The next West Virginia Jazz Society produced event - Appalachian Jazz Weekend - is scheduled for May 20-23, 2010, in Bridgeport and Clarksburg, WV with free public performances and ticketed events scheduled over three nights and three days.
WVJS' purpose is to showcase a diverse program of jazz music and fine arts education available in Appalachia.
The bands (details below) are from western Pennsylvania, southern West Virginia, western North Carolina (by way of NYC), and northwestern Virginia.
One of the top ten things to do to have fun in WV is to stay at the Wingate Hotel and attend the jazz events in the Bridgeport Conference Center which is attached to the hotel. You don't even have to go outside to attend the shows, and you won't want to eat anywhere else. Hint: there may be fewer than three dozen rooms still available at the Wingate, but more at the Microtel across the parking lot.
The Trachy Lacy Collective
This a quartet of "young lions" led by founders and long-time collaborators, Russell Lacy on drums and Seth Trachy (pronounced "trashy") on sax with "sidemen" on piano and acoustic bass. Their music is modern jazz with strong traditional roots. With Lacy in a leading role as a drummer, their music can be quite lively while Trachy keeps things melodically focused. Lacy grew up in Raleigh, NC and Trachy grew up near Galax, Va
The Blue Notes
This veteran jazz outfit from the Charleston, West Virginia area is a project of guitarist, Steve Himes. With the incomparable sound of the Hammond B-3 organ, played by Macdonald "Big Mac" Cary, their performance transcends the average trio. The drummer is Chris Hudson and Danielle Connard sits in for vocals.
Salsamba
This quintet has earned a reputation as a standard bearer in Latin jazz with a 25-year history in the Pittsburgh area. They have six popular CDs produced under the leadership of guitarist, Eric Susoeff. With double percussion by drums and congas, the music keeps moving right along, yet their sax is right there with its own straight-ahead jazz presence.
Rendezvous
From Winchester, Virginia, this sextet calls itself a "variety band" because as professionally trained musicians they can play in style or genre. They have been forced to play where people are willing to pay, and jazz has not always been the preferred genre, which is one of the reasons they are so excited to be playing jazz in a place designed for jazz by people who prefer jazz. They play original arrangements, but also can and do play songs precisely as they were recorded, so they do tribute sets to jazz legends like Horace Silver and Duke Ellington.
Individual Band Schedules
The Blue Notes
- May 20, 2010 (with friends sitting in to jam) will perform for free at Buffalo Wild Wings in Bridgeport
- May 21, 2010 Jazz Ambassador Concert at Bridgeport High School. Stay tuned for for more info on times and access.
- May 21, 2010 Jazz In Charles Pointe call 304 808 3000 for information and to order tickets
Trachy/Lacy Collective
- May 21, 2010 Trachy/Lacy will play for free in a noontime Jazz Ambassador Concert at the First Methodist Church in Clarksburg.
- May 21, 2010 Jazz At Charles Pointe, call 304 808 3000 for information and to order tickets
Salsamba
- May 22, 2010 Jazz At Charles Pointe, call 304 808 3000 for information and to order tickets
Renedezvous
- Jazz At Charles Pointe, call 304 808 3000 for information and to order tickets
Jazz Ambassador Concerts are free in-the-community shows at churches, schools and other public venues intended to make community members ambassadors for jazz music in this area when they talk with their friends, relatives and visitors.
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