jazz

From Danny Allen:

Alexander High School's annual Jazz Invitational concert will be happening at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 14th.

They've had great attendance in the past, and are looking forward to a full house this year.

Come out and enjoy some awesome jazz music along with scrumptious treats and refreshments.

Submitted photo and press release:

On Friday, Sept. 21, jazz will be in the air in Downtown Perry. The Arts Council for Wyoming County (ACWC) is presenting the Batavia Brass Society in their main gallery to play a "Light Evening of Jazz." This is the first time this group of musicians has played at the ACWC.

The Arts Council for Wyoming County is located at 31 S. Main St., Perry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; concert begins at 7.

The Batavia Brass Society is made up of Derek Reiss (trumpet), Peter Mark (trombone), Edward VanZandt (trumpet), Roger Bolton (tuba), Elizabeth Kockler (horn), Scott Kockler (percussion).

Musicians are current, former, and retired music teachers from our area. They have been performing since 1980 playing a variety of music from classical to jazz and pop. You may have seen them at the Oakfield Labor Daze, Le Roy Oatka Festival, Genesee Community College, and the concert series in Holley and Akron. 

"I am pleased that the Arts Council will finally have the opportunity to present the the Batavia Brass Society in concert at the Gallery," says Jacqueline Hoyt, executive director of the Arts Council for Wyoming County, "This show will feature local musicians playing songs that are familiar to our ears."

Tickets for this concert are $15 ($13.50 for ACWC members). Purchase online at artswyco.org or by calling the ACWC at (585) 237-3517, ext. 101. Tickets are first come, first served, and early reservations are suggested.

If you would like to reserve tickets for parties larger than 10, please contact the ACWC directly at (585) 237-3517 or email info@artswyco.org.

About the Arts Council for Wyoming County

For more than 40 years, the Arts Council for Wyoming County (ACWC) has created opportunities to bring arts into their rural communities through programming, grants, and art events. The ACWC is also Wyoming County’s NYSCA Decentralization Site for Community Arts Grants. In addition to yearly programming, the ACWC produces the Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show and Sale. For more information on membership or advocacy in the arts, please visit www.artswyco.org.

• Alexander Jazz Experience
• Alexander Jazz Cadets
• Warsaw Jazz Band -- directed by Phil Briatico

• The Genesee Wyoming Music Educators Association All County Jazz Band

Press release:

Sunday, May 13th, is Jazz Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church in Batavia. It is located at 300 E. Main St.

Hosting the local jazz group, DSP, the church will sing such favorites as "Precious Lord," "Take My Hand" and "When the Saints Go Marching In."

The jazz combo will play before church and during the coffee hour afterward.

The Sanctuary Choir will sing "Wade in the Water" with their accompaniment.

Come at 10:30 a.m. for the pre-service music and stay through coffee hour for an inspiring time of worship and fellowship led by Pastor Roula Alkhouri.

Press release:

Honoring jazz tradition with straight-ahead swing and spontaneous improvisation, the Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet strives to express the beauty of a melodic line, deriving collective inspiration from the musical philosophies of many jazz greats. On Friday, Oct. 2, hear the Quartet's unusual harmonic approach at Genesee Community College's Stuart Steiner Theatre. They will perform one show only beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet brings together the elemental qualities of its four creative members; the lighter-than-air swing of drummer Bill Chattin, the earthy melodic pulsations of bassist Don Messina, the oceanic depth of tenor Charley Krachy and the fiery adventurousness of pianist Kazzrie Jaxen. The Quartet's music includes standard tunes, jazz lines, originals and occasional excursions into the abstract. Their approach stretches the music in unique and complex directions, serving to the feel and pure joy of improvisation.

The show will feature improvisations on tunes from the American songbook, compositions by Lennie Tristano, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday and Lester Young, original lines and songs and free group and solo improvisations. The Quartet encourages and enjoys "questions and answers" after their performances.

Tickets to the Kazzrie Jaxen Quartet show are $8 for adults, $5 for GCC faculty/staff and senior citizens, $3 for GCC students. Alumni with ID receive $2 off the full ticket price. Tickets are available through the GCC box office at (585) 345-6814 or via e-mail boxoffice@genesee.edu. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. For more information, contact Associate Director of Marketing and Communications Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0005, ext. 6616, or via e-mail dsutherland@genesee.edu.