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TONIGHT - 4X Grammy Noninated Gerald Clayton + Balkan Strings at Nighttown

Nighttown by Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions

Hi Folks.

We're really excited about this week's shows here at Nighttown.

Tonight (Tuesday), you don't want to miss four-time Grammy nominatedpianist Gerald Clayton. Gerald is one of this generations young lions, and hasexploded onto the scene with a great sound and deep intuition into jazz. He'sstudied with the greats including Kenny Barron, and is the son of the famousbass player John Clayton (coming to the Tri-C Jazz Fest in June). Gerald has hisfantastic NYC based trio with him including Joe Sanders on acoustic bass, &Kendrick Scott on drums. "Don't Miss" this concert!!

Also tonight, on Nighttown's "Secret Garden" patio, the Balkan Strings are back with another excitingnight guitar mastery from Eastern Europe. Always a great concert!!

Then on Thursday, Hathaway Brown school brings their Vocal Arts students in for a fun night ofsongs. This young ladies deliver a fantastic show. They are lead by Laura Webster, who often appearsat Nighttown herself.

On Friday, enjoy the NE Ohio vocalist Debbie Darling, as she brings a new program of jazz andBroadway standards. She'll be accompanied by Jake Briggs-piano, Toussaint English-bass, &Holbrook Riles III-drums.

Then on Saturday, don't miss the return of sax sensation Richie Cole's All-Star Quartet featuring Greg Bandy on drums. Richie Cole is a legend of thejazz scene and is one of the most creative and driving sax players out there. He'll have Jackie Warren on piano and Peter Dominguez on bass. Ondrums, is the legendary drummer Greg Bandy, originally from Cleveland, butnow all over the world. "Don't Miss" this great concert on Saturday.

We're sorry to announce that vocalist John Morton has passed away. As a result, Sunday's concertfeaturing John is cancelled. Our sincere condolences to his family.

Check out all the new shows that we recently added for the month of June.

Hope you can join us for these great shows this week at Nighttown.

Jim WadsworthNighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions

great dining | great music

12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)Cleveland Heights, OH

216-795-0550

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New Shows Recently Added

5/24 Gus Mahoney in Concert - Benefit6/01 John Richmond Swingtet Celebrates Benny Goodman 6/02 Pat Harris 6/03 The Numbers Band (15-60-75) 6/07 Urbanity w/Albare & Phil Turcio 6/09 Lucas Kadish Trio 6/12 Hubb's Groove w/David 6/14 Philippe LeJeune 6/15 Joe Lovano "Hometown Sessions" 6/16 Joe Lovano Quartet" 6/17 Nicolas Meier 6/18 Eddie Baccus Sr. & Jr. Fathers Day Special Concert 6/21 Water Seed 6/23 Beppe Gambetta 6/24 Travis "Moonchild" Haddix 6/25 Sullivan Fortner Trio 6/25 Transportation Boulevard 6/28 Django Festival All-Stars 6/29 Songwriters Circle w/Rick Szekelyi, Gretchen Pleuss,Rebekah Jean, & Tom Girard

Nighttown Patios are Open for Your Outdoor Dining Enjoyment

Stephen's Green

Nighttown's two famous patios, "Stephen's Green" and "The Secret Garden" are now openfor the season. Enjoy your favorite Nighttown dishes on our beautiful three season patios. Lunch, dinner, and brunch on Sunday's.

"Late Night at Nighttown" ** Every Week **Fridays Moss Stanley on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No coverSaturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

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Nighttown Tickets and Seating Policy

To purchase tickets click here, Do not make anadditional table reservation - it is already included withyour purchased tickets. All seats are General Admission. All seating is based on the time that you arrive for theshow and based on how many people are in your partyand where we have tables of that size. You may besharing a table with other people.

Nighttown Student Discount PolicyStudents up to age 26 are 1/2 off the regular price. Student priced tickets are only available the night of theshow, are available only at the door, and are subject toavailability. Students must have a photo ID from agenerally-recognized high school, college or university. Full-paying ticket holders get priority on admission andseating. Certain select shows have no discount based onarrangements with the artist. On evenings when thereare two shows (i.e. shows at 7 & 9PM), the discount isonly good for the second show. Students under the age of18 must be accompanied by an adult paying full price inorder to be eligible for the discount.

