The Katonah Museum of Art (www.katonahmuseum.org) is tuning up for another summer filled with sunshine, art, and jazz as Shades of Jazz returns for its fifth season. As curator for the series, legendary guitarist John Scofield presents some of the brightest talents in jazz today and jams with them at the end of each performance in the Museums Sculpture Garden. The intimate Shades of Jazz concerts begin at 6:30pm. Admission is $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers, and includes complimentary beer and wine. Along with chairs and blankets, guests are invited to pack a picnic dinner to enjoy during the show. Willy Nick's in Katonah is offering special gourmet picnic baskets that may be reserved by calling 914.232.8030. Reservations for Shades of Jazz are strongly suggested and may be made by calling 914-232-9555 x0. The Katonah Museum of Art is located at 134 Jay Street (Route 22) in Katonah, NY.
The 2010 Lineup for Shades of Jazz includes:
Wednesday, June 16 - Pedrito Martnez
Havana native Pedro Pablo “Pedrito" Martnez hit the Afro-Cuban music scene as a vocalist and percussionist at the tender age of 11. He settled in New York following his North American debut in 1998 performing with Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett's Spirits of Havana ensemble. In 2000 Pedrito won first prize in the Thelonious Monk Institute's Afro-Latin Hand Drumming competition held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, leading to work with some of today's top jazz maestros including Nelson Gonzalez, Robby Ameen, Paquito D'Rivera, Giovanni Hidalgo, Patato, and Candido Camero.
Wednesday, July 14 - Eric Krasno and Nigel Hall
Guitarist and producer Eric Krasno is a virtuosic powerhouse in the jazz, funk, and hip-hop communities. He is a founding member of Soulive, the globetrotting instrumental soul-funk trio who have opened for rock royalty including the Rolling Stones and Dave Matthews Band. Krasno is also one-half of the production company Fyre Dept., best known for cutting tracks with 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, and Redman. Nigel Hall, a self-described “guardian of soul music" and the dynamic front man of Soulive will join Krasno for the concert.
Wednesday, August 11 - John Ellis Group
Saxophonist John Ellis' travels across America have clearly influenced his eclectic and whimsical style, evoking the rawest of human emotion. On his latest album, Puppet Mischief, Ellis has developed a sound that he hopes will evoke thoughts of “carnivals, state fairs, children laughing, clowns and dancing." The New York Times critic Ben Ratliff wrote of Ellis “[he has a] knack for writing catchy, fluid, optimistic songs, but he is also fascinated by the ways musicians can break down structure and create it on the fly."
About John Scofield
In a career spanning nearly four decades, John is one of the most influential guitarists and bandleaders on the international music scene. Fusing straight ahead jazz with rock, funk and R&B, Scofield is no stranger to stylistic diversity in his performances and recordings. In addition to his own work, his extensive and eclectic collaborations with musicians are as varied as Miles Davis and Chet Baker to Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and MMW. A resident of Katonah and long time supporter of the Katonah Museum of Art, John is also an adjunct professor at New York University.
General Information
The Katonah Museum of Art is located at 134 Jay Street (Route 22) in Katonah, NY. For information call 914-232-9555 x0 or visit katonahmuseum.org
Directions
By Train: From Grand Central Terminal (Harlem Division of Metro North): The Katonah Museum of Art is located 1/2 mile east of the Katonah railroad station. Taxi service is available.
By Car: Take Exit 6 off Interstate 684. Go east on Route 35. Take the first right onto Route 22 south. The Museum is located 1/4 mile on the left.
