Even before Groovin' Hard, the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's latest foray into the world of contemporary jazz, kicked off its four-day run (October 11-14) at the Marriott LAX Hotel, a letter arrived from LAJI director Ken Poston announcing details of next May's extravaganza, also at the Marriott. The theme is Big Band Spectacular, and the bands who have thus far signed up to take part are the Bill Holman Bill Holman
b.1927
band/orchestra Band, Gordon Goodwin Gordon Goodwin
b.1955
composer/conductor 's Big Phat Band, the Tom Kubis Tom Kubis
Band, Bob Curnow Bob Curnow
's L.A. Big Band, Roger Neumann Roger Neumann
b.1941
sax, tenor 's Rather Large Band, the Kim Richmond Kim Richmond

saxophone Concert Jazz Orchestra, the Mike Barone Mike Barone
b.1936 Band, the Steve Huffsteter Steve Huffsteter
Band, and the L.A. Jazz Orchestra playing the music of Bill Russo. Even though that should be more than enough to satisfy almost any big-band enthusiast, Poston promises that there's more to come. Preceding the event (which runs from May 23-26) is a day-long trip to Las Vegas for a reunion concert by a Las Vegas All-Star Big Band featuring Bobby Shew Bobby Shew
b.1941
trumpet , Carl Saunders Carl Saunders
b.1942
trumpet , Santo Savino Santo Savino
and others, and a performance by the Tommy Vig Tommy Vig
b.1938
vibraphone Big Band. The "bonus" event is limited to the first one hundred VIP registrants, with transportation and concert tickets included. For information, phone 562-200-5477.

ZootFest, an afternoon celebration of the music of Zoot Sims Zoot Sims
1925 - 1985
sax, tenor and Al Cohn Al Cohn
1925 - 1988
sax, tenor , will be held Sunday, October 21, in the Keystone Room at Pennsylvania's East Stroudsburg University with proceeds to benefit jazz education and preservation. Among those scheduled to appear are Phil Woods Phil Woods
b.1931
sax, alto , Dave Liebman Dave Liebman
b.1946
saxophone , Bob Dorough Bob Dorough
b.1923
piano , Bill Crow Bill Crow
b.1927
bass, acoustic , Joe Cohn Joe Cohn

guitar , Adam Niewood Adam Niewood
b.1977
saxophone , Harry Allen Harry Allen
b.1966
saxophone , Rossano Sportiello Rossano Sportiello
b.1974
piano , Joel Forbes Joel Forbes
, "Sweet" Sweet Sue Terry Sweet Sue Terry

saxophone , Nancy Reed Nancy Reed
, Rick Chamberlain, Nelson Hill Nelson Hill
, Marko Marcinko Marko Marcinko
, Sherrie Maricle Sherrie Maricle
b.1963 , Kim Parker Kim Parker
and the COTA Festival Orchestra. Yes, it is short notice, but if you'd like information, phone 570-422-3828, e-mail alcohncollection@esu.edu, or go online to www.jazzatesu.com

Also on short notice, Berkshires Jazz has announced the lineup for the eighth annual Pittsfield (MA) CityJazz Festival, which runs from October 4-13 at various venues in Pittsfield. Among those set to appear are the Sister City Jazz Ambassadors (Oct. 4 and 5), the Woody Stroebeck Duo and Franz Tokarz Guitar Trio (Oct. 5), the Rob Fisch Quartet, Johnny Pontoon Quintet and Ted Murray Trio (Oct. 6), the Benny Kohn Piano Brunch (Oct. 7) and Andy Wrba and Friends (Oct. 8). Also performing will be the New England Jazz Ensemble with guests Giacomo Gates and Ali Ryerson, trumpeter Adam O'Farrill, and the Jazz Arts Trio led by pianist Frederick Moyer. For details, phone 413-442-7718 or e-mail Ed@berkshiresjazz.org

The Westchester (NY) Jazz Orchestra has announced its 2012-13 schedule, which actually began last month with "West Side Stories." Other concerts (all starting at 8 p.m.) are set for December 1 ("10th Year Retrospective—Our Greatest Hits"), February 2 ("Top Pops: WJO Covers Dylan, Joni and Sweet Baby James") and April 27 with special guest Paquito D'Rivera Paquito D'Rivera
b.1948
saxophone . The WJO, led by artistic director Mike Holober Mike Holober
b.1957
piano , includes in its all-star lineup trumpeters Tony Kadleck Tony Kadleck
, Marvin Stamm Marvin Stamm
b.1939
trumpet , Craig Johnson and Scott Wendholt Scott Wendholt
b.1965
trumpet ; saxophonists Jay Brandford Jay Brandford
, Ralph Lalama Ralph Lalama
b.1951
saxophone , Jason Rigby Jason Rigby
b.1974
sax, tenor , David Brandom and David Brandom David Brandom
; trombonists Larry Farrell Larry Farrell
, Keith O'Quin}, Bruce Eidem Bruce Eidem
and George Flynn George Flynn
; pianist Ted Rosenthal Ted Rosenthal
b.1959
piano , bassist Harvie S Harvie S
b.1948
bass and drummer Andy Watson Andy Watson
. For information, phone 914-861-9100, e-mail westjazzorch@hotmail.com, or go online to www.westjazzorch.org

The Manhattan School of Music Jazz Arts program is presenting a series of concerts entitled "Harlem Nights," celebrating the spirit of Harlem through its music. The series includes "The Symphonic Ellington" (October 19), "Harlem Hothouses" (October 26), "Dizzy Atmosphere" (November 9), "Oliver Nelson Oliver Nelson
1932 - 1975
arranger 's Blues and the Abstract Truth" (December 4), "Miles Ahead" (March 1), "Harlem Lives!" (March 28) and "Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet 's on the Corner" (April 17). Performing groups are the MSM Concert Jazz Band, Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Philharmonic and Jazz Orchestra (all conducted by Justin DiCioccio) and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, directed by Bobby Sanabria Bobby Sanabria

percussion . Guest artists include trumpeter Jon Faddis Jon Faddis
b.1953
trumpet ("Dizzy Atmosphere") and saxophonist Dave Liebman ("Miles Ahead," "On the Corner"). MSM will also present a 30th Anniversary Festival Week (April 2-7) at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola with Liebman returning as guest artist on April 7. For information, phone 917-493-4469, or go online to www.msmnyc.edu

And that's it for now. Until next time, keep swingin' . . . !

New and Noteworthy

1. Michael Treni Big Band, Boy's Night Out (Bell Production Co.)
2. Tall & Small (Pete Christlieb / Linda Small), High on You (Bosco Records)
3. Stan Kenton / U Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Double Feature, Vol 3 (Tantara Productions)
4. Budman / Levy Orchestra, From There to Here (OA2 Records)
5. Frank D'Rone, Double Exposure (Whaling City Sound)
6. Alon Yavnai / NDR Big Band, Shir Ahava (NDR)
7. Landes Jugend Orchester Bayern, Wie Heisst der Typ? (Self Published)
8. Millennium Jazz Orchestra, Distrust All Rules (MJO>
9. Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Sharks and Manatees (Dazzle Recordings)
10. Red Bank Jazz Orchestra, Strike Up the Band! (Hip City Jazz)
11. University Big Band, Stompin' at the University (Cat Sound Records)
12. Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Live on the Plaza (KCJO Records)
13. Harry Smallenburg Jazz Ensemble, Just What I Was Thinking (Self Published)
14. Jens Wendelboe Big Band, Fresh Heat (Rosa Records)
15. Elmhurst College Jazz Band, Blue Comedy (Self Published)

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