Eight great jazz vocalists, a rocking big band and an incomparable guitar/piano duo will make up the
fifth season (2011-2012) of Jazz@StBarney's - a September-to-May string of monthly jazz sampler concerts at St. Barnabas Center for the Arts, 15600 Old Rockford Rd. in Plymouth.
The programs are single-set offerings by some of the finest jazz artists in the Twin Cities. Admission is always $10 adults, $7 TCJS members and $5 students (SBCA students admitted free). There is no reserved seating, so buying tickets at the door will always work. All programs begin at 7 pm and last 60-75 minutes.
Seating is generally at tables, so you can easily enjoy the free snacks, lemonade and coffee provided. It's a casual concert experience, good for both performers and audiences.
THE 2011-2012 SERIES:
Sat., Sept. 17: MAUD HIXSON and JASON RICHARDS, vocal duo. Performing with celebrated pianist Rick Carlson, Maud and Jason will create the magic of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé in a magic set called We'll Be the Same as We Started. As one of their songs says - appropriately for the first concert of our season - This Could Be the Start of Something Big.
, vocalist. She's been a guest artist with the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Doc Severinsen, the Toronto Symphony, VocalEssence, Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion and the JazzMN Big Band - and now she's here at St. Barney's. "Sunny, ultra-hip and immensely talented" are what the reviewers call her. you won't want to miss this concert.
Sat., Nov. 19: DAN NEWTON, vocalist and accordionist. "Daddy Squeeze" has rocked the hall at St. Barney's several times with Café Accordion Orchestra. Now he brings us his solo act that rocked the West Coast last summer. One of our all-time favorites in a new format.
Fri., Dec. 30: - The KC GOSPEL ORCHESTRA and JAZZ ON THE PRAIRIE return for a 2-hour blockbuster aprés-Christmas festival of seasonal music, big-band style. And we'll welcome back CONNIE EVINGSON for an encore performance with one of the bands. It's after the Christmas rush - a great time to kick back and just have fun.
, vocalist. She gave a knockout performance here with Cloud Nine last year; now she's back for a more intimate concert. Her clarity of tone and seemingly effortless delivery show her classical training and consummate control. It's a dazzling vocal performance.
, guitar and piano. Two of our favorites team up for an encore performance of Sambanova, their landmark album called by one reviewer "ten moments of ecstasy." It's Latin, it swings and it's a blast. Two of the area's finest performers at their incomparable best!
, vocalist. Coming to us from Chicago, Bruce has performed on such exotic and legendary stages as the Malate concert in Manila, the Klezmer Festival in Israel, Le Bilboquet in Paris, The WhitBread in London, the Coconut Grove in Miami, the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and the Grand Wailea in Maui. A rare talent we're excited to feature in this year's lineup!
, vocalist. She's worked in opera, theatre, jazz, folk, gospel - and she's worked with Voicestra (Bobby McFerrin), Urbanstride, the Girls, the Wolverine's Classic Jazz Orchestra, JazzMN Big Band, Yo Yo Ma, Carole King, Janis Siegel, Rhiannon and Garrison Keillor. What more do we need to say?!!
Sat., May 19: RHONDA LAURIE, vocalist. A native of New York City, she began her career as a cabaret singer in Manhattan nightclubs. She is a Fellow of the prestigious Cabaret Conference at Yale and was Founding President of the Minnesota chapter of the Jazz Vocal Coalition. Whether swinging a la gypsy, straight-ahead jazz or cabaret, her approach is modern and fresh. Rhonda's a perfect tag end to a season of great jazz!
For more information, please contact SBCA Director Jeff Whitmill at (763) 553-3083 or jeff@whitmill.net
15600 OLD ROCKFORD RD., PLYMOUTH, MN 55446 • MAP • E-MAIL • CHURCH: (763) 553-1239 • SBCA: (763) 553-3083
