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'Don't Miss' Concerts - David Garfield (from George Benson), Joe Lovano, Father's Day Celebration with Eddie Baccus Sr and Jr and more...

Nighttown Cleveland by Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions

Hi Folks.

Fantastic week of shows here at Nighttown, with numerous "Don't Miss" concerts.

On Monday, George Benson's music director and keyboard player,David Garfield, pairs up with Robert Hubbard and Hubb's Groove. Davidknows how to make it smoke! Don't Miss.

Then on Wednesday, boogie woogie and jazz pianist Philippe LeJeune,comes all the way from France to play the Yamaha piano for us.

Then on Thursday and Friday, the great Joe Lovano comes back to hishometown to kick it hard. Joe is the longest running artist ever on the BlueNote record label. He's played with a Who's Who of great international jazzartists over the year. He'll be featuring two different shows - on Thursdayhe'll be joined by his hometown favorites with Eddie Baccus Sr.-organ, Bob

Ferrazza-guitar, & Anthony Lovano-drums. Then on Friday, Joe will be joined with Anthony Fucco-piano, Aidan Plank-acoustic bass, & Carmen Castaldi-drums. Each "Don't Miss" shows.

On Saturday, guitarist from Jeff Beck's group, NicolasMeier, will be here at Nighttown. If he's in Jeff Beck's group,you know it's going to be excellent. All the way from the UK.

On Sunday, get some funk and groove on for Father's Daywith the great Eddie Baccus Sr. & Eddie Baccus Jr. EddieSr. is a legend here in NE Ohio and the dean of the B3 players. Eddie Jr. is an international level sax player who is most wellknown for his years with Pieces of a Dream. "Don't Miss"this excellent Father's Day celebration.

Hope to see you this week at Nighttown.

Jim WadsworthNighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions

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12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)Cleveland Heights, OH

216-795-0550

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New Shows Recently Added

7/07 Dominick Farinacci/Stokes Legacy Jazz Orchestra 7/08 Russell Thompson & Free Agent 7/16 "Beautiful Sisters" w/Shirley Cook & Evelyn Wright 7/21 - 7/22 Ken Peplowski 7/July 28 Victor Jones Quintet Featuring Taeko

Emergent Universe OratorioFri Jun 30th 7:30pm - 9:00pmMaltz Performing Arts Center

1855 Ansel Rd, Cleveland

Cleveland's BlueWater Chamber Orchestra and the ClevelandChamber Choir will perform the Emergent Universe Oratorio bycomposer Sam Guarnaccia, under the baton of conductor ScottMacPherson.

The Emergent Universe Oratorio tells the great scientific story ofthe Universe's 13.8 billion-year journey from the Big Bang to theemergence of human consciousness as an evolutionary force.Told in a series of alternating intensively scored recitatives withmajor lyrical choral movements, the libretto is set in intimate,dynamic relationship to the music, evoking a deep resonance and

response to the new cosmologies-the stories and ways of seeing that shape our behaviorand determine our future --- offering a unique way through music and poetic narrative, toraise consciousness of humanity's responsibility to protect and preserve our planet.

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Nighttown Patios are Open for Your Outdoor Dining Enjoyment

Stephen's Green

Nighttown's two famous patios, "Stephen's Green" and "The Secret Garden" are now openfor the season. Enjoy your favorite Nighttown dishes on our beautiful three season patios. Lunch, dinner, and brunch on Sunday's.

"Late Night at Nighttown" ** Every Week **Fridays Moss Stanley on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No coverSaturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

Saturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

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Nighttown Tickets and Seating Policy

To purchase tickets click here, Do not make anadditional table reservation - it is already included withyour purchased tickets. All seats are General Admission. All seating is based on the time that you arrive for theshow and based on how many people are in your partyand where we have tables of that size. You may besharing a table with other people.

Nighttown Student Discount PolicyStudents up to age 26 are 1/2 off the regular price. Student priced tickets are only available the night of theshow, are available only at the door, and are subject toavailability. Students must have a photo ID from agenerally-recognized high school, college or university. Full-paying ticket holders get priority on admission andseating. Certain select shows have no discount based onarrangements with the artist. On evenings when thereare two shows (i.e. shows at 7 & 9PM), the discount isonly good for the second show. Students under the age of18 must be accompanied by an adult paying full price inorder to be eligible for the discount.

Hubb's Groove w/David Garfield $20.00 Monday 6/12 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Piano & Keyboard artist extraordinaire David Garfield from George Benson'sgroup teams up with Hubb's Groove for exciting night of Contemporary Jazz atNighttown!

Featuring: David Garfield-piano & keys, Robert Hubbard-drums, Tony Watson-

Featuring: David Garfield-piano & keys, Robert Hubbard-drums, Tony Watson-sax, Walter Barnes-bass, & Special Guest Vocalist TBA

Hubb's Groove is a mIx of Soul, Jazz, R&B and a splashof Gospel.

It's a smooth but yet high energy band that believeswhats played from the heart, reaches the heart.

The band was founded In 1996 by Robert Hubbard inCleveland Ohio under the name "Moments Notice". In2006 Robert changed the name to "Hubb'S Groove".The band has shared the stage with Kirk Whalum,Jonathan Butler, Earth Wind & Fire, Wayman Tisdaleand Pieces of a Dream.

Hubb's Groove has performed with Angela Bofill,Marcus Johnson, Alex Bugnon, Mike Phillips and Sean Jones to name a few.

When the group is not on tour together, they are working with other artists such asBabyface, Toni Braxton, Gerald Albright and Pieces of a Dream.

David Garfield’s mission statement is “I make music.” And “make music” he does, as a world-renownedkeyboard artist, producer, and composer. Be it jazz, rock,funk, or world beat – he is the creative force behind theproduction of many internationally acclaimed recordings.

David started his career with jazz greats such as WillieBobo, Freddie Hubbard, and Tom Scott in the 70’s. Afterbeing on the L.A. scene for several years, he moved intothe vast studio world and earned a reputation for finecraftsmanship and versatility.

His first international release on Creatchy Records,“Tribute to Jeff,” featured 78 musicians and artistsincluding Don Henley, Eddie Van Halen, Michael McDonald,

and Richard Marx, a virtual who’s who in the music industry.

Garfield continues to have ongoing music relationships with George Benson (he isfrequently Benson’s Musical Director), and Boz Scaggs.

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Philippe LeJeune$15.00 Wednesday 6/14 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

From Toulouse, France! Boogie Woogie and Jazz from Dynamic French Pianist& Trio.

Featuring: Philippe LeJeune-piano & vocals, George Lee-acoustic bass, & GlennDavis-drums.

French pianist Philippe LeJeune is a perfect example of the mixture of jazz andblues which was especially an important strain in the jazz tradition. The youngpianist attended a 1968 concert in Reims, France, by master boogie-woogie andblues pianist Memphis Slim, and immediately put an end to his classical efforts andbegan teaching himself the blues, scouring local record shops for LP's by boogiewoogie greats. In 1980 he was invited by Memphis Slim - who had been a parisiancitizen since 1962 - to cut an album titled « Dialog In Boogie » as a piano duet.

