PCA JAZZ SERIES @Parish Center for the Arts Westford

PCA JAZZ SERIES @Parish Center for the Arts Westford

Now in our 15th season, the Jazz Series has become the place to see top local, international and emerging jazz artists in an intimate and up-close setting. Enjoy our cafe style seating for a perfect evening of great music. Bring a date, family, neighbors, or friends!

Tickets $18 PCA Members & Seniors / $20 Non-Members / $5 Teens
Doors open at 7:00pm, Show starts 7:30pm / BYOB drinks and dinner

2016-17 Season Performances

NOV 19 Cassandre McKinley Trio (Jazz – R&B Vocals)

Powerhouse vocalist Cassandre McKinley opens the season for The PCA Jazz Series backed by a formidable team of jazz greats: Tim Ray (piano), Bob Nieske (bass), Dave Mattacks (drums). Cassandre has a vocal style that walks the line between jazz and soul – a voice that is commanding, vibrant and rich with “chops” to spare. She has shared the stage and recorded with greats such as Dick Johnson (Artie Shaw Orchestra), Clay Osborne, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Jay Geils, Fred Lipsius (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Jerry Portnoy (Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters), the legendary Herb Pomeroy and others. Her music can be heard on over 500 national and international radio stations, cable and internet music outlets including iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora and XM Radio. With several jazz vocal recordings to her credit, in 2006, McKinley drew from deeper influences of her youth and revealed a more “soulful” sounding jazz album in remembrance of the late Marvin Gaye. “Til Tomorrow - Remembering Marvin Gaye” (Mack Avenue/MaxJazz ) was hailed by Jazztimes Magazine as “a rich, sensual salute” and The Boston Globe remarks, "'I Wish It Would Rain' is moving enough to bring precipitation to the desert". www.cassandremckinley.com

FEB 18 The Rhythm Future Quartet (Gypsy Jazz)

The acoustic jazz ensemble, The Rhythm Future Quartet has a straightforward agenda: to keep the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe. The virtuosic foursome, named fora Django Reinhardt tune, offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. Led by violinist Jason Anick and guitarist Olli Soikkeli, the quartet performs dynamic and lyrical arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw upon diverse international rhythms and musical idioms. With Max O’Rourke on second guitar and Greg Loughman on

bass, Rhythm Future is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of a vital musical genre. Visit www.rhythmfuturequartet.com

April 8 The Rich Greenblatt Sextet (Swing-Funk Vibes)

Boston-based jazz vibraphonist and bandleader Rich Greenblatt is a musician noted as performing with “dazzling speed and a truly magical touch” by John Blenn of Good Times Magazine. Greenblatt has recorded 4 albums as bandleader, and has performed in jazz and blues festivals around the world. He has recorded with renowned groups include The BeBop Guitars, The Jazz Composers’ Alliance, Hide Tokunaga,
The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, The Paramount Brass Quintet, and R&B band Inspector Tuppence. Over the years he has played with such great artists as Kurt Elling, Billy Mitchell, Kevin Hayes, Valery Ponamarev, Bill Charlap, Greg Hutchinson, Dennis Irwin, Winard Harper, Joe Hunt, Teddy Charles and Oscar CastroNeves. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music. Visit richgreenblatt.squarespace.com