Gerald Clayton Trio$20.00 Tuesday 5/16 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Jazz Pianist extraordinaire and Concord Recording Artist leads his Trio live atNighttown.

Featuring: Gerald Clayton-piano, Joe Sanders-acoustic bass, & Kendrick Scott-drums.

Gerald Clayton searches for honest expression in every note he plays. Withharmonic curiosity and critical awareness, he develops musical narratives thatunfold as a result of both deliberate searching and chance uncovering. The four-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist/composer formally began his musical journey atthe prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he received the2002 Presidential Scholar of the Arts Award. Continuing his scholarly pursuits, heearned a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance at USC’s Thornton School of Musicunder the instruction of piano icon Billy Childs, after a year of intensive study withNEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron at The Manhattan School of Music. Clayton wonsecond place in the 2006 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Piano Competition.

Expansion has become part of Clayton’s artistic identity. His music is a celebrationof the inherent differences in musical perspectives that promote true artisticsynergy. Inclusive sensibilities have allowed him to perform and record with suchdistinctive artists as Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, AmbroseAkinmusire, Dayna Stephens, Kendrick Scott, John Scofield Ben Williams, TerellStafford & Dick Oatts, Michael Rodriguez, Terri Lyne Carrington, Avishai Cohen,Peter Bernstein and the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Clayton also has enjoyed anextended association since early 2013, touring and recording with saxophonelegend Charles Lloyd.

2016 marks his second year as Musical Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival OnTour, a project that has featured his trio along with Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton,Terence Blanchard and Raul Midón on guitar and vocals.

Clayton’s discography as a leader reflects his evolution as an artist. His debutrecording, Two Shade (ArtistShare), earned a 2010 GRAMMY nomination for BestImprovised Jazz Solo for his arrangement of Cole Porter’s “All of You.” “BattleCircle,” his composition featured on The Clayton Brothers’ recording The New Songand Dance (ArtistShare), received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz InstrumentalComposition in 2011. He received 2012 and 2013 GRAMMY nominations for BestJazz Instrumental Album for Bond: The Paris Sessions (Concord) and Life Forum(Concord), his second and third album releases.

Capturing the truth in each moment’s conception of sound comes naturally toClayton. The son of beloved bass player and composer John Clayton, he enjoyed afamilial apprenticeship from an early age. Clayton honors the legacy of his fatherand all his musical ancestors through a commitment to artistic exploration,innovation, and reinvention.

In the 2016-17 year, Clayton turns his imaginative curiosity toward uncovering theessence of the Piedmont Blues experience and expression in early twentiethcentury Durham. A Duke University commission, Clayton’s evening-lengthcomposition will explore a mixed media performance that features some of themost resonating voices in contemporary music.

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Balkan Strings Trio$20.00 Tuesday 5/16 7:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Belgrade, Serbia! On Nighttown's back patio.

TRIO BALKAN STRINGS (Zoran Starcevic & sons) performs its original guitar music,a fusion of Balkan music: Serbian, Gypsy, Macedonian, Romanian, Moldavian,Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mediterranean, Greek, Oriental…Jazz, Gypsy Swing, Classicalmusic, asymmetrical rhythms and original guitar interpretation. The result,combining many cultures, is BALKAN SWING - JAZZ GUITAR - ETHNO - WORLDFUSION, virtuoso, rich and unconventional, fresh and spontaneous, brimming withenergy!

" Trio Balkan Strings dedication to the music of the Balkans and central Europe isinspiring. The guitar interpretations of this music are wonderful. Really good !!! "- John McLaughlin

Authentic, attractive music with the finest taste, real presentation of guitar music inBalkan Jazz style, unique interpretation from three of them and the universal musiclanguage, without frontiers. A real music trip by Balkan carpet, so if you like Jazz,Swing, Ethno, Classical, or you simply like guitar music, it is your perfect choice.

They invented 6 hands playing on 1 guitar and that is their trademark. They haveperformed in many Festivals (Jazz, Classical Guitar, World music) and concerts in:USA, Canada, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Moldova, Slovakia, ChechRepublic, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands,Luxembourg, Spain, UK, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. They did master classes-clinics and concertsfor classical and Jazz guitar students in Europe and in the USA.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER in the World category of the 2005 USA SongwritingCompetition with composition Water-mill written by Nikola Starcevic and performedby Trio Balkan Strings.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER - Trio Balkan Strings won first prize and the Dolphin statue forbeing the best instrumental ensemble on the Music World 2004 Italy FestivalInternacionale Fivizzano.

