Rufus Reid headlines Arlington Jazz Festival

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The Arlington Jazz Festival, now in its 6th year, is expanding its scope, with presenter Morningside Music Studio showcasing 6 events over a 4-day stretch, to celebrate the wide variety of musical approaches that all fall under the jazz marquee. The Festival also provides an opportunity for fest-goers to explore the nooks and crannies of Arlington which host live music on a regular basis, making the town a go-to destination for music buffs.

This year's festival headliner is twice Grammy nominated bass legend Rufus Reid, cited by the "All Music Guide to Jazz" as being "easily one of the top five bassists in modern jazz." His festival trio will include Boston-based pianist Tim Ray and drummer Steve Langone. In addition, Reid will be conducting a master class earlier in the day, which is open to all musicians and other music appreciators, but should not be missed by any aspiring bass players!

The jazz fest will also feature performances by vibes master Rich Greenblatt and keyboardist/vocal powerhouse Marlene del Rosario, joined by Dan Fox and several other members of Morningside Music Studio's teaching staff. Arlington neighborhood musical favorites Spy Pond Groove, A-Town Brass Band, and the Arlington High School Jazz Band, led by Tino D'Agostino, will round out this full bill of performances.

For complete details on the Arlington Jazz Festival, produced by Dan Fox and the Morningside Music Studio, visit Arlingtonjazz.org.

Arlington Jazz Festival is supported in part by a grant from the Arlington Cultural Council (a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency), as well as a generous contribution from Arlington-based Walter Fey CPA.

A-Town Jazz Festival: 2017 Listing Details.
For more information on any of the following events: Arlingtonjazz.org, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net:

Festival main event:
Sunday, April 30:
Rufus Reid Trio: with Reid (bass), Tim Ray (piano) and Steve Langone (drums);
Arlington High School Jazz Band, led by Tino D'Agostino, opens.
7:00-9:00 pm.
Arlington Town Hall, 730 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02476.
General admission: $20, students/seniors $10, kids 10 and under $5, babies on laps free.
[Advance ticket holders may attend for free the Rufus Reid Master Class, held earlier in the day.]
Advance tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2893659.

Other Festival events, listed chronologically:
Thursday, April 27:
Spy Pond Groove: eclectic mix of soulful, swinging, funky, & latin jazz.
8:00-11:00 pm.
Common Ground, 319 Broadway, Arlington 02474.
No cover.

Friday, April 28:
Morningside Music Studio Jazz Combo Showcase.
Featuring advance jazz ensembles from Morningside Music Studio.
7:00-9:00 pm.
Kickstand Cafe, 594 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02476.
$10 suggested donation (or best offer).

Saturday, April 29:
Fox/Malavasi/del Rosario Jazz Trio: with Marlene del Rosario (vocals & keyboards), Renato Malavasi (drums) and Dan Fox (bass).
Performing jazzy versions of popular tunes as well as Brazilian and latin jazz.
and
Rich Greenblatt Group: with Greenblatt (vibraphone), Dan Fox (trombone), Ethan Kaczowka (guitar), Pat Gaulin (drums), and Keala Kaumeheiwa (bass).
7:30-10:30 pm.
Artlounge Arlington, 1346 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02476
$10 cover at door (beer, wine, & snacks available).

Sunday April 30:
A-Town Bass Band: Arlington's community New Orleans style brass band, led by Dan Fox.
1:00-2:00 pm outdoors, rain or shine.
Arlington Town Hall Garden, 730 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02476
No cover.

Sunday April 30:
Jazz Master Class with Rufus Reid: for musicians and other music appreciators alike.
4:30-5:30 pm
Arlington Town Hall Hearing Room, 730 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd floor, Arlington 02476
$10, free with advance ticket to Sunday evening's Festival headliner concert with the Rufus Reid Trio.

