Central PA Friends of Jazz

The Central PA Friends of Jazz present the Friday night music at the Dauphin Co. Jazz & Wine Fest under the tent in Ft. Hunter Park.  Featured group this year is the New York Guitar Summit - Mark Whitfield and Ed Cherry (guitars) Pat Bianchi (organ) and Byron Landham (drums) + more!...Save the date!

Details and tickets soon!

Master jazz pianist Geoff Keezer will bring his trio and singer Gillian Margot to promote his new CD "On My Way To You"

Details and Tickets soon!

Sean Jones will lead a group for our last spring Concert in the fabulous High Center at Messiah College.  Held during the Jazz Camp, where Sean is an artist/educator, the concert begins at 7:30pm.  Tickets are all general admission - Adults $24 - Students $10 - Friends $20 and are available ONLINE, by calling the CPFJ Office at 717=540-1010, or at the door.

Sean Jones - Trumpet  Dwayne Dolphin - Bass   Alex Brown-Piano   CV Dashiell - Drums 

Singing and performing as a child with the church choir in his hometown of Warren, Ohio, Jones switched from the drums to the trumpet upon his first exposure to Miles Davis at the age of 10. Years later, he still cites Miles’ overall artistic vision and purity of sound as his greatest personal influence. He also credits the profound impact of hearing John Coltrane with cementing his course as a trumpeter, composer, educator, and activist.

After receiving his master’s degree from Rutgers University, Jones had a six-month stint with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. This marked the beginning of a relationship with Wynton Marsalis, whose personal work ethic and ability to break barriers had already made a significant impact on the emerging artist. Marsalis offered Jones a permanent position as lead trumpeter with the LCJO and Jones remained there until 2010.

A highly respected and in-demand musician, Jones has recorded and/or performed with many major figures including Joe Lovano, Chico O’Farrill, Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson, and Marcus Miller. The relationship with Miller led to another highly impacting experience when Jones was selected by Miller, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter for their Tribute to Miles tour in 2011.

Currently, Jones is artistic director of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Artist-in-Residence at San Francisco Performances, and a member of The SF JAZZ Collective. In addition, he serves as a member of the Jazz Education Network’s Board of Directors and was recently appointed as artistic director of Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz, which makes its Carnegie Hall debut and inaugural European tour in the summer of 2018. He has recently released his eighth recording, Live from Jazz at the Bistro, on Mack Avenue Records.

Heavily involved in education, Jones taught at the Berklee College of Music as the chair of the Brass Department before joining the Peabody Conservatory as the Richard and Elizabeth Case Chair in Jazz Studies in 2018. He has also taught at Duquesne University and at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, while regularly offering master classes and clinics all around the world.

Check out this video of Sean as guest artist with North Texas U.'s Lab Band

Saxophonist JD Allen  and his Quartet will grace the stage at The Trust in Lancaster for CPFJ's 2nd Spring Concert.

Allen is touring to promote his recent acclaimed recording "Love Stone" which features mellow versions of songs from the American Songbook.  

“Allen took to the challenge of investing his strong- willed spirit into a series of time-tested ballads. The results are simply breathtaking.” AllAboutJazz.com

Save the Date 

JD Allen (Tenor Saxophone)  Liberty Ellman (Guitar)   Ian Kenselarr (Bass)   * Nic Cacioppo (Drums)

J.D. Allen
Hailed by the New York Times as "a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style," JD Allen is a bright rising light on today’s international jazz scene. His unique and compelling voice on the instrument - the result of a patient and painstaking confrontation with the fundamentals of the art - has recently earned Allen a blaze of critical attention signaling his ascension to the upper ranks of the contemporary jazz world.  His latest release “Love Stone” finds him revisiting the standards with spiritual results.

The performance following the concert will be at THE TRUST, 37 N Market St., Lancaster PA

Tickets are $25  CPFJ Friends $20 and Students $10

Duduka Da Fonseca Trio
Featuring Maucha Adnet
“Samba Jazz & Tom Jobim"

Featuring
Helio Alves - Piano
Martin Wind - Bass
Duduka Da Fonseca - 3-Time Grammy® Nominated Brazilian Drummer

Maucha Adnet - Vocals

 Duduka Da Fonseca Trio featuring vocalist Maucha Adnet perform at the opening Spring Concert for the Central PA Friends of Jazz - Samba Jazz, the Music of Tom Jobim.  This concert is held in the beautiful Pollock Center for the Arts, 340 North 21st Street, Camp Hill PA (just off the Hwy 15 bypass at 21st St.)  All seating is general admission - doors open at 2:30pm.