FIRST PRIZE WINNER - of the JoAnn Falletta International Composition Competitionfor Guitar 2007 Buffalo, New York (Asiana IV written by Nikola Starcevic).

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Hathaway Brown Vocal Music Program$10.00 Thursday 5/18 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

Next Generation of Vocalist from HB hit the stage at Nighttown!

Hathaway Brown School Vocal Arts Department offers a class called Solo Voice. This class for high school age female vocalists explores a singer’s performance withsongs in various styles of jazz, contemporary music, music for theatre, and originalwork, emphasizing communication with the audience, working with an accompanistor band, song arranging and material selection. Dynamics of vocal interpretationand style are also examined. This evening of jazz and contemporary song is theculminating experience of the course. Come out and see the newest talentCleveland has to offer.

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Debbie Darling$15.00 Friday 5/19 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Exciting North Coast Jazz Vocalist hits the stage at Nighttown!

Featuring: Debbie Darling-vocals, Jake Briggs-piano, ToussaintEnglish-bass, & Holbrook Riles III-drums.Debbie Darling is a singer/songwriter who has performed a wide variety ofmusical styles from opera to jazz to blues and everything in between. She studiedvoice with David Blair, the vocal coach for The Metropolitan Opera. She’s providedher vocal talents for small bands, large orchestras and commercial voice overs.She's sung with Stanley Turrentine, The Peter Duchin Band, The Tommy DorseyBand, and more. She returns to Nighttown to perform jazz, blues and standards withthe Jake Briggs Trio. You won’t want to miss this show. Debbie is the consummateperformer.

Jake Briggs has a Bachelors of Music in Music theory and Composition. He is aMusic Director at Independence Presbyterian Church and teaches at the MusicTherapy Enrichment Center in Westlake. Jake has played with the College ofWooster Jazz Band, The Wooster Symphony Orchestra, and The College of WoosterSymphonic Band. He has self-published several CDs and many works for piano,guitar, and choir. Jake plays several instruments but with his trio he plays piano.Along with Toussaint English on Bass and Nick Bruschi on Drums, they make up theJake Briggs Trio and they are delighted to be backing Debbie Darling for thisevening of jazz and standards.

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Richie Cole All-Star Quartet featuring Greg Bandy$20.00 Saturday 5/20 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Alto Madness with Sax Legend Richie Cole, & with special guest MasterDrummer Greg Bandy Live on the Nighttown Stage!

Featuring: Richie Cole-alto sax, Greg Bandy-drums, Jackie Warren-piano, &Peter Dominguez-acoustic bass.

Richie Cole started playing alto saxophone when he was 10 years old in his hometown of Trenton, New Jersey. Influenced by Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker, Cole’stalent and dedication won him a full scholarship from Downbeat Magazine to theBerklee School of Music in Boston.

His professional career began in 1969 when he joined the Buddy Rich Big Band.And after stints with the Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Doc Severinsen Big

And after stints with the Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Doc Severinsen BigBand, Cole formed his own quintet and toured worldwide, doing a great deal topopularize bebop and his own “Alto Madness” style in the 70’s and early 80’s.

Cole has performed and recorded with the great vocalese artist Eddie Jefferson, theManhattan Transfer, Bobby Enriquez, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, TomWaits, Boots Randolph, and Nancy Wilson, to name just a few of his musicalcollaborations. Notably, Cole has performed at the Village Vanguard and CarnegieHall as well as gave a command performance for the Queen of England.

Cole has recorded over 50 albums and CDs, including his top hit album “HollywoodMadness” (1979 Muse Records) and his tribute album to Leonard Bernstein, “RichieCole Plays West Side Story” (1997 Music Masters Jazz). A prolific composer, Colealso finds time to arrange for full big bands, symphony orchestras and frequentperformances at jazz festivals worldwide. Moreover, he enjoys sharing his love ofmusic with younger generations and is active recording, touring and presentinguniversity master classes.

