Jazz In North Park Series: Four Women Only, Sept. 1

Lyric’s Jazz in North Park Series, presented in conjunction with Holly Hofmann, continues at the Birch North Park Theatre with Four Women Only on September 1, 2010.

Gathering from across the country, Four Women Only is a stellar quintet of players brought together by a common love of jazz. Led by Holly Hofmann on flute, Four Women Only includes Mary Fettig on alto sax, Mimi Fox on guitar, Kristin Korb on bass, and Sylvia Cuenca on drums. All of these artists are top players on their instruments, each with an extensive background in jazz performance and improvisation. This is a rare opportunity to hear this talented group of players in Southern California.

Next up in the Jazz in North Park series: 

October 6: Cannonball-Coltrane Project

November 3: The Ken Peplowski Quartet

All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22 for seniors, KSDS 88.3 FM members, and Lyric  members, and $27 for general admission. Student discount tickets for $15 are available on the day of the show. For tickets call (619) 239-8836, or order online.

Jazz in North Park is presented by Lyric in collaboration with Music Director Holly Hofmann, in association with KSDS 88.3 FM) radio.

“Jazz in North Park” Heads Into Summer with Denise Donatelli and the Geoffrey Keezer Quartet

Lyric’s series of jazz concerts, “Jazz in North Park,” heads into summer at the Birch North Park Theatre with Denise Donatelli and the Geoffrey Keezer Quartet, on Wednesday, July 7, 2010.

“The love for jazz is evident when Donatelli sings, as each note opens with the vibrancy of a lush flower and holds with the precision of a long-time student of the art. With picture-perfect pitch and a crystalline quality to her higher notes, she presents a vocal palette that is appealing, energetic, enticing, and sensual.” – Jordan Richardson, blogcritics.org

Born in Allentown, Penn., Denise Donatelli was drenched in music from an early age. She has performed in jazz clubs and jazz festivals across the country. Her first CD, “In the Company of Friends,” was released in 2005 on the Jazzed Media label and her 2008 release, “What Lies Within” on the Savant Records label, debuted on the National Jazz Week Chart at #15 and peaked at #11. Her upcoming release with pianist, composer/arranger, Geoffrey Keezer, who will join her on this double bill, is scheduled for a spring 2010 release. 

Keezer, who now lives in San Diego, is an immensely talented pianist who, at 17, joined the great Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, then went on to perform with Art Farmer, Ray Brown, Christian McBride, Jim Hall, and countless others. His own projects cover a wide range of musical expression from acoustic jazz to electronica to diverse world-music collaborations including his 2009 Grammy-nominated CD “Aurea.” Joining the quartet for this performance is San Diego’s favorite guitarist, 
Peter Sprague.

Jazz in North Park is presented by Lyric Opera San Diego in collaboration with Music Director Holly Hofmann, in association with KSDS 88.3 FM) radio. Tickets are $27 for adults, $15 for students. Show Lyric or KSDS membership card and save $5 off single show tickets. Tickets and information: www.birchnorthparktheatre.net or (619) 239-8836.

One of the Hottest Jazz Tickets in Town!

 It's official! The Birch North Park Theatre has become one of the top venues in San Diego to hear great jazz. Find out for yourself with the Terell Stafford Quartet, featuring Gerald Clayton, on Wednesday, June 2.

Presented by Lyric Opera San Diego in collaboration with Music Director Holly Hofmann, in association with KSDS (88.3 FM) radio, the concert begins at 7pm. Single tickets are $27 for
adults, $15 for students (Day of Show). 
You can show your Lyric Opera or KSDS membership card and save $5 off single show tickets. (Discounts and show packages not available online.)

Born in Miami to a musical family, trumpeter Terell Stafford spent his formative years as a sideman in alto player Bobby Watson’s Horizon quartet. Since leaving Watson, Stafford has spent time with McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis, and with Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” house band.

