Happy Jazz Year,

Ole man winter must have heard that some “hot” jazz was coming to Boise early in the New Year. Along with the original Boise Jazz Society goal of presenting a subscription series of world-class jazz artists, we also wanted to create a more active jazz atmosphere in Boise for the jazz aficionado and novice-listener alike. In taking a look at the spring jazz calendar, I believe we might all agree, “It's working.”

Read on in our new web format, all designed and managed by Julie Erb, Boise Jazz Society’s newest board member—thanks so much, Julie! We hope our Boise Jazz Society Notes works for you and are looking for your feedback, so don't hold back. We are all in this jazz world together.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Special Event

The Osher Institute at Boise State University presents a very special evening - Celebration For The Spirit, featuring Igor Stavinsky's A Soldier's Tale on Wednesday evening, January 14th at 8 pm, in the Boise State University Special Events Center.

Now get this--jazz stylings will abound! The performance begins with a jazzy approach to Stravinsky's original themes, re-harmonization, swinging rhythms, the blues, all presented by pianist Chuck Smith and Quintet. Guaranteed to be Stravinsky like you've never heard before.

After intermission, you'll see and hear a very special production of this iconic Stravinsky masterpiece performed as originally intended; chamber orchestra under the baton of Jim Ogle, narration by Gordon Reinhart, and dance by Idaho Dance Theatre members Casee Hogg and Yurek Hansen.

Vinyl Preservation Society Announcement

The Boise Jazz Society is joining the Vinyl Preservation Society for January Jazz Session.

I’ll be telling their membership about us and spinning some of my ole vinyl jazz recordings at 7:30. The Boise Jazz Society membership is also invited to bring your own jazz records (and only records, no CDs, tapes or other non-vinyl media) for an "open play" session where members take turns playing tracks on the communal turntable. Participants' names are drawn at random and they get to play one track per turn. We usually ask people to keep the track to 5-6 minutes and under, though I imagine we'll break the rules a bit for jazz night, so long as nobody tries to play a 30-minute cut.

C’mon down—should be lots o' fun!

Eliane Elias

Eliane Elias

A native of Brazil, this former child prodigy is well versed in the work of artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim, whom she’s saluted on a pair of popular discs. But, she’s equally comfortable performing challenging classical compositions and her knowledge of jazz is deep, wide, and impressive. Over a career, she’s proven herself to be a strong and imaginative instrumentalist whose original tunes and interpretive numbers exude intelligence and passion in equal measure.

While Elias’ recordings have often focused more on her singing than her playing in recent years, her latest album, Something For You: Eliane Elias Sings & Plays Bill Evans, evens the score, teaming her with drummer Joey Baron and bassist Marc Johnson (Bill Evan’s last bassist) on material either written by or associated with Evans, one of her early keyboard heroes.

Musically speaking, pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias is a one-woman United Nations. - Jazziz

Because we couldn't get the full membership all in at Esther's Place, we have moved the symposium and concert to the brand new Stueckle Sky Center, RR Ranch Club at the Boise State University football stadium.

You will love the parking, the seating, the view, and of course the music of the internationally renowned, Eliane Elias. This venue move was made possible by you, the Boise Jazz Society membership, whose faith and funds created the jazz clout to make it happen. Plus, the Boise State University Department of Music will keep Eliane Elias and Co. in Boise, presenting her in a Jazz Residency on Monday, February 23, 2009 and inviting all to join this marvelous Steinway Artist in support of the Boise State All-Steinway School Campaign.

For more information about Eliane Elias, visit http://elianeelias.com/

BJS JAZZ EXTRA IV

The Hal Galper Trio

Eliane Elias

Here's the news that we alluded to earlier in the season and made possible by a strong Boise Jazz Society commitment to bring live, professional jazz to Boise.

With over 82 recordings to his credit, 20 as a leader in his own right, pianist, composer, publisher, educator, author and touring artist, Hal Galper is best known for his work with Chet Baker, Connonball Adderley, John Scofield and the Phil Woods Quintet. His recordings as a leader with Mike and Randy Brecker are considered among the best.

Graduating from the Berklee College of Music at the height of the be-bop era, his reputation grew steadily in the changing environment of jazz. He anchored such bands as The Slide Hampton Quartet, The Lee Konitz Duo, The Stan Getz Quartet and many others. His biography is listed in the National Encyclopedia of Jazz and he has 100 original compositions recorded and published.

Galper is internationally known as an educator. His theoretical and practical articles have appeared in six of Down Beat Magazines editions and his scholarly article on "The Psychology of Stage Fright," originally published in the Jazz Educators Journal, has subsequently been reprinted in four other publications. Fast becoming the last word on the subject, his new book The Touring Musician, A Small Business Approach to Booking Your Band on the Road (Billboard Books) is now into its second printing. Hal is on the faculty of Purchase Conservatory and the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. He extensively travels the College lecture-workshop circuit.

He has won a Grammy nomination and a Grammy for his recordings with the award-winning Phil Woods Quartet and Quintet, was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Berklee College of Music, multiple awards For outstanding Service to Jazz Education from the IAJE and has been a recipient of grants from the National Endowment of the Arts, The Lila Wallace-Readers Digest Foundation and the New School of New York.

Hal Galper's music displays some of the best qualities of mainstream jazz. Hal's ability to select and arrange rarely heard tunes from the standard repertoire, his penchant for lyrical improvisation and his commitment to a dancing, deeply swinging beat, makes his music accessible to a broad range of listeners.

This very exclusive event is only available to Boise Jazz Society members at $45 per seat. Light snacks and an assortment of beverages will also be available. Reserve your place/s by responding to this email today-first come, first served!

For more information about Hal Galper, visit http://www.halgalper.com/

12th Annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival

Gene Harris Jazz Festival

This year's events—educational activities, club nights, and headliner concerts—will all take place on the campus of Boise State University. Along with great jazz music, student and community participants can expect to enjoy ease of parking, the close proximity of all events, and an introduction to two new, exciting campus venues: the Stueckle Sky Center and the 1000-seat Student Union Building Ballroom.

Gene Harris Jazz Festival groups and more to come--check it out:

For more details, download the Gene Harris Festival Flyer. (pdf)

Boise Jazz Society

BJS Logo

THE BOISE JAZZ SOCIETY is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of live jazz of the highest caliber and is a Boise community-Boise State University partnership.

Mike Samball and the Working Board Members:
John Barnet, Dennis Drew, Julie Erb, Katie Matsuura, Chuck Smith, Mary Smith, Wally Smith, Mark Suderman, and Larry Tierney

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Mike Samball
Email: msamball@boisestate.edu
Boise State BJS web page: http://boisestate.edu/music/BJS/
Phone: 208 426-3498

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