(view all archives) Insane Week of Great Music at Nighttown: Drew Schultz Funk Machine, Songwriters in the Round, and more...... Nighttown by Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions Hi Folks. Another insane week of great music at Nighttown. On Wednesday, one of the cooler young funk groups, The Drew Schultz Funk Machine, returns to Nighttown to funk-it-up. Super fun. On Thursday, soul jazz keyboard phenom from Washington D.C., Marcus Johnson, makes his debut performance at Nighttown. Friday is folk / singer-songwriter night, with four of NE Ohio's favorite composers and performers get together for a super-star night of music called "Songwriters in the Round". Featuring Rick Szekelyi, Amand Walsh, Matt Harmon, & Kate Kooser. Then on Saturday, contemporary jazz sax master Phillip "Doc" Martin returns to Nighttown for another smooth night. Finally on Sunday, hear the next generation of jazz musicians when Paul Ferguson (Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Artistic Director) brings his jazz students from Case Western Reserve University to Nighttown for a concert. Paul always breaks out some intriguing charts and has an excellent group of students coming out of his program at Case. Hope you can join us at Nighttown for another insane week of great music!! Jim Wadsworth Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions great dining | great music 12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill) Cleveland Heights, OH 216-795-0550 www.nighttowncleveland.com Map to Nighttown To Purchase Concert Tickets No need to make an additional table reservation - it's already included with your concert tickets!!
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Insane Week of Great Music at Nighttown: Drew Schultz Funk Machine, Songwriters in the Round, and more......
Nighttown by Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions
Hi Folks.
Another insane week of great music at Nighttown.
On Wednesday, one of the cooler young funk groups, The Drew Schultz Funk Machine, returns toNighttown to funk-it-up. Super fun.
On Thursday, soul jazz keyboard phenom from Washington D.C., Marcus Johnson, makes his debutperformance at Nighttown.
Friday is folk / singer-songwriter night, with four of NE Ohio's favorite composers and performers gettogether for a super-star night of music called "Songwriters in the Round". Featuring Rick Szekelyi,Amand Walsh, Matt Harmon, & Kate Kooser.
Then on Saturday, contemporary jazz sax master Phillip "Doc" Martin returns to Nighttown for anothersmooth night.
Finally on Sunday, hear the next generation of jazz musicians when Paul Ferguson (Cleveland JazzOrchestra Artistic Director) brings his jazz students from Case Western Reserve University toNighttown for a concert. Paul always breaks out some intriguing charts and has an excellent group ofstudents coming out of his program at Case.
Hope you can join us at Nighttown for another insane week of great music!!
Jim WadsworthNighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions
great dining | great music
12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)Cleveland Heights, OH
216-795-0550
www.nighttowncleveland.comMap to Nighttown
To Purchase Concert Tickets
No need to make an additional table
reservation - it's already included with your concert
tickets!!
New Shows Recently Added
Just Added4/24 Case Western Reserve Jazz Program 4/26 Lakeridge Academy Jazz Program 5/01 Alvin Frazier Quintet in Tribute to Miles Davis 5/02 Baldwin Wallace Musical Theater -.The Senior Showcase 5/06 Horns & Things5/07 Dominick Farinacci & Spirit of the Groove 5/09 2016 A Race ODDysey 5/11 Cleveland Hts. H.S. Jazz Program5/12 Hathaway Brown Musical Program 5/13 Occidental Gypsy 5/15 Red Light Roxy
"Late Night at Nighttown" ** Every Week **Fridays Moss Stanley on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No coverSaturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover
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Nighttown Tickets and Seating Policy
To purchase tickets click here, Do not make anadditional table reservation - it is already included withyour purchased tickets. All seats are General Admission. All seating is based on the time that you arrive for theshow and based on how many people are in your partyand where we have tables of that size. You may besharing a table with other people.
Nighttown Student Discount PolicyStudents up to age 26 are 1/2 off the regular price. Student priced tickets are only available the night of theshow, are available only at the door, and are subject toavailability. Students must have a photo ID from agenerally-recognized high school, college or university. Full-paying ticket holders get priority on admission andseating. Certain select shows have no discount based onarrangements with the artist. On evenings when thereare two shows (i.e. shows at 7 & 9PM), the discount isonly good for the second show. Students under the age of18 must be accompanied by an adult paying full price inorder to be eligible for the discount.
Classic R & B and More from Drummer and Native Cleveland andhis NYC Band:Featuring:Drew Schultz-drumsChris Ams-vocalsEmilio Tostado-guitarJohn Guari-keyboardsJent LaPalm-bassThe Drew Schultz Funk Machine is a young band that works diligently to keep thesounds of classic soul alive, having recorded with The Four Tops, The FunkBrothers, Dennis Coffey, Melvin Davis, Spyder Turner, and many more. Originallyhailing from Shaker Heights, bandleader Schultz has also performed as drummerand percussionist with the Four Tops, Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Dramatics,The Contours, The Miracles, and Martha Reeves, among others. Schultz' firstrecord, "Back to Class," is a benefit project for the music programs of the DetroitPublic Schools featuring many of the legendary artists he has performed withthroughout the years.
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Marcus Johnson$20.00 Thursday 4/21 8:00 pm Buy Tickets
Dynamic Contemporary Jazz Keyboard wizard from Washington D.C. makes hisCleveland debut at Nighttown!Featuring:Marcus Johnson-piano & keys
Marcus Johnson-piano & keysRobert Hubbard-drumsTony Watson-saxJon Jones-bass
An independent Billboard-ranked musician and NAACP Image Award-nominatedjazz keyboardist and pianist, Marcus Johnson is also the CEO and Founder of FLOBrands, LLC and more recently FLO Wine, LLC. He has combined an eminentlysuccessful musical career with his love of wine by marrying the two in a uniqueendeavor. Over the last decade, Marcus Johnson has released 15 successful studioalbums. On Pandora, Marcus receives 5.1 million spins per year with 2,000 newstations added each month, and his music receives a 74% “thumbs ups” ratingverses an average of 56%. Johnson is the owner of a music label, Three KeysMusic, and has emerged as one of the young lions of the “DIY” music world. Hisunique self-taught style of piano play has earned him distinction among his peers,praise from the media and accolades across the music industry.
Marcus has performed at clubs throughout the United States and has been afeatured performer at many jazz festivals, including his hometown Capitol JazzFestival, the Bermuda Jazz Festival, Atlantic Artscape, the Latin Meets Jazz Festivaland the Huntington Beach Jazz Festival.
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Songwriters in theRound$10.00 Friday 4/22 8:30 pm Buy Tickets
Singer Songwriters share their music and Tell Stories Live at Nighttown! OnNighttown's intimate Stephen's Green patio stage!
Featuring: Rick Szekelyi, Amand Walsh, Matt Harmon, & Kate Kooser.
Kate Kooser is a singer songwriter from Cleveland, OH. She draws inspirationfrom the Texas singer songwriter tradition, despite her midwest heritage, but isalso influenced by contemporary writers. With older heroes like Townes Van Zandt,Nanci Griffith, and Guy Clark, and newer ones like Dar Williams and LucyKaplansky, Kate leans towards the storytelling styles of these poets. She releasedher first EP "A Little More" in October 2014 and continues to write and performaround the Cleveland area.
Rick Szekelyi, a resident of Cleveland Heights, developed a serious interest insongwriting during the last few years. In pursuing this path, he has had theopportunity to work with songwriters Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mary Gauthier, DavidWilcox, Don Henry and Brent Kirby. Realizing that honing writing and performingskills best happens within a community of like-minded folks, Rick started the StoneOven Open Mic about a year ago with the hope of creating another opportunity forthose who want to share their art and build their skills.