A frenchman who loves and plays classic American jazz is not entirely unusual, butwhat sets Philippe apart from his contemporaries is his soulfoul feel for the music.His repertoire ranges from classic barrelhouse boogie woogie piano to DukeEllington and Horace Silver tunes as well those of Milt Jackson and GeorgeGershwin. Philippe LeJeune has released six CD's in the United States and also makesnumerous appearances in various American jazz and blues clubs and festivals :Detroit Jazz Festival, Toledo Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival, Monterey Bay BluesFest, Cincinnati Blues Festival. His performance at the 2005 Motor City Blues &Boogie Woogie Festival (Detroit) was recorded live to be edited into P.B.S. televisionspecials and DVD. Living in Toulouse, France, LeJeune has performed for manyyears throughout Europe in the Jazz festivals and clubs circuit (France, Spain,Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic …) and in Africa (Tunisia, Sénégal).

Philippe LeJeune has found a role not only as an interpreter of contemporarynumbers, but as traditionalist bringing back to today's audiences important musicfrom a variety of older sources and melting it all together into a highly personalstyle and repertoire. The frenchman's natural instinct for blues, jazz and boogie isfood for the soul.

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Joe Lovano "Hometown Sessions"$30.00 Thursday 6/15 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

"Hometown Sessions" w/Eddie Baccus Sr.-organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, & AnthonyLovano-drums.

From his Grammy-nominated symphonic work to his role as Gary Burton Chair ofJazz Performance at Berklee College of Music, Joe Lovano fearlessly challenges andpushes his conceptual and thematic ventures in a quest for new modes of artisticexpression and new ways to define the jazz idiom. In 2014 Lovano won awards forMulti-reeds Player and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz JournalistsAssociation and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from Down Beat Magazine. He hasreleased 23 celebrated albums on the Blue Note label; with the last three focusingon his quintet, Us Five.

Lovano was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952, and began playing alto saxophone asa child. A prophetic infant photo of Lovano shows him cradled in his mother’s armsalong with a saxophone. His father, tenor saxophonist Tony “Big T” Lovano,schooled Lovano not only in the basics, but in dynamics and interpretation, andregularly exposed him to live performances of international jazz artists such asSonny Stitt, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Ammons, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Upon graduation from high school he attended the famed Berklee College of Musicin Boston. Lovano’s early professional gigs were as a sideman with organists LonnieSmith, Brother Jack McDuff, and a three-year tour with the Woody HermanThundering Herd from 1976 to 1979.

After leaving Herman’s band, Lovano settled in New York City where he eventuallyjoined the Mel Lewis Orchestra for its regular Monday night concert at the VillageVanguard; playing from 1980 to 1992 and recording six albums with the Orchestra.

Lovano joined the Paul Motian band in 1981 and has since worked and collaboratedwith John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Bobby

with John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, BobbyHutcherson, Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ed Blackwell, Michel Petrucciani, LeeKonitz, Abbey Lincoln, Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Ornette Coleman, Jim Hall, BobBrookmeyer and many more.In recent years, Lovano has spent a good deal of time collaborating with two otherpremier tenor saxophonists of his generation - Dave Liebman and the late MichaelBrecker in the collective Saxophone Summit. In 2008, Joe assumed the tenorsaxophone chair of the touring and studio ensemble, the SFJazz Collective. Also inthe Collective were trumpeter Dave Douglas, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and fellowBlue Note Recording Artist vibraphonist Stefon Harris. They joined Miguel Zenon,Renee Rosnes, Matt Penman and Eric Harland in this popular ensemble of some oftoday’s most exciting jazz players.

Lovano’s 2008 release and Grammy nominated Symphonica placed him in front ofthe world-renowned WDR Big Band and WDR Rundfunke Orchestra performingsome of the saxophonist’s most acclaimed and cherished compositions as arrangedand conducted by Michael Abene.

As Ben Ratliff opined in The New York Times, “It’s fair to say that [Lovano’s] one ofthe greatest musicians in jazz history.”

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Joe Lovano Quartet$30.00 Friday 6/16 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Joe Lovano Quartet w/Anthony Fuoco-piano, Aidan Plank-acoustic bass, &Carmen Castaldi-drums.

From his Grammy-nominated symphonic work to his role as Gary Burton Chair ofJazz Performance at Berklee College of Music, Joe Lovano fearlessly challenges andpushes his conceptual and thematic ventures in a quest for new modes of artisticexpression and new ways to define the jazz idiom. In 2014 Lovano won awards forMulti-reeds Player and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz JournalistsAssociation and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from Down Beat Magazine. He hasreleased 23 celebrated albums on the Blue Note label; with the last three focusingon his quintet, Us Five.

Lovano was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952, and began playing alto saxophone asa child. A prophetic infant photo of Lovano shows him cradled in his mother’s armsalong with a saxophone. His father, tenor saxophonist Tony “Big T” Lovano,schooled Lovano not only in the basics, but in dynamics and interpretation, andregularly exposed him to live performances of international jazz artists such asSonny Stitt, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Ammons, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Upon graduation from high school he attended the famed Berklee College of Musicin Boston. Lovano’s early professional gigs were as a sideman with organists LonnieSmith, Brother Jack McDuff, and a three-year tour with the Woody HermanThundering Herd from 1976 to 1979.

After leaving Herman’s band, Lovano settled in New York City where he eventuallyjoined the Mel Lewis Orchestra for its regular Monday night concert at the VillageVanguard; playing from 1980 to 1992 and recording six albums with the Orchestra.

Lovano joined the Paul Motian band in 1981 and has since worked and collaboratedwith John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, BobbyHutcherson, Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ed Blackwell, Michel Petrucciani, Lee

Hutcherson, Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ed Blackwell, Michel Petrucciani, LeeKonitz, Abbey Lincoln, Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Ornette Coleman, Jim Hall, BobBrookmeyer and many more.

In recent years, Lovano has spent a good deal of time collaborating with two otherpremier tenor saxophonists of his generation - Dave Liebman and the late MichaelBrecker in the collective Saxophone Summit. In 2008, Joe assumed the tenorsaxophone chair of the touring and studio ensemble, the SFJazz Collective. Also inthe Collective were trumpeter Dave Douglas, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and fellowBlue Note Recording Artist vibraphonist Stefon Harris. They joined Miguel Zenon,Renee Rosnes, Matt Penman and Eric Harland in this popular ensemble of some oftoday’s most exciting jazz players.

Lovano’s 2008 release and Grammy nominated Symphonica placed him in front ofthe world-renowned WDR Big Band and WDR Rundfunke Orchestra performingsome of the saxophonist’s most acclaimed and cherished compositions as arrangedand conducted by Michael Abene.

As Ben Ratliff opined in The New York Times, “It’s fair to say that [Lovano’s] one ofthe greatest musicians in jazz history.”

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Nicolas Meier$20.00 Saturday 6/17 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Switzerland and the UK! Virtuoso Guitarist from Jeff Beck's group leadsAll-Star Group for Cleveland debut at Nighttown!

In just a few short years, UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputationout as one of the UK’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing froma love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more -- allmixed with jazz -- Meier is one of the rising stars in a vibrant British jazz scene, buthis versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that ... so much so, that hisconsiderable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who hassince made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group, carrying him on two worldtours during the course of the last several years.

Meier originally hails from Switzerland; born in 1973 to parents who are greatlovers of the arts, with wide-ranging musical tastes extending to the Classical, Jazz,Latin, Flamenco, Rock and (even) Pop genres. A true gypsy spirit with a disciplinedmaestro's touch, Nicolas has embraced a number of different cultures and studiedtheir music forms, nuances and idiosyncrasies.

During the course of his six-string baptism and global sojourns, Nicolas has beenthe recipient of numerous awards. A truly dedicated student of the instrument, hehas pursued advanced studies at Switzerland's prestigious Conservatoire deFribourg, and subsequently earned a scholarship to Boston's illustrious BerkleeCollege of Music. His burning passion for both rock and jazz persists to this day.

