Swing and Blues from North Coast favorites 8 Pc. Blue Lunch with Special Guest Tim Gartland on Vocals and Harp.

The late 1940’s and early 1950’s were a magical time in American musical history, when blues, rhythm & blues, swing and rock & roll were all one thing. Blue Lunch explores that music and makes it their own.

From Cleveland, OH eight virtuoso musicians perform on guitar, piano, upright bass, drums, harp, saxophones, trumpet, and trombone. In addition to their instrumental work, Blue Lunch also boasts five vocalists and includes do-wop style and gospel harmonies in their repertoire. Blue Lunch has released eight cds, Recorded Live at Wilberts,  Eyes Wide Open,  Not Live at the Copa, Big Sound Blues, Sideswiped, Saxophone Shootout II , Blue  Lunch Special, and their newest and most recent release, Above the Fold, for Rip Cat Records of Los Angeles.

2014 marked the 30th anniversary of the band.

Tim Gartland is a singer-song writer harmonica player living in Nashville, TN. He is a contemporary blues artist commited to honoring the rich tradition of blues while moving the genre forward. He has  a new release, "If You Want A Good Woman featuring 12 original songs.  The cd reached #1 on the blues radio charts on Air Play Direct. It was also named one of the Top Picks of the year by Bill Wilson of the Nashville Blues Society and reached #13 on the national blues charts according to Roots Time Radio.

His original music is a blend of Chicago blues, soul, and Americana. His lyrics are focused on today's world. Following the collective wisdom of writers before him, Tim writes lyrics about themes and issues that he is passionate about.

What sets Gartland apart from other blues muscians is the fact that he is recognized as a triple threat ; singer, songwriter and harp player. It is rare group of artists that can deliver all three talents on such a high level.

He has released two critically acclaimed original cd's, 2011's "Looking Into The Sun" and 2014''s "Million Stars". In 2015 he released "The Willie Project", a heartfelt homage to the songwriting of the legendary blues hall of famer Willie Dixon.

From New York City! Award winning Stars of Cabaret hit the stage at Nighttown!

Featuring: Eric Comstock-piano & vocals, Barbara Fasano-vocals, & Bryan Thomas-acoustic bass.

“The sophisticated cabaret children of Bobby Short and Lena Horne … Mr. Comstock and Ms. Fasano are turning the neighborhood into a hotbed of pleasure.” – The New York Times

“Comstock has a voice that flows as smoothly as rye and sweet vermouth over ice, evoking Chet Baker, Mel Torme and Mark Murphy … Fasano has taste, built-in dramatic chops, the ability to manipulate time, and, above all, respect for lyrics.” – Jazz Times

Married musical partners Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano’s electrifying combination of warmth, wit, swing and sensuality have made them the New York nightclub world's most celebrated team.  This award-winning duo makes their Night Town debut with a freewheeling mashup of the jazz and pop songbooks, from Jerome Kern to Joni Mitchell, Cole Porter to Billy Strayhorn. The New York Times calls their shows "witty" and "exhilarating" and this swinging and soulful married couple makes their audiences feel they're at a terrific party where the music and the stories have been equally great.

Pianist/singer Eric Comstock has been called "the heir apparent to the cabaret throne".  Vocalist Barbara Fasano's new CD BUSY BEING FREE is being hailed as "busy being intoxicatingly sublime” & won the 2016 MAC Award for Major Recording of the Year. The New York Times calls their shows "witty" & "exhilarating", and The Wall Street Journal raves, “Masterful … They take it to a whole other level.”   

Their many New York engagements include Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Birdland, Jazz at Kitano, and the 92nd Street Y's ‘Lyrics and Lyricists’ series, as well as concert halls and festivals coast to coast and in Europe.  In the words of jazz critic Ira Gitler, they “have it all, and then some … artistic, swinging, and superbly entertaining.” Come join the party!

NYC vocalist and native Clevelander returns for showcase gig.  Currently lead vocalist with the Harry James Orchestra.

Featuring Dave Powers on piano.

Barbara Rosene has built an unequalled reputation for interpreting the great music of the 1920s and 30s and 40s. She is a passionate vocalist whose interpretations uncover the richness of jazz classics through the subtle, skilled delivery of one truly in love with the genre she sings.

Rosene gives voice to songs in ways that are both gracefully provocative and warmly welcoming. Few singers have her feel for classic material, from all eras of Jazz, interpreting the music with not only a full understanding and love of the original time period but with the rare ability to make the material sound fresh and emotionally relevant today.

In her established career she has shared stages with jazz icons, performing internationally with The Harry James Orchestra, Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks, the late Les Paul at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club, The Woody Allen Band, at The Carlyle Hotel, as well as directing her own New Yorkers, and as guest artist with orchestras and in festivals across the world. She has played such venues as The Iridium, Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, The Montreal Jazz Festival,  Nighttown (Cleveland), Blues Alley (DC), The Arizona Music Festival, Jazz Amarinois, and The Hotel Villa Flori, Lake Como.

Will Friedwald, author of Jazz Singing and Sinatra! has written: “No one evokes more vividly the music of the great singers of the 1920s than Barbara Rosene.”

Barbara’s CDs include releases on the Blues Back, Arbor’s and Azica labels.

For over 37 years, two-time EMMY® Award winning composer and performer Dave Powershas been a vital part of the Columbus, Ohio music scene as a pianist, keyboardist, vocalist, entertainer and educator. Dave has traveled and performed nationally and internationally. Dave is a consultant and a frequent guest of the Public Television Show “The Piano Guy” and has taught a series of master classes with “Piano Guy” host Scott Houston. Dave is also an adjunct faculty member of The Ohio State University School of Music. Considered one of the most successful musicians in the Midwest, Dave manages to win over the hearts of all who hear him perform. From concerts to clubs and restaurants to corporate events and private parties, his vast repertoire is as diverse as the audience that he entertains. Dave has performed with noted performers such as Steve Allen, George Benson, Rusty Bryant, Richie Cole, Buddy DeFranco, Mark Farner (of Grand Funk Railroad), Eric Gale, Terry Gibbs, Ernie Krivda, Wilbert Longmire, Johnny Lytle, ‘Blue’ Lou Marini (of the Blues Brothers), Joan Rivers, Arturo Sandoval, Byron Stripling, Grover Washington, Jr. and many others. In addition, Dave is associated with the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, and performs with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. For the past six years, Dave has been hosting a jazz concert series at the Clintonville Woman’s Club called “The House Jazz Concert Series.” Dave’s performance schedule and CD’s are available online at www.davepowers.com, iTunes, CD Baby.com and amazon.com (keyword: Dave Powers).

Cutting edge Sax/Bass Duo from NYC.  Featuring Avram Fefer-sax, & Michael Bisio-acoustic bass.

Avram Fefer is an American saxophonist, composer, teacher, and bandleader. He has  recorded eleven albums as a leader and many more as a sideman. He has performed in clubs and festivals throughout Europe, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East and plays regularly in New York City.  

