This is an opportunity to influence art funding decisions beyond Jazz at Five so please take a moment to fill it out. 

Brent Kimbrough & Company Headline
September 7 Performance of Jazz at Five 2011

Jan Wheaton Quintet to Open
Final Night of Free Live Jazz on State Street

Madison, Wis. — Jazz at Five 2011, the Midwest’s premier free live jazz concert series, closes another amazing season September 7 with Brent Kimbrough & Company headlining. The Jan Wheaton Quintet open.

Guitarist, singer, composer, bandleader, and Chicago native Brent Kimbrough is known for his musical diversity, drawing influence from Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Johnny Smith, Jim Hall, George Benson, and guitarist Wes Montgomery. In 2005 Brent formed Kimbrough & Company with the goal of bringing together seasoned professionals to create a musical hybrid. They delight audiences with jazz, classic Chicago Blues, groove-laden funk, and R&B tunes. Kimbrough & Company tour regularly as a trio, quartet, or quintet. Their second album, Wandering, debuted in 2010 and was inspired by events that occurred since the group’s debut recording in 2007.

Jan Wheaton, a jazz vocalist and fixture of the Madison jazz scene for the past 40 years. Jan has been inspired by Nancy Wilson and Carmen McRae, singers who led her to a strong appreciation for the work of Billy Holliday, Dinah Washington, and Roberta Flack. Now retired, Jan won a Lifetime Achievement award and a Best Female Vocalist award from the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) in 2005. Jan has also released two albums.

For more information about Jazz at Five 2011, including the full schedule, artist bios, and details about sponsors, please visit jazzatfive.org. You can also subscribe to our email list or fan us on Facebook.

# # #

About Jazz at Five 2011

Jazz at Five 2011 is a production of Jazz at Five, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Now entering its 18^th season, Jazz at Five offers five nights of free live jazz on its stage located at 100 State Street—right in the heart of downtown Madison.

Jazz at Five 2011 would not be possible without the generous support of our financial sponsors, including Kegonsa Capital Partners, Wells Fargo, Johnson Bank + Johnson Insurance, City of Madison Parking Utility, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission*, Capital Brewery, Applied Tech, and Kopke’s Fruit of the Bloom.

For more information about Jazz at Five, please visit jazzatfive.org.

*Jazz at Five 2011 is supported by the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from the Overture Foundation and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation.