Baltimore Chamber Jazz Society....

The Chamber Jazz Society of Baltimore had its origin in the winter of 1990-1991 when three Baltimore area friends were talking around the dinner table about the dearth of opportunities in Baltimore to hear jazz. There were then excellent jazz programs at the King of France Tavern in Annapolis, and they recalled exciting concerts at the Famous Ballroom on North Charles Street where, under the sponsorship of The Left Bank Jazz Society, the brightest stars from New York City would perform, having ridden the train to Baltimore on Sunday afternoons, returning the same evening.

The programs and the presentations at the King of France were, they thought, exactly what small group jazz programs should be. The room was small, the audience paid close attention to the musicians; and did not talk or eat while the music was being made. The proximity to the performers allowed their styles, the nuances of their playing to be easily seen and appreciated.

The musicians who appeared at the King of France were sometimes young players with interesting new styles, sometimes older, but established players . Bob Wilbur tried out his Benny Goodman sextet program, Art Hodes and Ray Bryant played steady and solid piano, Betty Carter sang “What a Little Moon Light Will Do” with a cadence and phrasing never heard before in that funny little song’s history, and of course, Charlie Byrd, with his brother on bass, and Chuck Redd on drums, made regular appearances there.

At that dinner table discussion, the idea took shape: a society could be formed that would give jazz its due – a concert setting, in a small auditorium, where audiences could listen and watch without distraction, where attention would be undividedly on the music. The group also wanted to invite musicians that would allow the organization to function without needing substantial subsidies, or high ticket prices. The organization could be simple, it could be managed by volunteers, and it could offer a special and needed musical opportunity for jazz fans in Baltimore......
Read more http://www.baltimorechamberjazz.org/about-bcjs/

Dave Stryker and Blue to the Bone

Sunday, October 6, 2013 - 5:00PM Performance

Recently voted into the Downbeat critics Poll for the sixth time, Dave Stryker has been called “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come around in recent years” (Village Voice). his sound is warm and fat, rooted in the blues from long stints with the likes of McDuff and Turrentine. on the heels of the release of the fourth album in the “blue to the bone” series, this group offers a killer horn section, soulful organ, and tight arrangements of both originals and standards.

Dave Stryker, guitar
Freddie Hendrix, trumpet
Steve Slagle, alto sax
Vincent Gardner, trombone
Gary Smulyan, baritone sax
Jared Gold, Hammond B3 organ
McClenty Hunter, drums

Dave Stryker: www.davestryker.com

Donny McCaslin Group

Sunday, March 9, 2014 - 5:00PM Performance

Acclaimed Saxophonist Donny McCaslin offers a gargantuan tenor sound capable of both angular tunes and ethereal ballads. His latest foray into electronic fueled jazz-funk is a collaboration of brains and brawn that is “fiercely contemporary and exploratory, though not so abstract as to be inaccessible.… The man digs into the material, no question, and never runs out of ideas—or passion” (jazzTimes).

Donny McCaslin, saxophone
Rhythm Section, TBD

Donny McCaslin: www.donnymccaslin.com

The Heath Brothers

Sunday, November 10, 2013 - 5:00PM Performance

In a family band made up of legends, saxophonist jimmy and drummer Albert “Tootie” heath keep tradition alive and pay homage to their late brother, bassist Percy. Their message is brotherly love, spelled out in their innovative cross-genre playing, and brought to life by a sophisticated and swinging quartet.

Jimmy Heath, tenor sax
Tootie Heath, drums
Jeb Patton, piano
David Wong, bass