Jazz

On April 8, a poetry and jazz event was held at Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery Inc. in Hagerstown. Art Page led the session. The monthly events are held the second Sunday of every month at the gallery, 4 W. Franklin St. in Hagerstown. For more information, call 301-791-6191, send an email to ronlytle3@netzero.net or go to www.csagi.org .

Nationally recognized musicians Zupe and Dave Nichols brought their blend of jazz, funk, blues and rock to Western Maryland on Sunday as part of a monthly program hosted by the Hancock Arts Council. The duo was recognized last year during the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, where their song “Step On It” was nominated for best instrumental composition. “We walked the red carpet at the Kodak Theatre,” Zupe said before taking the stage. “We got to hang out with Smokey Robinson.” Zupe and Nichols traveled south from their homes in Pennsylvania to play for two hours in front of about 50 people Sunday afternoon at the Hancock Community Center.

Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery Inc. held its monthly Jazz and Poetry open house Dec. 11. It was a full house with Art Page and George Carver presenting their Poetry in Motion. Music was by the River Knott Band, which included Kevin Hart, Tom Todran, Rasan Jones and Aaron Worthy. The next Jazz and Poetry event will be Jan. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 301-791-6191, email ronlytle3@netzero.net , or go to csagi.org . The gallery is at 4 W. Franklin St. in Hagerstown.

Jazz guitarists Peter Bernstein and Jack Wilkins recently returned from performing on tours in Australia and Brazil. “And I just got back from Russia,” said guitarist Paul Bollenback, “so yeah, kind of funny, right?” The internationally renowned artists, along with bassist Joseph Lepore and drummer McClenty Hunter, came together Sunday afternoon at the 20th annual Renfrew Institute Free Jazz Festival at Waynesboro Area Middle School. Bollenback, a 31-year professional performer and New York native, has performed 18 times in the show's 20-year history, and all five men are regulars on the New York City jazz scene.

The piano misbehaves, the saxophone screams and the drums shift from ethereal and restrained to raw and ready to rumble. It's a study in collective improvisation - a rhythmic energy known as jazz. And on Sunday, Aug. 21, it returns to Waynesboro in the form of a big backyard party. As it has for the past 20 years, the Renfrew Museum and Park will play host to the Renfrew Institute Jazz Festival - a concert featuring some of the world's top musicians. The festival will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the lawn behind the museum house.

The Nasar Abadey Trio will be performing Thursday night for the third of five Center City Jazz Nights, according to the city of Hagerstown's website . Center City Jazz Nights is a free music series in downtown Hagerstown. Each Thursday, a different jazz artist performs. The first Center City Jazz Night on June 9 featured Project Natale. Johnny Artis performed June 16. On June 30, Marshall Keys is scheduled to perform, and the last performance will be July 7 by Phillip "Doc" Martin, according to the website.

Jazz bassist Larry Ridley lives by many mantras, including one taught to him by his mother: “Once you stop learning, you’re dead.” It’s a phrase that during his 50-plus years touring the world, Ridley has put into practice in his career. He also tells new generations of musicians that jazz is “the roots that has produced the fruits.” Another lifelong student is Ridley’s longtime friend and fellow musician, Larry Willis. From jazz to rock — he had a seven-year gig with Blood, Sweat and Tears — Willis has dared anyone to pigeonhole him into one specific genre.

Marcelo Berestovoy began playing guitar at age 11 because he idolized The Beatles. “I wanted to be John Lennon, and then I discovered other styles (of music),” he said, adding that his father was an amateur violinist whose love of jazz also influenced him. The Argentina native said he knew from the beginning that he wanted to make a career out of his music, and loves to perform and teach all styles of music. “If it’s guitar music, I’m in,” he said.  On Saturday, June 11, Berestovoy will share his love of the guitar with participants in Hagerstown Community College’s fourth annual Guitar Mini-Fest.

Public-school band members spend hours practicing their art, perfecting their songs. When they are finally polished and ready to perform in concert, the audience is predictable. It's a loyal following of parents, younger siblings and maybe some grandparents here and there. Smithsburg Middle School band director Gary Rupert said Washington County Public Schools' annual Swingin' in the Park Jazz Festival allows students to be heard by an audience that extends beyond their schools and families.

Washington County Free Library will present jazz guitarist Rick Whitehead as part of its Noteworthy Sundays at Your Library Concert Series. The concert begins Sunday at 3 p.m. at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts at 7 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown. Retired from the Air Force Band, Whitehead teaches jazz guitar at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va.; at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.; and in his home studio. He has led clinics at the Mobile Jazz Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and the International Association for Jazz Educators.