Friday, April 11| Snap on 2 & 4, with the Lori Mechem Quartet
Lori Mechem hardly needs an introduction to Nashville audiences. A master teacher, composer, and pianist, she and husband Roger Spencer founded and direct the Nashville Jazz Workshop. This special Snap on 2&4 showcases her piano playing. She performs with her quartet, including Roger, drummer Chris Brown, and guitarist Andy Reiss.

Admission price: $15, students (HS/college): $8. On sale April 7 at 10 am. Call 242-5299.

Sundays on Radio | "Live from the Workshop"
"Live From The Workshop" - the show featuring live performances from the Nashville Jazz Workshop is back on the air better than ever. Upcoming shows will feature performances from jazz greats such as Beegie Adair with Mike Longo, Mike Longo, Pat Coil, Kate McGarry and so many others. Be sure to tune in to Live From the Workshop Sundays at 4pm. Heard no where else, but our local jazz station WMOT - Jazz 89.

Beegie Adair & Mike Longo - 4/6 | Guitar Summit - 5/25
Annie Sellick - 4/13 | Jamey Simmons Sextet - 6/1
Mattan Klein Quintet - 4/20 | Beegie Adair Trio w/ Annie Sellick - 6/8
Chris Walters - 4/27 | NJW All-Stars - 6/15
Connye Florance - 5/4 | Shelly Berg & Lorraine Feather - 2/22
Bruce & Sandra Dudley - 5/11 | Afro-Peruvian Jazz Sextet - 6/29
Tenor Saxophone Summit - 5/18 |

About the Show | Download the Show Schedule (pdf)

In the Gallery | April 11 - June 17

Barry Noland: Metallurgy

This is Barry Noland's third show at NJW. For this show Barry is displaying color and black & white photography of structural abstractions. The piece at right is titled "Movement 1 in Yellow," and is an example of the beautiful and fascinating works on display. About the artist: Born and raised in Cairo, Illinois, Barry moved to Nashville to attend Tennessee State and later Belmont University. He pursued his love of music and songwriting, but soon found his niche as a commercial and art photographer. He had his first art show in 2003, and has won awards in juried and non-juried shows. He is an active member and contributor to three Nashville art groups -- Untitled, Plowhaus, and Musehaven. About his art, Barry says: "I consider all my images to be experiments and learning experiences. With each new image, I learn more about how I see the world. And about how I want others to see me." To learn more about Barry and his work, visit his website: http://www.barryanoland.com

Art reception/party Thurs., April 17, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Sunday, April 13 | JAZZ ON THE MOVE: The Music of Johnny Mercer
This popular series is back again this year thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and a collaboration with the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. These Sunday, 3 pm events combine an outstanding jazz performance along with lecture demonstration to give a deeper understanding and appreciation of a particular jazz style, composer, or period. Performances take place the second Sunday of the month at the Frist Center.

The April 13 program celebrates the music of American composer Johnny Mercer. Nashville business executive Ken Roberts is also one of our foremost experts on the American Popular Song. He will discuss Johnny Mercer's life and music, joined by his longtime friend Beegie Adair and her trio. Beegie, along with Roger Spencer, Chris Brown, and special guest Jeff Hall, will bring Mercer's music to life with musical examples. Don't miss an unforgettable afternoon! Those attending Jazz on the Move will be able to visit the Frist's exhibits free of charge, and will also receive discounted parking.

Admission price: free

 

Friday, April 18 | Snap on 2 & 4, with Moe Denham
B3 organ master Moe Denham is a Nashville treasure, and he's back in the Jazz Cave for one night Friday, April 18. Moe leads a quartet with Rahsaan Barber - sax, Cliff Richmond - guitar, and Duffy Jackson - drums.  (in case you don't know, Duffy is an outstanding drummer who has played with the Count Basie, Woody Herman, and Lionel Hampton bands, and now lives in Wartrace, TN). Join Moe and his quartet for an evening of smokin' jazz and blues. For more information about Moe, visit www.moedenham.com.

Admission price: $15, students (HS/college): $8. On sale April 14 at 10 am. Call 242-5299.