Background information on several of the featured participants:

Master bass player Rufus Reid is recognized as both an accomplished composer and musician as well as an exceptional educator. His professional career began in Chicago and since 1976, he has been based out of NYC. He has toured and recorded with Eddie Harris, Nancy Wilson, Harold Land & Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, The Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Dexter Gordon, J.J. Johnson, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Barron and countless others. He continues to record adding to his extensive discography, 18 of which are under his own name. www.rufusreid.com

Boston based jazz vibraphonist and band leader Rich Greenblatt is acclaimed for his "dazzling speed" and "magical touch" as a player. With his own groups, Greenblatt has played in jazz and blues festivals in the U.S. and throughout Europe and he has also recorded with Be-Bop Guitars, Jazz Composers' Alliance, Hide Tokunaga, Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, Paramount Brass Quintet, and the rhythm and blues group, Inspector Tuppence. Over the years he has worked with such great artists as Kurt Elling, Billy Mitchell, Kevin Hayes, Valery Ponamarev, Bill Charlap, Greg Hutchinson, Dennis Irwin, Winard Harper, Joe Hunt, Teddy Charles and Oscar Castro-Neves. www.rich-greenblatt.squarespace.com

Drummer, educator and composer Steve Langone has performed throughout North and South America, Europe and China. Some of the artists Langone has performed and recorded with include George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Greg Osby, Miguel Zenon, Donny McCaslin, Jason Palmer, Mike Renzi, Claudio Roditi, David Hazeltine, Gray Sargent, Alon Yavnai, Tim Ray, Bill Pierce, Greg Hopkins, Luis Perdomo, Antonio Sanchez, Howard Alden, Leo Genovese, Helio Alves, Herb Pomeroy, Phil Wilson, Kenny Wentzel, Kevin Harris, John Lockwood, Oscar Stagnaro, Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen, James Cammack, Nat Reeves, Jay Azzolina, Joe Delaney, Eddie Higgins, to name just a few, along with the modern jazz groups Enclave, the Jinga Trio, Kevin Harris Project, among many others. He has recorded soundtracks for National Geographic, Sesame Street and the Miramax film "Next Stop Wonderland." www.stevelangone.weebly.com

Perhaps best known as long-time pianist for Lyle Lovett, Tim Ray's wide-ranging skills as a soloist and accompanist have afforded him the opportunity to perform with legendary performers from all walks of music. Appearing on over 70 recordings to date, Ray has performed in concert with an extensive list of pop music icons, notably Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Jane Siberry and Soul Asylum. He regularly performs with leading figures in the jazz world, among them Gary Burton, Esperanza Spalding, Phil Woods, Scott Hamilton, Dave Douglas, Brian Blade, Lewis Nash and Rufus Reid, and his classical credits include solo performances and concerts with Gunther Schuller, the Boston Pops, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Boston Classical Orchestra. www.agitatedcatmusic.com

A native of Manila, Philippines, Marlene del Rosario has performed for various audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad, including for the Philippines' former Presidents, Fidel Ramos and Cory Aquino, and Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand. Her Boston-based Marlene Jazz Ensemble includes renowned trumpeter, Greg Hopkins. "Ms. del Rosario draws you in with an uncanny grasp of the jazz, blues and soul idioms." (E-Jazz News) www.marlenemusic.net

Arlington Jazz Festival's presenter Morningside Music Studio, located in Arlington, is under the direction of Dan Fox, who is no stranger to the local music scene. Fox, an Arlington resident, is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator who has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Boston Globe Jazz Festival and the Mallorca Jazz Festival in Spain. He leads his own bands Made in the Shade, ‘TarBone, and FoxBill and has performed a wide range of jazz styles with groups like the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, the Cab Calloway Orchestra, and the Either/Orchestra. His Morningside Music Studio gives students of all levels the opportunity to play in weekly musical ensembles.

The month of April is observed nationally as Jazz Appreciation Month, and since 2012, International Jazz Day has fallen on April 30th. Arlington Jazz Festival coincides with the celebration of Jazz Week in Boston and surrounding areas.

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