'Jazz Bash' kicks off CNY series

SYRACUSE — The annual Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation concert series opens Saturday with a new event designed to help pay for it.

Organizers describe the "Jazz Bash" as a marathon fundraising party.

"We envision this annual kickoff event as a way to keep up with ever rising operation costs, such as utilities and insurance, and a way to introduce a larger public to our venue," CNY Jazz Board president Barney Molldrem said in a release.

Jazz Bash will be held from 2 to 11 p.m. at the organization's theater, Jazz Central, at 441 E. Washington St.

Local jazz and blues instrumentalists and vocalists will perform.

The bash is one of five events in the series.

Here are the other four:

DRUMMER ON TAP

Dennis Mackrel, the series' first-ever invited drummer, performs Oct. 25 at Carrier Theater, 411 Montgomery St. He was a musical prodigy at 3, turned professional at 10 and joined the Count Bassie Band at 23.

Mr. Mackrel is a seasoned musician and clinician, traveling extensively and performing with many ensembles. His compositions and arrangements have been recorded and performed internationally by ensembles such as the WDR Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany, the RIAS Radio Big Band in Berlin, Germany, the Klüvers Big Band in Aarhus, Denmark, and the McCoy Tyner Big Band, whose Grammy-winning CDs "The Turning Point" and "Journey" included four of Mr. Mackrel's arrangements.

CABARET AT PERSIAN TERRACE

The series will host a Black History Month cabaret at Persian Terrace, at Hotel Syracuse, 500 S. Warren St., on Feb. 8.

Vocalist Nicole Henry returns to Syracuse for the cabaret following her popular appearance at the cabaret two years ago.

Her repertoire ranges from uplifting ballads and jazz standards to soul and popular music. This past spring, her third CD, "At Last," was released by Universal Records. She has performed at the Rainbow Room, Cotton Club and Lincoln Center in New York City.

BRAZILIAN BEAT

Michael Philip Mossman, a much sought-after composer/arranger of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz, performs at Carrier Theater March 28.

Mr. Mossman also is trumpeter and trombonist and has been active on the international scene since the age of 17. His solo album, "Orisha Suite," was nominated for a Latin Grammy. He has toured and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Joe Henderson and others.

BARITONE SAXOPHONIST

Critically acclaimed baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan will bring his "Tribute to Thad and Mel" program to Carrier Theater on May 16. He'll perform the best arrangements from the Thad Jones and Mel Lewis libraries. Mr. Jones was a trumpeter, and Mr. Lewis, a drummer.

Mr. Mossman also will perform "Celebration Suite" for baritone sax and big band, written by Robert Brokmeyer and originally recorded by Gerry Mulligan.

He has recorded five CDs and is a three-time winner of the Down Beat magazine critics poll.

CENTRAL NEW YORK JAZZ ARTS SERIES DETAILS

WHAT: 13th Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation series.

WHEN/WHERE: Concerts take place at either the organization's theater, Jazz Central, at 441 E. Washington St., Syracuse, or at the Carrier Theater, 411 Montgomery St. A special Black History Month cabaret is Feb. 8 at Persian Terrace, at Hotel Syracuse, 500 S. Warren St., featuring vocalist Nicole Henry.

UPCOMING CONCERTS: Jazz Bash on Sept. 27; drummer Dennis Mackrel, Oct. 25; composer/arranger Michael Philip Mossman, March 28; and baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, May 16.

COST: Jazz Bash tickets are $5. Prices for other concerts range from $19.50 to $27.50.

FOR MORE INFO: call the OnCenter box office at 435-2121.

ON THE WEB: www.cnyjazz.org/home.aspx