Amanda Walsh has been playing the piano and violin since she was eight yearsold. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Musicin 1998 with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. Amanda has beenteaching piano and violin for 20 years. She is a singer-songwriter who combinesher classical training in solo piano with voice. Her influences include ClaudeDebussy, Keith Jarrett, Joni Mitchell, Ben Folds, Regina Spektor, Neko Case, andPaul Simon. Between 2005 and 2008, Amanda's band, The Golden Mean,performed originals and covers where she sang and played piano, violin, andelectric bass. She continues to perform with her brother on drums in the band,Sparkle Motion, in the greater Cleveland area. She is one of the founding membersof the band, City Limits, performing folk and rock covers and originals. City Limitsplays at The Barking Spider, Euclid City Limits, The Blue Rock Cafe, and The Bevyin Birdtown.
in Birdtown.
Matt Harmon is a fixture in the Northeast Ohio songwriting scene. He consistentlyengages regional audiences with songs that adeptly observe and interpret thehuman experience. Matt's songs range from the simple (the love of a dog), to thecomplex (the love of a mother with a child at war), from the imaginative (an Alienperspective of life on Earth), to the philosophical (recognizing the rarity of everysecond in life), and all points in between. He is a storyteller of the highest order,and he paints these stories over a canvas of exceptionally crisp acoustic guitarplaying.
Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist from Washington DC and his band return toNighttown!
Balancing the rigors of life as a board certified Dentist with the grind of life as anindependent artist is no small feat. That’s why when Phillip “Doc” Martin pulls it offwith such ease and skill it’s awe inspiring. For him, it’s just another “Good Day AtWork”, which is why his latest CD is so appropriately titled. The release of hisfourth studio album proves that Phillip “Doc” Martin is no flash in the pan. Boastinga strong resume of chart successes from his previous CDs; “Doc Martin” is a risingstar who’s powerful, heartfelt melodies are wooing live audiences on stages in theUS and internationally. And if Martin has his way, music fans all of world over willsoon find themselves enjoying a “good day at work” thanks to the intoxicatingsounds of his alto saxophone!
“Good Day At Work”, features 10 new songs that just don’t passively fit thetraditional smooth, instrumental or funky rhythm genres. His tunes flex, bounceand bend offering audiophiles a “new sax” diagnosis. Martin plays his horn with awarm and clear tone supplemented by a amazing range that takes you on a soulfuland energetic journey with the likes of classical soul crooners like DonnyHathaway, Gerald Levert and James Brown. His unique sound has drawn the praiseof Jazz superstars George Benson, Kim Waters, and Jeff Lorber, who hasproclaimed that “Doc Martin’s music captures the energy of a live clubrecording…”
Born in Indiana of Jamaican parents, Martin grew up in South Florida and firstbegan playing music in the Broward County public school band program. By 14,Phillip’s mastery of the intricacies of his horn, as well as his fiery performance stylewas already evident. He became a leading soloist at South Plantation High SchoolJazz Band and was honored as a first chair selection to Florida’s All State Jazz Band.He went on to study at the University of Central Florida where he was soon invitedto play as a sideman with Grammy Award winner Sam Rivers, Grammy nomineeKirk Whalum, Sunnie Paxton, Wes Hamrick, Davonda Simmonds and SusaundraLewis and the Sounds of Soul.
As Phillip continued to hone his skills he became more influenced by notedsaxophone players like Charlie Parker, Everette Harp, Grover Washington Jr., DaveKoz and Gerald Albright. In 2003, he recorded his first CD, “Saxappeal”, with rising
Koz and Gerald Albright. In 2003, he recorded his first CD, “Saxappeal”, with risingmusic producer and keyboardist Tony Hemmings. The CD introduced Phillip to theworld, with several of its tracks becoming popular on Internet radio, including TheWeather Channel . After graduation, Martin moved to Washington, D.C., where hegraduated from the Howard University College of Dentistry. He is currently aBoard Certified Dentist working in the Washington, DC area.
Doc Martin has performed in festivals and venues across the U.S. and Caribbeanincluding the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Catalina Jazz Festival, Bahamas Jazz Festival,Washington, Blues Alley, Philadelphia’s Dell East, Los Angeles’ Spaghettini’s, TheCarolina Music Festival and the Trenton Jazz Festival.
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Case Western ReserveJazz Program$5.00 Sunday 4/24 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
Next Generation of Jazz Musicians from Case hit the Stage at Nighttown! Featuring two Big Bands!
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Lake Ridge AcademyJazz Program$5.00 Tuesday 4/26 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
Next Generation of Jazz Musicians Hit the Stage at Nighttown!
Dynamic Jazz Saxophonist returns to Nighttown! Presented in association withTri-C Jazz Festival.
Javon Jackson – Tenor SaxWillie Jones, III – Drums
Willie Jones, III – DrumsJeremy Manasia – PianoDavid Williams- Bass
Tenor Saxophonist Javon Jackson came into international prominence touring andrecording with the legendary drummer Art Blakey as a member of his band, ArtBlakey and the Jazz Messengers. Symbolizing a new generation of musicians thatblended tradition with neo-jazz, Jackson went on to release 14 recordings as aband leader and tour and record over 135 CDs with jazz greats including ElvinJones, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Haden, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter,Donald Byrd, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Richard Davis, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller,JoAnne Brackeen, Stanley Turrentine, and Ben E. King.
In 1992 Jackson made his recording debut with Me and Mr. Jones, featuring JamesWilliams, Christian McBride and master drummer and NEA Jazz Master Elvin Jones.Jackson also recorded six projects for Blue Note Records featuring collaborationswith Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, Kenny Garrett, JackyTerrason, John Medeski and Vernon Reid. Among his later recordings for PalmettoRecords, Javon explored funk based jazz, incorporating the sounds of Fred Wesley,Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lenny White, Mark Whitfield and others. Javon’s current musicalgroup, The Javon Jackson Band, blends many styles including jazz, funk, R&B androck.
In 2012, Jackson released two self produced recordings, Lucky 13 and JavonJackson and WE FOUR, Celebrating John Coltrane. These CDs marked his return toacoustic jazz. For Lucky 13, Javon covers music by Stevie Wonder as well as newlycomposed original material and is joined by a special guest, Les McCann, for threeselections. Javon Jackson and WE FOUR, Celebrating John Coltrane, is a tribute tothe iconic saxophonist, composer and bandleader. The release is highlighted by anappearance by NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb, drummer for both Coltrane and MilesDavis.
In 2012, Javon was the recipient of the prestigious Benny Golson Award fromHoward University in Washington, DC, for recognition of legendary excellence injazz.
"Javon adds a modern twist to the music we grew up with. Everybody get ready for afunky good time." — Branford Marsalis
"One of the fresh, creative voices on the scene today" — Ramsey Lewis
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Chuchito Valdes Quintetfeaturing MitchFrohman$25.00 Thursday 4/28 8:00 pm Buy Tickets
From Cuba! Piano Virtuoso and his group return to Nighttown!Featuring:Chuchito Valdes-piano & leaderMitch Frohman-sax & fluteSammy DeLeon-timbalesJose "Cheito" Hernandez-bassRafael Guzman-congas
Chuchito Valdés, following in the footsteps of his famed father Chucho Valdésand grandfather Bebo Valdés, continues the legacy of great piano players form
and grandfather Bebo Valdés, continues the legacy of great piano players formCuba.With influences of Caribbean rhythms and jazz, Chuchito creates an exciting andenergetic blend of spicy music that drives audiences wild. This piano mastercaptivates with his sensitivity and drives excitement with his dynamic band.