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Eddie Baccus Sr. & Jr. $20.00 Sunday 6/18 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Father's Day Celebration with the legendary Baccus Family leading All-StarGroup live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Eddie Baccus Sr.-Hammond B-3 Organ, Eddie Baccus Jr.-Sax, CecilRucker-Vibes, Billy Artis-Guitar, Perry William III-Drums, & Special Guest VocalistMike Cady.

One of the senior statesman of the Cleveland Jazz Scene, organist Eddie BaccusSr. has set the standard locally since the early 1960's. Like the late great JimmySmith, Baccus is a virtuoso on the Hammond B-3, equally adept at soul jazz andbebop. In many ways Eddie Baccus Sr. has been to the jazz scene what the lateRobert Jr. Lockwood was to the local blues scene; he has been a leader, mentor,and the soul of the community for many years.

Early on his talent was evident as he was linked with another jazz legend,saxophonist Roland Kirk. Baccus and Kirk were schoolmates at the Ohio School ofthe Blind and their sessions together in the old Euclid and 105th area are the stuffof local legends. Kirk would go on to national acclaim before his untimely death inthe late 70's. Baccus stayed close to home and it has been our good fortune.

Eddie Baccus Sr. has been the bedrock of the Cleveland jazz scene and hisinfluence on fans and musicians alike has been invaluable. After 15 years of recording and touring with famed urban jazz ensemble Pieces of aDream, saxophonist Eddie Baccus, Jr. stepped out on a lush, soulful and funkyJourney To Love, his independent debut demo to promote him for upcoming shows.Though it has been extraordinarily well received, Baccus is excited about a remixedand remastered version of the collection, which also features three new songs. TheCleveland born and raised, Virginia based artist will be releasing the revampedversion as part of a package with his soon to be released follow-up album whosetitle perfectly reflects Baccus’ life and career as he reflects on the last 20 years andlooks forward to the future: Living The Dream.

Baccus is currently putting the finishing touches on the new album, which willfeature jazz greats like keyboardist Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets, fellowsaxmen Eric Marienthal and Elan Trotman, blues guitarist Robben Ford and aspecial guest appearance by Baccus’ father, organist Eddie Baccus, Sr

Like his hero Grover, Baccus switches artfully between soprano, alto and tenor, andon Living the Dream is also playing baritone sax and EWI. Since leaving Pieces of aDream, he has been recording and performing live with his band Straight to thePoint, a powerful group of musicians who live in the Beltway region (Maryland andNorthern Virginia) .

Joining Eddie Sr. and Eddie Jr. for their appearance at Nighttown will be an All-StarCleveland lineup. They are Cecil Rucker on the Vibes. Eddie Sr. has frequentlyappeared with Cecil's group Good Vibes. Billy Artis is on guitar. Many willremember Billy from his days backing the late great Bill Doggett at the Theatrical indowntown Cleveland. Perry Williams III is on drums. Perry is a veteran on the souljazz circuit and has worked with Eddie Sr. and Cecil extensively. And on vocals isRon Davis.

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Water Seed$20.00 Wednesday 6/21 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Exciting 8-piece band from New Orleans with vocals & horns playFunk, Second Line, & then some. Live at Nighttown!Future Funk Stars - New Orleans own Water Seed has been creating a buzz all overthe band's hometown of NOLA with one of the most dynamic funk shows on thecircuit.

George Porter has critiqued the band by saying “Water Seed gives me hope”.

A band built on the jazz and funk tradition that single handedly shaped popularmusic, Water Seed has become one of the prevalent future funk fusion bandsdaring to keep audiences on the dance floor while romancing the ears of the mostadvanced jazz purist.

They have been called a “fresh mixture of the Hot 8 Brass Band meets The Meters”.

Known for their high-energy marathon performances, Water Seed has commandedsome of the most impressive stages across the country. Their latest 2 projects havedebut in the top 40 on the iTunes jazz charts and their relentless touring schedulecontinues to gain momentum keeping the band’s diverse fan base wanting morewith every stop. Powered by a seamless rhythm section. Enforced by an agile hornsection. Topped with a demanding vocal performance and front line, Water Seedwill funk any audience right out of their seats.

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Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District Music& Block Party$0.00 Thursday 6/22 7:00 pm Free - No tickets needed

Featuring Jen Maurer & Anthony Papaleo with their dear friends,The Corn Potato String Band!On the "Stephens Green" patio at Nighttown.NE Ohio’s "Old-School Blues & Roots Music” Duo of Jen Maurer & Anthony Papaleocombine forces with "American Music Traditionalists," the Corn Potato String BandDuo (Aaron Jonah Lewis and Lindsay McCaw) to make a fun & rowdy (but familyfriendly) night of musical songs that are a part of your old-soul consciousness eventhough you’re too young to really realize it. Expect some rousing vocals, crazyamazing fiddling (1-3 fiddles at a time), banjo plucking, guitar picking, bassbooming, and clogging. This will be a night of “ho-downs,” country rags, southerngospel, old-timey foot stompers, classical banjo exploits, delta and piedmont blues,and of course -1950s R&B.

Both groups have American and International miles under their belt, having touredall sorts of parts of the world (from the UK to Colombia), and sharing what makesAmerican Roots music so great.

Having begun their "outcasts-that-play-that-old-stuff" relationship in January 2016,these two duos are on the road to playing more and more together, pretty muchbecause no one else can tolerate the banjo practicing during dinner.

For more info on each band checkout: www.cornpotato.com andwww.facebook.com/jenandanthonymusic

out: www.cornpotato.com andwww.facebook.com/jenandanthonymusic

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Beppe Gambetta$20.00 Friday 6/23 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Italy! Master of Fingerstyle Guitar Beppe Gambetta returns to Nighttown!

With Special Guest opening act: Pete Cavano.Beppe Gambetta from Genoa, Italy is the leading flat picking guitarist of Europe.Through his superb recordings, frequent tours of Europe and America, and originalresearch into early Italian traditional and popular music, Gambetta has establishedhimself as a major world artist of the steel string guitar.....powerful, flashy, musical,unforgettable. In addition to his brilliant solo performances and recordings,Gambetta has collaborated with many great folk artists worldwide. They includeDavid Grisman, Carlos Aonzo, Gene Parsons (from the Byrds), Glenn Moore (fromOregon), Danny Weiss, Norman Blake, Mike Marshall, and many others. Gambetta has played to a packed houses at Night Town on four occasions prior tothis. He last appeard at Nighttown in 2006. Currently Beppe Gambetta is touring insupport of his latest CD "Slade Stomp". In addition to being a great guitarist, BeppeGambetta has a quick wit and an evening spent with him is full of good humor andmusic. Don't miss the great Italian flat picker Beppe Gambetta live at Nighttown.

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Travis "Moonchild" Haddix$15.00 Saturday 6/24 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

World Class Bluesmen orbits in to Nighttown with his Swingingand Soulful 8 Piece Band with Full Horn Section!Travis Haddix began playing the piano at the age of seven in his home town ofWalnut, Mississippi, located thirty miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The turningpoint in his musical learning experience came when he was eight, when thelegendary B.B. King came to Memphis and began playing daily at the studios ofWDIA. Travis was awed by King;s guitar virtuosity and he hung around the radiostation every day to learn all he could. Soon, Travis' piano playing fell by thewayside and was replaced by the guitar, which he plays on stage and in the studio.

