New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The fifth annual New Bedford JazzFest on Saturday, June 11 from 2:00pm-7:00pm.
The New Bedford JazzFest will take place on Pier 3 in New Bedford’s historic waterfront and will include fantastic music, delicious food, refreshing libations, all in a unique atmosphere of New Bedford’s working waterfront.
1. Greg Abate Quartet
Greg Abate on Sax
Todd Baker on Bass
Mark Walker on Drums
Tim Ray on Piano
Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe. In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years. In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87. Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.
Greg’s newest release, Kindred Spirits features Phil Woods with The Tim Ray Trio and was released on Whaling City Sound Records. Greg recorded his first CD Live At Birdland NYC in 1991 on the Candid Jazz Label with the trio of James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington. To this date Greg has recorded over 17 other recordings as leader. Greg is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with co. sponsorship from the Conn -Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the U.S and abroad. Greg has been inducted into the Rhode Island MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2016.
2. Southcoast Jazz Orchestra
The Southcoast Jazz Orchestra is a 17-piece big band made up of musicians from Southeastern Massachusetts. The group is led by Bob Williamson, owner of the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth and has been performing in the area since 2010. The SJO holds a Monday night residency at Gilda’s Stone Rooster in Marion. They have been featured at the New Bedford Jazzfest for the last 4 years.
SJO 2016 NB Jazz festival line-up:
Saxes – Ken Reid, Marcus Montiero, Trevor Kellum, Chris Williamson, Karen Sanborn. Trumpets – Bob Williamson. Bill Kingsland, Linsey Govoni. Trombones – Phil Sanborn, Michael Rocha, Karin Kingsland, Travis Blischke. Percussion – Danny Schwartz. Bass – Dave Gries. Guitar – Donn Legge. Drums – Mack Williamson. Special Guest – John Harrison III on Piano.
3. MonteirBots
Marcus Monteiro on Sax
Erick Cifuentes on Drums
Jhory Keys on Keyboards
Rob Massoud on Bass
Chris Bryant on Guitar
According to Nostradamus, the MonteiroBots were calibrated to create mesmerizing funk. Our mission is threefold: impart dangerous amounts of groove, capture the imaginations of future generations, and to galvanize the masses with improvised unruliness.
4. Global Learning Charter Jazz Combo
Carla J. Rivera, Guitar
Greg Cabral, Bass
Josiah Barrett-Grant, Drums
Joe Tavares, Lead Trumpet
Alex Correia, Alto Saxophone
William Pires, Tenor Saxophone
Sabria Neves, Vocals
Sofie Lopes, Bass
Kelsey Rodrigues, Trumpet
Samuel Shuman, Trombone
Ian Gollub, Director
In the Winter of 2014, the Global Learning Charter Jazz Combo was formed with five young musicians. Two and half years later, it has grown into an ensemble of 11 talented musicians in grades 7 – 11. Along with GLCPS music teacher Ian Gollub, they have built a highly sought after group playing an assortment of Jazz, Funk, Blues and more. They are the inspiration for the newly formed Global Learning Jazz Initiative, a free weekly Jazz Education program serving local youths in grade 3-12 with over 70 students from across the region. Many of the members of the GLCPS Jazz Combo serve as mentors to the younger students in the free program.
The ensemble has performed for private functions, radio shows, public concerts, fundraisers and most recently placed first at the Heritage Festival, a nationally recognized performance festival in Williamsburg Virginia. These young musicians have grown exponentially in their ability, skill and musicianship in the past two and a half years, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their passion with you today.
JazzFest is produced by and for the benefit of Your Theatre, Inc. New Bedford’s 69-year old community theatre group. Sponsors of the event include Bridgewater Credit Union as well as the New Bedford Local Cultural Council of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Tickets, $20 in advance, may be ordered through the Your Theatre box office at 508-993-0772, online at NewBedfordJazzfest.com, or at the Bridgewater Credit Union (Fairhaven Branch) and Symphony Music Shop, State Road in North Dartmouth. Tickets at the gate are $25. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Free parking is available at the State Pier and the Elm Street Garage.