Chuchito has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band,Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has also performed at festivals, clubs andconcerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean to North America,South America, and Europe.
Chuchito is recognized as a master of Cuban music including Son, Danzon, CubanTimba and Guaguanco. He has also extensively studied classical music includingharmony and composition. His original compositions and arrangements draw onclassical harmonic and structural techniques. In his performances, Chuchito’smusic draws on many styles including Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz, Bebop, Danzon, Cha-Cha-Cha, Son Montuno and much more. Chuchito Valdés currently resides inCancun, Mexico and is a frequent performer in the United State and Canada.
Bronx native Mitch Frohman is one of the top saxophonist/flutists in the musicscene. After graduating from Columbus H.S.(Bronx,N.Y. class of 1971), he went onto get his Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Miami. Hisversatility in different styles of music has led him to many opportunities of playingwith the greatest musicians in the world.
For 25 years he was the sax and flute soloist with The Tito Puente Orchestra &Latin-Jazz Ensemble, and was also a steady member of the Mongo Santamariaband for many years. Continuing that tradition, Mitch is the sax/flute soloist and co-leader of The Mambo Legends Orchestra (former all-stars of The Tito PuenteOrchestra). Some of the great salsa/latin-jazz artists he has played with and/orrecorded with are Machito, Celia Cruz, La Lupe, Eddie & Charlie Palmieri, PaquitoD'Rivera, the Chico O'Farrill Orchestra, Milly/Jocelyn & Los Vecinos, Cheo Feliciano,Joe Cuba, Aventura, and many more. Mitch has also played with and/or recordedwith Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, David Byrne & The Talking Heads, as well as Blood,Sweat & Tears.
Last but not least, Mitch's signature solo sound can be heard every day around theworld, as he is the saxophone soloist on the theme song of the mega-hit T.V. show,Sex & The City.
Sammy DeLeon a master timbales player has shared his talent far and wide. Hehas appeared in New York, Chicago, Miami, San Juan and points in between. He isthe undisputed leader in latin music in the Ohio area. Formerly the musicaldirector 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 ithard for an audience to sit still. DeLeon has shared the stage with many stars oflatin jazz.
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Tom Chapin$25.00 Friday 4/29 8:30 pm Buy Tickets
Legendary Singer/Songwriter returns to Nighttown!
In a career that spans five decades, 23 albums and three GRAMMY awards, multi-talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amountof creative ground. In addition to his work as a recording artist and concertperformer, Chapin has acted on Broadway, as well as working extensively in films,television and radio.
As a music-maker, Chapin has maintained two long and productive parallelcareers, both as a highly respected contemporary folk artist and as a pioneer inthe field of children's music. In the former role, Chapin has established areputation for insightful, heartfelt songcraft and effortlessly charismatic liveperformances. Chapin's infectious songs, sterling musicianship and personalwarmth consistently shine through, whether he's performing on record or in aconcert hall, an outdoor festival, a school, in front of a symphony orchestra or in anintimate coffeehouse.
The New York Times called Chapin "one of the great personalities in contemporaryfolk music."
The son of noted jazz drummer and teacher Jim Chapin and the grandson ofauthor/critic Kenneth Burke and portrait painter James Chapin, Tom grew up in afamily that encouraged artistic pursuits. He began performing professionally as ateenager in the early 1960s, playing in Greenwich Village folk clubs alongside hissiblings Harry and Steve as The Chapin Brothers.
Chapin launched his solo recording career with 1976's Life Is Like That. It was thefirst of a string of albums that further established his reputation as both a giftedstoryteller and a natural entertainer, winning him an uncommonly loyal fan base inthe process. He also continued to venture into other creative areas, playing thelead role in the hit Broadway musical Pump Boys and Dinettes, working off-Broadway as musical director of both Cotton Patch Gospel and Harry Chapin: Liesand Legends, and serving as host of TV's National Geographic Explorer. He's alsowritten and performed satirical topical songs for National Public Radio's MorningEdition, and had a cameo role as the Vice Presidential candidate in JonathanDemme's 2004 remake of The Manchurian Candidate.
A new CD, Put A Light In Your Window, features original songs, one completelyreinterpreted song, and a cover of a folk classic.
In addition to his varied musical and media endeavors, Chapin is also a powerfuladvocate on behalf of a variety of charitable causes. He is an active boardmember of WhyHunger, the organization which the artist's older brother, the latesinger-songwriter/activist Harry Chapin, founded (as World Hunger Year) in the1970s. He also remains active in a variety of environmental causes, as well asefforts on behalf of music and the arts in our public schools.
"I'm at that place in my life where I follow what interests me," Chapin concludes. "Istill love the guitar, I still love to sing, and I still love the thrill of creation: a goodsong, a good recording, a good concert. I feel blessed to be my own boss, creatingmy own material and performing for so many different audiences, ages andgenerations."
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The Numbers Band (15-60-75)$10.00 Saturday 4/30 8:30 pm Buy Tickets
From Kent, Ohio! Celebrating their 45th Year! Northeast Ohio Jazz, Blues, &Rock Legends hit the Stage at Nighttown!
Featuring: Bob Kidney-guitar & vocals, Jack Kidney-harmonica, sax, keys, &vocals, Terry Hynde-sax, Bill Watson-bass, & Frank Casamento-drums.
vocals, Terry Hynde-sax, Bill Watson-bass, & Frank Casamento-drums.
15 60 75 The Numbers Band has been praised by almost every national musicpublication and several international publications since the beginning of their 30years of live performances and recordings. Many fans are under the impressionthat the band remains obscure by choice. In fact, they have never been offered acontract from any recording company in the industry, ever.
The music "cannot be categorized", "it is undefinable", "too original". The musicindustry is not about music anymore. It is about selling products the public canrelate to. After all, it is a business. Even "alternative" music has become a label.The founder of the band, Robert Kidney, explains, "The music industry, the media,and the tellsusourvision (TV) are defining for the American public what is goodmusic by only playing and supporting what is profitable. We are taught to disregardeverything that is not familiar. We (The Numbers Band) give the people our best.Our effort goes into being creative, unique and original. We define our own sound.There are no rules because we don't play the game. We are not in it for the game,we're in it for the music."
So, the band continues to create and evolve outside of the "Rock & Roll"establishment. The majority of the recordings were financed by friends who lovedthe music enough to put up their own money. Hundreds of photographs taken ofthe band in different stages of it's existence by different amazing people tell astory of intense performances, long nights, and the passing of time. Bandmembers have come and gone, and returned again. Robert sees music as muchmore than an emotional release or a performance. It is a job, a job for which hedemands respect and payment for services.
The title of the band has always aroused curiosity from fans. The fans called themThe Numbers because it was easier than trying to get the figures right. Numbershad not been used in a name before, and the political climate in 1970 was quiteOrwell-ian. Robert choose a sequence of numbers mentioned in a book written byPaul Oliver called The Blues Fell This Morning. In the chapter "The Jinx Is On Me",Oliver describes the Numbers Racket popular in Harlem in the 1950s and howdreams were analyzed as number sequences and used for placing bets. Theband's music theory specialist, Terry Hynde, also discovered that 15 divided 15 is1, 60 divided by 15 is 4, and 75 divided by 15 is 5. In a musician's world, "1, 4, 5," isreferred to as the "universal progression".
The band resides in northeast Ohio. They have several recordings under their beltand more music than they can afford to release.
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Alvin Frazier Quintet inTribute to Miles Davis $20.00 Sunday 5/01 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
Miles: A Retrospective into the Art & Mind of Miles Davis.
North Coast Guitarist and Featured actor in the new Miles Davis Movie "MilesAhead" plays music inspired by Miles Live at Nighttown!