Years later, the Haddix family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Travis, now abudding star, continued to refine his craft by singing and playing throughout theNorth. The original "Moonchild", he earned the nickname from his beamingpresence on stage and his always broad smile and energetic, sexy performances, In1959, Travis moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he joined the D.L. Rocco Band andachieved regional notoriety that led to a prominent spot with the Little JohnnieTaylor group. Travis also contributed material to five albums by Artie "Bluesboy"White. His material is also covered by Artie “blues boy” White, Dickie Williams,Jimmy Dawkins, Michael Burks, Charles Wilson, the late Son Seals, and Lee ShotWilliams.

Haddix has received rave reviews in Living Blues Magazine, Blues Revue, RealBlues, Big City, Jefferson and Audience Magazine, and he has toured Europe since1992. His style evokes the sounds of the great Stax-Volt days, when the likes of Sam& Dave ruled the urban blues roost. His fifth release on Ichiban Records is A Big OleGoodun', featuring the Travis Haddix band (together since 1988). He proves, onceagain, that he is a fixture in the modern blues industry with songs like. "Make MeSay Please" , "From Bad to Worse", and the made-for-jukebox single, "(She CalledMe) Knucklehead".

Travis received 4 awards in 1999. Best Male Blues Artist, Best New Blues Artist, BestBlues Entertainer and Contemporary Blues Artist Of The Year. In 1989 he foundedHaddix publishing Company and Wann-Sonn Records, and recorded ten CDs underhis own label. in 2007 travis won the Gay Rose Production Keeping the Blues AliveAward.

Next time you have a chance, check out the movie April's Fool which featuresTravis' hit song, Everything Is Everything.

In 2007, Travis' single, "Dick for Dinner" from "Mean Ole Yesterday" was nominatedBest Blues Song by the Blues Critic Awards 2007 Readers Poll-Comtemporary Blues.Travis was in great company; the prize was awarded to Omar Kent Dykes & JimmieVaughan.

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Sullivan Fortner Trio $20.00 Sunday 6/25 12:00 pm Buy Tickets

From New Orleans, & NYC. Jazz Brunch & Jazz Fest Finale withrapidly rising pianist & Trio live at Nighttown!Sullivan Fortner is the 2015 Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz of the American PianistAssociation

Sullivan Joseph Fortner Jr. is a native New Orleanian who has already made asignificant foray into the jazz world that belies his young age. While touring with

significant foray into the jazz world that belies his young age. While touring withStefon Harris & Blackout, Christian Scott Quintet, and the Roy Hargrove Quintet,Sullivan completed his Master’s degree in Jazz Performance at Manhattan School ofMusic under the tutorage of Jason Moran, and Phil Markowitz. He holds a Bachelor’sdegree in Jazz Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Sullivan beganplaying music by ear at the age of seven. Two years later, he was playing forchurch choirs throughout New Orleans. By the time he was 11 years old, Sullivanhad won a Cox Cable “Amazing Kids Award”.

At the age of 13, Sullivan furthered his formal education in piano by attending theNew Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and earned scholarships to severalprestigious summer jazz programs, including the Vail Jazz Institute and theSkidmore Jazz Studies Summer Program. A standout on the stage and in theclassroom, Sullivan was Valedictorian of his high school class while simultaneouslygraduating from NOCCA.

Sullivan has studied and performed with many great musicians, including TheMarsalis Family, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, MarcusBelgrave, The Jordan Family, Irvin Mayfield, Peter Martin, Dave Liebman, and a hostof others.

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Transportation Boulevard$10.00 Sunday 6/25 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Dynamic North Coast Jazz Trio live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Jeremey Poparad-guitar, Alan Gleghorn-bass, & BobWalker-drums.Transportation Boulevard Jazz Band, formed over ten years ago, today comprisedof guitarist Jeremey Poparad, upright bassist Alan Gleghorn and drummer BobWalker. The band has performed at numerous area venues including theCleveland Convention Center, the House of Blues Cambridge Room, the Music BoxSupper Club and many more. They play traditional 60's jazz tunes as well ascontemporary rock numbers with a jazz twist. The band members -- who alsocontinue to play in progressive rock, blues and big band jazz ensembles -- bring allthese influences to bear in Transportation Boulevard.

Django Festival All-Stars$30.00 Wednesday 6/28 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Direct from France! All-Star French Group brings Gypsy Jazz in to the 21stCentury Live at Nighttown! As featured at Birdland, Newport Jazz Festival, andSF Jazz Center!

Featuring: Samson Shmitt-lead guitar, Ludovic Beier-accordion & accordina,Pierre Blanchard-violin, Doudou Cuillerier-rhythm guitar & vocals, & AntonioLicusati-bass.

The Django Festival Allstars bring the music of the great Gypsy jazz guitarist DjangoReinhardt fully into the 21st Century. Their unique, high-energy performances paytribute to Reinhardt, who is considered one of the greatest guitar players of all timeand the first European jazz musician to make major contributions to thedevelopment of the jazz guitar genre. Reinhardt's driving, swinging style becameknown as "hot jazz" and it continues to grow in popularity.

The Allstars honor the traditions of this "French Gypsy Jazz", adding their owncreative interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions with stunningvirtuosity. They have performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Birdland, the SFJazzCenter, and the Kennedy Center. The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Djangofest is thebest jazz show in town! Imagine a stage filled with six contemporary Reinhardtdescendants, and you'll get a sense that the collective talent pool on the bandstandis larger than the Arc de Triomphe!"

Led for many years by legendary guitarist Dorado Schmitt, the Allstars currentlyfeature Dorado's son, Samson Schmitt, lead guitar; Ludovic Beier, accordion andaccordina; Pierre Blanchard, violin; Doudou Cuillerier, rhythm guitar and vocals;Antonio Licusati, bass.

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Gwilym Simcock$20.00 Thursday 6/29 7:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Wales, and England UK! Pianist extraordinaire from thePat Metheny Group plays special Solo show at Nighttown! In theMusic Room featuring the Yamaha piano.Gwilym Simcock is one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers onthe European scene. He moves effortlessly between jazz and classical music, with a‘harmonic sophistication and subtle dovetailing of musical traditions’. Gwilym hasbeen hailed as a pianist of ‘exceptional’, ‘brilliant’ and ‘dazzling’ ability, and hismusic has been widely acclaimed as ‘engaging, exciting, often unexpected,melodically enthralling, complex yet hugely accessible', and above all 'wonderfullyoptimistic’.

Gwilym’s influences are wide ranging, from jazz legends including Keith Jarrett,Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny, to classical composers includingMaurice Ravel, Henri Dutilleux, Béla Bartók and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Althoughprincipally a jazz artist, Gwilym has composed numerous works for larger Classicalensemble that combine through-composed elements with improvisation, creating asound that is distinctive and very much his own.

In the last few years, Gwilym has become renowned for his solo performances,releasing a critically acclaimed album 'Good Days at Schloss Elmau' in 2011 andtouring throughout Europe and to places as far afield as Australia, the USA, Canada,Korea and China to name but a few.

Gwilym has toured extensively with the cream of British and international jazzartists including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Bill Bruford’sEarthworks, Bob Mintzer and Bobby McFerrin. He co-leads the Anglo-AmericanSupergroup 'The Impossible Gentlemen' with British Guitar legend Mike Walker,Steve Rodby and Adam Nussbaum. He has toured with Classical virtuoso NigelKennedy. He is currently on tour with Pat Metheny, Antonio Sanchez and Linda Oh.

