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Jaz Mentors & New Voices Michael Benedict & Bopitude feat. Gary Smulyan - Five and One Steve Kroon, Bryan Carrott		5 . 1 1 . 1 2 - Check out albanyjazz.com on Facebook! NEW ARTICLES/REVIEWS/PHOTOS POSTED: Jazz Mentors & New Voices @ The Athens Cultural Center - photos by Rudy Lu Michael Benedict & Bopitude feat. Gary Smulyan - CD review by Randy Treece Steve Kroon Sextet @ Union College - photos by Rudy Lu The Chronicle & Sketches of Influence Nonet +3 @ Brown's Revolution Hall - photos by Rudy Lu James Carter Organ Trio @ The Egg - photos by Albert Brooks A Celebration of the Saxophone in Jazz @ Proctors Robb Alley - photos by Rudy Lu Marco Benevento w/s/g Tuak @ Red Square - photos by Rudy Lu Michael Benedict & Bopitude feat. Gary Smulyan Five & One CD Release @ Greenville High School - concert review by Rudy Lu Michael Benedict & Bopitude feat. Gary Smulyan Five & One CD Release @ Greenville High School - photos by Rudy Lu

		CALARCO FEATURED IN MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE Drummer David Calarco is featured in this month's issue of Modern Drummer magazine. Calarco is interviewed by Ron Petrides in the "Portraits" section of the magazine. Click here to read the article.

Teri Roiger		TERI ROIGER LAUNCHES INDIEGOGO PROJECT Vocalist Teri Roiger has launched an Indiegogo project to help raise funds for the release of her new album "Dear Abbey: The Music of Abbey Lincoln". The album features bassist John Menegon, pianist Frank Kimbrough, drummer Steve Williams, saxophonist Greg Osby and guitarist Mark Dziuba. Click here for more information.

Bill McCann		JAZZ JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION NAMES BILL McCANN JAZZ HERO The Jazz Journalists Association has named Bill McCann a 2012 'Jazz Hero'. JJA 'Jazz Heroes' are activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz who have had significant impact in their local communities. Bill McCann has graced the airwaves, mixing mainstream and classic jazz with new releases as host of "The Saturday Morning Edition of Jazz" since April, 1985. His weekly four hour program, 8 am to noon, issues from the studios of WCDB-FM, the station at the University at Albany, State University of New York, and is heard on-line at WCDBFM.com. An attorney by day, Bill is also member of the board of directors of A Place For Jazz, a not-for-profit corporation based in Schenectady, New York, which has presented concert series for more than 25 years, as well as providing scholarships and clinics to students in local schools and colleges. The 2012 'Jazz Hero' awards will be presented in conjunction with the 2012 Jazz Journalists Association's Jazz Awards honoring significant achievements in jazz music and journalism. Click here for more information.

Shelia Jordan		SHELIA JORDAN @ THE EIGHT STEP - FRIDAY 5/11 Internationally celebrated scat singer and ballad interpreter Shelia Jordan & Friends - featuring Cameron Brown (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) and Ray Gallon (piano) - will appear in concert at the Eight Step at Proctors (432 State Street, Schenectady, NY) on Friday, May 11 at 7:30pm. In 2011 at Carnegie Hall Jordan was named an NEA Jazz Masters Fellow - the jazz world’s highest honor - taking her place among other great figures of jazz in America including Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins and Nancy Wilson. Click here for more information.

Jose Cruz		AHORA, LATIN JAZZ 2012 CONTINUES THURSDAY 5/17 Dr. Jose Cruz will continue the 2012 season of Jazz/Latino's "Ahora, Latin/Jazz" salon/concert series with The Jazz/Latino Retrospective: Video Highlights of the First Five Seasons @ Arts Center of the Capital Region on Thursday, May 17 at 7:30 pm. Other upcoming Ahora Latin/Jazz salons & concert include: Saturday 5/26 - Rebecca Cline & Nicki Denner: the Caribbean Side of Thelonious Monk @ Union College (8pm) Click here for more information.