Cole was appointed to the Board of the National Jazz Service Organization and theBoard for the National Endowment for the Arts where he served as chairman forone year. He is also a charter member of the International Association of JazzEducators. In 2005 he was awarded the State of California Congressional Certificateof Lifetime Achievement in Jazz on behalf of the Temecula Jazz Society. Richie Coleis recognized worldwide for the sweet sounds of his alto saxophone and thecreativity behind his Alto Madness Orchestra.

The Alto Madness Orchestra was developed by Cole in the early 90's and itscontinuing popularity is proof of its uniqueness. As Richie explains, "The idea of theOrchestra is the concept and sound of an eighteen-piece big band using only seveninstruments, four of which are horns. Not only does this have the big bandensemble sound, it also allows us plenty of room for improvisation as if we were in aquartet setting."

Now based in New York City, drummer GregBandy is a perennial favorite in the Cleveland areaand also enjoys an international reputation. Bandyhas toured with several major jazz artists includingPharoah Sanders, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, andOlu Dara. Additionally he has lead his own groupsextensively. He has taken his groups far and wide,making appearances throughout North America,Europe, and in such far away destinations as Japan

and Ghana, Africa.

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"Angel of The Night" w/Barbara Barrett & John MortonSunday 5/21 Concert cancelled

Gus Mahoney in Concert - Benefit$90.00 - $160.00 Wednesday 5/24 7:00 pm Tickets here: http://bit.ly/2qQDlrU

Benefit for Stage IV Cancer Research. In honor of MarthaMahoney. With Shaker Heights High Jazz ComboBald Benevolence presents co-founder Gus Mahoney in a concert in honor of his mother,Martha Mahoney. In this intimate cabaret, he will detail the heart-felt hilarities and surrealmoments within his eighteen years through music and spoken word. The evening will alsoinclude the musical stylings of the seniors in the Shaker Heights High School jazz combo.90% of proceeds from the evening will go towards Twisted Pink, a foundation gearedtowards providing research resources to stage IV metastatic breast cancer.

For this formal benefit, tickets are $90 for a single ticket and $160 for duos. The ticketincludes an evening of music, love, appetizers and two drink tickets. Click here fortickets.

Stay tuned for information on another lower priced benefit, Bald Benevolence Bash on June10th, Watch our website or social media outlets!

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Winslow Road w/Webster, Carr, Custy, & Abersold $15.00 Thursday 5/25 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

North Coast Folk, Pop, and more from Winslow Road, Shaker Hts., Ohio!

Featuring: Laura Webster-vocals; Jim Carr-guitar & vocals; Nikki Custy-violin &vocals; Tom Abersold-sax

Vocalist and Professor of Music at Hathaway Brown Laura Webster sings standards,show and pop tunes, jazz, and more

Featuring: Laura Webster-vocals, Jim Carr-guitar & vocals, Nikki Custy-violin, & TomAbersold-sax.

Webster, Carr, Custy & Abersold are excited to be back at Nighttown! The groupperforms a unique mix of jazz, folk, rock and world music. With Laura Webster andJim Carr on guitar & vocals, Nikki Custy on vocals, fiddle and djembe, and TomAbersold on sax and flute, the quartet balances lyric acoustic sounds with rousingfiddle tunes and cool, rhythmic, Latin flavors. WCCA revel in fusing their individual roots in jazz, Celtic, folk, rock, and Latin musicinto a dynamic musical tapestry. Laura Webster, vocalist, has performed at jazzclubs in NYC and Cleveland, and is vocal arts director at Hathaway Brown School inShaker Hts. Jim Carr, guitarist/vocalist, has performed at a wide range of venuesthroughout Cleveland and Boston, and is music director at Church of St. Dominic inShaker Hts. and guitar professor at John Carroll University. Nikki Custy,violin/vocals/djembe, honed her fiddle skills in the pubs of County Clare, Ireland,and is in demand as a master fiddler with numerous Celtic bands throughout thearea. Tom Abersold, sax/flute, developed his style and skills working with big bands,jazz, rock, blues and acoustic groups throughout the Cleveland area.

Jeff Lorber Fusion $40.00 Friday 5/26 8:00 pm Buy Tickets10:00 pm Buy Tickets

Legendary Fusion Master Jeff Lorber leads All-Star Group at Nighttown!