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Songwriters in the Round$10.00 Thursday 6/29 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

Gretchen Pleuss, Rebecca Jean, Amanda Walsh and Tom Girard

North Coast Songwriters Summit Meeting at Nighttown! On Nighttown's"Stephen's Green" patio stage.

Gretchen Pleuss"As with some of her proudly stated musical heroes, which include Nick Drake, JoniMitchell, Paul Simon, and Ani Difranco, Pleuss keeps the music above the standard, three-chord, coffee-house troubadour sound with some cool chord progressions (a la Mitchell)and grooves underneath layered vocal harmonies. Her most recent release, From Birth toBreath to Bone, was self-produced and is available on vinyl or compact disc.

Rebekah JeanRebekah Jean is an original songwriter, born in Lake County, Ohio, 1985. She cut herprofessional musician teeth playing in a couple of touring bands during and after college,finally releasing her first solo album of original songs in January 2012. During 2012 and2013 Rebekah Jean joined forces with the nationally-touring David Mayfield Parade as theirfull-time harmony singer and multi-instrumentalist. In addition to plotting her secondalbum of original songs, her current pet project is co-fronting Classic Country outfit

album of original songs, her current pet project is co-fronting Classic Country outfit"Duchess."

Amanda WalshAmanda Walsh has been playing piano and violin since she was seven years old. Hertraining began with Anita Pontremoli, Head of Collaborative Piano at The ClevelandInstitute of Music. Amanda also studied violin with Helen Richards at The Cleveland MusicSchool Settlement. In 1998, she graduated from She recently released an album entitled"Magic is Real" and debuted it at Nighttown and various venues in Northeast Ohio.

Tom GirardSinger songwriter

Nellie McKay "A Girl Named Bill"$30.00 Friday 6/30 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Multi Talented Actress, and Musician, Nellie McKay and her groupportray "The Life and Times of Billy Tipton" Live @ Nighttown!

Featuring: Nellie McKay- vocals, piano, and ukelele, Cary Park-guitar, Alexi David-bass, & Kenneth Salters-drums.In January 1989 in Spokane, Washington, a jazz pianist and bandleader called BillyTipton died of an untreated hemorrhaging peptic ulcer. His was never a householdname, but Tipton had made a consistent modest living off his music – mostly swingstandards in the Benny Goodman mode – touring clubs and radio stations in theWest for many decades. He recorded several albums for a small independentrecord label called Tops, from which a few tracks still survive.

But he turned down several offers to work in more prestigious and visible venues,and it wasn’t until his death that his three adopted children found out why thistalented musician had shunned the spotlight (and doctors): Billy had been born, in1914 in Oklahoma City, as Dorothy Lucille Tipton. She adopted a male persona inorder to break into a music business that was still not very friendly to womenperformers, and went on to live as a man so persuasively that the two women withwhom he had multi-year common-law marriages claimed never to have known that“Billy” was biologically female.

In these days when “gender fluidity” is all the rage, a Dorothy/Billy Tipton woulddoubtless find a comfortable place in the world with greater ease and less need forsecrecy. But successfully carrying off some 50 years of public deception in the mid-20th century must have been challenging indeed. Songs, short stories, films, plays,an opera, a novel and at least one doctoral dissertation have been inspired byTipton’s remarkable life; and now there’s a much-praised “musical biography” out,by singer, songwriter and actress Nellie McKay.

Known for her eccentric stylistic blend of cabaret, pop, rock, jazz and hip-hop, herlyrical wit and off-kilter humor, McKay has composed two previous musical bios: IWant to Live! the story of Barbara Graham, the third woman executed in the gaschamber at San Quentin; and Silent Spring: It’s Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature, anexploration in song of environmental pioneer Rachel Carson. She co-created andstarred in the Off-Broadway hit Old Hats in 2013, and won Theatre World’s JanusAward in the Outstanding Debut Performance category in 2006 for herperformance as Polly Peachum in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadwayproduction of The Threepenny Opera.

McKay kicked off her recording career with a double album titled Get Away from Me

McKay kicked off her recording career with a double album titled Get Away from Me(a play on Norah Jones’ then-popular Come Away with Me) in 2003. Her fivesubsequent LPs include Normal as Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day and MyWeekly Reader, featuring music of the 1960s, produced by Beatles engineer GeoffEmerick. Under her apparently wholesome, girlish exterior lurks an original, genre-bending artist, a political activist and a sly social commentator. Billy Tipton’spoignant saga seems right up McKay’s alley.

Preview by Frances Marion Platt / Hudson Valley One

Photo Credit: Michelle V. Agins / The New York Times

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Ronnie Foster Organ Trio$20.00 Saturday 7/01 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Las Vegas. Organ Master, and Acid Jazz Legend from thegroups of George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Grant Green, andmany more Live on Stage at Nighttown!

Featuring: Ronnie Foster-Hammond B-3 Organ, Jake Langley-guitar, & Jess Gopen-drums.The trio includes Jake Langley, guitar and Jess Gopen, drums. Ronnie Foster is themusic director for “Smokey Robinson Presents Human Nature” at the Venetian, buthe emerged in the 70s as a jazz organist with albums on the Blue Note label and asa sideman on seven of George Benson's most popular albums, including “Breezin'.”

Langley held the guitar chair with the great organist Joey de Francesco for fiveyears, so he is not only an excellent musician, but saturated in the style required foran organ trio. Gopen is Foster's go-to drummer, a veteran Las Vegas performerwho has backed such performers as Clint Holmes and works in New York, SanFrancisco and other cities.

Born in Buffalo, Ronnie Foster began playing piano at the age of 4. By age 12 hehad switched to Hammond organ and became a student of the jazz great JimmySmith. At age 15, Ronnie started playing with George Benson on weekends, whilestill in school. Ronnie began playing New York clubs. At 20 he got a call from NewYork that Saxophonist great Stanley Turrentine was looking for a new organist. Hedid one gig with Stanley.

Word of Ronnie was traveling fast. Guitar legend Grant Green heard that Ronniewas in New York. Green hired Ronnie to go on the road. This event would prove tobe a turning point for Ronnie as it offered him his first recording sessionexperience; Grant Green ‘Alive’. This important session led Ronnie to a recordingcontract of his own with the legendary record label: Blue Note Records. Ronnie’sfirst recording was titled ‘Two-Headed Freap’.

As a recording artist Ronnie’s solo discography consists of 5 albums for Blue Note, 2albums for Columbia Records and 1 album for Projazz. Ronnie Foster recorded forBlue Note ‘The Two Headed Freap’, in 1972, then ‘Sweet Revival’ later that year,‘Live at Montreux’ in 1973, ‘On the Avenue’ in 1974 and ‘Cheshire’in 1975. He thenmoved to Columbia, where he released ‘Love Satellite’ in 1978 and ‘Delight’ in1979.

Ronnie’s solo style favored funky vamps instead of risky improvisation. Jazz puristsdismissed Ronnie during the peak of his early career; the first half of the ’70s.However, as such a talented mainstream funk and soul-jazz keyboardist Ronnie wasable to cultivate a very successful career as both a sideman (working frequentlywith George Benson, in particular) and producer. Beginning in the late ’70s, andthroughout the ’80s and ’90s, Ronnie’s career and influence has spanned manyvaried artists and recordings as he began concentrating on session work. Some ofthose artists include: George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Earl Klugh,Jimmy Ponder, Stanley Clarke, Lalo Schifrin, Harvey Mason, Jimmy Smith, Stanley

Jimmy Ponder, Stanley Clarke, Lalo Schifrin, Harvey Mason, Jimmy Smith, StanleyTurrentine, David Sanborn, Lee Ritenour, The Temptations and Grover Washington,Jr.