Avram enjoys collaborations of all sorts, including with poets, dancers, painters, filmmakers, theater directors, and digital sound designers. He is the creator and sole performer of the Resonant Sculpture Project, an international series of solo musical interactions with the large-scale works of iconic sculptor Richard Serra.

He is actively involved in ensembles comprised of anywhere from two to thirty musicians, playing music that ranges from classic jazz to original and avant-garde composition, free improvisation, conducted orchestral music, and a variety of North and West African music.

Avram also maintains a presence in the world of  jazz fusion, dance, afro-beat, funk, and  hip-hop, including collaborations with DJ's and members of the house music scene. As a bandleader, he is at the helm of two electric groups --- Big Picture Holiday, Rivers on Mars; and several acoustic groups ---the Avram Fefer Trio, the Fefer-Keiper Connection, and the Nuju 4tet.

Michael Bisio, bassist/composer, has eighty five recordings in his discography, twenty four of these are split evenly between leader/co-leader, ten of them document his extraordinary association with modern piano icon Matthew Shipp. Michael has been called a poet, a wonder and one of the most virtuosic and imaginative performers on the double bass.

Nate Chinen in the New York Times writes :
"The physicality of Mr. Bisio's bass playing puts him in touch with numerous predecessors in the avant-garde, but his expressive touch is distinctive;..."

As a composer Michael has been awarded nine grants and an Artist Trust Fellowship

Collaborators include Matthew Shipp, Joe McPhee, Charles Gayle, Connie Crothers, Whit Dickey, Ivo Perelman, Barbara Donald, Newman Taylor Baker, Rob Brown, Sonny Simmons and Sabir Mateen.

Produced by Apollo's Fire

The young Noah Bendix-Balgley grew up playing Klezmer music in Appalachia, and is now the first American concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic. How did this happen? Meet Noah in an evening of conversation and music at Nighttown, where he will talk about the influences on his life and music, and will perform Bach and Klezmer music. In addition to his role as concertmaster, Noah has performed with world-renowned klezmer groups such as Brave Old World, and has taught klezmer violin at workshops in Europe and in the United States.

Food & drink available for purchase.

Legendary Outlaw Country Singer/Songwriter, Novelist, & Raconteur Kinky Friedman hits the Stage at Nighttown! 

Yep, renowned raconteur and Governor Of The Heart Of Texas Kinky Friedman has been resurrected.  And he’s hitting the road to prove it.  The legendary outlaw country singer/songwriter, novelist and Texas Jewboy’s latest CD, The Loneliest Man I Ever Met (Avenue A Records/Thirty Tigers), mixing originals with interpretations of the music of his greatest contemporaries, is a hit.  It has received rave reviews across the board, making it Kinky’s best and most popular release ever.  Yes, the Kinkster has been resurrected.

The Resurrected Tour tour starts in mid-April and will continue to the middle of May.  Kinky will be performing with his uber sideman, Joe Cirotti.  Kinky’s cd producer, Brian Molnar will be opening the show.  Kinkster’s long time pal, Brian Kanof, will be auctioning off bottles of Man In Black Tequila (which is co-owned by Brian, Kinky and a third party) to benefit Kinky’s award-winning animal rescue group Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch.

Nobody could invent a character quite like Kinky Friedman, the stogie-waving, black-hat-wearing Texas Jewish singer, storyteller, tequila purveyor, animal rescuer and full-time iconoclast.

But what he hadn’t done in 39 years was write brand new songs and record a new studio album around them. Friedman’s The Loneliest Man I Ever Met, has to have been one of the longest-awaited follow-ups in recent memory. Not that fans have complained; the continued popularity of tunes such as Sold American, Nashville Casualty and Life and Ride ’Em Jewboy (the Holocaust-referencing song that soothed Nelson Mandela in prison) prove Kinky is that rare talent whose work withstands the test of time. Friedman still delivers those songs — interspersed with his inimitable blend of politically incorrect quips, jokes and tales both tall and true — to appreciative audiences around the world.

And new chapters of Kinky’s fable life are just around the corner - literally.  Coming soon from Backbeat Books will be Mary Lou Sullivan’s comprehensive Kinky bio (holy cow: 450+ pages!) and a brand new book by Kinky about Bob Dylan, which is not so much a biography as a group of “tales from the Bob.”

Railing against such perceived evils — whether cultural, political, social or in any other realm of human experience — is one of Friedman’s favorite pastimes. As a man who has traveled much of the planet, quotes Winston Churchill, and calls two presidents pals, he’s in a position to know.

And on tour Kinky will be, traveling from village to village, perhaps proving the truth of resurrection itself, definitely railing against evil.  Upon his return from the road, Kinky will dive into that next CD recording project.  To be titled Zoey, it should be available in late 2017.  “Maybe I’ll just have to stick with songwriting,” he says, stifling a sigh.

Dynamic jazz & soul vocalist from Miami/NYC live on Nighttown stage!  With the Robert Hubbard Trio.

Since her debut in 2004, Nicole Henry has established herself as one of the jazz world’s most acclaimed vocalists. Ms. Henry possesses a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing and powerful emotional resonance.

Her passionate, soulful voice and heart-felt charisma have earned her a 2013 Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance," three Top-10 U.S. Billboard and HMV Japan jazz CDs, and rave reviews by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Japan Times, El Pais, Jazz Times, Essence and more.

Ms. Henry’s accompaniment ranges from a jazz trio to a full big band with a repertoire that includes the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, contemporary standards, blues and originals.

Ms. Henry has captivated audiences in over 15 countries, headlining at venues in New York, Tokyo, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Shanghai, San Francisco and Miami - including over 30 music festivals and in some of the world’s most famous venues.

Such venues include: Blue Note; Jazz at Lincoln Center; Blues Alley; Arsht Center; Feinstein’s; Madrid Jazz Festival; Regattabar; Catalina Jazz, L.A.; The Royal Room, Palm Beach; Jazz Aspen/Snowmass Festival; Green Mill; Jazz Kitchen and many more!

“The obvious forerunner to Ms. Henry…is the younger Natalie Cole, to whose style she adds a coating of brass.”
  -  The New York Times

"...this generation's First Lady of Jazz. She is the genuine article, the dream at last come true…
  - The Huffington Post

“…a paragon of perfection…the vocal love child of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan.”
  - Miami Herald

“...a pop, soul superwoman.”
  - The New York Times

Virtuoso Guitarist and Mack Avenue Recording Artist back at Nighttown for 2 Big Shows!

In a career that took flight with immediate commercial success and critical acclaim, guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan has consistently displayed a chameleonic musical persona of openness, imagination, versatility and maverick daring. Be it bold reinventions of classical masterpieces or soulful explorations through pop-rock hits, to blazing straight ahead jazz forays and ultramodern improvisational works—solo or with a group—Jordan can always be counted on to take listeners on breathless journeys into the unexpected.