Featuring: Alvin Frazier-guitar, Joseph Elf-keys, Frank Walton-trumpet,Jeremiah Napier-bass, & Deion Williams-drums.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Alvin has beensinging since the age of two and pecking at the keyssince the age of three. Both of Alvin’s parents wereinvolved in music at some point in their lives. “My dadwas a singer who had his own group, and my mom wasa drummer for her church when she was young. As you
a drummer for her church when she was young. As youcan see, the combination of singing and musicianshipwas in the blood.”
Through watching and listening to his father rehearseand work out harmony arrangements with his group,
Alvin would begin to imitate what he heard. “My Mother saw the potential andstarted buying me toy instruments (i.e. pianos and guitars) and it wasn’t longbefore I started to hear ideas as early as three years old, believe it or not, and I’vebeen going strong ever since.”
Over the years, and without formal training, Alvin would go on to learn to play thepiano, guitar, bass and drums. Outside of being a singer and self-taught musician,Alvin had a love for writing and storytelling. He would eventually use that talent forsongwriting. Alvin’s musical journey has been extensive and those experienceshave been instrumental in Alvin’s understanding of the various aspects of music towhich he has been involved and is the key to his versatility as a producer. “Ofcourse like any of the people who do what I do, I have many musical influences.Artists like Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pat Metheny, George Duke, StanleyClarke, James Taylor, Sting, Sade, to Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond,Commissioned, The Winans & Israel Houghton to name a few. However, I am verycareful about the things that I choose to listen to.”
Next generation of Broadway Stars hit the stage at Nighttown!Here's another stellar presentation from one of the best musical theater schools inthe U.S.
This nationally recognized program was recently named one of the top ten MusicTheatre programs in the country. Under the helm of Victoria Bussert, BWMT hasrisen over the past twenty years to produce a showcase in NYC that attractshundreds of talent scouts from around the country. This year's performanceincludes recognizable tunes, along with some of the newest songs from the stage.
This program is the showcase for the New York talent scouts, agents and producers, thatthe seniors are performing in NYC.. Here’s a link to the website for LAST YEAR’Sshowcase - this will give you a little better idea about what you’re in for:
http://www.bwmtshowcase.com/
2014 Seniors Video
2013 Seniors Video
Click here for Plain Dealer article "Baldwin Wallace University's Victoria Bussert hasmolded talent, lighted the way for Broadway-bound actors"
Landmark North Coast Contemporary Jazz Group live at Nighttown!
Featuring: Ken LeeGrand-sax, J.T. Lynch-sax, Sakait Baksar-piano & keys,Derrick James-electric bass, & Ray Harvin-drums.
"Horns & Things" is the powerhouse contemporary jazz ensemble that has pleasedaudiences throughout the years! The group was founded by saxophonists J.T.Lynch and Ken LeeGrand. In an effort to find a place for their music, which couldfit the modern genre and fulfill the needs if the Main Stream market, they teamedwith Bassist, Derrick James, Keyboardist, Sakait Baksar and Drummer, Ray Harvinto form the nucleus of the band. Percussionist Bill Ransom has been an additionon various recording sessions and performances. This phenomenal group hasbeen performing for over twenty years.
They have shared the spotlight with a who's who list of legendary performers fromDexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard and Joe Sample; to contemporary artists thatinclude; Pieces of a Dream, Najee, Ronnie Laws, Kim Waters, Alex Bugnon andMarion Meadows. Horn's & Things has opened for R&B artists such as El Debarge,Phillip Bailey, Millie Jackson and Kevin Eubanks. They have participated in jazzfestivals, headlined in concerts and performed the college circuits. Horn's &Things has five recording projects, which includes three C.D.'s. "Till the Dawn,"Northern Wind","Da Boss", and their most recent release "Get Your Hat On"
Regardless of the occasion, Horn's & Things has the crossover appeal that pleasesaudiences of all categories and have proven over the years that they are thedynamic, explosive and intense performers required to make your venue thrive.
Don't miss a Nighttown favorite with Horns & Things live at Nighttown.
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Dominick Farinacci &Spirit of the Groove$15.00 Saturday 5/07 8:30 pm Buy Tickets
Spirit of the Groove: Jazz & Gospel live at Nighttown!
Hosted by Dominick Farinacci & Johnny Parker
Presented in co-operation with Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland.Our area is home to some of the finest musicians in the country, particularly withinthe Jazz and Gospel communities. Rarely have the scenes come together. “Spirit ofthe Groove: Jazz & Gospel” is a new Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland series co-hosted byjazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci and gospel bassist Johnny Parker to bringtogether great local artists in both communities.
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2016 A Political RaceODDysey$15.00 Monday 5/09
Monday 5/09 7:30 pm Buy Tickets
Musical Comedy Take on the 2016 political campaign featuring several stars ofmusical theater and stage live at Nighttown!
Produced by The Cleveland Cabaret Project.
Election Madness? Bad Reality Show? Or Science Friction? Need a good laugh? Cleveland Cabaret Project's politically incorrect and satiricrevue is the perfect antidote!
Currently scheduled to appear five times on the intimate Nighttown stage, 2016: arace ODDyssey will feature some of Cleveland’s best actors and singers. And justlike Washington’s famous Capitol Steps, the cast will change from show-to-show, aswill some of the musical numbers, reflecting – and skewering - the political idiocythat took place over the previous week.
2016: A Political Race ODDyssey is a production of The Cleveland Cabaret Project,whose goal is to promote awareness and advancement of cabaret performance asan art form in and around the Cleveland area. Lora Workman is the founder andartistic director of CCP. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace’s Conservatory of Music,Lora studied cabaret in Italy and New York. She was selected to participate in the2007 Cabaret Conference at Yale, where she worked with Tony Nominee TovahFeldshuh, Jason Graae and Julie Wilson. She was a semi-finalist in the 2003 SanFrancisco Cabaret Competition, performed at Don’t Tell Mama’s in NYC andcreated The Cleveland Cabaret Project with Charles Eversole. In addition, shecontinues working with The North Coast Men’s Chorus, having choreographeddance numbers which were featured in the Linda Eder Concert at Severance Halland the March 2008 Bernadette Peters concert in The Allen Theatre atPlayhouseSquare. Lora is the Education/Community Liaison at PlayhouseSquarewhere she assists over 50,000 students and teachers each year with the Children'sTheater Series School Performances.
Next Generation of Jazz musicians from Cleveland Hts. hit the stage atNighttown!
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Hathaway BrownMusical Program$10.00 Thursday 5/12
Thursday 5/12 7:30 pm Buy Tickets
Next Generation of Musical Talent and more from the HathawayBrown School!Hathaway Brown School Vocal Arts Department offers a class called Solo Voice. This class for high school age female vocalists explores a singer’s performancewith songs in various styles of jazz, contemporary music, music for theatre, andoriginal work, emphasizing communication with the audience, working with anaccompanist or band, song arranging and material selection. Dynamics of vocalinterpretation and style are also examined. This evening of jazz and contemporarysong is the culminating experience of the course. Come out and see the newesttalent Cleveland has to offer.
Top Notch Gypsy Jazz Quintet From Providence, Rhode Island!
Featuring: Brett Feldman-lead guitar, Jeremy Frantz-vocals & guitar, Eli Bishop-violin, Jeff Feldman-bass, & Erick Cifuentes-percussion.
Occidental Gypsy is pioneering the sound of Gypsy Pop. Their mélange ofuptempo, high-energy rhythms of Gypsy, melded with the catchy melodic hooks ofPop delivers a thrilling auditory experience to listeners.
