JUNEAU — Jazz & Classics’ second weekend will showcase the stunning talent of Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, the Katie Thiroux jazz quartet and its signature event: Puttin’ on the Ritz featuring “The President’s Own” US Marine Band Jazz Combo and more.
“Jazz & Classics’ second weekend includes a seasoned musician who ranks among the top Grammy award winners, an up-and-comer who’s now setting fire to the jazz scene, and a combo that gets to say they’re ‘The President’s Own’,” said artistic director Linda Rosenthal. “I know this is an over-abundance of musical talent, but if you can make just one event this year, make it Puttin’ on the Ritz: our signature celebration that includes the best from the worlds of jazz and classical music.”
Some claim Béla Fleck has reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo and the numbers back it up, Fleck has won 15 Grammys, earned 30 nominations, and has been nominated in more different musical categories than anyone in Grammy history. Catch Fleck and Washburn’s virtuosity on this uniquely American instrument with two performances at the ANB’s Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Friday, May 13, at 7 and 9 p.m.
The Quartet has been setting the jazz world on fire with their unbridled ingenuity and relentless swing. Bassist-vocalist-composer Katie Thiroux has been called, “flat out phenomenal … a jazz triple threat.” Roger Neumann performs on tenor sax, Graham Dechter on guitar, and Matt Witek on drums. Catch them at the JACC on Saturday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Jazz & Classics’ signature mix of classical and jazz artists, Puttin’ on the Ritz in its 30th season features The President’s Own Marine Band Jazz Combo, the Katie Thiroux Quartet, Russian violin virtuoso Roman Kim, pianist Maxim Pakhomov, and Third Coast Percussion. Besides the music, there will be hors d’oeuvres, a special 30th anniversary toast, and a no-host bar on Saturday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the UAS Egan Library.
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band was established by Congress in 1798 to perform for the President and now is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical group. Its dynamic musicians perform everything from traditional standards and bebop to smooth jazz and Latin.
Juneau will here more from the Marine Band Jazz Combo in the week ahead: Music and a Movie at the Gold Town Nickelodeon on Monday, May 16, at 5 p.m.; a Jazz Jam at the Lucky Lady later that evening at 7:30 p.m.; a free jazz workshop at UAS on Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m.; a brown bag concert at the State Office Building at noon Wednesday, May 18; and capping off the day with a Rush Hour concert of Latin Jazz at the JACC, beginning at 4:45 pm.
