About JazzErie

SUNDAY, APRIL 17  A Concert featuring Bruce Johnstone with Strings,  

Blasco Library, 160 East Front St., Erie   Concert at 2:00 p.m.

Suggested Donation: JazzErie Members $10, Adult non-members, $15, Students $5.

Bruce will bring a small string orchestra from SUNY Fredonia for the occasion: an eight person string section, plus piano, bass & drums.  They will be playing a range of jazz standards, noted Brazilian compositions and some original material.  In addition to Bruce, members of the group will also solo.

The program is sponsored by JazzErie, the Erie County Public Library, Erie Arts * Culture and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

A free workshop will be presented by Johnstone at 1:00 p.m., prior to the concert.  It will also be in the Hirt Auditorium at Blascoe.  Students of jazz, saxophonists, amateur and professional musicians and other interested persons are encouraged to attend.

Johnstone is well known to Erie audiences, and to jazz enthusiasts around the world.  He built a strong reputation as a soloist in his native New Zealand before moving west (east?) and playing in the Netherlands and England, then coming to the U.S. to attend Berklee.  He soon became a sought-after soloist as well as section musician, and joined the Maynard Ferguson band, touring for two years as a featured soloist and making a number of recordings.  H then played with a wide variety of musicians in NYC, and  toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra before moving to Fredonia to take up teaching and heading the Jazz Department at SUNY Fredonia.  He continues to perform and inspire in regional groups.

Below, Bruce with the Woody Herman Orchestra in 1978 playing his own composition, "Sunrise Lady."

THURSDAY, MAY 12  JazzErie's "Next Generation" Concert, featuring the best are high school jazz bands along with regional professionals.

General McLane High School in Edinboro.  Time TBA but generally about 6:30 p.m.  Admission $5., Students free.

This always exciting event brings together the fresh talents being developed in 4 - 5 area schools, along with are professional musicians for an afternoon of enterprise and creativity.  Students playing, singing, marching in the aisles -- always unpredictable and fun

SATURDAY, JUNE 18  JazzErie Jazz & Blues Walk.  Home base this year will be Calamari's Restaurant, 1317 State St., with jazz and blues bands stationed at various downtown locations as always, and a $10 suggested donation for the festivities..

MORE INFORMATION TO COME.  STAY TUNED!