Romolo Chocolates again brings an exemplary collection of great musical experiences to Erie.  All held in the welcoming outdoor patio at 1525 West 8th St., 6-9 p.m. every Saturday starting June 21st.  ALL FREE.  Bring your eyes and  ears, your appetite for ice cream and chocolate, and your capacity for pure pleasure.

Says Romolo owner Tony Stefanelli: "I couldn’t help myself and am bringing back some of the most amazing players I have ever heard, and that’s why you’ll see Greatest Hits listed for those gigs.  We are also hosting actress (12 Years a Slave) and R&B singer Gloria Reuben, as well as the Gabe Butterfield band whose singer is touring with the Blues Brothers and whose drummer, Gabe Butterfield, is the son of Paul Butterfield of the legendary Paul Butterfield Blues Band.  We finish in August with Hendrik Meurkens, a pioneer of Samba jazz and master of the jazz harmonica."

Romolo Chocolates 2014 Summer Music Series

All shows are free and held at Romolo Chocolates’ outdoor piazza
1525 West 8 Street in Erie, PA—814-452-1933
 

Sat, July 19:  6-9 pm
Greg Hatza and Ralph Lalama.  Romolo Music Series Greatest Hits: the return of rockin’ B3 organist Hatza with 3X Grammy-winning saxophonist Lalama

Gret Hatza—B3 organ
Ralph Lalama—saxophone
Frank Singer—guitar
Joe Dorris--drums

The excerpt below presents Ralph Lalama with a different trio.

JazzErie Education Committee members Dr. Scott Meier and Dr. Allen Zurcher are again conducting a series of in-school Workshops for elementary and middle school students in the Erie Area.  Sponsored by JazzErie and Gannon University's Schuster Foundation, the workshops represent part of JazzErie's efforts to expose area students to the excitement and joy of jazz music.  The session was hosted by Harding music teacher Dennis TeCulver.

At a Workshop at Harding Elementary School on May 16, I observed a terrific presentation by Dr.'s Meier and Zurcher to two enthusiastic of students in the Music Room at Harding Elementary School in Erie, and got some very encouraging news from Harding's music teacher TeCulver.

Interactive show.

The program began with a brief discussion and video on origins and history of jazz.  Then the really fun part, a quick tutorial on how saxophones work, including a chance for the students to get a close-up look, and to touch and heft a soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone. (It was universally agreed that the baritone was REALLY heavy, and the kids loved putting their arm up its bell, in spite of Scott's warning about the squirrel inside.)

Highlight of the Workshop was a live demo of improvising by the two musicians.  First using a structure of simple, familiar tunes, then moving on to a free musical "conversation" using music not words, Allen and Scott played and the kids got it.  Lots of questions from the kids.

Erie schools music programs expanding.

After some years of shrinkage, arts programming in the Erie school system are expanding, according to music teacher TeCulver.  Erie Schools Superintendent Dr. Jay Badams is vigorously committed to expanding music and arts in Erie's schools, and continues to persuasively make his case to the School Board.  More schools, like Harding, have a full-time music teacher, though a few still have teachers shared between schools.  The presentation described here occurred in a dedicated Music Room. Stacked along the walls were multiple violin and cello cases, containing instruments ready for upper grade string students to develop their skills.

 

Once a year we feature vocalists from the tri-state region. We had a blast this year and hope you did too. We captured a few of the performances on video just for you. Enjoy!