April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and San Jose jazz has planned an impressive lineup of events to mark the occasion. At the library, on every Tuesday in April at 7 p.m., speakers will share their insights on jazz.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and San Jose jazz has planned an impressive lineup of events to mark the occasion. At the library, on every Tuesday in April at 7 p.m., speakers will share their insights on jazz.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), and San Jose jazz has planned an impressive lineup of events to mark the occasion. At the library, on every Tuesday in April at 7 p.m., speakers will share their insights on jazz.
things jazz with a special JAM By NICOLE LIEURANCE Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., As a nation of immigrants, the San Jose.The photos are meant to United States embraces music offer insight into the music and from all over the world, but this jazz musicians’ lives. month it’s time to celebrate its Also at the library, on every own creation: jazz. April is Jazz Tuesday in April at 7 p.m.,speakers Appreciation Month (JAM), and will share their insights on jazz.On San Jose Jazz has planned an April 15, radio personality Bob impressive lineup of events to Parlocha will speak about the mark the occasion. broadcast industry and how new In an effort driven by the Smith- artists are breaking into it.He is the sonian Institution, Congress in former music director at KJAZZ, and a jazz musician himself. Perhaps the best known of the speakers is John Santos. A four- time Grammy nominee and Latin In total, jazz expert, Santos is a member of the Latin Jazz Advisory Commit- San Jose Jazz tee of the Smithsonian Institution. Such has been Santos’ local will present one impact as a musician that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom exhibit, five proclaimed Nov. 12, 2006 “John Santos Day.” lectures, three “He's one of the top Latin jazz musicians in the country,” Roach concerts and a says.In his talk on April 22,Santos will explain the roots of jazz and how to listen to it.To conclude the youth workshop series, on April 29 a group of Photograph Tom Ehrlich Legendary Latin jazz musician young musicians, Dave Ellis, in honor of JAM Dayna Stephens,Terrence Brew- John Santos will discuss how to listen to jazz as part of San Jose er and Jonathan Portez,will speak about the future of jazz. Jazz’s JAM events in April. Also this month, San Jose Jazz 2003 declared that “musicians, and City Lights Theater Company that is native to American, born schools,colleges,libraries,concert present a Jazz Showcase,featuring and bred,”Roach says.“It’s a great halls, museums, radio and televi- several Bay Area jazz artists and groups.First,on April 13 at 7 p.m., export to the rest of the world,and sion stations, and other organiza- it should be celebrated.” tions should develop programs to West Coast jazz group Octobop takes the stage. Its latest album, Now that’s something to get explore, perpetuate, and honor jazzed up about. jazz as a national and world treas- Very Early, topped the charts last year, finishing in the top 40 jazz For more information on Jazz ure.”San Jose Jazz has taken these albums nationally in 2007. Appreciation Month and San Jose words to heart and scheduled a Featured on April 26,8 p.m.,will Jazz, visit www.sanjosjazz.org. series of talks, exhibits, concerts be Full Spectrum Jazz Band, a full and classes. 18-piece big band that plays a In total, San Jose Jazz will pres- range of traditional and modern ent one exhibit,five lectures,three STEPPIN’ OUT STAFF jazz, and on April 27, 2 p.m., Latin concerts and a youth workshop in jazz group Azucar De Amor with Editor honor of JAM.Geoff Roach,exec- vocalist Kat Parra will hold a CD Dale Bryant utive director of San Jose Jazz,says release.All concerts take place at 408.200.1021 it’s important for people of all ages City Lights Theater,529 S.Second dbryant@community- to understand and appreciate jazz. St., San Jose. newspapers.com “Jazz is the basis of rock ’n’ roll For all the young aspiring musi- Arts Coverage and rap—where a lot of modern cians out there, San Jose Jazz will Heather Zimmerman music comes from,” Roach says. hold a one-day master class for 408.200.1054 “If we didn't have musicians like youth ages 12-18 on April 19, hzimmerman@community- Louis Armstrong and Charlie taught by saxophonist Kristen newspapers.com Parker,we may not have the forms Strom and jazz guitarist Scott Social Coverage of music we have today.” Sorkin.The workshop is part of an Mary Gottschalk A photography exhibit showing ongoing program by the Los 408.200.1035 off the work of jazz photogra- Gatos “Jazz on the Plazz,”and will mgottschalk@community- phers Tom Ehrlich,Peter Maiden, be held at the Los Gatos Art newspapers.com Andy Nozaka and Walter Wagner Museum, 4 Tait Ave., Los Gatos, Advertising Information is open throughout the month of from 9 a.m. to noon. 408.200.1002 April on the second floor of the “Jazz is one of the few art forms