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| Jazz Club of Sarasota Announces January’s “Jazz at Two” Concerts The Jazz Club of Sarasota's "Jazz at Two" concert series continues into January with The Jim Wellen Quartet (January 6, 2012); Nate Najar (January 13, 2012); and Jim Earp and Team Perfect (January 27, 2012). The series, which was founded in 2001, showcases the region's top jazz performers on Fridays, between 2 and 4 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Starting the month off on Friday, January 6, 2 p.m., is The Jim Wellen Quartet. Jim Wellen leads the group on tenor saxophone, with Debbie Keeton on vocals, Matt Bokulic on keyboard, Dominic Mancini on bass, and John Moore on drums. On Friday, January 13, at 2 p.m., celebrated guitarist Nate Najar will perform with Mark Neuenschwander on bass, and Steve Bucholtz on drums. Najar is a guitarist, composer and producer who delivers "melodies that delight the human spirit, " he says. Channeling the essence of Charlie Byrd, Najar blends phrasing, groove and rhythm in compositions informed with his passion for all music, including traditional jazz, blues, gospel, and sizzling Brazilian beats. He enjoys playing both acoustic and electric guitar but admits that it's acoustic he prefers. Critics have written that Najar is singlehandedly reintroducing the finger-style nylon string classical guitar technique to a new generation of music lovers. "It's the nylon string acoustic that feels most authentic, " says Najar. "I've developed my own voice on it. It really allows me to get into the character of the tune." For classic jazz, Najar adores the sounds of his Buscarino Cabaret guitar. Jim Earp and Team Perfect are up next on Friday, January 27, 2 p.m. The group consists of Jim Earp on trumpet, Jim Mark Gould on sax, Robby Rose on piano, Chuck Parr on drums, and Bruce Wallace on bass. Dave Walrath, the series' co-producer, says that Jazz at Two fulfills the Jazz Club's mission to both "showcase our region's wealth of great jazz artists—and to offer jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to hear great jazz at an affordable price." Another advantage to the format, he adds, is that the afternoon timeframe gives the artists "an opportunity to keep evening gigs." Co-producer George Allgair says that the series is funded by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and ticket revenues. But this year, he says, the Jazz Club is "actively seeking individual and business sponsors to help defray costs. If you're a jazz aficionado and want to keep jazz flourishing in our area, give us a call!" About the Jazz Club of Sarasota The Jazz Club of Sarasota's mission is to promote, preserve, present, and educate people about jazz, the original American art form. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the club presents ongoing concert series, events, lectures and the annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. The organization also sponsors the Venice Jazz Festival every year. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |