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| Pittsfield CityJazz Festival The third annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, will take place throughout the city on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 4-7. The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival includes something for everybody: a night of music featuring groups headed by women; a Latin jazz dance party; a special jazz orchestra comprising Pittsfield high school students; documentary jazz films; and the return of two remarkable performers from last year's event. Once again dozens of local restaurants will be featuring regionally-based artists in free performances before (and in some cases after) the concerts. Percussion master Winard Harper, who appeared last year with Billy Taylor, will open the festival on Oct. 4 with his own sextet at Masonic Hall. Harper will also be featured with the Williams College Jazz Ensemble, one of the premier collegiate bands in New England, performing material adapted for big band by Andy Jaffe, director of the Ensemble. Harper's appearance is presented in conjunction with the Women of Color Giving Circle. Friday, Oct. 5 will feature a Latin jazz dance party, with the big band of Alex Torres and his Latin Jazz Kings at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Torres will also conduct a percussion clinic and master class at 5:30pm (no admission charge for the clinic). On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 6, two documentary jazz films will be screened at the Berkshire Museum's Little Cinema. The double feature will include the northeast debut of “Electric Heart,” chronicling the short life but remarkable career of trumpeter Don Ellis, and “Music Inn,” documenting the legendary jazz resort in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. Tickets for this event at the Berkshire Museum only, 39 South Street, Pittsfield. The Women In Jazz evening on Oct. 6 will include perennial poll-winner Claire Daly and her quartet; Seattle emigree and current mid-Hudson stalwart pianist Peggy Stern and her quartet; and guest soloist alto saxophonist Grace Kelly, who made a surprise appearance at least year's Festival, jamming with NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods. “Women In Jazz” is being presented in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Awareness initiative, with the underwriting support of the Legacy Banks Foundation. It will take place at St. Stephen's Church. On Sunday, Oct. 7, the festival wraps up with a specially commissioned work featuring pianist John Medeski and an all-star jazz orchestra comprising students from Pittsfield high schools, under the direction of Bill Chapman. It will take place at Taconic High School. In addition, several restaurants and bars will be feature live Jazz before (and in some cases after) the headline performances. And, the Festival will again be bringing Jazz into the schools. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |