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Tag: northeast Ohio jazz

Christopher Coles’ Latest Project Gleams With Conviction

When Christopher Coles decides that it’s go time, he goes deep.

As a teacher, the Cleveland-born, Akron resident has teaching positions at both Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Akron. As a player, he seems to be on every bandstand, both as a leader and an essential sideman. And when Coles puts his pen to composition paper, he writes not just compelling tunes, but large-scale works, like his epic “Nine Lives” that was a triumph at last weekend’s Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. with ambitions subjects. He’s got a new one that just might be his best.

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For Open Sesame, “F” Is For Fiedler–And Fun

Joe_Fiedler_Open_Sesame_by_Peter_Gannushkin
(from left) Sean Conly, Michael Sarin, Joe Fiedler, Steven Bernstein (with duckie), Jeff Lederer. photocredit: Peter Gannushkin

Public radio often talks about “driveway moments,” listening experiences that keep you in your car listening even after you’ve reached your destination. Trombonist and bandleader Joe Fiedler had one that changed his life and set him on a career path that brings him and his Open Sesame band to The Treelawn on Friday. 

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At 40, Musical Polymath Bryan Kennard Celebrates Kennections

Bryan Kennard

Turning 40 doesn’t have the big-deal, inflection-point significance of milestone birthdays like 21 or 65, but don’t try that argument on Bryan Kennard. The composer, flutist and organizer has plenty of highlights to mark as he heads into his fifth decade this week with a new big band and a celebratory concert at BOP STOP Sunday.  

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Jazz In The Rubber City Rolls On This Weekend

Nathan-Paul Davis at RCB&J
Nathan-Paul Davis at Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival

With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, northeast Ohio returns to the comfortable (clambakes, sweaters) and maybe less comfortable (fretting about the Browns) routines of early autumn. Hey, traditions are traditions, and they don’t change much–unless you’re a NEO jazz fan in which case you’ll want to add the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival to your list.

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“Local, Organic” Hingetown Jazz Festival Returns Saturday

Trumpeter Garrett Folger leads a quintet at the 2023 Hingetown Jazz Festival. photocredit: Amber Rogers, Local 4 Music Fund

Labor Day is a circle-the-date weekend for jazz in the Midwest with free festivals in Detroit and Chicago. The organizers of the Hingetown Jazz Festival would like to add their event to the list, and judging by the success of the inaugural all-day, all-free festival last year, they just might have a chance.

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