It should then come as no surprise that Occidental Gypsy decided to gypsifyMichael Jackson’s “Thriller” on the band’s debut album. "Over Here," released inFebruary 2011, has been quick to garner critical acclaim. Motif Magazine wrote,“Listeners will surely be all in with Occidental Gypsy’s Over Here” and defined theband as “a terrific and unpretentious fab four”.
The appeal of Occidental Gypsy is finding its way across multiple markets. In thepast, Gypsy music has proven its accessibility in the success of acts such asCaravan Palace, The Lost Fingers, and the Gogol Bordello. Now, Occidental Gypsy’ssound is engaging an incredibly wide spectrum of listeners. In many ways the heartof Gypsy Pop embodies the essence and spirit of what jazz was in its infancy:developing, improvising, and arranging, with contemporary music as a foundation.
Occidental Gypsy was originally formed by brothers Brett (lead guitar) and JeffFeldman (bassist) as a straight-ahead Gypsy Jazz Quartet. Through the release ofOver Here and the addition of new members, the band has taken on a far morediverse, sophisticated, and eclectic sound. The group is fronted by Berklee trainedsinger and rhythm guitarist Scott (“Scottie”) Kulman, and supported by two Berkleestudents: violinist Jakub Trasak from the Czech Republic, and percussionistFrancisco Vielma from Venezuela.
An Occidental Gypsy performance includes so much more than just music. Scottie,Jakub, Brett, Jeff, and Francisco are incredibly energetic and charming entertainerswho interact with fans on a personal level. Live, the band compliments originalmaterial with expertly arranged gypsified covers.
The name Occidental Gypsy (Western gypsy) embodies the concept behind GypsyPop. The group has taken the Gypsy sound that originated in Eastern Europe andbrought it Over Here to blend it seamlessly with contemporary American music.Interestingly, Gypsy Swing was created by taking American Jazz to the East andblending it with the Gypsy Folk tradition. Now almost a century later OccidentalGypsy is bringing the music back home.
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Red Light Roxy$15.00 Sunday 5/15 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
Jazz, Swing, and More from North Coast Based Band!
Featuring: Eileen Burns-vocals, Joe Hunter-piano, Dave Sterner-sax, DarisAdkins-guitar, Demetrius Steinmetz-acoustic bass, & Glenn Davis-drums.
Red Light Roxy is a professional jazz band from Cleveland, Ohio that plays anupbeat mix of jazz standards, jump blues, swing, boogie-woogie and a dash of old-school R&B. Its repertoire comes from the Great American Songbook and includesfamiliar songs made famous by such legendary performers as Ella Fitzgerald, RuthBrown, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong.Red Light Roxy has played at the Tri-C JazzFest, Wade Oval Wednesdays, Cain Park,Akron's LOCK IV, the Shaker Heights Art and Music Festival, Legacy Village and avariety of city summer concerts and swing dances, as well as private events.
If you're looking for an authentic experience and the music has got to be swingin',it's got to be Red Light Roxy.
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Robin Nolan Trio$20.00 Monday 5/16 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
Gypsy Jazz Guitarist from London/Amsterdam lights up the Nighttown Stagewith his Trio!
Robin Nolan is one of the world’s best known and most admired gypsy jazzguitarists and has been praised for his musical genius and creativity by WillieNelson, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, and the late George Harrison.Legendary in the Django Reinhardt world, Robin has headlined every major gypsyjazz festival across the globe & Nolan’s music is taking gypsy jazz into the 21stCentury beyond Django Reinhardt and incorporating influences of The Beatles,Ravi Shankar and AC/DC.
The Robin Nolan Trio is a favorite at jazz festivals around the world and bring theirpowerhouse swinging sound to more than twenty countries every year.
Born in Vietnam in 1968 to musical parents who were entertaining the US troops atthe time, Robin was instantly immersed into the life of a working travelingmusician. First taught by his father at the age of six in Hong Kong he began hismusical journey. Back in 1992 Robin relocated from London to Amsterdam wherehe played on the Leidseplein gaining many new fans and admirers. It was here onthe streets of Amsterdam where the trio was discovered and invited to festivalsand concerts in Japan, USA, Iceland, Spain, Canada and even the house of GeorgeHarrison. The trio features Robin’s brother Kevin Nolan on rhythm guitar andArnoud Vandenberg on bass. They have just released their ground breaking newalbum ‘Sin City’ which features gypsyfied versions of AC/DC classics.
In addition to his busy schedule as a performer, Robin is also known as apassionate instructor. He has published some of the most important gypsy jazzinstructional books and video courses that have been the foundation of study andjam sessions for thousands of guitarist worldwide. His new digital magazine GypsyJazz Guitar Secrets features highly in the iTunes charts and reaches a wide globalaudience.
“In these days of ‘cackophony’ it’s great to hear some real music”George Harrison “Robin Nolan is so amazingly good.”Bill Wyman “Robin plays a mighty fine guitar!”Willie Nelson
All-Star North Coast Tri-C JazzFestOctet hits the stage at Nighttown!
Featuring: John Klayman-tenor sax,Jack Schantz-trumpet, Howie Smith-alto sax, Chris Anderson-trombone,Bob Ferrazza, guitar, Theron Brown-piano, Glenn Holmes-acoustic bass, &Reggie Jackson-drums.SoundWorks was founded by Tri-C JazzFest in2009 to be a resident ensemble of JazzFest with aworking collective of Northeast Ohio musiciansshowcasing their skills as composers, arrangersand performers. Since 2009, SoundWorks has re-imagined the works of legendary artists such as
McCoy Tyner, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jim Hall and TheLiberation Music Orchestra with Charlie Haden.
While the presentation of repertoire material is part of the vision, there has alwaysbeen an emphasis on presenting the new music and/or arrangements by membersof SoundWorks.
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Randy Napoleon$20.00 Thursday 5/19 8:00 pm Buy Tickets
NYC Guitarist from Freddy Cole's Group brings in his Current Group to playmusic from his new CD!
Guitarist George Benson calls Napoleon “sensational.” Detroit Free Press criticMark Stryker says Napoleon “plays with a gentle, purring tone that makes you leanin close to hear its range of color and articulation.” Washington Post critic MikeJoyce praises his “exceptionally nimble finger-style technique.” Comparing him toWes Montgomery, music critic Michael G. Nastos says, “he displays an evenbalance of swing, soul, and single-line or chord elements that mark an emergingvoice dedicated to tradition and universally accessible jazz values.”
Born in Brooklyn in 1977 and raised in Ann Arbor Michigan, Randy Napoleon beganhis journey in jazz immediately after graduating from University of Michigan. JeffHamilton of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra invited the young Napoleon to doa series of performances with them at the Hollywood Bowl. From there,Napoleon’s career took off, first touring with pianist Benny Green nationally andinternationally for a year, and then full time with the Clayton-Hamilton JazzOrchestra. A three-year stint with crooner Michael Buble followed; Napoleon isfeatured on Buble’s Grammy-nominated CD “Caught in the Act.”
Currently, Napoleon tours with the legendary singer/pianist, Freddy Cole, and isfeatured on Cole’s 2009 album, “Live at Dizzy’s Club: The Dreamer in Me. “ He isthe main arranger and the guitarist on “Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B,” a 2010 Grammy-nominated release from High Note that features songs from the Billy Eckstine songbook, as well as on “Talk to Me,” Cole’s 2011 album and Cole’s most recent album“This and That.”
Today, Napoleon is one of the most sought after guitarists in New York, where he isknown as a forward-thinking musician with a passion for the jazz guitar tradition. Inaddition to backing the best, he leads his own bands, an organ trio, a trombonetrio, a quartet with piano, and a three-horn sextet that includes organ, drums,trumpet, tenor sax and trombone.
