Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update with Kenny Rittenhouse at Maryland Summer Jazz Festival at Blues Alley

Rockville, Maryland…Six years ago, internationally respected jazz saxophonist and educator Jeff Antoniuk started a jazz camp to help amateur musicians get onto the bandstand. Today the event is a festival of workshops, jams and public concerts drawing fans from many states.

Over a dozen guest artists will teach in the classrooms and perform on concert stages with help from sponsors: Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center, Marriott Suites Bethesda, Maryland Life, Alfred Publishing and Saint Mark Presbyterian Church.

Among the guest artists this year is one of the most accomplished women in jazz, percussionist Sherrie Maricle, PhD. Maricle leads the famed Diva Orchestra, performs with The New York Pops and is their director of education. ...

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Rockville, Maryland…Six years ago, internationally respected jazz saxophonist and educator Jeff Antoniuk started a jazz camp to help amateur musicians get onto the bandstand. Today the event is a festival of workshops, jams and public concerts drawing fans from many states.

Over a dozen guest artists will teach in the classrooms and perform on concert stages with help from sponsors: Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center, Marriott Suites Bethesda, Maryland Life, Alfred Publishing and Saint Mark Presbyterian Church.

Among the guest artists this year is one of the most accomplished women in jazz, percussionist Sherrie Maricle, PhD. Maricle leads the famed Diva Orchestra, performs with The New York Pops and is their director of education.

Also appearing is saxophonist Walt Weiskopf. Known widely for his technical prowess, he has worked with Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan and many other greats and teaches at the Eastman School of Music.
Guitarist Steve Rochinski returns to his roots in Washington, D.C. after working with top players such as Tal Farlow, Tim Hagans and Joe Lovano. He teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston and records on Germany’s leading jazz guitar label, Jardis Records.
Young Latin Jazz pianist Zaccai Curtis also comes down from New York to lend his talents before leaving on a California tour. Trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble) will also teach and perform.
Two jazz camp sessions are held July 21-23 and July 28-30. Public performances kick off with a July 20 concert at Blues Alley (tickets are $25.00). The Blues Alley concert features Kenny Rittenhouse with Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update. The Update is celebrating the release of their CD, Brotherhood. It’s receiving high praise from critics and enjoying extensive airplay.

Two All Star and Student Concerts feature the other exciting guest artists, including those mentioned above. All Star concerts are held July 23 and July 30 at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville: 10701 Old Georgetown Road, from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Concert tickets for adults are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Admission for children 12 and is $5.00.

There are a few spots left for the jazz workshops. For concert tickets, early purchase is recommended. All events sold out last year. For more information call 443-702-7016. For artist biographies, registration and tickets visit: http://www.marylandsummerjazz.com

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