Of late, Ronnie’s own records have been rediscovered by a new generation of both90’s listeners and recording artist’s alike. Many of Ronnie’s records are currentlyused as source material for sample-heavy acid-jazz and hip-hop records.

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Dominick Farinacci & The Stokes Legacy JazzOrchestra$15.00 Friday 7/07 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Dominick Farinacci Leads and Conducts All-Star 18 Big Band to Commemoratethe Legacy of Carl and Louis Stokes live at Nighttown!

Featured Soloists include: Dominick Farinacci, Sam Blakeslee, Chris Coles, MarkMauldin, Scott McKee, & Elijah Gilmore!

Presented in association with Tri-C JazzFest, part of their year-long campaigncelebrating Carl and Louis Stokes.

A new big band conducted by Dominick Farinacci, the Stokes Legacy Jazz Orchestracelebrates the legacy of Carl Stokes through the history of jazz, highlighting musicfrom Duke Ellington, Count Basie and much more.

A unique multi-tiered educational big band, the Stokes Legacy Jazz Orchestra iscomprised of all-star students from middle school, high school and college, alongwith some of Cleveland's finest professionals. The band represents more than 15schools from around the region.

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Russell Thompson & Free Agent$10.00 Saturday 7/08 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

North Coast Saxophonist leads dynamic Contemporary Jazz Group Live atNighttown!

Featuring: Russell Thompson-sax, Robert Crawford-piano & keys, Von James-lead vocals, James Blaque-bass, & Emmanuel Davis-drums.

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Rene Schiffer & Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann $10.00 Thursday 7/13 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

International Cello Duo from Apollo's Fire play works from Bach,Beethoven, Duke Ellington, plus an Original Composition fromRene Schiffer Live at Nighttown!Music is René Schiffer’s chosen path to truth. Born in the Dukedom of Brabant(now divided between Belgium and Holland) in 1961, he began his lessons at sixyears old with his father, Hungarian cellist György Schiffer. René studied with worldrenowned cellist Anner Bijlsma in Amsterdam, and specialized in historical cellowith Jaapoter Linden, in Rotterdam. He studied viola da gamba with CatharinaMeints at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Schiffer performed his first professional concerts in the European PhilharmonicOrchestra, with Jean Jakus conducting, in the Brabants Orchestra in the Netherlands,and as a permanent member of the New Belgian Chamber Orchestra. He alsoperformed with the European Community Baroque Orchestra in 1988, under TonKoopman, Roy Goodman and Edward Higgingbottom. Later he followed renownedbaroque orchestras such as the Les Musiciens du Louvre, the Amsterdam BaroqueOrchestra and La Petite Bande, where he performed from 1989 till 2005. Schifferalso performed regularly with the Dutch Bach Society (Utrecht) and TafelmusikBaroque Orchestra (Toronto)..

As a soloist and a chamber player René Schiffer participated in festivals located inAmsterdam, Budapest, Tallinn, Utrecht, Versailles, the Flanders Festival andGrandchamp.. He was also the permanent cellist in ensemble Il Gardellino from2003 till 2007, with whom he made trips to Israel, Guatemala, as well as manyEuropean countries. Since its foundation in 1993, Schiffer has been principal cellistof Apollo’s Fire, the Cleveland baroque orchestra, which has toured throughout theUnited States and European cities such as London, Birmingham, Madrid, Lisbon,Bordeaux, Metz, Tilburg, Heerlen and Bregenz.

Mime Yamahiro-BrinkmannIf the word "celloworm" exists, as it does for "bookworm", I am definitely one ofthose! Although growing up in a tiny rural town in Japan, more than 1000km fromTokyo, our house was always full of music. My mother was the local activepianist/piano teacher. I myself started to play piano when I was 3 years old andlater I switched my main instrument to cello, which has been my life long love andpassion.

After graduating from the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, a generousDutch government scholarship allowed me to study in The Netherlands. It was sucha delightful and fruitful time; I received my soloist diploma at The RoyalConservatory of The Hague, won several prizes at International Competitions andmost of all, made many precious and wonderful friends. I have been very lucky toperform with many excellent bands such as: La Petite Bande (Belgium), BachCollegium Japan,Barokksolistene (Norway),Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra (Canada),Seattle Baroque, Apollo's Fire-Cleveland Baroque Orchestra (USA), bothDrottningholms Slottsteater- and Baroque Ensemble (Sweden) and ConcertoCopenhagen.

I have a dream: one day I want to be free from "cello technique" and express freelyall the beautiful things I've experienced. I always carry my cello on my back but infact, my cello is the one who leads me and shows me around the world.

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"Beautiful Sisters" w/Shirley Cook & Evelyn Wright$20.00 Sunday 7/16 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Top Flight North Coast Vocalists with All-Star Group live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Shirley Cook-vocals, Evelyn Wright-vocals, David Thomas-piano, ChrisColes-saxs, Alan Gleghorn-bass, & Sunny Tabler-drums.

Presented in Association with Quad City Productions.

Shirley Cook -- A tastefully unflashy singer in the Billie Holiday/Sarah Vaughanvocal tradition, singer Shirley Cook inhabits a lyric, staking her music on simplicityand nuance over virtuosity. Cook's voice -- grainy and resonant, like a tenorsaxophone -- brings a sweetness to her jazz standards and a graceful swagger toR&B and the blues. Though Cook began singing in the church at an early age, shecame rather late to performance and credits the efforts of Carl "Ace" Carter, thefirst post-Basie pianist to work with the Count Basie Orchestra, and local legendDuke Jenkins with giving her early instruction and her first gigs. Cook now regularlyperforms around town as well as everywhere from New York to Japan. She has beena featured performer with the Tri-C JazzFest and yearly hosts the JazzFest jamsession. (Bio courtesty of Scene Magazine)

Evelyn Wright - Evelyn Wright has been a professional vocalist for over twenty fiveyears with experience in Jazz, R&B and Pop styles of music. Evelyn is a native fromCleveland, Ohio, and was voted Best Female Vocalist in 1985 in conjunction withWCPN radio station. She is also the winner of Most Promising Female Artist andFavorite Female R&B Singer 1993 by Midwest Urban Music Awards. Evelyn hastoured throughout the United States and Canada performing in the top hotels,nightclubs, and concert halls.

Evelyn has also recorded with several international recording stars including PhillipIngram and Gerald Albright.

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Kenny Garrett Quintet

Kenny Garrett Quintet$30.00 Wednesday 7/19 7:00 pm Buy Tickets9:00 pm Buy Tickets

Thursday 7/20 7:00 pm Buy Tickets9:00 pm Buy Tickets

World Class Alto Saxophonist and his Group live on theNighttown Stage for Two Big Nights!Playing Music from his new CD on Mack Avenue Records "Do YourDance".Over the course of a stellar career that has spanned more than 30 years,saxophonist Kenny Garrett has become the preeminent alto saxophonist of hisgeneration. From his first gig with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (led by MercerEllington) through his time spent with musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, WoodyShaw, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis, Garrett has alwaysbrought a vigorous yet melodic, and truly distinctive, alto saxophone sound to eachmusical situation. As a bandleader for the last two decades, he has also continuallygrown as a composer. With his latest recording (and second for Mack AvenueRecords), Seeds From The Underground, Garrett has given notice that thesequalities have not only become more impressive, but have provided him with theplatform to expand his horizons and communicate his musical vision clearly. SeedsFrom The Underground is a powerful return to the straight-ahead, acoustic andpropulsive quartet format that showcases Garrett’s extraordinary abilities.