Key to Jordan’s fast-track acclaim was his mastery of a special technique on the guitar’s fretboard. Instead of conventional strumming and picking, Jordan's innovative "touch technique" is an advanced form of two-handed tapping. While a handful of other players were using similar techniques, Stanley’s fluid, multi-layered textures and sheer virtuosity raised the bar for excellence.

But his technique, though impressive, is always a means to a musical end. His music is imbued with a warmth and sensitivity that has captured the imagination of listeners worldwide. A classically trained pianist before playing guitar, Jordan wanted greater freedom in voicing chords on his guitar, so he applied piano principles to do so. Jordan's touch technique allows the guitarist to play melody and chords simultaneously with an unprecedented level of independence. It also allows Jordan to play simultaneously on two different guitars, or even on guitar and piano. He says that “I think of it as a single instrument, but one with a wide range of tonal colors—that’s why I do it.”

To date Jordan has performed in over 60 countries on 6 continents. He has performed at many festivals, including the Kool Jazz Festival, the Concord Jazz Festival, and the Montreaux International Jazz Festival. During the 1980s he collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including performances with Art Blakey and Richie Cole and recordings with Stanley Clarke and Kenny Rogers. T

Jordan has received four Grammy nominations. His most recent album "Friends" was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

Jordan came to prominence with the release of his 1985 album Magic Touch, a revolutionary project that placed him at the forefront of re-launching legendary Blue Note Records into a contemporary entity in jazz and beyond, as also established the then-twenty-something Jordan as among the most distinctive and refreshing new voices of the electric guitar.

In 2007 Jordan signed with Mack Avenue Records and released State of Nature in 2008 and Friends in 2011. For Friends, he invited musical guests including guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli, Mike Stern, Russell Malone and Charlie Hunter; violinist Regina Carter; saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Ronnie Laws; trumpeter Nicholas Payton; bassists Christian McBride and Charnett Moffett; and drummer Kenwood Dennard.

Jordan has maintained an extensive and consistent international touring schedule. In between tour stops he is now at work on his next highly anticipated album from Mack Avenue Records, for release next year.

APOLLO’S FIRE 25th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL

CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH & PANEL DISCUSSION

Don Rosenberg, moderator
with
Jeannette Sorrell, Thomas Forrest Kelly, and AF principal players.

$35 cover charge includes a glass of champagne.

What’s it like to play the Fifth Symphony on the instruments that Beethoven actually intended?  No violin chinrests, no cello end-pins, gut strings that bring beauty and transparency, colorful woodwinds with very few keys… and those crazy, fast metronome markings that Beethoven marked in his scores….  Nationally respected music critic Don Rosenberg, now editor of Early Music America Magazine, moderates this lively discussion with Jeannette Sorrell, visiting scholar Thomas Forrest Kelly, and AF principal players.  Enjoy brunch on your own tab, and a complimentary glass of champagne!

From Azerbaijan! World Class pianist and her Quintet back at Nighttown!

Azerbaijan-born, globe-trotting composer and pianist Amina Figarova introduces ten colorful, compelling new compositions performed by her touring sextet plus guests on Blue Whisper, her 13th album since her 1994 debut Attraction.

Figarova's deeply personal, highly evocative responses to social turmoil, distinctive personalities she's encountered and universal transitions of life inform the music on Blue Whisper. Moods range from the haunting beauty of the titular track "Blue Whisper," as well as "Moonrise" and "Hewa" (featuring lyrics in Swahili by Sarah Elizabeth Charles) to the straight-ahead momentum of "Moving Forward," "The Hustler" and "The Traveler," to the sophisticated playfulness of "Pictures," "Marians" and "Juno." In "Hear My Voice," over a martial beat and sorrowful, resolute horn choir, an eight-year-old girl earnestly urges an end to violence world-wide and, with laughter, a request to "Let kids be kids."

Throughout all tracks, Amina's classically founded touch, her lilting melodies, luminous harmonies, often understated yet always propulsive rhythms and star soloists come together with immaculate sophistication. Trumpeters Ernie Hammes and Alex Pope Norris, saxophonists Wayne Escoffery and Marc Mommaas, bassists Luques Curtis and Yasushi Nakamura, drummer Jason Brown, flutist Bart Platteau -- Figarova's partner and husband of nearly 25 years – and electric guitarist Anthony Wilson (on "Pictures") are featured advantageously in spontaneous, creative engagement with her compositional themes and intentions.

Amina Figarova was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and as a child studied to be a classical concert pianist. In the late 1980s she entered Rotterdam Conservatory to pursue jazz, coming to the United State in 1989 to complete her formal education at Boston's Berklee College of Music (where she met Platteau, a fellow student from Belgium). In 1998 they were invited to the Thelonious Monk Institute's summer jazz colony in Aspen, and after more than a decade of bookings in major U.S. jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals, the couple gained legal immigrant status in 2014. They currently live in Manhattan, and tour constantly.

The compositions "Pictures" and "The Traveler" were commissioned by Jazz from Lincoln Center for its 2014-15 New Jazz Standards series. Blue Whisper is Figarova's second album, after Twelve, on In + Out Records, an independent label based in Freiberg, Germany.

Next Generations of Broadway Stars takes the stage at Nighttown!

“Broadway Golden Standards” + Senior Showcase

See the best of Broadway to come in this “double bill” performance by students in Baldwin Wallace University’s renowned Music Theatre program. Hear sophomore students deliver much-loved excerpts from some of Broadway’s golden age musicals including She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls and Carousel. Next up, the musical theatre seniors – BW’s Broadway stars of tomorrow – will perform their senior showcase, a dynamic non-stop production that was shared with Broadway casting directors and agents in New York City.

Don’t miss this unforgettable, dual performance, now on sale at Nighttown.

North Coast Singer/Songwriter debuts music from his new CD live at Nighttown!

For over 25 years, Charlie Mosbrook has been performing original and traditional folk music. Based in Cleveland, he has played a significant role in promoting and preserving the folk music tradition. Locally this work is best recognized in the many open mics he has coordinated through the years as well as Folknet, an organization he currently serves as president. Nationally Charlie has presented many workshops and concerts on the life and legacy of Woody Guthrie, most notably during the 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum program called Hard Travelin’: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie. Charlie also serves as the Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference workshop coordinator.

Charlie has been recognized by FolkAlley.com as its featured artist of the month in 2012,  was voted the best singer songwriter in a Scene Magazine Best of Cleveland readers poll, and had the CD of the week on the WFMT Chicago nationally syndicated radio show the Midnight Special His last two CDs are current nominees for the best traditional folk album by Just Plain Folks music awards.

His latest project Hear Me Callin’: A Collection of American Folksongs is a full-length CD featuring including selections by Woody Guthrie, Ledbelly, Robert Johnson, Elizabeth Cotton and others. The musical foundation of the recording features guitar, dulcimer, and mandolin. David Krauss contributes harmonica. Kate Kooser and XeLa provide additional vocals. On May 2nd of 2017, Nighttown in Cleveland Heights will present a special concert to commemorate the release of the new disc.

