Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Jane Monheit, Pat Martino,
Terence Blanchard & More Highlight 2014 RiverJazz

Performances by the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, five-time GRAMMY Award winner Terence Blanchard, acclaimed singer Jane Monheit, jazz guitar great Pat Martino and the return of the Preservation Hall jazz band highlight an expanded RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller this May at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.  The jazz festival, which takes place May 8-30, will also include free concerts by nationally touring jazz artists on the Air Products Town Square at SteelStacks, as well as artist residencies by the RiverJazz headliners and more.

Tickets for RiverJazz are available at www.artsquest.org and 610-332-3378.

On May 8, 7:30 p.m., it’s an evening of New Orleans-style jazz with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. A touring act for more than 50 years, this dynamic band has traveled the world spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art of New Orleans jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, its music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit.

Fans of jazz guitar will enjoy an extraordinary evening May 15, 7:30 p.m., when Pat Martino visits the Musikfest Café. This jazz chart-topper has produced more than 25 albums during his career while working with some of jazz’s most acclaimed artists. He has earned several Grammy nominations for his work and presents master guitar classes around the world.

On May 22, 7:30 p.m., the Musikfest Café will be hoppin’ as the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies make their first appearance at SteelStacks.  This energetic band blends the sounds of jazz, swing, rock, ska and punk to create riveting performances. Its hit single, “Zoot Suit Riot,” helped to reawaken the swing movement in the 1990s, and today the group continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique twist on rock ‘n’ roll.

On May 29, 8 p.m., RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller is pleased to welcome Jane Monheit to the stage. This two-time GRAMMY nominated singer has produced a dozen records as well as collaborated with artists such as Michael Bublé, Ivan Lins and Terence Blanchard.

Closing out RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller May 30, 8 p.m., will be renowned jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. This talented musician is one of the most sought-after jazz movie composers and is well known for creating scores for films such as “Malcolm X,” “Gia” and George Lucas’ “Red Tails.” Blanchard’s powerful music blends together seamlessly, giving his listeners an emotional and intimate experience.

“Concannon Miller is extremely excited to be the title sponsor for RiverJazz for the fourth consecutive year,” said Betsy Storey-Bono, Director of Business Development and Marketing for Concannon Miller. “This is a festival that continues to grow in popularity, and we are very proud to help ArtsQuest present jazz programming not only during the month of May, but also throughout the year. Thanks to several new programming elements this year, jazz and RiverJazz are really having a positive impact on area students, as well as so many others in the community.”

Tickets prices for RiverJazz concerts are:

Preservation Hall Jazz Band – May 8, 7:30 p.m.
$39-$54

Pat Martino – May 15, 7:30 p.m.
$30-$36

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies – May 22, 7:30 p.m.
$35-$45
 
Jane Monheit – May 29, 8 p.m.
$30-$40

Terence Blanchard – May 30, 8 p.m.
$44-$54
In addition to the Musikfest Café concerts, SteelStacks will come alive with the sounds of jazz throughout May as it hosts free performances by nationally touring jazz performers on the Air Products Town Square. Guests will also be able to enjoy a delicious New Orleans-themed menu, with offerings such as chicken & sausage gumbo, shrimp po’ boys, crawfish cannelloni, fried oysters with remoulade, and beignets.

The Town Square lineup includes:

May 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess (Early American Roots/Jazz)
May 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Miss Tess and the Talkbacks (Vintage Swing/Saloon Jazz)
May 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Gas House Gorillas (Jump Blues/Rockabilly)
May 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Perseverance Jazz Band (Ragtime/Dixieland)
May 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Smooth Operators (1930s-1940s Swing Hits/Jazz Standards )
May 30, 9-11 p.m. – TBD

RiverJazz Artists to Visit Students, Hospital & More for Residencies and Workshops

From working with Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts students to visiting patients at St. Luke’s University Health Network, the artists of this year’s RiverJazz will touch the community in a variety of ways through a series of workshops and presentations designed to highlight how music can have a profound impact on people’s lives.

Thanks in part to an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, all five RiverJazz headliners will offer a residency, workshop or other special event when they appear at RiverJazz.  On May 15, Pat Martino, who had to learn how to play guitar again after suffering a brain aneurysm in 1980, will visit St. Luke’s Neuroscience Specialty Program to meet with patients and share his inspirational story.  Two weeks later, on May 29, the charter high school students will receive a visit from Jane Monheit, who will conduct a vocal techniques workshop.

Fans of Terence Blanchard’s work will have the opportunity to hear the acclaimed composer and film-scorer discuss how he created the music for films such as “Malcolm X,” “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” “Miracle at St. Anna’s,” “Bunraku” and “Red Tails” during a free lecture in the ArtsQuest Center Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas May 30, while the winners of the 2014 SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase will be invited to share the stage not once but twice with Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.

The winners of the jazz showcase, which will feature 16 area high school jazz bands competing Feb. 16-March 16, will open for Cherry Poppin Daddies May 22, as well as take part in an on-stage performance workshop with the swing band earlier that day. The showcase runner-ups will earn the right to open for Preservation Hall Jazz Band May 8.

ArtsQuest Adds Visual Arts and Cinema Programming to Jazz Celebration

A new visual arts exhibit featuring artists who created their work at last year’s RiverJazz concerts and the screening of acclaimed jazz films will shine the spotlight on jazz music in the weeks leading up to this year’s RiverJazz.

From Feb. 22-April 20, the ArtsQuest Center’s Alvin H. Butz Gallery will host the “RiverJazz Festival Artists Exhibition,” featuring works from artists whose creative process was sparked during live performances at RiverJazz 2013. Artist in the exhibit are Joe Bruno, Liz Magno, Ann Elizabeth Schlegel, Stephanie Smith and David Sommers.

In April, the ArtsQuest Center’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas will show four jazz-themed films, including the Thelonious Monk documentary “Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser,” April 6; “Ornette: Made in America,” examining the life of jazz great Ornette Coleman, April 14; “Pete Kelly’s Blues,” the 1955 film starring Jack Webb, Janet Leigh and Peggy Lee, April 22; and “Bird,” director Clint Eastwood’s portrait of jazz visionary Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, April 27. All films start at 7:15 p.m. Regular admission price is $10; tickets for ages 60 and older and 12 and younger are $8.

Sponsors helping to make RiverJazz possible include Concannon Miller, Adams Outdoor Advertising, The Reading Eagle, viamedia and WNTI Public Radio. The festival and its programming are also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information on RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller, please visit www.artsquest.org.