Long Island City, NY--Continuing the rich legacy of jazz in Queens, the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center will kick off the fourth season of its popular jazz jam series on October 11.
In the spirit of the improvisational jazz sessions, which took place in Queens when such jazz giants as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea performed in the borough's jazz clubs, the college will host 10 live jazz showcases and workshops featuring professional musicians and vocalists. Local musicians are invited to join the featured artists and the JJ house band members on stage in this intimate theater setting.
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Launching the new series is the highly regarded Latin percussionist Renato Thoms who will be leading an evening of Latin jazz. Along with performing, Mr. Thoms will discuss the evening's theme and various aspects of Latin jazz. The performance begins at 8 p.m. in the college's Little Theater on Van Dam Street at 47th Avenue in Long Island City. Tickets are $7. Also offered is a discount series package that includes five tickets for $25. Those who are interested in purchasing tickets may call (718) 482-5151. “Over the past four years, the series has been many things to many musicians and aficionados," said Lucy Holland, the series' associate producer. “It has given professional musicians an opportunity to showcase their works, while providing aspiring musicians with an intimate venue where they can develop their talents. And it has educated and exposed novices to the world of jazz." Mr. Thoms, who was born in Panama and studied at the Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory, has performed and recorded with such well-known artists as Ruben Blades, the Eddie Palmieri's Latin Jazz & Salsa Orchestra, saxophonist Antonio Hart, and pianists Hilton Ruiz and Eric Reed. He also performed with the Boston Pops on its recent album “Pops Goes Latin."
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Throughout his career, he has been singled out for his musical acumen. In the 2000 International Theolonius Monk Competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., he was a finalist. He received the Berklee College of Music Professional Performance Division Latin Percussion Award for Outstanding Musical Ability in the Area of Latin Percussion Performance and was awarded Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
The season's line-up:
October 25 - Singer's Night featuring vocalist Myrna Lake
November 8 - Blues Night featuring Keith “The Captain" Gamble
November 22 - Brass Summit III: an evening devoted to brass players featuring trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater
January 24 - Salute to Woodwind Players featuring saxophonist and flutist James Spaulding
February 7 - Jazz Speaks of Life featuring trombonist Benny Powell
February 21 - Tribute to Weldon Irvine featuring vibraphonist Bill Jacobs
March 7 - Female Musician's Night featuring saxophonist and flutist Carol Sudhalter
April 4 - Third Annual Salute to Queens Jazz Greats featuring Hill Saunders
For more information, contact:
Bill Freeland or Randy Fader-Smith
(718) 482-5060
[email protected]
[email protected]
For more information contact All About Jazz.