"There’s a familiar comfortable feeling that comes over you when you listen to the music of Charlie Mosbrook. The guy has a rich, worldly voice that sounds like it was broken in slowly, like a well-loved instrument."
 - No Depression
 
A Time Long Gone (Charlie Mosbrook)
The lead track “Up Among the Stars” leaps right out and invites you to settle in for more. The rest of album makes it a welcome invitation indeed.
 - Kelly Walker Sundilla Music

Cleveland Sax Legend debuts new Music inspired by midnight revelations!

Featuring:  Ernie Krida-sax, Erin Kufel-vocals, Joe Hunter-piano, Brent Hamker-guitar, Charise Grimes-bass, & Ricky Exton-drums.

Frank Sinatra once said "The Most interesting part of life happens after Midnight"

Music From The Other Side Of Midnight is presented in the original compositions of Ernie Krivda and is inspired by both the revelry and the reflection that live in the middle of the night.

The critically acclaimed recording artist and Cleveland Arts Prize Winner brings his legendary tenor saxophone and handpicked ensemble into The Nightown to perform some of his newest instrumental and vocal compositions.Inspired by the reflection and revelry he found in the middle of the night, Krivda's music brings together far reaching  influences to tell jazz stories that are uniquely his own.

On stage with the legendary saxophonist/composer will be a group of musicians that span the generations. Storied pianist Joe Hunter will be joined by young Veteran drummer Ricky Exton, young lion Guitarist Brent Hamker and up and coming young lioness electric bassist Charise Grimes.Rounding out the ensemble will be fan favorite vocalist Erin Kufel who will sing Krivda''s new vocal music.....!

Cinco De Mayo Celebration with Great Lakes leading Latin Jazz Group!

Featuring: Sammy DeLeon-timbales & vocals, Jackie Warren-piano, Nelson Orta-percussion,
 Jose 'Cheo" Hernandez-bass, Dick Ingersoll-sax, & Scott McKee-trumpet.

Sammy DeLeon a master timbales player has shared his talent far and wide.  He has appeared in New York, Chicago, Miami, San Juan and points in between.  He is the undisputed leader in latin music in the Ohio area.  Formerly the musical director of Impacto Nuevo, Sammy has been leading his own group since 1996. Equally adept in latin jazz, salsa and merengue, Sammy and his Orchestra make it hard for an audience to sit still. DeLeon has shared the stage with many stars of latin jazz.

He opened up for the late Tito Puente several times in Cleveland and New York City and was a favorite of the late master.  Sammy has collaborated with many of the leading latin musicians throughout the world. They include Humberto Ramirez, Tony Vega, El Gran Combo, and Tito Rojas.  Latin music has enjoyed a great revival in Northeast Ohio thanks to the leadership of Sammy DeLeon and his dynamic Orchestra.

Jackie Warren is one of the most in demand and prolific jazz artists working in the Great Lakes region. On any given night she can be found playing solo, leading her trio, or she may be heard as the featured soloist and arranger for Sammy DeLeon's Salsa and Latin-Jazz ensemble.

Jackie is also a professor of music at Tri-C and has several private students. Jackie gets calls constantly from vocalists who want her to back them, and she is frequently called on to guest with national artists. In the past few years Jackie has performed with David "Fathead" Newman, Bobby Watson, Jane Bunnett, and Gerald Wilson. Her arrangements can be heard on Sammy DeLeon's new CD, and recently she recorded a session in collaboration with the legendary producer Tommy LiPuma.

North Coast's Premier Contemporary Jazz Group back on stage at Nighttown!

Featuring: Lem Adams-vibes, Gary Stevenson-bass, Alphonso McDuffie-keyboards, Riley Richards-sax, & Gene Butler-drums.

Forecast is the leading contemporary jazz group in the Northeast Ohio area. Founding members Lem Adams on vibes and Gary Stephenson on electric bass have been entertaining Ohio audiences for over 20 years. The current Forecast lineup includes Jermaine Lockhart on sax, Dave Crawford on keyboards, Kevin Byas on guitar, and Gene Butler on drums.

Forecast has shared the stage with many of the top names in contemporary jazz including Stanley Turrentine, Roy Ayers, The Crusaders, Bob James, Pieces of a Dream, and several others. They have won numerous awards and competitions over the years and have been the house band at The Q for Cleveland Cavs games.

Exciting Cleveland Area Wind Ensemble presents new and traditional Classical Chamber Music live on Nighttown Stage!

Featuring: Areleigh Savage-Bassoon, Ben Chen-Clarinet, Emily Rapson-French Horn, Mary Kausek-Oboe, & Madeline Lucas-Flute.

Join North Coast Winds (NCW) on Sunday, May 7th for an unforgettable evening of Latin-American tangos, waltzes, and choros! Experience the wind quintet as you’ve never imagined it before as NCW unearths rarely-heard works by composers including Medaglia, Aguila, and 2016 Night Town artist & jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera. Alongside special guest artists Dean Zhang and Cleveland Orchestra English hornist Rob Walters, help NCW turn up the summer heat with our brand new program of sizzling sounds and toe-tapping tunes!

From the shores of Lake Erie, the North Coast Winds (NCW) has emerged as a dynamic player in the cultural and educational fabric of Northeast Ohio and beyond. Formed by five alumni of the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2013, NCW’s commitment to inspired music-making, memorable educational programming, and connecting with the broadest possible audiences has led the group across the United States in performances and residences. Awarded second prize at the Yellow Springs Competition for Emerging Professional Ensembles, NCW has delighted listeners in beautiful concert halls, gardens, libraries, hospitals, museums, historic homes and hotels, and on the radio. Its highly accomplished and versatile members also perform with orchestras throughout the region, including The Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Pops and Opera Theater Orchestras, Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet, Buffalo and Erie Philharmonics, CityMusic Cleveland, and the Akron, Canton, Firelands, Wheeling, and Youngstown Symphonies, and are routinely invited to the world’s most selective summer festivals, such as Tanglewood Music Center, Sarasota Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, and Pacific Music Festival.

NCW is distinguished by its dedication to accessibility and advocacy for the wind quintet. Specializing in customized educational programs, the ensemble prides itself on its ability to design and deliver adaptive, engaging presentations covering a wide spectrum of topics for all age groups. After implementing dozens of outreach offerings at schools and organizations all over Cleveland, NCW founded its own chamber music camp in 2015 while raising significant scholarship funds to enable every qualified student to attend. 2015 also saw a weeklong residency in Sitka, Alaska, where the group introduced hundreds of people in both educational and recital settings to its instruments, skills, and signature brand of musical story- telling. With its burgeoning profile, the quintet maintains strong roots in its home community of Cleveland as it seeks to share its passion of playing together with an ever-expanding audience.

