The Napa Valley Jazz Society (NVJS) continues its streak of successful performances with a powerhouse show on Sunday, April 18 featuring the timeless music of jazz greats Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. Produced by Napa resident and Napa Valley Jazz Society co-founder Bruce Hopewell, the performance features vocalists Kenny Washington, Maye Cavallaro, and Madeline Eastman (who appeared at the March NVJS show at Siloâs). An all-star back-up band includes Noel Jewkes on tenor sax, Larry Dunlap on piano, Chris Amberger on bass and Vince Lateano on drums.
The event closes a weekend of jazz in the Napa Valley that includes the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour at the Napa Valley Opera House (NVOH) on Saturday, April 17....
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The Napa Valley Jazz Society (NVJS) continues its streak of successful performances with a powerhouse show on Sunday, April 18 featuring the timeless music of jazz greats Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. Produced by Napa resident and Napa Valley Jazz Society co-founder Bruce Hopewell, the performance features vocalists Kenny Washington, Maye Cavallaro, and Madeline Eastman (who appeared at the March NVJS show at Siloâs). An all-star back-up band includes Noel Jewkes on tenor sax, Larry Dunlap on piano, Chris Amberger on bass and Vince Lateano on drums.
The event closes a weekend of jazz in the Napa Valley that includes the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour at the Napa Valley Opera House (NVOH) on Saturday, April 17.
The Napa River Inn is offering special room rates and 10% off tickets to the NVJS and NVOH shows. To take advantage of this, visit www.NapaRiverInn.com, select to stay over the nights of April 17 and/or 18 and the ticket purchase option will pop up upon confirmation.
About the NVJS Parlor Jazz Series
The NVJS show is part of the NVJSâ Parlor Jazz series, which aims to provide jazz in an intimate setting. "Parlor Jazz" is a concept that emerged from the major jazz cities of the world - New York, Chicago, Paris, New Orleans, San Francisco, Kansas City, Memphis. A group would gather in someone's "parlor" to share food and drink and enjoy live jazz. Participants would kick in what they could afford. Some of it went to supporting the musicians; some of it went to paying the rent.
The Napa Valley Jazz Society seeks to recreate the spirit of these events, drawing on local musicians who enjoy the opportunity for a local gig, and mainstream artists who enjoy playing in intimate settings. We might stretch the definition of "parlor" from homes to small clubs and wineries, but the spirit of "Parlor Jazz" prevails.
NVJS Parlor Jazz events take place about once a month, generally at 4:00pm on a Sunday afternoon, in venues up and down the Valley. Attendance is limited, and priority goes to members of the Napa Valley Jazz Society.
About the Napa Valley Jazz Society
Sitting at the top of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Napa Valley claims a rich heritage of jazz music. Live performances thrive, special venues attract appreciative audiences, and educators pass on their special brand of traditional and contemporary jazz knowledge. Great food, great wine, and great jazz - it doesn't get much better than that.
NVJS supports the art of jazz in the Napa Valley through events, education and community outreach, in collaboration with arts organizations throughout the Bay Area.
NVJS endeavors to lead the way, making jazz more widely available up and down the Napa Valley, cultivating audiences, and encouraging participation in this exciting art form. We believe the performing arts are an essential ingredient in the quality of life in our community, and jazz music, with its rich heritage and continued evolution, deserves an important place in the local performing arts scene. As a not-for-profit (501c3), the NVJS exists for the good of the community, and is committed to the highest standards of professionalism, scholarship, collaboration, inclusiveness, and enjoyment.
Your participation is not only welcomed, it is encouraged. Become a member of the Napa Valley Jazz Society, attend our events, and support jazz.
NVJS memberships begin at $40 ($20 for students). Please visit www.napavalleyjazzsociety.org for details.
About Duke Ellington (source: www.dukeellington.com)
Duke Ellington called his music "American Music" rather than jazz, and liked to describe those who impressed him as "beyond category. He remains one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music and is widely considered as one of the twentieth century's best known African American personalites. As both a composer and a band leader, Ellington's reputation has increased since his death, with thematic repackagings of his signature music often becoming best-sellers. Posthumous recognition of his work include a special award citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board.
About Charlie Parker (source: http://www.cmgww.com/music/parker/)
The only child of Charles and Addie Parker, Charlie Parker was one of the most important and influential saxophonists and jazz players of the 1940âs.
When Parker was still a child, his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where jazz, blues and gospel music were flourishing. His first contact with music came from school, where he played baritone horn with the schoolâs band. When he was 15, he showed a great interest in music and a love for the alto
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