Vintage Guitar Magazine: What younger jazz guitarists stand out to you?
George Benson: I like the guitar player who’s playing with Freddy Cole [RandyNapoleon]. He has an all-fingers approach; he doesn’t use just thumb or pick. He’sspectacular.
Modern Jazz from North Coast based Organ Quartet. Featuring: Howie Smith-Sax, David Thomas-Hammond B-3 Organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, & Bill Ransom-
Sax, David Thomas-Hammond B-3 Organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, & Bill Ransom-drums.
Howie SmithA virtuoso saxophonist, composer and jazz musician, Mr. Smith has presentedconcerts and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, South America,Europe, and Australia, and has performed and/or recorded withmusicians/organizations as renowned as John Cage, the Cleveland Orchestra, DizzyGillespie, Elvis Presley, and the Tone Road Ramblers. His catalog of compositions isextensive, and recordings of his work can be heard on the Philips, Polydor,Optimism, and Sea Breeze labels. Mr. Smith has twice served as co-chair of boththe Jazz Fellowship and the Music Overview panels for the National Endowment ofthe Arts. He holds music degrees from Ithaca College and the University of Illinois.
David ThomasDave Thomas is most talented piano and organ player. A native of Youngstown,Ohio, Thomas was an original member of the R&B group, "Sweet Thunder". He hasalso performed with numerous artists including the late James Cleveland, DizzyGillespie, Albert Ayler, Jean Carn, David Ruffin, and Grover Washington. Hismusical involvement also includes musical theater as a writer, performer, andmusical director. He is also a gifted educator, having worked at The ClevelandSchool of the Arts, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland State University, andCase Western Reserve University. Presently, he is a music teacher with theCleveland Board of Education School District, Musical Staff member of TheSoutheast Seventh Day Adventist, Faculty member of The Cleveland StateUniversity, and Minister of Music at St. Timothy Baptist Church.
Bill RansomCleveland drummer and percussionist Bill Ransom is one of the most respectedmusicians on the Cleveland scene today. A veteran of the bandstand Bill Ransomhas played in support of an eclectic group of name musicians including the R & Bsensation Levert, smooth jazz saxophonists Najee and Marion Meadows, and on thestraight ahead side, trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater, Flutist James Newton, and pianistEric Gould.In recent years Bill Ransom has started to make his mark as a bandleader. He haslead the Jazz meets Hip Hop project for the prestigious Tri-C Jazz Festival for thepast five years. And even more notable he released his debut CD "Generations" in2006.
Bob Ferrazza
Bobby Ferrazza was born in Cleveland and began studying guitar at 15, afterdeveloping a passion for music from listening to rock and the popular music of thetime. It wasn't until he heard a George Benson record, that Ferrazza started toconcentrate his efforts on jazz—an entirely new genre to him. After playing for lessthan a year, Ferrazza sought out jazz guitar legend Bill deArango for lessons. Other lessons followed with jazz guitar greats such as Joe Pass and Pat Martino.
A professional musician for more than 25 years, Ferrazza has performed all overthe United States and beyond, with some of the most celebrated jazz musiciansincluding: Donald Byrd, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe Lovano, Art Farmer, Benny Golson,J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, Curtis Fuller, Billy Hart, Robin Eubanks, Gary Bartz, DanWall, Marcus Belgrave, Clark Terry, Steve Turre, Bill Watrous, Jack McDuff, Dr.Lonnie Smith, Greg Bandy, Ernestine Anderson, and Vanessa Rubin.
Steve Katz$20.00 Sunday 5/22 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
Guitarist, Vocalist, & Founding member of Blood, Sweat, and
Guitarist, Vocalist, & Founding member of Blood, Sweat, andTears, and Blues Project, plays special Solo show, with classictunes, and great stories!Steve Katz started at 15, studying guitar with Reverend Gary Davis. Steve wouldsometimes act as road manager for Reverend Davis and met many of the great“rediscovered” blues men like Son House, Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt.
Steve starting playing in Greenwich Village - during this time there were numerousmusicians obsessed with American roots music. Steve, Maria Muldaur, JohnSebastian and David Grisman – who found the common denominator in jug bandmusic. They and some other friends formed the Even Dozen Jug Band and werecourted by Elektra Records for whom they recorded an album in 1964.
Steve was asked to audition for the Danny Kalb Quartet. He got the job. Al Kooperjoined, and they had the Blues Project, a foray of young white middle-classmusicians into the amplified world of Chicago blues.
After the Blues Project, Steve, Al Kooper, Bobby Colomby and Jim Fielder decidedto work up a set, mainly of Al’s new songs, for a benefit concert whereby enoughmoney would be raised to send Al to London where he wanted to live. Joined byFred Lipsius on alto sax, the concert raised enough money for Al to get a cab to theairport. There was no choice but start another band. Influenced by the Electric Flagand the Buckinghams, a horn section was utilized with rock arrangements thatwere a touch more sophisticated. Thus, the formation of Blood, Sweat & Tears, aColumbia Records contract, and the album Child is Father to the Man. Recordedand mixed in only two weeks, the album sold moderately well but was a hugecritical success.
Al left BS & T after only six months. Getting the record company to continue withthe band without Kooper was difficult. Auditions were held and David Clayton-Thomas was hired. Columbia reluctantly agreed to go ahead with a new album.That album sold six million copies worldwide and fostered three number onesingles. Steve continued with BS & T for five years, during which time the groupwon three Grammies, were voted best band by the Playboy Jazz and Pop Poll twoyears in a row, and won three major Downbeat awards, to name a few. Steve wrotemany songs during his tenure with BS&T, including his well-loved “Sometimes inWinter”.
In 1972 Steve met Lou Reed and became friends. Steve was asked to produce hisnext record Rock & Roll Animal and then Sally Can’t Dance. After a number ofproductions during this period, including the wonderful Nightlights by ElliottMurphy, Steve wanted to return again to playing music.
Although American Flyer was not a performing band, it gave Steve anothercreative outlet in which to work and talented people to work with. Steve was joinedby writer Eric Kaz, Craig Fuller from Pure Prairie League, and Doug Yule from TheVelvet Underground. The first of their two albums was produced by George Martin.
Steve was offered an opportunity to get closer to the business of music in 1977with his appointment as East Coast Director of A&R and later as Vice President ofMercury Records.
Later Steve became enamored with all things Irish and in 1987 became ManagingDirector of Green Linnet Records, the foremost record label of traditional Irishmusic in America.
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2016 A Political RaceODDysey $15.00 Monday 5/23 7:30 pm Buy Tickets
Musical Comedy Take on the 2016 political campaign featuring several stars ofmusical theater and stage live at Nighttown!
Produced by The Cleveland Cabaret Project.
Election Madness? Bad Reality Show? Or Science Friction? Need a good laugh? Cleveland Cabaret Project's politically incorrect and satiricrevue is the perfect antidote!
Currently scheduled to appear five times on the intimate Nighttown stage, 2016: arace ODDyssey will feature some of Cleveland’s best actors and singers. And justlike Washington’s famous Capitol Steps, the cast will change from show-to-show, aswill some of the musical numbers, reflecting – and skewering - the political idiocythat took place over the previous week.