Next Generation of North Coast Jazzers hits the stage at Nighttown!  Under the musical Direction of Brett Baker.

Contemporary Jazz Saxophone Stars and their Group light up the Stage at Nighttown!

SAX and The City is a smooth contemporary jazz concert featuring saxophonist's Marion Meadows, and Paul Taylor with home grown favorites Will and Lamar Gaines.

From start to finish, the SAX and the City show has a sound vibe that will satisfy music lovers who are seeking solid urban adult contemporary music. The awesome smoothness of Paul Taylor, together with the east coast funk of Marion Meadows is a must hear and see!  This Dynamic Duo is all the buzz on the contemporary jazz scene. Critics and fans alike are raving about the eclectic yet hot sounds of "SAX AND THE CITY" From the Capital Jazz fest to Newport and Catalina and AZ Jazz Fest—and now Cleveland! “SAX AND THE CITY” rocks the house.

Meadows was born in West Virginia and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. He began playing the clarinet and studying classical music at the age of nine. He started playing tenor sax in high school, and then migrated to soprano sax.

His passion for various types of music led him down an eclectic musical path. He was intrigued by the styles of jazz musicians, like Stanley Turrentine, Sidney Bichet, Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Dexter Gordon, Cannonball Adderley, Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Fortune, Joe Henderson, Grover Washington and many others. After studying jazz at Rippowam High School in Stamford, CT with Anthony Truglia, Meadows attended Berklee College of Music. There he majored in arranging and composition. He later went to the SUNY Purchase School for the Arts. During his college years he played in a number of bands including disco, R&B and various jazz ensmbles. I got a lot of sideman jobs in college, and I have always said I got my real graduate degree playing clubs, says Meadows, who perfected his craft studying with Sonny Fortune, Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman and Eddie Daniels.

“Not long after I finished school, (drummer) Norman Connors recorded one of my songs, “Invitation” and then asked me to join his band. I later produced his Passion album with my colleague Jacques Burvick (Aquarium Dream) . Things just fell into place. Meadows first hit the airwaves in 1991 with “For Lovers Only”.

The experience put him on the road to his eventual success. Meadows hooked up with numerous artists and musicians and became a well known sideman in his own right, recording or performing over the years with Brook Benton, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Hyman, Jean Carne, The Temptations, Michael Bolton, Angela Bofill, Will Downing , Bob Baldwin, Chuck Loeb, John Lee, among many others.

In 1990 Meadows submitted a solo project to Steve Backer at Novus/RCA and was signed to a recording contract, thus marking the beginning of his solo career. Meadows’ first RCA release “For Lover’s Only” was a huge success and was followed by his ground breaking “Keep it Right There” album. He became a staple of the contemporary jazz format with his subsequent recordings, which include Body Rhythm (1994) and Forbidden Fruit (1996), Passion (1997), Another Side Of Midnight (1999), Next To You (2000), In Deep (2002), Players Club (2004), Dressed To Chill (2006), Secrets (2009) Whisper (2013) and Soul Traveler his current release on the New York based Shanachie Label.

Vocalist, pianist, and singer/Songwriter leads All-Star NE Ohio Group Live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Rachel Brown-vocals & piano, Dave Huddleston-guitar, Bill Watson-bass, & Roy King-drums.

Rachel has opened for many top artists including  Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Peter Cooper & Eric Brace, Nathan Bell,  Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Mead, Phil Lee, Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Vern Gosdin, Clint Black , Alan Jackson, Aaron Tippin, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley,Richie Furay, Donna the Buffalo, The Carpenter Ants, Little Jimmy Dickens, Southern Pacific, Ricky Scaggs, David Jacobs Strain  and The Judds. Rachel is also a music teacher for the Elyria City School District.

Bill Watson has had an extensive and successful career out of performing music for many years. Currently, you can also find Bill playing with "The Numbers Band" (since 1990), "Hillbilly Idol" (since 1990), "Alex Bevan" (since 1988) and "Clearfork" (since 1990). Some of you may remember seeing Bill perform with "The Damn Band" (1991), "Reckless Abandon" (1987), "Mimi Hart & The Bopkats" (1984-86), "Deadly Ernest & The Honky Tonk Heroes" (1981-84), "Gopher Broke Swing Band" (1977-1981), "Smackinrrouge" and "Better 'n Bacon Band" (pre 1977).

Roy King has had the pleasure of performing with living legends like Mose Allison, Bucky Pizzerelli, Eddie Bo, Johnny Gimble and Jay McShann to great local heroes such as Alex Bevan, the Gopher Broke Swing Band, pianists Mike Petrone and Joe Hunter. Roy currently teaches drums and percussion at Woodsys Music in Kent and Medina, as well as leading his own jazz trio which plays at Nighttown in Cleveland, Ohio.  "I always wanted to be a beatnik and a playboy.", says Roy. " Now I can be both!"

Dave Huddleston is a lifelong student and lover of music. He is known locally as a vocalist, guitarist, and bassist. Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Cleveland, Dave grew up in a musical family and was exposed to a variety of music genres -- from Saturday Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts, to Broadway musicals played on the family hi-fi, to pop tunes squeezed out of a tiny transistor radio tuned to WIXY 1260-AM. His influences are all over the map -- Bach, Artie Shaw, Elvis, the Temptations, the Beatles, Ella, 1960s TV themes, Gaetano Veloso, Chaka Khan, U2, the Bee Gees, the Isley Brothers, Frankie Valli, Ennio Morricone, Buck Owens. Dave sees every song and every gig as a chance for exciting explorations, always with an element of surprise.

Dynamic North Coast Soul Singer/Songwriter and his group hit the Stage at Nighttown!

Myron Davis has written hits songs for Dru Hill, and collaborated with Ron Isley, Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndgeocello, Kelly Price, Conya Doss, and many others!

Cleveland native, artist and producer, Myron Davis' soul sound has been heard on hundreds of records all of the world. His 1998 debut CD project "Destiny" has sold more than 1 million records and his song writing is featured on the platinum hit single "Tell Me" by R&B quartet, Dru Hill. Myron has collaborated with Meshell Ndegeocello and Robert Glasper as well as Ron Isley, Kelly Price and Conya Doss. With three solo projects of his own and several other music projects he has produced, Myron continues to influence the culture and leave a legacy of soul for generations to come.

From Dallas, Texas!
Dynamic Pianist and Keyboard player as featured with Snarky Puppy & Kirk Franklin, makes his Cleveland debut at Nighttown leading his 6 Pc. Group!

Shaun Martin has been playing, creating, and collaborating for most of his life, yet his contributions go much further than just playing. When you move through the projects that Shaun has been a part of you can feel his style and influence; you can sense his presence throughout the compositions. Shaun’s willingness and ability to be a subtle part of each band have allowed him be part of the very foundation.