Brazilian musicians, Maucha and Duduka both worked for Jobim and are true exponents of the art of bossa nova, samba and beyond.  Accompanying them will be the gifted Brazilian pianist Helio Alves and muti-faceted bassist Martin Wind.  Please come to the Pollock Center and enjoy these amazing players.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Duduka Da Fonseca has appeared on over 200 albums alongside American Jazz icons as well as Brazilian Jazz Icons, making him one of the most recorded Brazilian drummers in this idiom.  Duduka last played for CPFJ a a member of the Rufus Reid Trio at the Allen Theatre in Annville six years ago.

“Duduka is a fantastic drummer, he has worked with me and I love the way he plays.”
 Antonio Carlos Jobim, Rio de Janeiro, Spring 94

"Da Fonseca divulges a keen awarness of where Brazilian jazz has been and where it's headed."
Todd Jenkins, Down Beat  

“Da Fonseca embodies the pulse of a Brazilian Samba School with a full-set reverie, a percussive wall of sound that seems to come at you from all angles"
Ken Micallef, Modern Drummer Magazine
 
“Drummer Da Fonseca perhaps the best Brazilian trap drummer of his generation, plays  with uncommon mix of finesse and drive.”
Mark Holston, Jazziz

“Duduka Da Fonseca had the flowing beat doing his bidding, making one dance while sitting down. A master of “Brasilient” rhythms, he is equally capable of grooving a jazz 4/4 with his great, loosey-goosey swing.”
Ira Gitler, American jazz historian and journalist.

Formerly pianist with Michael Brecker and currently playing with Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo has forged a great career and is now doing some tours with his own trio - Ben Wolfe (bass) and Donald Edwards (drums).  We are proud to present him as the final Fall Concert of our 38th season.

Thanks to all who attended and made it such a special day!!

The Central PA Friends of Jazz Fall Concert Series continues with Grammy nominated stride pianist and vocalist Judy Carmichael at the Susquehanna Art Museum on Sunday, October 14th.  Appearing with Judy was guitarist, Chris Flory.

“ . . . astounding, flawless, captivating.”     NY Times

For information on Judy Carmichael recordings and books visit www.judycarmichael. com, and on her radio show, www.jazzinspired.com  

We kicked off this Fall Concert Series with our fifth year of hosting an evening at the Dauphin Co. Jazz & Wine Fest at Ft. Hunter Park. two groups were featured - the great jazz guitarist Bobby Broom and his Organi-Sation featuring Ben Paterson (organ) & Kobie Watkins (drums), and an ensemble lead by rising star bassist Jonathan Michel called L 'Ouverture in a jazz tribute to the music and culture of Haiti. 

  BOBBY BROOM's ORGANI-SATION                        

  JONATHAN MICHEL & L'OUVERTURE      

Melanie Charles- voice, flute; Godwin Louis- Saxophone; Willerm Delisfort- piano; Harvel Nakundi- drums

We are grateful to the Dauphin County Commissioners for their generous grant that funded this event.

 Performing with Rodney are fellow Jazz Camp instructors Tim Warfield, Jr. (sax) and Paul Bratcher (piano) and Philadelphia drummer Byron Landham

This month we will present internationally acclaimed pianist Bruce Barth and his trio featuring bassist Dave Baron (Ron Carter's protege) and the amazing drummer Montez Coleman. 

The concert will begin at 3pm with a performance by the Mechanicsburg H.S. Jazz Band directed by Ben Goldsborough 

Central PA Friends of Jazz presents a legendary staple in the fabric of jazz, San Francisco singer and HighNote recording artist. Mary Stallings...a woman the New York Times says, “…perhaps the best jazz singer singing today…”. Mary will presented a tribute to jazz greats including Dizzy, Monk, Billy Eckstine and others with backing by the Mike LeDonne Trio. 2 50-minute sets with an intermission. 

The trio accompanying Mary features Mike LeDonne, Hammond B-3 organ, Ed Cherry, guitar, and Jason Brown, drums.

Jonathan Ragonese -  Chamber Jazz Children's Program - for children of all ages.

In a partnership with Messiah College's Orchestral Woodwind Department, Jonathan Ragonese presents Mother Goose and Other Tales a concert featuring improvising jazz quintet with eight woodwinds, harp, and narrator. Jim Colonna conducted the world premiere of Uncle Wiggly & Mr. Pop-Goes and Mother Goose Suite. 

Narrator Michael Greenwald, -Patrick Bartley on alto saxophone, Glenn Zaleski on piano, bassist Martin Nevin and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. + The Messiah College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. William Stowman 

We thank the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Dept. and the Dauphin County Commissioners for allowing us to host another evening of real jazz at their annual Jazz & Wine Festival in the beautiful Ft. Hunter Park.