Terell is an exciting performer and his playing shows a lyrical commitment to melody with an adventurous spirit.  His rich, expressive tone can be heard on two recent recordings from MaxJazz Records, including “Taking Chances: Live at the Dakota.” Stafford’s quartet features the young pianist Gerald Clayton, the son of bassist John Clayton. The critics comment that Clayton has “a lyrical and ethereal approach,” and he’s a pianist that is “always intriguing,” adding that his playing is “extremely sensitive and consistently satisfying.”

The Jazz in North Park Series wraps up for the summer with Denise Donatelli and the Geoffrey Keezer Quartet on July 7 -- one of a handful of real jazz vocalists featuring one of the best pianists/arrangers in the business! Joining the quartet for this performance is San Diego's favorite jazz guitarist, Peter Sprague.

   

For more info or to purchase tickets, you know where to go: http://www.birchnorthparktheatre.net or (619) 239-8836

Is there such a thing as too much jazz? The Union-Tribune's pop and jazz writer, George Varga, takes a look at the San Diego jazz scene, noting that the Birch North Park Theatre has become a home for great jazz concerts like this one.

Jazz Guitar Star Graham Dechter Makes San Diego Debut at BNPT

 Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life. —Art Blakey  




There’s nothing quite like the feeling of anticipation you have when you take your seat in a theatre and the lights start to go down. Even more pleasant is the feeling of knowing you’re about to hear an amazing musical performance by a rising young star for the first time, in an intimate environment like the Birch North Park Theatre.

You can be part of the audience having that experience when up-and-coming jazz guitar star Graham Dechter makes his San Diego debut on May 5, as part of Lyric Opera San Diego’s series of jazz concerts, “Jazz in North Park.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dechter is from a family of musicians, and at age 23, is just coming into his own. This performance marks the release of his debut CD, “Right on Time,” on Capri Records, featuring drummer Jeff Hamilton, pianist Tamir Hendelman and John Clayton on Bass.

“Once in a blue moon, a talent comes along who grabs everyone’s attention. Graham is the most recent one to grab MY attention,” Hamilton says of his protégé. “His dedication, work ethic, awareness, and musical sensibility has brought him to this point in his young career. This is only the beginning.” Dechter’s first-ever CD includes such tunes as “The Nearness of You” and the Ellington-Johnny Hodges cut “Squatty Roo.” Citing what it calls “Dechter’s good taste,” the All Music Guide to Jazz says “Right on Time” is “a sure sign of the rarest of commodities – a virtuosic guitarist with nothing to prove.”

Single tickets are: Adults $27, Students (Day of Show) $15. Show your Lyric Opera or KSDS membership card and save $5 off single show tickets. 
(Discounts and show packages not available online.)
Tickets and information: www.birchnorthparktheatre.net or (619) 239-8836.

Jazz Greats Collaborate in Duo Piano Concert

Presented by Lyric Opera San Diego and Holly Hofmann, the “Jazz in North Park” Series continues at the Birch North Park Theatre with Mike Wofford and Kenny Werner on April 7.

The genius of pianist Mike Wofford can be found in his fluid, but hard-swinging reharmonization of classic jazz standards, and improvisations that have earned him the esteem of critics and colleagues alike. His resume, which goes back to the ’60s West Coast jazz movement, includes stints as pianist for such giants as Shelly Manne, Stan Getz, and Kenny Burrell, among many others. Longtime San Diego resident Wofford’s rare performances at home are always must-see shows for the best in innovative and original jazz. Joining Wofford is highly regarded New York pianist Kenny Werner, lauded for his ability to perform at an exceptionally high level in all types of music. He has recorded with Mingus, Joe Lovano, Toots Thielemans and a host of others. There are few performances in jazz that are as exciting, or as difficult, as duo piano. Both of these players are at the top of their craft and reputations.

Remaining concerts in the Jazz in North Park series are:

Graham Dechter Quartet featuring Tamir Hendelman, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton, May 5, 2010

Terell Stafford Quartet featuring Gerald Clayton, June 2, 2010

Denise Donatelli with Geoffrey Keezer Quartet, July 7, 2010

Tickets are $27 for adults, $15 for students on the day of show. A three-show package for the rest of the Jazz Series is $66. You can show your Lyric Opera or KSDS membership card and save $5 off single show tickets. Order tickets here.