#1 on iTunes Jazz Chart - June 2015

  Seven time Grammy Winner, including:

    2007 Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, with Kirk Franklin (Hero)
    2009 Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, with Kirk Franklin (Fight of My Life)
    2012 Best Gospel Album, with Kirk Franklin (Hello Fear)
    2012 Best Gospel Song, with Kirk Franklin (Hello Fear)
    2014 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway (Something)
    2016 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, as member of Snarky Puppy (Sylva)
    2017 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, as member of Snarky Puppy (Culcha Vulcha)

His debut release, Seven Summers, is the record that you would expect when a seasoned player with roots in several genres takes the time to let the music unfold. It spans the musical map from jazz to soul to hip hop with a casual touch of fusion. 

Next Generation of Jazz Musicians from US live on Nighttown's side patio!

From Dallas, Texas!
Dynamic Pianist and Keyboard player as featured with Snarky Puppy & Kirk Franklin, makes his Cleveland debut at Nighttown leading his 6 Pc. Group!

Shaun Martin has been playing, creating, and collaborating for most of his life, yet his contributions go much further than just playing. When you move through the projects that Shaun has been a part of you can feel his style and influence; you can sense his presence throughout the compositions. Shaun’s willingness and ability to be a subtle part of each band have allowed him be part of the very foundation.

#1 on iTunes Jazz Chart - June 2015

  Seven time Grammy Winner, including:

    2007 Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, with Kirk Franklin (Hero)
    2009 Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, with Kirk Franklin (Fight of My Life)
    2012 Best Gospel Album, with Kirk Franklin (Hello Fear)
    2012 Best Gospel Song, with Kirk Franklin (Hello Fear)
    2014 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway (Something)
    2016 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, as member of Snarky Puppy (Sylva)
    2017 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, as member of Snarky Puppy (Culcha Vulcha)

His debut release, Seven Summers, is the record that you would expect when a seasoned player with roots in several genres takes the time to let the music unfold. It spans the musical map from jazz to soul to hip hop with a casual touch of fusion. 

Jazz Pianist extraordinaire and Concord Recording Artist leads his Trio live at Nighttown.

Featuring: Gerald Clayton-piano, Joe Sanders-acoustic bass, & Kendrick Scott-drums.

Gerald Clayton searches for honest expression in every note he plays. With harmonic curiosity and critical awareness, he develops musical narratives that unfold as a result of both deliberate searching and chance uncovering. The four-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer formally began his musical journey at the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he received the 2002 Presidential Scholar of the Arts Award. Continuing his scholarly pursuits, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance at USC’s Thornton School of Music under the instruction of piano icon Billy Childs, after a year of intensive study with NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron at The Manhattan School of Music. Clayton won second place in the 2006 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Piano Competition.

Expansion has become part of Clayton’s artistic identity. His music is a celebration of the inherent differences in musical perspectives that promote true artistic synergy. Inclusive sensibilities have allowed him to perform and record with such distinctive artists as Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dayna Stephens, Kendrick Scott, John Scofield Ben Williams, Terell Stafford & Dick Oatts, Michael Rodriguez, Terri Lyne Carrington, Avishai Cohen, Peter Bernstein and the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Clayton also has enjoyed an extended association since early 2013, touring and recording with saxophone legend Charles Lloyd.

2016 marks his second year as Musical Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour, a project that has featured his trio along with Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard and Raul Midón on guitar and vocals.

Clayton’s discography as a leader reflects his evolution as an artist. His debut recording, Two Shade (ArtistShare), earned a 2010 GRAMMY nomination for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for his arrangement of Cole Porter’s “All of You.” “Battle Circle,” his composition featured on The Clayton Brothers’ recording The New Song and Dance (ArtistShare), received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Composition in 2011. He received 2012 and 2013 GRAMMY nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Bond: The Paris Sessions (Concord) and Life Forum (Concord), his second and third album releases.

Capturing the truth in each moment’s conception of sound comes naturally to Clayton. The son of beloved bass player and composer John Clayton, he enjoyed a familial apprenticeship from an early age. Clayton honors the legacy of his father and all his musical ancestors through a commitment to artistic exploration, innovation, and reinvention.

In the 2016-17 year, Clayton turns his imaginative curiosity toward uncovering the essence of the Piedmont Blues experience and expression in early twentieth century Durham. A Duke University commission, Clayton’s evening-length composition will explore a mixed media performance that features some of the most resonating voices in contemporary music.

From Belgrade, Serbia!  On Nighttown's back patio.

TRIO BALKAN STRINGS (Zoran Starcevic & sons) performs its original guitar music, a fusion of Balkan music: Serbian, Gypsy, Macedonian, Romanian, Moldavian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mediterranean, Greek, Oriental…Jazz, Gypsy Swing, Classical music, asymmetrical rhythms and original guitar interpretation. The result, combining many cultures, is BALKAN SWING - JAZZ GUITAR - ETHNO - WORLD FUSION, virtuoso, rich and unconventional, fresh and spontaneous, brimming with energy!

" Trio Balkan Strings dedication to the music of the Balkans and central Europe is inspiring. The guitar interpretations of this music are wonderful. Really good !!! "
-  John McLaughlin

Authentic, attractive music with the finest taste, real presentation of guitar music in Balkan Jazz style, unique interpretation from three of them and the universal music language, without frontiers.  A real music trip by Balkan carpet, so if you like Jazz, Swing, Ethno, Classical, or you simply like guitar music, it is your perfect choice.

They invented 6 hands playing on 1 guitar and that is their trademark. They have performed in many Festivals (Jazz, Classical Guitar, World music) and concerts in: USA, Canada, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Moldova, Slovakia, Chech Republic, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, UK, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. They did master classes-clinics and concerts for classical and Jazz guitar students in Europe and in the USA.      

FIRST PRIZE WINNER in the World category of the 2005 USA Songwriting Competition with composition Water-mill written by Nikola Starcevic and performed by Trio Balkan Strings.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER - Trio Balkan Strings won first prize and the Dolphin statue for being the best instrumental ensemble on the Music World 2004 Italy Festival Internacionale Fivizzano.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER - of the JoAnn Falletta International Composition Competition for Guitar 2007 Buffalo, New York (Asiana IV written by Nikola Starcevic).

Next Generation of Vocalist from HB hit the stage at Nighttown!

Hathaway Brown School Vocal Arts Department offers a class called Solo Voice.  This class for high school age female vocalists explores a singer’s performance with songs in various styles of jazz, contemporary music, music for theatre, and original work, emphasizing communication with the audience, working with an accompanist or band, song arranging and material selection. Dynamics of vocal interpretation and style are also examined.  This evening of jazz and contemporary song is the culminating experience of the course.  Come out and see the newest talent Cleveland has to offer.

Exciting North Coast Jazz Vocalist hits the stage at Nighttown!

Featuring: Debbie Darling-vocals, Jake Briggs-piano, Toussaint English-bass, & Nick Bruschi-drums.

