ARCHIVE OF the 2023-24 JOSA SEASON
December 3rd
TIGER OKOSHI
Sensational Trumpeter
“I want to paint the air with my colorful tone. Choices between long or short strokes, quick or slow, high in the canvas or low, brighter color or darker, with a fat brush or a pen. Paint the air one note at a time.”
- says Tiger of his playing and of his captivation with the playing of Louis Armstrong.
December 17th
NANCY KELLY
Jazz Vocalist Supreme
“This lady is a study in jazz's cool, its phrasing, its nuance, and its sophistication. Kelly has wowed em all over the world with her classic swing and elegance. Many call themselves jazz singers, but Nancy Kelly is the real deal.” RIJF
"Nancy is one of the premiere female jazz vocalist of our times" Jim Clark Jazz Nightly
January 7th
GREG ABATE
Amazing Alto Saxophonist
High-energy jazz doesn’t describe the full feeling of listening to hard bop saxophonist Greg Abate in live performance because so much intensity and idea-making fuels his music. But it comes close. Even his approach to ballads and sambas have that lilt. They start out breezy or laid-back, but they are certain to have their burning moments.Count on it.”
- Ken Franckling - Jazz Notes
“I sleep a lot better knowing there are alto saxophone players like Greg Abate” - Phil Woods
January 21st
BACK BAY TRANSIT
Exceptional Jazz Treatment
Local music legend, Bill Wightman, pianist/vocalist and JOSA director/founder has gathered six, top-notch musicians from his rich musical past who perform an eclectic blend of funk, pop, rock, & jazz. An afternoon of outstanding vocals; soaring solos with an exceptional rhythm section.
February 4th
MARY FAGAN
Jazz Vocal Stylist
“ ...Billy Holiday in bell bottoms…" - Summit Daily News
"...Her voice will knock you off your chair!…" - Charlotte Observer
In her early years, with influences like Billy Holiday, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington, Mary traveled much of the U.S., soaking up diverse musical styles all along the way. From New York to California, to Texas and New Orleans, she developed a style that is both gritty and pure.
February 18th
DONNA BYRNE
Jazz Vocalist Supreme
It doesn’t get any better than this…one of the best young jazz singers in the country today. She’s the real McCoy.”
- Tony Bennett
“Donna Byrne (is) one of the best singers currently on the scene, one who approaches her lyrics with both intelligence and swinging time, and without distorting syllabic emphasis or resorting to stagy histrionics to get her meaning across.”
- Jazz Times
March 3rd
CERCIE MILLER & DOMINIQUE EADE
Renowned Jazz Sax & Vocalist
Cercie: “The Lady Plays A Tenor. Cercie Miller Swings. She swings while playing a saxophone with a tone straight down the middle of Sonny Rollins cum Michael Brecker. She plays and composes with much soul as heard on her own ‘Wake Up Call’.” - C. Michael Bailey
Dom: “A vocal virtuoso…In addition to her pristine alto and exceptional harmonic sense, Eade has a way of cutting right to the essence of a song.” — JAZZTIMES
March 24th
RONALD R. SMITH
Phenomenal Alto Sax
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Ronald currently hails from Northampton, MA and is the director of Music Programs at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Having performed with such greats at Miles Davis, Dissy Gillespie, Ray Brown, Wynton Marsalis and B.B. King, Ron’s performance this afternoon will not disappoint!
April 7th
THE LIZZARDO BROTHERS
Astronomical Jazz Woodwinds
A fabulous finale for the JOSA Season!
Greg, after playing with Ray Charles in California, and Diamond, after playing lead reed with the Frank Sinatra Jr. Orchestra, connected about 30 years ago while playing in the Duke Bellaire’s Jazz Orchestra. Quickly becoming friends, Greg told Diamond about his recurring dreams of lizards playing saxophones and did he think the two of them should form a duo. The Lizzardo Brothers was born!
