In four stellar concerts featuring some of the brightest lights in jazz today, 2018’s Highlights In Jazz series brings together a multitude of beloved jazz musicians spanning generations and styles. You’ll hear unforgettable performances from nonagenarians Jimmy Heath, Bucky Pizzarelli and Dick Hyman, youthful sensations Dominick Farinacci and Peter and Will Anderson, and mainstream mainstays including Russell Malone, Steve Turre, George Cables, Houston Person, and many more.
Gathering top musicians across generations and genres is a hallmark of Highlights In Jazz, and a goal of producer Jack Kleinsinger. “All-star jams are my stock-in-trade–bringing musicians together to play with people they don’t play with every night of the week. The audience gets to hear something different from what they’ll hear in the clubs,” Kleinsinger notes. “We’re blessed to have so many great musicians in New York, and I like to include a variety of younger artists and veterans.”
Surprise special guest are another trademark of every concert in the series, from the very first Highlights In Jazz presentation in the early 1970s. There’s always at least one unannounced top-flight musician scheduled to appear, plus there are often special guest who surprise even Kleinsinger. “I’ll see someone in the audience and bring them up, or sometimes someone will come backstage to say hello and I’ll ask them to play. Once, Gerry Mulligan was in the house, and he walked up the aisle to the stage, playing his horn.”
Jack Kleinsinger’s
HIGHLIGHTS IN JAZZ 2018
46th year
The new season kicks off with the Highlights In Jazz 46th Anniversary Gala, featuring the Bucky Pizzarelli Trio with guitarist Russell Malone, and bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Acclaimed vocalist Kevin Mahogany and his band share the bill at this all-star show.
At 92 years old, guitar virtuoso Bucky Pizzarelli has a lot of musical history under his fingers: He’s played with renowned favorites including Benny Goodman, George Barnes, Stephane Grappelli, Frank Sinatra, the Tonight Show band, and Paul McCartney. Bucky Pizzarelli was on the bill of the very first Highlights In Jazz concert way back in the 1970s, and has returned to the series many times since. Throughout his career Bucky remained in the top-rank of most in-demand studio musicians, but for this seasoned pro, playing for an audience is the ultimate pleasure.
Joining the maestro on stage at 2018’s Highlights In Jazz season opener will be fellow guitarist Russell Malone, a six-string master in his own right. Russell credits Wes Montgomery and George Benson as early influences, but has such a distinctive style you’d never mistake him for anyone else. With more than a dozen albums as a leader, Russell has shown he knows his way around standards and originals. This versatile guitarist has performed with Ron Carter, Sonny Rollins, Dianne Reeves and other jazz icons.
Featured bassist Martin Pizzarelli proves the apple didn’t fall far from the talented family tree: He is Bucky Pizzarelli’s son and renowned guitarist John Pizzarelli’s brother.
Long recognized as among the top vocalists in jazz today, thanks to his expressive baritone voice, Kevin Mahogany knows his way around everything from swing to bop to blues to ballads. He’s proved his range over and over at clubs and festivals around the globe and on albums, as he turns his creativity to interpreting Motown hits, paying tribute to Charles Mingus, or exploring tunes inspired by the timeless pairing of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.
You won’t want to miss this event!
Thursday, February 22, 2018- 8 P.M.
- Highlights In Jazz – 46th Anniversary Gala
-Bucky Pizzarelli Trio with Russell Malone and Martin Pizzarelli
-Kevin Mahogany
Plus surprise special guest!
Mark your calendar for other concerts scheduled for the 2018 Highlights In Jazz season:
Thursday, March 22, 2018- 8 P.M.
- The Millennials Meet The Masters
Featuring saxophonists Peter and Will Anderson, trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, drummer Jimmy Cobb, bassist Buster Williams, trombonist Steve Turre, and pianist George Cables, plus surprise special guest!
Thursday, May 10, 2018- 8 P.M.
Pianist Dick Hyman, trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon, bassist Jay Leonhart, saxophonist Ken Peplowski, drummer/vibraphonist Chuck Redd, and surprise special guest!
Thursday, June 21, 2018- 8 P.M.
Guest of Honor: guitarist Russell Malone, plus saxophonists Jimmy Heath and Houston Person, drummers Lewis Nash and Willie Jones III, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Luke Sellick, and surprise special guest!
In producing the Highlights In Jazz series, Jack Kleinsinger is living the dream. Early on, he booked legendary jazzmen such as Buddy Rich and Dizzy Gillespie, “I idolized these guys growing up, and never dreamed I’d work with them, I never thought this would happen,” Jack reveals. To this day, “That feeling is still there. It doesn’t get any better than this for a fan.”
Schedule subject to change without notice.
Visit the The UNF Jack Kleinsinger Highlights in Jazz Archive
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