This year we presented two great bands with roots in the jazz scene of Philadelphia - world renowned jazz organist JOEY DeFRANCESCO + the PEOPLE (8:30pm) and jazz vocalist Paul Jost & the JOST PROJECT.(6:30pm) on the Main Stage.  Talented young area musicians TEENTOWN will be featured on the Corncrib Stage from 5:30-6:15 and from 8-8:30pm.

The Ben Wolfe Trio

Ben Wolfe - Bass             Victor Gould - Piano              Donald Edwards - Drums

This concert is underwritten by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC on behalf of R. Scott Shearer

CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY with the
JOHNNY O’NEAL TRIO

JAZZ DAY EVENT SCHEDULE:

Noon - 3PM Jazz Brunch in HMAC's Kitchen and Gallery Bar with the Paul Bratcher Trio.

3PM - Mechanicsburg H.S. Jazz Ensemble directed by Ben Goldsborough

3:45PM  The JOHNNY O'NEAL TRIO featuring Ben Reubens (bass) and Itay Morchi (dr)

 This concert is underwritten by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC on the behalf of R. Scott Shearer

        BUSTER WILLIAMS 75TH BIRTHDAY TOUR!! 

Legendary bassist BUSTER WILLIAMS brings his All-Star Quartet to the Pollock Center - saxophonist STEVE WILSON, pianist GEORGE COLLIGAN, and drummer LENNY WHITE are featured in the group. Free parking at the Pollock Center

This concert is underwritten by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC on the behalf of R. Scott Shearer

   Legendary guitarist Pat Martino will perform for our final Fall Concert Series event of 2016 - don't miss this musical giant!!  We return to the beautiful brewery and distillery, Wyndridge Farm, just outside of York, PA, for this performance with Pat’s exciting Trio.    Pat's Website

   Our second Fall Concert on October 9th features Harry Allen with vocalist Hilary Gardner. Joining Harry & Hilary are three great musicians from the NYC jazz scene - Rossano Sporteillo: piano; Joel Forbes: bass & Kevin Kanner: drums.

Our third year of hosting an evening at the Dauphin Co. Jazz & Wine Fest will feature the legendary jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith and a new rising star steel drum player - Leon Foster Thomas.  

The 3rd Spring Concert of 2016 will be held during our annual Jazz Camp at Messiah College. This year's Camp is 4 days long and will feature the Friday night concert as a bonus to the attending students while being open to the public.  

Steve Wilson & Stefon Harris will be teaching at our annual Jazz Camp this summer (June 15-18) and their group will be featured in the beautiful High Center at Messiah College for our third Spring Series concert.

This concert is underwritten by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC on the behalf of R. Scott Shearer

STEVE TURRE QUARTET

Trombonist and Conch Shell Artist

3PM Cedar Cliff H. S. Jazz Band

4PM Special showing of the new Central PA Friends of Jazz video

4:30PM  Live from NYC - The Steve Turre Quartet

Steve is a veteran of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and a 30 year member of TV's "Saturday Night LIVE" band.  He will be accompanied by Rick Germanson (piano) Gerald Cannon (bass) and Orion Turre (drums)

This concert is underwritten by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC on the behalf of R. Scott Shearer

Peter Bernstein Trio 

3PM       Mechanicsburg H.S. Jazz Band directed by Ben Goldsborough

4PM       Bernstein Trio featuring Mike LeDonne (Hammond B3 organ) and Byron Landham (drums)

This concert is underwritten by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC on the behalf of R. Scott Shearer

Join the Central PA Friends of Jazz as we continue our 35th year of great jazz with a performance featuring the gifted pianist Farid Barron.  He will play a solo concert featuring Stride and Ragtime piano from Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, as well as tunes from Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and many more.  Join us and hear the dynamic jazz piano stylings from this immensely talented artist.  WITF has a beautiful nine foot Steinway grand and will be a wonderful venue for this performance. Tickets available from InstantSeats (click Buy Now link above) call 717-540-1010 or at the door.

Terell's Quintet will feature music from his new CD - BrotherLee Love on Capri Records and feature the recording ensemble -  Tim Warfield (sax) Bruce Barth (piano) Kenny Washington (drums) and Peter Washington (bass).  

The opening act for the concert will be the Temple University Jazz Ensemble at 3pm.

We are happy to announce the headliner for the Friends of Jazz Night at the Dauphin County Jazz and Wine Festival - live from New York City - the SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA.  This group features Latin Jazz, Salsa and Afro Cuban music and will truly get you on your feet!!   Oscar Hernandez leads the two time Grammy winning 13 piece ensemble.

The front band for this event is Dred "Perky" Scott and the Steve Rudolph Trio featuring Pittsburgh jazz legends Dwayne Dolphin (bass) and Roger Humphries (drums) - to hear their recording click HERE!