Featuring: Jeff Lorber-piano & keys, Everette Harp-sax, Jimmy Haslip-bass, &Gary Novak-drums.

Trailblazing pianist, composer, producer and bandleader Jeff Lorber is aconsummate artist who continues to push himself to new plateaus. Agroundbreaking Fender Rhodes pioneer along with the likes of Herbie Hancock, JoeSample and Bob James, Lorber has triumphed as one of the most innovativemusical minds in contemporary jazz. The multi Grammy-nominated pianist’s newestCD is a sterling example of his expansive musical roots, masterfully craftedharmonic and melodic sophistication, irresistible finger-poppin’ grooves andintricate rhythmic sense. “I came up with the name Prototype because we arealways trying to up our game and come up with new exciting music that could be aprototype or innovative harbinger for the future of our musical style,” says the LAbased pianist. Lorber, a Berklee College of Music alum who formerly majored inChemistry at Boston College goes full throttle on Prototype, orchestrating like analchemist in the lab concocting a majestic elixir of jazz, soul, funk, pop, R&B andgospel.

Prototype features longtime collaborators – bassist Jimmy Haslip (founding memberof The Yellowjackets) and drummer Gary Novak. “From a production standpointJimmy adds a ‘big picture’ element. He contributes a lot with his warm bass soundand on the road he is without a doubt one of the finest soloists out there on hisinstrument.” Lorber adds, “Gary’s very versatile, imaginative, super solid and gets agreat sound. He really shines playing over the funky polyrhythmic grooves werecord.”

Jeff Lorber’s Fusion came to life in the 70s when the pianist attended BerkleeCollege of Music. “I was listening to Miles Davis and Bitches Brew and the beginningof great fusion bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report and Return toForever,” reflects Lorber. “There were also artists like Herbie Hancock, TheCrusaders and Grover Washington, who pioneered a more melodic and funky typeof sound. Not to mention the fantastic music being made in R&B and pop music likeEarth Wind and Fire and Tower of Power.” Lorber envisioned Jeff Lorber Fusion asecond generation to these fusion bands that were more R&B and melody oriented.A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line of modern jazzpianists since 1945. “Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influencesbut I had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired by,”says Lorber. “Some of these icons that come to mind are Bill Evans, TheloniousMonk, McCoy Tyner and Bud Powell.” He adds, “I also can’t forget all of the pianistswho played with Miles Davis such as Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flanaganand Horace Silver.”

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Moises Borges & Joshua Smith$15.00 Saturday 5/27 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Bossa Nova, Samba, and more from Brazilian Vocalist and Guitarist MoisesBorges with West Coast Saxophonist & Cleveland Native Joshua Smith. Echoesof Getz/Gilberto on Nighttown's Stege!

Moises Borges a native of Brazil now living in Cleveland has become a prolificperformer one the Northeast Ohio scene in recent years. A gifted vocalist andguitarist, Borges plays in the Bossa Nova tradition interpreting classics by Jobim,Gilberto, and many others. This far away from his native Brazil the music of hishomeland is very much alive when he is on stage.

Joshua Smith is a saxophonist/multi instrumentalistresiding in the San Francisco Bay area. He has beenperforming for the past 20 years with a wide array ofnotable jazz and creative musicians, beginning in hishometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

Joshua has performed in the straight-ahead jazz realm forthe past 20 years. His current sidemen are the best of theSan Francisco Bay Area, and he has played countlessconcerts and private events in the straight-ahead arena.Growing up, Smith began gigging at a very early age witholder jazzmen of his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio... He was amember of "Greg Bandy's Young Lions'" and studied undersaxophone iconoclast Ernie Krivda.

Joshua has since made his mark in the arena of avant-garde jazz and forwardthinking jazz through performing with players like Joe Maneri, Cuong Vu, (of The PatMetheny Group), Chris Jonas, trumpet legend Nate Wooley, Trevor Dunn, ToddSickafoose, Myra Melford, Ben Goldberg,Carmen Castaldi, and drummer ScottAmendola in addition to many other notable players...

Additionally, he's performed with funk drumming legend Clyde Stubblefield, touredas a member of The Youngblood Brass Band, and bluegrass legend Peter Rowan...

He's been a member of The Scott Amendola Quartet for the last five years, havingperformed with guitar luminary Nels Cline, at John Zorn's NYC venue, The Stone.