2016: A Political Race ODDyssey is a production of The Cleveland Cabaret Project,whose goal is to promote awareness and advancement of cabaret performance asan art form in and around the Cleveland area. Lora Workman is the founder andartistic director of CCP. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace’s Conservatory of Music,Lora studied cabaret in Italy and New York. She was selected to participate in the2007 Cabaret Conference at Yale, where she worked with Tony Nominee TovahFeldshuh, Jason Graae and Julie Wilson. She was a semi-finalist in the 2003 SanFrancisco Cabaret Competition, performed at Don’t Tell Mama’s in NYC andcreated The Cleveland Cabaret Project with Charles Eversole. In addition, shecontinues working with The North Coast Men’s Chorus, having choreographeddance numbers which were featured in the Linda Eder Concert at Severance Halland the March 2008 Bernadette Peters concert in The Allen Theatre atPlayhouseSquare. Lora is the Education/Community Liaison at PlayhouseSquarewhere she assists over 50,000 students and teachers each year with the Children'sTheater Series School Performances.
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Balkan Strings Trio $15.00 Wednesday 5/25 7:00 pm Buy Tickets
From Belgrade, Serbia!
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, Classicalmusic, asymmetrical rhythms and original guitar interpretation. The result,combining many cultures, is BALKAN SWING - JAZZ GUITAR - ETHNO - WORLDFUSION, virtuoso, rich and unconventional, fresh and spontaneous, brimming withenergy!
Authentic, attractive music with the finest taste, real presentation of guitar music inBalkan Jazz style, unique interpretation from three of them and the universal musiclanguage, 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 haveperformed in many Festivals (Jazz, Classical Guitar, World music) and concerts in:USA, Canada, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Moldova, Slovakia, ChechRepublic, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands,Luxembourg, Spain, UK, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. They did master classes-clinics and concertsfor classical and Jazz guitar students in Europe and in the USA.
FIRST PRIZE WINNER in the World category of the 2005 USA SongwritingCompetition with composition Water-mill written by Nikola Starcevic andperformed by Trio Balkan Strings.
FIRST PRIZE WINNER - Trio Balkan Strings won first prize and the Dolphin statue forbeing the best instrumental ensemble on the Music World 2004 Italy FestivalInternacionale Fivizzano.
FIRST PRIZE WINNER - of the JoAnn Falletta International Composition Competitionfor Guitar 2007 Buffalo, New York (Asiana IV written by Nikola Starcevic).
" Trio Balkan Strings dedication to the music of the Balkans and central Europe isinspiring. The guitar interpretations of this music are wonderful. Really good !!! "- John McLaughlin
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Laura Webster with DanMaier Trio$15.00 Thursday 5/26 8:00 pm Buy Tickets
North Coast Vocalist sings jazz, pop, folk, and more. Featuring: LauraWebster-vocals, Dan Maier-piano, Kevin Johnson-acoustic bass, & DonniePatterson-drums.
From Cleveland, Ohio, Laura spent much of her early career as a lead singer and songwriter inNew York City, performing in clubs throughout the metropolitan area. In the 1990s, Laurastudied music at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She formed the folk-blues band “TheStompers” with guitarist Dan Isenberg and performed on campus and at local clubs. She waslead vocalist for the rock band, “the Meteors” and the lead singer and songwriter for the funkband, “Tropic of Cancer.” Laura’s debut album, “Coming Home” was released in January of2004. This initial collection of original songs showcases her musical breadth as she steps up herperforming career. More recently, Laura is the vocal arts director at Hathaway Brown Schoolwhere she started a jazz solo class for singers and directs two vocal ensembles. Webster is indemand as a classical soloist as well as jazz solo artist throughout the Cleveland area.
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Pat Bianchi Organ Trio$20.00 Friday 5/27 8:30 pm Buy Tickets
NYC Organist from Pat Martino's Group leads All-Star East Coast Trio live atNighttown!
Featuring: Pat Bianchi-Hammond B-3 Organ, Dan Wilson-guitar, & CarmenIntorre-drums.
Grammy nominated organist Pat Bianchi, continues to establish himself as one ofthe foremost organists on the scene today. His command of the instrument,harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity as well as his sensitivity and versatility arerivaled by few. His most recent release, “A Higher Standard” is further proof of this.When Pat is not leading his own trio, he has the honor of performing with jazzguitar icon Pat Martino and also he continues to perform with NEA Jazz Master,
guitar icon Pat Martino and also he continues to perform with NEA Jazz Master,bebop saxophone legend Lou Donaldson.
Bianchi, who comes from a very musical family, began playing organ at the age of7. Unlike many organists of today, piano was not his first instrument. He wouldspend many hours at a Farfisa Compact Duo organ that was given to him as aChristmas gift. He was playing some of his first professional gigs by the age of 11.
Upon graduating high school, Bianchi continued his studies at Berklee College ofMusic in Boston and graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors of Music in Jazz PianoPerformance. Shortly after graduating cum laude, Bianchi secured the position asthe house pianist at the famous El Chapultepec club in Denver, CO. The Pec (as it isknown to locals) often brought in guest artists giving Pat a chance to play with suchgreats as Red Holloway, Dakota Staton, Carl Fontana, Javon Jackson, Mark Elf, BudShank, Brad Leali, Pete Christlieb, and Conte Candoli.
Upon moving to NYC, Bianchi quickly established himself on the competitive scene.Legendary saxophonist Lou Donaldson immediately took notice of the youngorganist. Donaldson would hire him when organist Dr. Lonnie Smith could notmake an engagement.
Upon resuming his tenure in Denver, Bianchi joined the faculty of the University ofColorado at Boulder Jazz Studies Program teaching piano, theory and ensembles toundergraduate, masters and doctoral students. During this time he recorded hisfirst album as a leader, East Coast Roots, which includes Mark Whitfield on guitarand Byron Landham on drums. At the same time, Bianchi began working closelywith drummer Ralph Peterson Jr. on collaborative projects including, co-leadingThe Unity Project (a tribute to organist Larry Young and his album Unity).
Bianchi returned to New York City in June of 2008. He officially joined LouDonaldson’s quartet in 2009 performing with Lou for almost a year and a halfbefore joining Pat Martino’s working trio in 2011.
While still actively performing with both Pat Martino and Lou Donaldson, Bianchinot only continues to collaborate with many well known musicians he also leads anumber of different groups including his trio, which is featured on his latest release“A Higher Standard”.
Pat shows no signs of slowing down. He is constantly working to push his playing tothe next level. Having the great fortune of apprenticing under a number of greatmasters in Jazz has given him the confidence to spread his wings. Bianchi isdefinitely the next Organist to make a mark in the world of Jazz!
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Mary Bridget Davies $20.00 Thursday 6/02 8:00 pm Buy Tickets
Tony Nominated singer and Cleveland native, Mary BridgetDavies, will make her Nighttown debut for an evening of jazzstandards and selections by her musical influences. What’smore, fans will be able to submit their song requests viaFacebook for Mary Bridget to rework.
Featuring Ryan Sudick on Piano.
Planning a reception, wedding, business meeting, graduation, birthday or B'nai Mitzvah?
. . . . . . . . .think Nighttown!
We give you the best package in town at a price that won't break thebank. And everything is included at no extra charge. Our experienceis as accommodating as our atmosphere. Private function spacesfrom 20 - 150. Valet parking available.
To book your party, call Brendan Ring directly at 216-952-9133
Visit our Private Event Page
Nighttown uses Yamaha Pianosexclusively
For more information about the Yamaha C-7, The New Avant Grand Piano or any of the Yamaha pianos,
Please contact Classic Pianos-Akron/Cleveland at 216-831-1600
Recommended Places to StayIntercontinental Suites 216-707-4100
The Place on Larchmere 216- 721-8968University Circle Bed & Breakfast 216-721-8968
Looking for great music on the radio
and the web?
Check out the Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions
Radio Guide. Updated 10/10/15 Radio List (in pdf)
Thanks to Bruce Amsel for compiling and keeping the list up to date!!!