CPFJ thanks the Dauphin County Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Department for including CPFJ in this event and for providing major support....

Drummer Greg Bufford, pianist Michael Cochran and bassist Calvin Hill to perform in his quartet. 
This Spring Concert Series is underwritten in part by a generous grant from the Shearer Family Fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, R. Scott Shearer

CPFJ presents jazz saxophonist CHRIS BACAS and VOYAGE WEST!  

The stellar band features international artists: German vibraphonist/composer Stefan Bauer, bassist Dean Johnson, Brazilian drummer Rogerio Boccato, and Israeli vocalist Tammy Scheffer.

Join us as we kick off the 35th year of CPFJ with one of the most influential musicians in jazz today - bassist Christian McBride. He will bring his working Trio that features two formidable young musicians - pianist Christian Sands and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr.

Finger Supersax Ensemble from the Inspire School for the Arts was the front band.

 This event is underwritten in part by a grant from Scott Shearer from the Shearer Family Fund of TFEC

The brilliant young vocalist Charenee Wade graced the stage at Leffler Chapel as we hosted our third Fall Series concert in association with Gretna Music. Alvester Garnett (dr) Oscar Perez (p and Matt Rybiki (b) accompanied.  The Kirk Reese Trio w/ Steve Meashey & Jeff Stabley opened the performance.  CPFJ thanks Gretna Music for their support if this event!!

Grant Stewart Quartet

The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz presented New York based jazz saxophonist Grant Stewart and his Quartet at the Allen Theatre, 36 E Main St., Annville PA    The Band included  Philip Stewart drums, Peter Washington bass & guitarist Ilya Lushtak

Rene Marie headlines our Friday Friends of Jazz Night at the Dauphin County Jazz and Wine Festival

6:30 - Tim Warfield Organ Band featuring Pat Bianchi (O), Byron Landham(dr), Antoine Drye (trpt) & Daniel Sadownick (perc)

8:30 pm - Rene Marie and her trio - “I Wanna Be Evil“ with Love to Eartha Kitt Tour

Tim Wolfe Trio featuring Ryan Kauffman and Justin Morell

Camp Hill Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Cecile McLorin Salvant & the Aaron Diehl Trio

 Legendary vocalist/pianist Freddy Cole will grace the Ware Center stage as part of the 2013 CPFJ Fall Concert Series.  

On Sunday, November 10 at 3:00PM at The Ware Center, Lancaster, PA, CPFJ is proud to welcome The Freddy Cole Quartet, featuring Freddy Cole piano/vocals, Elias Bailey bass, Curtis Boyd drums, Randy Napoleon guitar. 

CPFJ returns to the Allen Theater for our second Fall Concert!

 Read all about it here - CentPAFriendsOfJazz-10-13-2013Concert_News.pdf

CHRISTIAN HOWES - Southern Exposure

Jazz violin sensation Christina Howes will grace the stage at the Allen Theater on October 13th.   Following the concert CPJ will host a Jam Session in MJ's Coffehouse @ the Allen Theatre (6-9pm)

3PM - Time Out (youth band from the Inspire Studio for the Arts)

4PM - Christian Howes - (plays two sets - concert over @ 6:30)

We are happy to be able to present the brilliant pianist Cyrus Chestnut in a tribute to jazz icon - Dave Brubeck.  The concert will be the first event in our 2013 Fall Concert Series and is underwritten by a generous grant from Tom & Donna Weik.

 TRIBUTE TO BRUBECK CONCERT SAT., September 28, 2013 - Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center - alto saxophonist Sharel Cassity  Bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Evan Sherman round out this stellar group. Video segments of the original Brubeck Quartet from rare European performances will also be shown. 

CPFJ returns to the Harrisburg Community college's Rose Lehrman Auditorium for the third Spring Concert with rising star pianist Anthony Wonsey's "Spiritrio". 

Trumpeter Mike Vax leads a 19 piece band of Kenton Alumni as we relive the Big Band Era with these talented musicians and the original orchestrations from the Creative World of Stan Kenton

The Mechanicsburg H.S. Jazz Band opens the program at 3pm followed by two sets from the Kenton Band.

"Extraordinary is the word!" said jazz critic Don Heckman from the Los Angeles Times.

Jazz vocalist Jackie Ryan 

3PM  META4 - Lancaster area youth jazz quartet

4PM  Jackie Ryan & her Trio  -  Tom Lawton (piano) Lee Smith (bass)  Dan Monaghan (drums)

 The second concert in the CPFJ Fall Series features award winning bassist Rufus Reid's OutFront Trio - Steve Allee (piano) and Duduka du Fonseca (drums)