Highlights In Jazz 43rd Anniversary Gala

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Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz, New York's longest running jazz concert series, kicks off its 44th season on Thursday February 4, 2016 at 8:00 PM at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center of Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 with a Highlights In Jazz 43rd Anniversary Gala featuring the swinging jazz and blues of vocalist Catherine Russell and her band in an encore engagement, along with the classic sounds of cornetist Warren Vaché, pianist Ted Rosenthal with multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson and drummer Alvester Garnett, plus, as in all Highlights In Jazz concerts, a surprise special guest.

One of the most highly acclaimed vocalists to emerge in the 21st Century, jazz and blues singer Catherine Russell is a descendant of music royalty. The daughter of Luis Russell, the renowned orchestra leader, pianist/composer/arranger and music director for Louis Armstrong in the mid-'40s and Carline Ray, the pioneering female jazz bassist and vocalist celebrated for tenures with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm and Mary Lou Williams, among many others. Following a distinguished career singing back up with the likes of David Bowie, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Rosanne Cash, Joan Osborne, Gloria Estafan and Madonna, Russell finally stepped into the spotlight in 2006 with her critically acclaimed debut disc as a leader, Cat, earning accolades from veteran jazz journalist Nat Hentoff, who called her "the real thing" and Wall Street Journal music critic Will Friedwald, who described her as possessing "a fresh and original voice." Her recent engagement at Birdland garnered this accolade from Stephen Holden in the New York Times; "There is no happier music than early jazz performed with spirit, understanding and a sense of fun. Ms. Russell and her crew brought them all."

Russell's 2012 recording Strictly Romancin' was awarded Vocal Album of The Year prize by France's esteemed l'Academie du Jazz, while her latest effort, Bring It Back, was named runner up with veteran diva Dianne Reeves in The 2014 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll of music writers from all over the globe. Russell, who made her Highlights in Jazz debut headlining the series' 42nd Anniversary Gala last year returns leading a stellar sextet featuring trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, saxophonist/clarinetist Evan Arntzen, pianist Mark Shane, guitarist Matt Munisteri bassist Tal Ronen, and drummer Marion Felder. Kleinsinger notes, "The response was so terrific that we decided to have her open again this year." The acclaimed vocalist, proclaims, "I'm honored and thrilled to return to Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz series. We look forward to swinging with you again."

Sharing the bill with Russell will be an all star ensemble of Highlights In Jazz veterans, featuring acclaimed award-winning pianist Ted Rosenthal, with cornetist Warren Vaché, multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson, drummer Alvester Garnett and a surprise guest, playing a repertoire of jazz classics. Vaché notes, "I've played Highlights In Jazz numerous times and it's always a pleasure." While Robinson says, "Jack has kept this thing going for a really long time. I've been there before, but always with somebody's big band, like Louie Bellson. This time, Jack is making good on his promise to bring me in as a single. I'm looking forward to playing with some really great musicians. It should be fun."

Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz, continues its 44th season on Thursday, March 3, 2016 with A Salute to Paquito D'Rivera, who will be honored as the year's recipient of the Annual Highlights In Jazz Award, which has been presented every year since 1974 to honor a singular living jazz musician for their "matchless musical achievements." Previous honorees have included Roy Eldridge, Lionel Hampton, Roy Haynes, Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Dr. Billy Taylor, Zoot Sims, Louie Bellson, Phil Woods, George Wein, Frank Wess and many other jazz luminaries.

All Shows At

BMCC TRIBECA Performing Arts Center
Borough of Manhattan Community College
199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007

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