12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)
Cleveland Heights, OH 216-795-0550
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www.nighttowncleveland.comMap to Nighttown
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Call us for Music for your Private Event216-721-5624 [email protected]
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"Late Night at Nighttown"Fridays Moss Stanley on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover
Saturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover
Wednesday, April 20 Drew Shultz Funk Machine 7 PM $10.Classic R & B and More from Drummer and Native Cleveland and his NYC Band:Featuring: Drew Schultz-drumsChris Ams-vocalsEmilio Tostado-guitarJohn Guari-keyboardsJent LaPalm-bass
Thursday, April 21 Marcus Johnson 8 PM $20.Dynamic Contemporary Jazz Keyboard wizard from Washington D.C. makes his Cleveland debut atNighttown!Featuring:Marcus Johnson-piano & keysRobert Hubbard-drumsTony Watson-saxJon Jones-bass
Friday, April 22 Songwriters in the Round 8:30 PM $10.Singer Songwriters share their music and Tell Stories Live at Nighttown! On Nighttown's intimateStephen's Green patio stage!Featuring: Rick Szekelyi, Amanda Walsh, Matt Harmon, & Kate Kooser.
Saturday, April 23 Phillip 'Doc' Martin 8:30 PM $25.Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist from Washington DC and his band return to Nighttown!
Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist from Washington DC and his band return to Nighttown!
Sunday, April 24 Case Western Jazz Program 7 PM $5.Next Generation of Jazz Musicians from Case hit the Stage at Nighttown! Featuring two Big Bands!
Tuesday, April 26 Lakeridge Academy Jazz Program 7 PM $5.Next Generation of Jazz Musicians Hit the Stage at Nighttown!
Wednesday, April 27 Javon Jackson 7 PM $20.Dynamic Jazz Saxophonist returns to Nighttown! Presented in association with Tri-C Jazz Festival. Lineup TBA.Featuring:Javon Jackson – Tenor SaxWillie Jones, III – DrumsJeremy Manasia – PianoDavid Williams- Bass
Thursday, April 28 Chuchito Valdes Quintet featuring Mitch Frohman 8 PM $25.From Cuba! Piano Virtuoso and his group return to Nighttown!Featuring:Chuchito Valdes-piano & leaderMitch Frohman-sax & fluteSammy DeLeon-timbalesJose "Cheito" Hernandez-bassRafael Guzman-congas
Friday, April 29 Tom Chapin 8:30 PM $25.Legendary Singer/Songwriter returns to Nighttown!
Saturday, April 30 The Numbers Band (15-60-75) 8:30 PM $10.From Kent, Ohio! Celebrating their 45th Year! Northeast Ohio Jazz, Blues, & Rock Legends hit the Stageat Nighttown!Featuring: Bob Kidney-guitar & vocals, Jack Kidney-harmonica, sax, keys, & vocals, Terry Hynde-sax, BillWatson-bass, & Frank Casamento-drums.
Sunday, May 1 Alvin Frazier Quintet in Tribute to Miles Davis 7 PM $20.Miles: A Retrospective into the Art & Mind of Miles Davis.North Coast Guitarist and Featured actor in the new Miles Davis Movie "Miles Ahead" plays musicinspired by Miles Live at Nighttown!Featuring: Alvin Frazier-guitar, Joseph Elf-keys, Frank Walton-trumpet, Jeremiah Napier-bass, & DeionWilliams-drums.
Mon May 2 Baldwin Wallace Musical Theater -.The Senior Showcase 7pm $10Next generation of Broadway Stars hit the stage at Nighttown!
Friday, May 6 Horns & Things 8:30 PM $20.Landmark North Coast Contemporary Jazz Group live at Nighttown!Featuring: Ken LeeGrand-sax, J.T. Lynch-sax, Sakait Baksar-piano & keys, Derrick James-electric bass, &Ray Harvin-drums.
Saturday, May 7 Dominick Farinacci & Spirit of the Groove 8:30 PM $15.Spirit of the Groove: Jazz & Gospel live at Nighttown!Hosted by Dominick Farinacci & Johnny Parker Presented in co-operation with Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland.
Monday, May 9 2016 A Race ODDysey 7 PM $15.Musical Comedy Take on 2016 Campaign featuring Several Stars of Musical Theater and Stage live atNighttown!Produced by The Cleveland Cabaret Project.
Produced by The Cleveland Cabaret Project.
Wednesday, May 11 Cleveland Hts. H.S. Jazz Program 7 PM $5.Next Generation of Jazz musicians from Cleveland Hts. hit the stage at Nighttown!
Thursday, May 12 Hathaway Brown Musical Program 7:30 PM $10.Next Generation of Musical Talent from HB live at Nighttown!
Friday, May 13 Occidental Gypsy 8:30 PM $20.Top Notch Gypsy Jazz Quintet From Providence, Rhode Island!Featuring: Brett Feldman-lead guitar, Jeremy Frantz-vocals & guitar, Eli Bishop-violin, Jeff Feldman-bass,& Erick Cifuentes-percussion.
Sunday, May 15 Red Light Roxy 7 PM $15.Jazz, Swing, and More from North Coast Based Band! Featuring: Eileen Burns-vocals, Joe Hunter-piano, Dave Sterner-sax, Daris Adkins-guitar, DemetriusSteinmetz-acoustic bass, & Glenn Davis-drums.
Monday, May 16 Robin Nolan Trio 7 PM $20.Gypsy Jazz Guitarist from London/Amsterdam lights up the Nighttown Stage with his Trio!
Wednesday, May 18 Tri-C SoundWorks 7 PM $15.All-Star North Coast Tri-C JazzFest Octet hits the stage at Nighttown!Featuring: John Klayman-tenor sax, Jack Schantz-trumpet, Howie Smith-alto sax, Chris Anderson-trombone, Bob Ferrazza, guitar, Theron Brown-piano, Glenn Holmes-acoustic bass, & Reggie Jackson-drums.
Thursday, May 19 Randy Napoleon 8 PM $20.NYC Guitarist from Freddy Cole's Group brings in his Current Group to play music from his new CD!
Friday, May 20 Organism w/Howie Smith/David Thomas/Bob Ferrazza/Bill Ransom 8:30 PM $15.Modern Jazz from North Coast based Organ Quartet. Featuring: Howie Smith-Sax, David Thomas-Hammond B-3 Organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, & Bill Ransom-drums.
Sunday, May 22 Steve Katz 7 PM $20.Guitarist, Vocalist, & Founding member of Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and Blues Project, plays special Soloshow, with classic tunes, and great stories!
Monday, May 23 2016 A Race ODDysey 7 PM $15.Musical Comedy Take on 2016 Campaign featuring Several Stars of Musical Theater and Stage live atNighttown!Produced by The Cleveland Cabaret Project.
Wednesday, May 25 Balkan Strings Trio 7 PM $15.From Belgrade, Serbia! TRIO BALKAN STRINGS (Zoran Starcevic & sons) performs its original guitar music, a fusion of Balkanmusic: 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 guitarinterpretations of this music are wonderful. Really good !!! "- John McLaughlin
Thursday, May 26 Laura Webster with Dan Maier Trio 8 PM $15.North Coast Vocalist sings jazz, pop, folk, and more. Featuring: Laura Webster-vocals, Dan Maier-piano,Kevin Johnson-acoustic bass, & Donnie Patterson-drums.
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Friday, May 27 Pat Bianchi Organ Trio 8:30 PM $20.NYC Organist from Pat Martino's Group leads All-Star East Coast Trio live at Nighttown!Featuring: Pat Bianchi-Hammond B-3 Organ, Dan Wilson-guitar, & Carmen Intorre-drums.