In 2010 he acted as music director and contributing composer to the "Leave MeAlone" opera, an avant grade jazz opera written by Smith's good friend HarveyPekar, at Oberlin College.

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Christian Sands Trio$20.00

$20.00 Sunday 5/28 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Rapidly rising Pianist from Christian McBride's Trio debuts music from his brandnew Concord Records CD live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Christian Sands-piano, Yasushi Nakamura-acoustic bass, & JeromeJennings-drums.

Steinway Artist and five-time Grammy Nominee

CHRISTIAN SANDS is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano techniqueperfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: afresh look at the entire language of jazz. Christian says, "My music is about teachingthe way of jazz and keeping it alive." Whether it's stride, swing, bebop, progressive,fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusualand stimulating vehicles for the present... and for the future. He expresses himselfthrough an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the whilemaintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing -hallmarks for as long as he has been playing.

With his debut Mack Avenue Records recording, REACH, singularly talented pianistand five-time Grammy® Award nominee Christian Sands is stretching into excitingprogressive territory as he breaks new ground traversing from the straight-aheadzone into fresh-sounding music influenced by a range of styles, from Afro-Cubanrhythms to hip-hop beats to dirty blues with an edge. That’s impressive for ayoungster who is just 27. “The collection here is about reaching new ideas andreaching new music,” he says. “I’m reaching from past recordings to bring in thefuture, which is really all about finding myself. It’s a chance to express myexperience.”

REACH becomes one more milestone in Sands’ auspicious career that stretchesback to his New Haven, Connecticut upbringing. Having started playing piano atfour years old, composing his first piece of music at age five, starting music classesat eight, and becoming a professional at ten, Sands was well-prepared to attendsuch prestigious schools as the Neighborhood Music School and the EducationalCenter for the Arts in New Haven (he later received bachelor’s and master’sdegrees from the Manhattan School of Music).

But a key moment came when he attended the Jazz in July summer workshop at theUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst when he was in high school. That was wherehe met and began his mentorship with Dr. Billy Taylor. “I was 13 or 14 and I studiedwith Dr. Taylor,” Sands says. “After the first week, he asked me to stay a second. Iwent on to take private lessons with him and master classes. He became my musicgrandfather; I went to his house in the Bronx and we’d talk about different musicsuch as his piano heroes like Art Tatum and then bands I was listening to, includingThe Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, John Legend and he was hip to all this.”

The recording is co-produced by both Grammy®-Award winning producer Al Pryorand famed bassist Christian McBride, who has collaborated with Sands in hisGrammy® Award-winning trio, as well as some of his other groups, since 2009.“Upon first meeting Christian, I could feel a cool connection,” Sands recalls. “Fromwhen I first sat in with his Inside Straight band, I realized that we think about musicin the same way. When I got signed to Mack Avenue, I asked if Christian couldproduce me, as someone who knows my playing and what I want to accomplish inmy music.”

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John Richmond Swingtet Celebrates Benny Goodman$10.00 Thursday 6/01 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Rare Vintage Films of Jazz Legend Benny Goodman. CelebratingBenny Goodman's birthday!!

And, Live Music Made Famous by Benny Goodman with the JohnRichmond Swingtet live at Nighttown!

Featuring: John Richmond-clarinet & film curator, George Foley-piano, & Bill Fuller-drums.This is a tribute to the continuing legacy of the “King of Swing”, clarinetist BennyGoodman, whose birthday anniversary was just two days ago, on May 30th. Goodman, who was born in Chicago in 1909, would have celebrated his 108thbirthday. Clarinetist John Richmond first heard Benny Goodman live back in 1956,when Benny was a mere 46 years old. Richmond remembers that edition of theGoodman band as great, featuring such jazz legends as pianist Hank Jones andsaxophonist Budd Johnson.

Tonight’s tribute includes rare 16 mm film footage of various Benny Goodmangroups from 1936 through 1959, shown on Nighttown’s big (well, fairly big) moviescreen, plus live performances of the Goodman repertoire by clarinetistRichmond’s three piece Swingtet, featuring George Foley on piano and Bill Fuller ondrums.

This program is the first American presentation of “Hommage a Benny Goodman”presented by John Richmond in France in 1999. The same films will be shown,along with, in the interest of fairness, some fabulous film footage by Goodman’srival, clarinetist Artie Shaw.