 

Friday, May 9 | Snap on 2 & 4, w/ the Jamey Aebersold Quartet
Alto sax player and legendary jazz educator Jamey Aebersold brings his all-star quartet to town for one night only at the Jazz Cave. With Indianapolis-based Steve Allee (piano) and Louisville-based Tyrone Wheeler (bass) and Jonathan Higgins (drums)

Admission price: $20, students (HS/college): $10. On sale May 5 at 10 am. Call 242-5299.

 

Our friends at the Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society have announced their 2008 "Concert on the Lawn" series at Belle Meade Mansion. The opening concert is Sunday, May 18 at 6 pm, and features NJW's own Bruce & Sandra Dudley with special guests Connye Florance & Rebecca Sayre (also NJW folk!). Visit www.jazzblues.org for complete information on this and other concerts in the series.

NJW's own Christina Watson and Oscar Utterstrom are both releasing new CDs at their joint CD Release Party Sunday, May 18, 3-5 pm at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Among the musicians playing are Pat Coil, Craig Nelson and Bob Mater. Light hors d'oeuvres will be provided. No cover. CDs will be on sale for $15.

Yoga for singers: Judith Carman and Eve Fleishman yoga instructors & NJW students) are offering a yoga workshop especially for singers June 28, 12:30-5 at the Sanctuary for Yoga, 3902 Hillsboro Road. They're offerering a special discount ($15 off the registration fee) for NJW students who register by June 15. Contact them at 297-8797 or visit their website.  

 
NJW artists have a new performance venue! Chocolate Expressions, an internet cafe/deli and multicultural art and book gallery, is starting a weekend jazz series Saturday evenings in May and June on their patio. The cafe is located at the corner of 7th Avenue and Jefferson Street, just across from the Bicentennial Mall.

The lineup of NJW artists is as follows:

May 10 - Kristine Mylls
May 17 - Trio Ginga
May 24 - Monica Ramey
May 31 - Crystal Miller

June 7 - Debbie Cunningham
June 14 - Christina Watson
June 21 - Kevin Sanders
June 28 - Oscar Utterstrom

Music is 7:30-10:30 pm, with a $10 cover charge. We recommend that you go check this place out -- they're near NJW, and have free wifi, good coffee and food, and lots of cool stuff! For more information visit www.chocolateexpressions.info.

Samba Nove, NJW's Brazilian jazz ensemble, appears at Z's Five Points Deli Thursday, May 15, June 26, & July 17. All performances are 7:30-9:30 pm. Z's is located at 1000 Main Street in East Nashville, behind Marche Artisan Foods. For more information about Samba Nove, go to www.myspace.com/sambanove.

NJW artists and groups also appear regularly at Edgehill Studios Cafe, corner of Edgehill & Villa Place: May 1 - Samba Nove, May 6 - Margaret Smith, June 3 -  Tom McIntire. Time is 7:30 - 9 pm. 

• Sundays, 4:30 pm, Jazz Jam with Ben Graves
• Scion Sunday Night Jazz Series, 8:30 pm, admission free. May 4 - Storm Kings, May 11 - Chris West, May 18 - Dan Hagen, May 25 - Uberphonics.
• Friday, May 2 - Rebecca Sayre
  

The Martin Senior Center in Brentwood will hold its 3rd Music and Memories Benefit Concert June 19th at 7 pm, featuring the Beegie Adair Trio. More details later.

Media Notes:

In case you missed it, the NJW was featured in a Tennessean Arts & Entertainment cover story Sunday, Jan. 20. You can read the story online.

Thanks to the Nashville Scene for naming NJW BEST PLACE TO HEAR (AND PLAY) JAZZ" in their 2007 Best of Nashville. Read more . . .

NJW was featured on NPT, Channel 8's Artsbreak last April. Many of you saw this -- it's a great video and it's now on NPT's website. Check it out if you're wondering what the Workshop is all about or if you have a friend you'd like to turn on to the Workshop!

Nashville has a new online Arts and Entertainment calendar! NowPlaying Nashville, a service of the Community Foundation, lists music, art, entertainment, & sports events all in one place! They'll even send you a weekly e-newsletter to let you stay on top of what's happening. We're glad they're here to promote arts events in the city.