Su Byron § [email protected]
Carline Ash § 941-366-1552 § [email protected]
Jazz Club of Sarasota Announces
October “Jazz at Two” Concerts
This popular afternoon jazz concert series showcases the region’s top jazz artists.
(Sarasota, Florida) The Jazz Club of Sarasota’s “Jazz at Two” 2014-2015 concert series kicks off in October with Eddie Tobin (October 10); the Lorri Hafer Quartet (October 17); the Ken Loomer Jazz Quartet (October 24); and a Halloween Jazz Jam hosted by the Jerry Eckert Trio (Oct. 31). The series, which was founded in 2001, showcases the region’s top jazz performers on Fridays, 2-4 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $8 for Jazz Club members and $12 for non-members. A portion of ticket sales is directed to the Jazz Club’s scholarship program. For more information, call 941-366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
The Jazz at Two season opens on October 10, at 2 p.m. with Sarasota favorite Eddie Tobin and his ensemble. A pianist and vocalist, Tobin is known for his versatility on the piano and a voice that has been likened to that of a male Diana Krall. Tobin lived in Nashville for 15 years and played with the Forester Sisters and Brenda Lee and opened for Kenny Rogers. He spent seven years as pianist, conductor and music director for Engelbert Humperdinck. Tobin has performed at such prestigious venues as the London Palladium, the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and the Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
Up next, on October 17, 2 p.m., is the Lorri Hafer Quartet, featuring vocalist Lorri Hafer, her husband Mike Hafer on piano, their son Paul Hafer on bass, and Dave Dunscombe on drums. With a voice that has been described “as smoky as a hot New Orleans night,” Lorri Hafer served as featured vocalist with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, as well as Les Brown’s Band Of Renown. She was also lead vocalist on The Hillside Singers’ version of that famous Coca Cola song, “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing In Perfect Harmony.” Mike Hafer has been hailed as the “ideal accompanist with a dynamic style of playing that is all his own.” The group’s Jazz at Two concert will feature favorite tunes from the Great American Songbook.
The series continues with the Ken Loomer Jazz Quartet, featuring Loomer on drums, and jazz veterans Tony Castellano, Jr. on piano, Franco Marino on tenor sax, and Bruce Wallace on bass, October 24, 2 p.m. Loomer has been playing in Florida clubs and restaurants since the mid-1970s. A professional drummer for more than 40 years, his first professional gig was with pioneering jazz trumpeter Clark Terry. He went on to back up top jazz artists as house drummer at the Jazz Cellar in Ybor City for eight years and continues to play and tour with many of the top jazz bands in and around the Tampa Bay area.
The final concert in October is a “Halloween Jazz Jam,” hosted by the Jerry Eckert Trio, October 31, 2 p.m. Area musicians and vocalists are invited to join pianist Jerry Eckert, drummer Lenny Balistreri and bassist Bruce Wallace for a jazz jam session that is guaranteed to delight.
Dave Walrath, president of the Jazz Club, says that the Jazz at Two series fulfills the Jazz Club’s mission to showcase the region’s wealth of great jazz artists. “We’re committed to showcasing both emerging and established jazz musicians who are keeping Sarasota’s scene jazz alive and kicking,” he says.
For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
About the Jazz Club of Sarasota
The Jazz Club of Sarasota’s mission is to promote, preserve, and educate people about jazz, the original American art form. Founded in 1980 by the late Hal Davis, the club presents ongoing concert series, events, lectures, jams and the annual Sarasota Jazz estival. The organization also sponsors free “Joy of Jazz” concerts in Venice every year.