Dick Oatts		DICK OATTS & JON GORDON @ LARK TAVERN - THURSDAY 5/24 The Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave, Albany, NY) will present alto saxophonists Dick Oatts and Jon Gordon on Thursday May 24 at 7:30 and 9:15pm. They will be joined by Dave Solazzo (piano), Otto Gardner (bass), and Joe Barna (drums). Jon Gordon is a winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition, and has been voted as a Rising Star in the Down Beat Critic's poll many times, including the 2010 poll in the categories of saxophone and composition. His last CD, Evolution was selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Jazz CDs of 2009 by numerous critics and magazines. Down Beat magazine selected his previous CD Within Worlds (2008) as one of the Best Jazz CD's of the decade. Born and raised in the state of Iowa, Dick Oatts made the move to New York City in 1977 and became a member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Since then he has recorded and toured with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Lester Bowie, Joe Lovano, Sam Jones, Tom Harrell, Paquito D'Rivera, Jim McNeely, Tito Puente, Kenny Wheeler, Gunther Schulle, Red Rodney, Eddie Gomez, Vic Juric, Bob Brookmeyer, Mel Lewis, Dom Salvador, Jerry Bergonzi, Flim & the BB's, Fred Hersch, Dave Berkman, Soren Moller, Terell Stafford, Jon Faddis, Lalo Schiffrin, Ray Mantilla and countless others. Click here for more information.

		JAZZ ON JAY ANNOUNCES 2012 PERFORMANCE SERIES Jazz on Jay - the popular free outdoor jazz series held on Jay Street in Schenectady every Thursday from noon until 1:30pm during the months of June, July and August - has announed its 2012 line up. The 2012 series will begin on Thursday, June 7 with a performance by April Marie & The Michael Lamkin Trio. Click here for the full line-up of performances.

Don Egry, Al Haugen		SWINGTIME PRESENT HAUGEN/EGRY QUARTET @ APPLETINI'S 6/10 The Swingtime Jazz Society will present the Al Haugen-Don Egry Quartet - featuring bassist Lou Pappas and drummer Bob Halek - in concert at Appletini's Restaurant (1118 Central Ave, Albany) from 4:00 to 6:00pm on Sunday, June 10. The comcert will be followed by a jam session from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Musicians who wish to play in the jam session are invited to bring their instruments. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Click here for more information.

Luca Ciarla		VIOLINIST LUCA CIARLA @ THE VAN DYCK - SATURDAY 6/23 A Place for Jazz and the Swingtime Jazz Society present internationally acclaimed Italian violinist Luca Ciarla and his quartet for a special concert at The Van Dyck (237 Union St, Schenectady) on Saturday, June 23 at 7:30pm. Ever since its debut in Asia and the United States, the Luca Ciarla Quartet has been appreciated by audiences and critics for their highly original tunes and arrangements, in which contemporary jazz and ethnic music happily blend together, creating an irresistible Mediterranean jazz sound with a gypsy touch. Click here for more information.

MUSICAL TOOLS FOR SCHENECTADY SCHOOLS		SCHENECTADY GROUP SEEKS INSTRUMENTS FOR STUDENTS A new group, Musical Tools for the Schenectady Schools, is seeking unused band and orchestra instruments to put to use in the Schenectady Schools Music program. “We hear that many people have instruments around the house that are no longer being used. Dusting them off and putting them in the hands of a young student would be an inspiring gift to the community and to a future musician,” said Mark Anthony, Musical Union 85-133 President, an organizer of the drive. The instruments will go to Schenectady Friends of Music, who have had the traditional role of supporting the music programs in Schenectady. Tax-deductible receipts are available. “We have heard from teachers that the music program is growing by leaps and bounds, which has put pressure on the supply of instruments. It would be great if each student had an instrument to play and take home to practice,” said Steve Weisse, President of Schenectady Friends of Music. If you are interested in donating, Friends of Music will arrange for a pickup by calling Steve Weisse at (518) 346-4266.

		JAZZ RADIO IN THE CAPITAL DISTRICT On nearly every day of the week a radio station in the Capital District features jazz music in its programing. For a full listing of programs featuring jazz music visit: www.albanyjazz.com/radio.html

		WHAT ARE YOUR "TOP FIVE"? Local musicians and fans sound off on their favorite jazz recordings. Click here to participate.

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