The Chicago-based Joe Policastro Trio will stop through Akron later this week as part of a final tour cycle supporting film and TV music. “This show at BLU Jazz is part of our final tour cycle in support of Screen Sounds, an album featuring re-workings of music from film/TV,” said bassist and bandleader Joe Policastro. “BLU Jazz looks incredible, has a great reputation and … [Read more...]
Rubber City Jazz Fest returns for third year, carries city’s rich music history
Akron has rhythm – in fact, it has a rich history of jazz and blues dating to the 1940s and ‘50s along the city’s very own Howard Street. This rich history has inspired Akron-native Theron Brown to give talented local musicians the opportunity to express themselves, discover new audiences and show off the vibrant music scene in the city today. Out of this desire, Brown … [Read more...]
#MusicMonday – Peter & Will Anderson Trio
This week’s #MusicMonday spotlight is the Peter & Will Anderson Trio, featuring twin brothers from New York City, who will perform Friday, March 30 at BLU Jazz+. The Anderson brothers, both graduates of the esteemed Julliard School, are woodwind virtuosos on instruments like saxophone and clarinet who have performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Village Vanguard … [Read more...]
Duchess will perform at BLU Jazz Feb. 18, free masterclass available
Jazz trio Duchess is a throwback to the Boswell Sisters -- who were pioneers of vocal jazz, known for their close harmonies -- but with a modern twist. Focused on entertainment as well as music, Duchess includes humor and banter with every performance. “There is a unifying thing with music,” says Amy Cervini, one of the three vocalists for New York City-based trio. “When … [Read more...]
Matthews Hotel Monument lighting is realized dream of artist Miller Horns
In 1925, entrepreneur George Mathews saw the Howard Street District as a welcoming place for black-owned businesses. At this time in Akron’s history, racial segregation was the reality, and Mathews saw the importance of the black community having a safe place to work, live and raise families. He also saw the need for a hotel in the district where African Americans were welcomed … [Read more...]
‘Jazz at Jilly’s’ to benefit Summit Artspace
Akron Life Magazine presents "Jazz at Jilly's," a fundraiser to benefit Summit Artspace. Jilly's invites the community to come out and enjoy an evening of mixing and mingling as they celebrate summer's official arrival, and all for a good cause. The cover charge is $5, and all proceeds will benefit Summit Artspace and its efforts to promote and support local … [Read more...]
Theron Brown’s influence spreads ‘across the globe’ as interview appears in Rolling Stone India
Local jazz pianist Theron Brown is having a good year. Hot on the heels of his Knight Arts Challenge award to launch the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, Brown is now pictured alongside an interview in Rolling Stone India. The interview comes at an opportune time. Brown will be traveling to Mumbai, India in June 2016 to teach master classes and perform at the National … [Read more...]
BLU Jazz+ hosts BLUprints to EX[L]: Breaking New Ground
On Wednesday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m., BLU Jazz+ is hosting the next edition of BLUprints to EX[L]. This month's program features EX[L] Founding Executive Director Jeff Hoffman, co-founder of Priceline.com. Hoffman will speak about “Breaking New Ground.” He will be joined by special guest entrepreneurs Joel Testa, founder of Northside Speakeasy and President of Testa Companies, … [Read more...]
Collide combines arts and culture in Cuyahoga Falls
On Friday April 1, the Cashmere Cricket in Cuyahoga Falls was a packed house. Attendees were there for a collaborative evening of spoken word, song, live music, photography, artwork, great food and drinks. Collide: Cuyahoga Falls and ArtsNow hosted the event. "Ace” Epps emceed the evening and was the featured poet. Other area poets joined him on stage for spoken … [Read more...]
Yeats, Dickinson combine with jazz in April 21 concert presented by Tuesday Musical
Combining jazz and classical with the poems of Yeats and Dickinson, pianist and composer Gregg Kallor and mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala will perform Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. in EJ Thomas Hall, presented by Tuesday Musical. The finale of Tuesday Musical’s 2015-16 season, the concert will include selections from the duo’s Exhilaration, a CD featuring Kallor’s … [Read more...]
