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| Jazz Club of Sarasota Announces November “Jazz at Two” Concerts The Jazz Club of Sarasota's "Jazz at Two" 2014-2015 concert series continues in November with Melanie Massell & Company, featuring powerhouse vocalist Melanie Massell, (November 7); the swinging Dixieland sounds of Skip's Dixie Mix (November 14); and Alex and Judi Glover, featuring vocalist Alex Glover, accompanied by his wife, pianist Judi Glover (November 28). The series, which was founded in 2001, showcases the region's top jazz performers on Fridays, 2-4 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $8 for Jazz Club members and $12 for non-members. A portion of ticket sales is directed to the Jazz Club's scholarship program. Known affectionately in music circles as, "the little woman with the big voice, " Melanie Massell has been performing professionally since childhood. After majoring in theater and performing arts, Massell began acting in small film roles, expanding to television and radio commercials, and then to national and international singing performances. After many years of touring, she relocated to the Sarasota/Bradenton area in 2007. Massell has been a featured performer at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, was nominated as "Outstanding Jazz Artist" at the Coca-Cola Music Awards and appeared at Atlanta Symphony Hall as a featured artist with the Atlanta Concert Band. For this Jazz at Two concert, Friday, November 7, 2 p.m., Massell and her ensemble will heat up the stage with an array of classic jazz standards, cabaret, torch songs and more. The series continues with the energetic Dixieland sounds of Skip's Dixie Mix, featuring Skip Conkling on drums, Joe Bruno on trumpet, Keith Carman on piano, Bill Carmichael on clarinet, Mike Evans on banjo, Marv Luckett on trombone, and Don Mopsick on tuba, Friday, November 14, 2 p.m. This notable ensemble, comprised of some of the area's finest jazz musicians, will have the audience swinging to such New Orleans-style jazz favorites as "When the Saints Go Marching In, " "Bourbon Street Parade, " "James Infirmary Blues, " "Up a Lazy River, " "Everybody Loves My Baby, " and more. The Jazz at Two series closes out November with the husband-and-wife team of Alex and Judi Glover, Friday, November 28, 2 p.m. Known for his honest and innovative renditions of timeless songs, vocalist Alex Glover began his musical career in his native Toronto, recording a number of songs for Capital Records while a member of the group Canadian Conspiracy. He also toured extensively and was an opening act for such names as Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, and Natalie Cole. Glover started his own band in 1980 and moved to the U.S. while working at Harrah's Casino in Atlantic City. Pianist Judi Glover has been a member of Alex's band since 1987. As a musical arranger, Judi Glover has scored music for smaller ensembles and orchestras. Dave Walrath, president of the Jazz Club of Sarasota, is enthusiastic about this month's series with its fresh assortment of veteran local talent. "We've got the rich, mellow stylings of Alex Glover, the dynamic vocals of Melanie Massell, and the smooth Dixieland sounds of Skip Conkling and his group, which should make for a month of swinging and enjoyable Friday afternoons!" About the Jazz Club of Sarasota The Jazz Club of Sarasota's mission is to promote, preserve, 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. write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Jazz News :: home page |