For Garrett, Seeds From The Underground is a special recording. It once againconsists of all original compositions, and is truly an homage to those who haveinspired and influenced him, both personally and musically. “All of these songs arededicated to someone,” says Garrett. “And the ‘seeds’ have been planted, directlyor indirectly, by people who have been instrumental in my development.”

With Seeds From The Underground Garrett has crafted a project that offers hisappreciation while always making the listener aware of his band’s skillful approachto melody, harmony and rhythm. From personal nods such as the opening track“Boogety Boogety,” dedicated to his memory of watching western films with hisfather (the title refers to the sound of a galloping horse); “Wiggins,” whichreferences his high school band director Bill Wiggins; and “Detroit,” an evocative,reflective composition about his hometown, and a celebration of mentor MarcusBelgrave; to his appreciation of some of his musical heroes on “J Mac” (JackieMcLean); “Haynes Here” (Roy Haynes); and “Do Wo Mo” (Duke Ellington, WoodyShaw and Thelonious Monk).

Melody, as a matter of fact, was a key element for the saxophonist when writing forthe recording. “I wanted to focus on the melody,” Garrett reflects. “I want people toremember what the melody is before we start improvising…and on some songs Iheard voices, the singing of the melody.” This latter point is in evidence on theselections “Haynes Here,” “Detroit” and “Welcome Earth Song.”

Another notable component compositionally for Garrett on Seeds From TheUnderground is his approach to rhythm and meter. Over the past few years, one ofthe most popular and acclaimed groups that he has been a part of is the GRAMMY®award winning Five Peace Band, joining guitarist John McLaughlin, pianist ChickCorea, bassist Christian McBride, and drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Brian Blade.His participation in that band led him to experiment with writing in different meters.“Some of these songs are in odd meters; in my experience with John, we playedsome songs in odd meters, so I thought, this is a different way of writing songs,”Garrett states. “So there is some of that approach here.”

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Ken Peplowski $30.00 Friday 7/21 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Saturday 7/22 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Clarinet and Sax Master returns for Big Weekend at Nighttown!

Friday: Quartet Featuring: Ken Peplowski-clarinet & sax, Jackie Warren-piano,Peter Dominguez-acoustic bass, & Jim Rupp-drums.

Saturday: Duo Featuring Ken Peplowski-clarinet & sax, & Don Better-guitar.

“Since the advent of Benny Goodman, there have been too few clarinetists to fillthe void that Goodman left. Ken Peplowski is most certainly one of those few. Theman is magic.”- Mel Torme

This quote only hints at Ken Peplowski’s virtuosity – not only is he an outstandingclarinetist and saxophone player, but he’s also a charismatic entertainer who hasbeen delighting audiences for over 30 years with his warmth, wit, and musicianship.

“When you grow up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing in a Polish polka band, you learn tothink fast on your feet”, says Peplowski, who played his first pro engagement whenhe was still in elementary school. “From my first time performing in public, I knew Iwanted to play music for a living.”

After a year of college, Ken joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the directionof Buddy Morrow. “Buddy heard me with my quartet at a Cleveland jazz festivalalong with Teddy Wilson’s trio and the Dorsey band, and made an offer right thenand there for me to not only play lead alto, but to have a feature spot on theclarinet with the rhythm section.

In 1984, Benny Goodman came out of retirement and put together a new band,hiring Ken on tenor saxophone. “I think Benny was as great a figure to the clarinetas Louis Armstrong was to the trumpet.

Peplowski wound up signing with Concord Records and recorded close to 20 albumsas a leader, including “The Natural Touch” in 1992 which won Best Jazz Record ofthe Year

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Victor Jones Quintet Featuring Taeko$20.00 Friday 7/28 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Dynamic Drummer from NYC/Copenhagen, Denmark leads All-Star International Quintet live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Victor Jones-drums & trumpet, Taeko-vocals, HaileyNiswanger-sax, Dylan Meek-piano, & Alex Blake-bass.Victor Jones, considered a visionary in today's music business, is a new breed ofDrummer/Bandleader bringing new and exciting ideas to the world of jazz andworld music.

No stranger to traditional or modern jazz, Victor Jones started his career as a teen-age musician playing in local bands in his birthplace of Newark, New Jersey andtouring world-wide with Lou Donaldson. In his early twenties he toured the worldwith Stan Getz. Later tours were with James Moody, Michel Petrucciani, Joe, Olivia,Stanley Clarke,, Phyllis Hyman,, Dizzy Gillespie and Chaka Khan as well as others.

Victor played on the Grammy nominated EMI Korean recording, Second Moon,which won Record of the Year in 2006. Victor also was featured on the Best LatinJazz recording in 2008 with Papo Vasquez. When asked about his greatestachievement he replied, “My greatest achievement in life was having five childrenwith my wife Ane Jones.”

Since 2003 he has been a Bandleader with his own World Music Band, Cultur-Versy,these days specializing in a new age type of music, a mix of dance music, hip-hopand electro pop. This group currently has three CDs out, the latest named DanceFloor 54.

Stan Getz said, “Victor is one top of the world caliber drumnmners and I don’t saythat lightly.”

George Benson states,"Whether playing funk, rock or jazz, Victor Jones is one catthat gets it right.”

Taeko - Japanese native, TAEKO moved to New York City from Shiga, Japan in thelate 90’s and quickly garnered the nickname “Songbird” from the NYC jazz elite.With a stunning four octave range, she sings with “deep soulfulness reminiscent ofAnita Baker with sophisticated scatting a la Ella” as jazz critics describe.

With a never ending stream of musical ideas and a fluid delivery that shows yearsof dedication in studying her craft, little is left to doubt how TAEKO has built adedicated fan base in both the U.S. and overseas. Growing up in Japan, she wasinspired early on by the traditional Japanese music her father and grandfatherplayed, and has been singing as long as she can remember. TAEKO 's interest inAmerican music was piqued while still a young child. In her formative musical yearsshe counts traditional jazz, modern American music, and Eastern music among herinfluences in shaping her contemporary vocal style to this day.

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Planning a reception, wedding, business meeting, graduation, birthday or B'nai Mitzvah?

. . . . . . . . .think Nighttown!

We give you the best package in town at a price that won't break thebank. And everything is included at no extra charge. Our experienceis as accommodating as our atmosphere. Private function spacesfrom 20 - 150. Valet parking available.

To book your party, call Brendan Ring directly at 216-952-9133

Visit our Private Event Page

Nighttown uses Yamaha Pianos

exclusivelyFor more information about the Yamaha C-7,

The New Avant Grand Piano or any of the Yamaha pianos, Please contact Mattlin-Hyde at (440) 449-6180

Nighttown drums providedby

www.fortunedrums.com

Nighttown/JWP graphicdesigner

Kathy Kelly 216-941-5439

Gerry Paluck RPTRegistered PianoTuner/Technician(216) 346-9308

www.gerrythetuner.com

Recommended Places to StayIntercontinental Suites 216-707-4300

The Place on Larchmere 216- 721-8968University Circle Bed & Breakfast 216-721-8968

Looking for great music on the radio

and the web?

Check out the Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions

Radio Guide. Updated 10/10/15 Radio List (in pdf)

Thanks to Bruce Amsel for compiling and keeping the list up to date!!!