Debbie Darling is a singer/songwriter who has performed a wide variety of musical styles from opera to jazz to blues and everything in between. She studied voice with David Blair, the vocal coach for The Metropolitan Opera. She’s provided her vocal talents for small bands, large orchestras and commercial voice overs. She's sung with Stanley Turrentine, The Peter Duchin Band, The Tommy Dorsey Band, and more. She returns to Nighttown to perform jazz, blues and standards with the Jake Briggs Trio. You won’t want to miss this show. Debbie is the consummate performer.

Jake Briggs has a Bachelors of Music in Music theory and Composition. He is a Music Director at Independence Presbyterian Church and teaches at the Music Therapy Enrichment Center in Westlake. Jake has played with the College of Wooster Jazz Band, The Wooster Symphony Orchestra, and The College of Wooster Symphonic Band. He has self-published several CDs and many works for piano, guitar, and choir. Jake plays several instruments but with his trio he plays piano. Along with Toussaint English on Bass and Nick Bruschi on Drums, they make up the Jake Briggs Trio and they are delighted to be backing Debbie Darling for this evening of jazz and standards.

Alto Madness with Sax Legend Richie Cole, & with special guest Master Drummer Greg Bandy Live on the Nighttown Stage!

Featuring:  Richie Cole-alto sax, Greg Bandy-drums, Jackie Warren-piano, & Peter Dominguez-acoustic bass.

Richie Cole started playing alto saxophone when he was 10 years old in his home town of Trenton, New Jersey. Influenced by Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker, Cole’s talent and dedication won him a full scholarship from Downbeat Magazine to the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

His professional career began in 1969 when he joined the Buddy Rich Big Band. And after stints with the Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Doc Severinsen Big Band, Cole formed his own quintet and toured worldwide, doing a great deal to popularize bebop and his own “Alto Madness” style in the 70’s and early 80’s.

Cole has performed and recorded with the great vocalese artist Eddie Jefferson, the Manhattan Transfer, Bobby Enriquez, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Tom Waits, Boots Randolph, and Nancy Wilson, to name just a few of his musical collaborations.  Notably, Cole has performed at the Village Vanguard and Carnegie Hall as well as gave a command performance for the Queen of England.

Cole has recorded over 50 albums and CDs, including his top hit album “Hollywood Madness” (1979 Muse Records) and his tribute album to Leonard Bernstein, “Richie Cole Plays West Side Story” (1997 Music Masters Jazz). A prolific composer, Cole also finds time to arrange for full big bands, symphony orchestras and frequent performances at jazz festivals worldwide. Moreover, he enjoys sharing his love of music with younger generations and is active recording, touring and presenting university master classes.

Cole was appointed to the Board of the National Jazz Service Organization and the Board for the National Endowment for the Arts where he served as chairman for one year. He is also a charter member of the International Association of Jazz Educators. In 2005 he was awarded the State of California Congressional Certificate of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz on behalf of the Temecula Jazz Society. Richie Cole is recognized worldwide for the sweet sounds of his alto saxophone and the creativity behind his Alto Madness Orchestra.

The Alto Madness Orchestra was developed by Cole in the early 90's and its continuing popularity is proof of its uniqueness. As Richie explains, "The idea of the Orchestra is the concept and sound of an eighteen-piece big band using only seven instruments, four of which are horns. Not only does this have the big band ensemble sound, it also allows us plenty of room for improvisation as if we were in a quartet setting."

Now based in New York City, drummer Greg Bandy is a perennial favorite  in the Cleveland area and also enjoys an international reputation.  Bandy has toured with several major jazz artists including Pharoah  Sanders, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, and Olu Dara.  Additionally he  has lead his own groups extensively.  He has taken his groups far and  wide, making appearances throughout North America, Europe, and in such  far away destinations as Japan and Ghana, Africa.

Top Flight North Coast Vocalists Barbara Barrett & John Morton live on Nighttown Stage!

Featuring: Barbara Barrett-vocals, John Morton-vocals, Ed Ridley-piano, Aidan Plank-acoustic bass, & Elijah Gilmore-drums.

Presented in Association with Quad City Productions.

Along with generous vocal range, Barbara Barrett's song styling is supported by early training in music theory, flute, piano, and voice. Starting with piano at a young age, she progressed to and continued with music theory, and flute, finally finding her love of vocals at the age of thirteen. Barbara went all the way to receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. After graduation, her love for  European classical music afforded her success with The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and The Blossom Festival Chorus, including performances at Carnegie Hall, and in Chautauqua, New York.

When Karamu House presented Scott Joplin's opera "Treemonisha", Barbara was given the lead role of Monisha, and won the 2000-2001 Actor's Guild Award for Best Female Vocalist. As a solo artist over the last several years, she has focused mainly on jazz standards, but has included generous portions of blues, soul, gospel, and R&B, which gives her renditions of the standards, fresh creativity without compromising the classic nature of the songs.

John Morton has been one of the most dynamic in-demand vocalists in Northeast Ohio ever since he played his first professional gig nearly 40 years ago. His warm husky baritone is immediately recognizable to musicians and audiences alike. Rich and round, full of life, subtle when necessary, aggressive at the drop of a drumstick, his voice has been polished and matured through thousands of performances.

He began singing in his father’s gospel choir when he was just five years old. The same neighborhood produced the ever popular vocalist James Ingram, who was a childhood friend. That gospel upbringing, that fervent style that only church singing can inspire has stayed with him ever since. That was his training ground.

After a long and storied apprenticeship in Ohio John left for California. While out West John sang with Montuno St., a widely renowned California Salsa band. He also associated with the Yellowjackets, the Pete Escavedo Orchestra, and Tower of Power. He polished his voice some more strengthened it and became ‘the man’ in front of the band.

Since returning to Northeast Ohio to be with family John has been extremely busy. His incredible talent has been highly in demand.

North Coast Folk, Pop, and more from Winslow Road, Shaker Hts., Ohio!

Featuring: Laura Webster-vocals; Jim Carr-guitar & vocals; Nikki Custy-violin & vocals; Tom Abersold-sax

Vocalist and Professor of Music at Hathaway Brown Laura Webster sings standards, show and pop tunes, jazz, and more

Featuring: Laura Webster-vocals, Jim Carr-guitar & vocals, Nikki Custy-violin, & Tom Abersold-sax.

Webster, Carr, Custy & Abersold are excited to be back at Nighttown! The group performs a unique mix of jazz, folk, rock and world music.  With Laura Webster and Jim Carr on guitar & vocals, Nikki Custy on vocals, fiddle and djembe, and Tom Abersold on sax and flute, the quartet balances lyric acoustic sounds with rousing fiddle tunes and cool, rhythmic, Latin flavors.
 
WCCA revel in fusing their individual roots in jazz, Celtic, folk, rock, and Latin music into a dynamic musical tapestry. Laura Webster, vocalist, has performed at jazz clubs in NYC and Cleveland, and is vocal arts director at Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Hts. Jim Carr, guitarist/vocalist, has performed at a wide range of venues throughout Cleveland and Boston, and is music director at Church of St. Dominic in Shaker Hts. and guitar professor at John Carroll University. Nikki Custy, violin/vocals/djembe, honed her fiddle skills in the pubs of County Clare, Ireland, and is in demand as a master fiddler with numerous Celtic bands throughout the area. Tom Abersold, sax/flute, developed his style and skills working with big bands, jazz, rock, blues and acoustic groups throughout the Cleveland area.