12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)

Cleveland Heights, OH 216-795-0550

No need to make an additional table reservation -it's already included with your concert tickets!!

www.nighttowncleveland.comMap to Nighttown

Producers of All the Great Music atNighttown

Call us for Music for your Private Event216-721-5624 jwadsworth@aol.com

www.jwpjazz.com

To Purchase Concert Tickets

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reservation - it's already included with your concert

tickets!!

"Late Night at Nighttown"Fridays Moss Stanley on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

Saturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

Monday, June 12 Hubb's Groove w/David Garfield 7 PM $20.Piano & Keyboard artist extraordinaire David Garfield from George Benson's group teams up with Hubb'sGroove for exciting night of Contemporary Jazz at Nighttown!Featuring: David Garfield-piano & keys, Robert Hubbard-drums, Tony Watson-sax, WalterBarnes-bass, & Special Guest Vocalist TBA.

Wednesday, June 14 Philippe LeJeune 7 PM $15.From Toulouse, France! Boogie Woogie and Jazz from Dynamic French Pianist & Trio. Featuring: Philippe LeJeune-piano & vocals, George Lee-acoustic bass, & Glenn Davis-drums.

Thursday & Friday, June 15 & 16 Joe Lovano "Hometown Sessions" & "Quartet" Thurs. 8 PMFri 8:30 PM $30.Tenor Titan returns home for two night stand Live at Nighttown!> Thursday, June 15: "Hometown Sessions" w/Eddie Baccus Sr.-organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, &Anthony Lovano-drums.> Friday, June 16: Joe Lovano Quartet w/Anthony Fucco-piano, Aidan Plank-acoustic bass, &Carmen Castaldi-drums.

Saturday, June 17 Nicolas Meier 8:30 PM $20.From Switzerland and the UK! Virtuoso Guitarist from Jeff Beck's group leads All-Star Group for Clevelanddebut at Nighttown!

Sunday, June 18 Eddie Baccus Sr. & Jr. 7 PM $20.Father's Day Celebration with the legendary Baccus Family leading All-Star Group live at Nighttown!Featuring: Eddie Baccus Sr.-Hammond B-3 Organ, Eddie Baccus Jr.-Sax, Cecil Rucker-Vibes,Billy Artis-Guitar, Perry William III-Drums, & Special Guest Vocalist Mike Cady.

Wednesday, June 21 Water Seed 7 PM $20.Exciting 8-piece band from New Orleans with vocals & horns play Funk, Second Line, & then some Live atNighttown!

Friday, June 23 Beppe Gambetta 8:30 PM $20. From Italy! Master of Fingerstyle Guitar Beppe Gambetta returns to Nighttown!With Special Guest opening act: Pete Cavano.

Saturday, June 24 Travis "Moonchild" Haddix 8:30 PM $15.World Class Bluesman orbits in to Nighttown with his swinging, and soulful 8 Piece Band with full hornsection!

Sunday, June 25 Sullivan Fortner Trio 7 PM $20.From New Orleans, & NYC. Jazz Brunch & Jazz Fest Finale with rapidly rising pianist & Trio live atNighttown!

Sunday, June 25 Transportation Boulevard 7 PM $10.Dynamic North Coast Jazz Trio live at Nighttown!Featuring: Jeremey Poparad-guitar, Alan Gleghorn-bass, & Bob Walker-drums.

Wednesday, June 28 Django Festival All-Stars 7 PM $30.Direct from France! All-Star French Group brings Gypsy Jazz in to the 21st Century Live at Nighttown!As featured at Birdland, Newport Jazz Festival, and SF Jazz Center!Featuring: Samson Shmitt-lead guitar, Ludovic Beier-accordion & accordina, Pierre Blanchard-violin, Doudou Cuillerier-rhythm guitar & vocals, & Antonio Licusati-bass.

Thursday, June 29 Songwriters Circle w/Rick Szekelyi, Gretchen Pleuss, Rebekah Jean, & TomGirard 8 PM $10.North Coast Songwriters Summit Meeting at Nighttown! Pn Nighttown's "Stephen's Green" patio stage.

Thursday, June 29 Gwilym Simcock 7:30 PM $20.From Wales, and England UK! Pianist extraordinaire from the Pat Metheny Group plays special Solo showat Nighttown! In Nighttown's Music Room on the Yamaha grand piano.

Friday, June 30 Nellie McKay "A Girl Named Bill" 8:30 PM $30.Multi Talented Actress, and Musician, Nellie McKay and her group portray "The Life and Times of BillyTipton" Live @ Nighttown!Featuring: Nellie McKay- vocals, piano, and ukelele, Cary Park-guitar, Alexi David-bass, & KennethSalters-drums.

Saturday, July 1 Ronnie Foster Organ Trio 8:30 PM $20.From Las Vegas. Organ Master, and Acid Jazz Legend from the groups of George Benson, StanleyTurrentine, Grant Green, and many more Live on Stage at Nighttown!Featuring: Ronnie Foster-Hammond B-3 Organ, Jake Langley-guitar, & Jess Gopen-drums.

Friday, July 7 Dominick Farinacci/Stokes Legacy Jazz Orchestra 8:30 PM $15.Dominick Farinacci Leads and Conducts All-Star 18 Big Band to Commemorate the Legacy of Carl andLouis Stokes live at Nighttown! Featured Soloists include: Dominick Farinacci, Sam Blakeslee, Chris Coles, Mark Mauldin, Scott McKee, &Elijah Gilmore!Presented in Association with Tri-C JazzFest.

Saturday, July 8 Russell Thompson & Free Agent 8:30 PM $10.North Coast Saxophonist leads dynamic Contemporary Jazz Group Live at Nighttown!Featuring: Russell Thompson-sax, Robert Crawford-piano & keys, Von James-lead vocals, James Blaque-bass, & Emmanuel Davis-drums.

Thursday, July 13 Rene Schiffer & Mime Yamahiro-Brinkmann 8 PM $10. International Cello Duo from Apollo's Fire play works from Bach, Beethoven, Duke Ellington, plus anOriginal Composition from Rene Schiffer Live at Nighttown!

Sunday, July 16 "Beautiful Sisters" w/Shirley Cook & Evelyn Wright 7 PM $20.Top Flight North Coast Vocalists with All-Star Group live at Nighttown!Featuring: Shirley Cook-vocals, Evelyn Wright-vocals, David Thomas-piano, Chris Coles-saxs, AlanGleghorn-bass, & Sunny Tabler-drums.Presented in Association with Quad City Productions.

Wed. & Thurs. July 19 & 20 Kenny Garrett Quintet 7 & 9 PM Both Nights $30.World Class Alto Saxophonist and his Group live on the Nighttown Stage for Two Big Nights!Playing Music from his new CD on Mack Avenue Records "Do Your Dance".

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Friday & Saturday, July 21-22 Ken Peplowski 8:30 Both Nights $30.Clarinet and Sax Master returns for Big Weekend at Nighttown!Friday: Quartet Featuring: Ken Peplowski-clarinet & sax, Jackie Warren-piano, Peter Dominguez-acousticbass, & Jim Rupp-drums.Saturday: Duo Featuring Ken Peplowski-clarinet & sax, & Don Better-guitar.

Friday, July 28 Victor Jones Quintet Featuring Taeko 8:30 PM $20.Dynamic Drummer from NYC/Copenhagen, Denmark leads All-Star International Quintet live atNighttown!Featuring: Victor Jones-drums & trumpet, Taeko-vocals, Hailey Niswanger-sax, Dylan Meek-piano, & AlexBlake-bass.

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