Legendary Fusion Master Jeff Lorber leads All-Star Group at Nighttown!

Featuring: Jeff Lorber-piano & keys, Jimmy Haslip-bass, & Gary Novak-drums.

Trailblazing pianist, composer, producer and bandleader Jeff Lorber is a consummate artist who continues to push himself to new plateaus. A groundbreaking Fender Rhodes pioneer along with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and Bob James, Lorber has triumphed as one of the most innovative musical minds in contemporary jazz. The multi Grammy-nominated pianist’s newest CD is a sterling example of his expansive musical roots, masterfully crafted harmonic and melodic sophistication, irresistible finger-poppin’ grooves and intricate rhythmic sense. “I came up with the name Prototype because we are always trying to up our game and come up with new exciting music that could be a prototype or innovative harbinger for the future of our musical style,” says the LA based pianist. Lorber, a Berklee College of Music alum who formerly majored in Chemistry at Boston College goes full throttle on Prototype, orchestrating like an alchemist in the lab concocting a majestic elixir of jazz, soul, funk, pop, R&B and gospel.

Prototype features longtime collaborators – bassist Jimmy Haslip (founding member of The Yellowjackets) and drummer Gary Novak. “From a production standpoint Jimmy adds a ‘big picture’ element. He contributes a lot with his warm bass sound and on the road he is without a doubt one of the finest soloists out there on his instrument.” Lorber adds, “Gary’s very versatile, imaginative, super solid and gets a great sound. He really shines playing over the funky polyrhythmic grooves we record.”

Jeff Lorber’s Fusion came to life in the 70s when the pianist attended Berklee College of Music. “I was listening to Miles Davis and Bitches Brew and the beginning of great fusion bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report and Return to Forever,” reflects Lorber. “There were also artists like Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders and Grover Washington, who pioneered a more melodic and funky type of sound. Not to mention the fantastic music being made in R&B and pop music like Earth Wind and Fire and Tower of Power.” Lorber envisioned Jeff Lorber Fusion a second generation to these fusion bands that were more R&B and melody oriented. A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line of modern jazz pianists since 1945. “Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influences but I had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired by,” says Lorber. “Some of these icons that come to mind are Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner and Bud Powell.” He adds, “I also can’t forget all of the pianists who played with Miles Davis such as Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flanagan and Horace Silver.”

Bossa Nova, Samba, and more from Brazilian Vocalist and Guitarist Moises Borges with West Coast Saxophonist & Cleveland Native Joshua Smith.  Echoes of Getz/Gilberto on Nighttown's Stege!

Moises Borges a native of Brazil now living in Cleveland has become a prolific performer one the Northeast Ohio scene in recent years.  A gifted vocalist and guitarist, Borges plays in the Bossa Nova tradition interpreting classics by Jobim, Gilberto, and many others.  This far away from his native Brazil the music of his homeland is very much alive when he is on stage.

Joshua Smith is a saxophonist/multi instrumentalist residing in the San Francisco Bay area. He has been performing for the past 20 years with a wide array of notable jazz and creative musicians, beginning in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

Joshua has performed in the straight-ahead jazz realm for the past 20 years. His current sidemen are the best of the San Francisco Bay Area, and he has played countless concerts and private events in the straight-ahead arena. Growing up, Smith began gigging at a very early age with older jazzmen of his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio... He was a member of "Greg Bandy's Young Lions'" and studied under saxophone iconoclast Ernie Krivda.

Joshua has since made his mark in the arena of avant-garde jazz and forward thinking jazz through performing with players like Joe Maneri, Cuong Vu, (of The Pat Metheny Group), Chris Jonas, trumpet legend Nate Wooley, Trevor Dunn, Todd Sickafoose, Myra Melford, Ben Goldberg,Carmen Castaldi,  and drummer Scott Amendola in addition to many other notable players...

Additionally, he's performed with funk drumming legend Clyde Stubblefield, toured as a member of The Youngblood Brass Band, and bluegrass legend Peter Rowan...

He's been a member of The Scott Amendola Quartet for the last five years, having performed with guitar luminary Nels Cline, at John Zorn's NYC venue, The Stone.

In 2010 he acted as music director and contributing composer to the "Leave Me Alone" opera, an avant grade jazz opera written by Smith's good friend Harvey Pekar, at Oberlin College.

Rapidly rising Pianist from Christian McBride's Trio debuts music from his brand new Concord Records CD live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Christian Sands-piano, Yasushi Nakamura-acoustic bass, & Jerome Jennings-drums.

Steinway Artist and five-time Grammy Nominee

CHRISTIAN SANDS is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz. Christian says, "My music is about teaching the way of jazz and keeping it alive." Whether it's stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the present... and for the future. He expresses himself through an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the while maintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing - hallmarks for as long as he has been playing.

With his debut Mack Avenue Records recording, REACH, singularly talented pianist and five-time Grammy® Award nominee Christian Sands is stretching into exciting progressive territory as he breaks new ground traversing from the straight-ahead zone into fresh-sounding music influenced by a range of styles, from Afro-Cuban rhythms to hip-hop beats to dirty blues with an edge. That’s impressive for a youngster who is just 27. “The collection here is about reaching new ideas and reaching new music,” he says. “I’m reaching from past recordings to bring in the future, which is really all about finding myself. It’s a chance to express my experience.”

REACH becomes one more milestone in Sands’ auspicious career that stretches back to his New Haven, Connecticut upbringing. Having started playing piano at four years old, composing his first piece of music at age five, starting music classes at eight, and becoming a professional at ten, Sands was well-prepared to attend such prestigious schools as the Neighborhood Music School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven (he later received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music).

But a key moment came when he attended the Jazz in July summer workshop at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst when he was in high school. That was where he met and began his mentorship with Dr. Billy Taylor. “I was 13 or 14 and I studied with Dr. Taylor,” Sands says. “After the first week, he asked me to stay a second. I went on to take private lessons with him and master classes. He became my music grandfather; I went to his house in the Bronx and we’d talk about different music such as his piano heroes like Art Tatum and then bands I was listening to, including The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, John Legend and he was hip to all this.”

The recording is co-produced by both Grammy®-Award winning producer Al Pryor and famed bassist Christian McBride, who has collaborated with Sands in his Grammy® Award-winning trio, as well as some of his other groups, since 2009. “Upon first meeting Christian, I could feel a cool connection,” Sands recalls. “From when I first sat in with his Inside Straight band, I realized that we think about music in the same way. When I got signed to Mack Avenue, I asked if Christian could produce me, as someone who knows my playing and what I want to accomplish in my music.”