Pat Harris$15.00 Friday 6/02 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

North Coast Vocalist extraordinaire sings jazz, gospel, opera, and more live atNighttown! With All-Star Lineup!

Featuring: Cliff Barnes-piano, Walter Barnes-bass, Zaire Darden-drums, LeeSavory-trumpet, Andrenee Fant-Prie-background vocals, Kevin Henderson-background vocals, & very special guest Lafayette Carthon-piano.

Clevelander Pat Harris is a vocalist with impressive credentials. After studying atthe American College of Switzerland in Lucerne, where she minored in music, shejoined the European musical revue Superlove, with whom she toured and recordedextensively. Superlove had several European hits and toured in 18 differentcountries. Superlove recorded for the RCA and Phonogram labels. Since returning to her hometown of Cleveland, Pat Harris has put a new emphasison singing jazz. Harris takes great inspiration from her vocal heroine Ella Fitzgerald and is has alsobeen influenced by current jazz stars Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, and Kevyn

been influenced by current jazz stars Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, and KevynLettau. Since returning to the States, Pat has played several high profile gigs. They includean appearance at the White House to sing for President Bill Clinton, andperformances with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, The Cleveland ChamberOrchestra, singing at the games of the Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers, at the Tri-CJazz Fest, and as a back up singer for pop vocalist Barry Manilow. She was alsochosen to sing for Oprah Winfrey when she made an appearance in Cleveland. Don't miss the dynamic vocals of Pat Harris and her group live at Nighttown

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The Numbers Band (15-60-75)$10.00 Saturday 6/03 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Kent, Ohio! Celebrating their 47th Year! Northeast Ohio Jazz, Blues, &Rock Legends hit the Stage at Nighttown!

Featuring: Bob Kidney-guitar & vocals, Jack Kidney-harmonica, sax, keys, &vocals, Terry Hynde-sax, Bill Watson-bass, & Clint Alguire-drums.

15 60 75 The Numbers Band has been praised by almost every national musicpublication and several international publications since the beginning of their 30years of live performances and recordings. Many fans are under the impressionthat the band remains obscure by choice. In fact, they have never been offered acontract from any recording company in the industry, ever.

The music "cannot be categorized", "it is undefinable", "too original". The musicindustry is not about music anymore. It is about selling products the public canrelate to. After all, it is a business. Even "alternative" music has become a label. Thefounder of the band, Robert Kidney, explains, "The music industry, the media, andthe tellsusourvision (TV) are defining for the American public what is good music byonly playing and supporting what is profitable. We are taught to disregardeverything that is not familiar. We (The Numbers Band) give the people our best.Our effort goes into being creative, unique and original. We define our own sound.There are no rules because we don't play the game. We are not in it for the game,we're in it for the music."

So, the band continues to create and evolve outside of the "Rock & Roll"establishment. The majority of the recordings were financed by friends who lovedthe music enough to put up their own money. Hundreds of photographs taken ofthe band in different stages of it's existence by different amazing people tell a storyof intense performances, long nights, and the passing of time. Band members havecome and gone, and returned again. Robert sees music as much more than anemotional release or a performance. It is a job, a job for which he demands respectand payment for services.

The title of the band has always aroused curiosity from fans. The fans called themThe Numbers because it was easier than trying to get the figures right. Numbershad not been used in a name before, and the political climate in 1970 was quiteOrwell-ian. Robert choose a sequence of numbers mentioned in a book written byPaul Oliver called The Blues Fell This Morning. In the chapter "The Jinx Is On Me",Oliver describes the Numbers Racket popular in Harlem in the 1950s and howdreams were analyzed as number sequences and used for placing bets. The band'smusic theory specialist, Terry Hynde, also discovered that 15 divided 15 is 1, 60divided by 15 is 4, and 75 divided by 15 is 5. In a musician's world, "1, 4, 5," isreferred to as the "universal progression".

The band resides in northeast Ohio. They have several recordings under their beltand more music than they can afford to release.

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Urbanity w/Albare & Phil Turcio$20.00 Wednesday 6/07 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

From Melbourne, Australia! All-Star International Contemporary Jazz Group liveat Nighttown!

Featuring: Albare-guitar, Phil Turcio-keyboards, Gerry Pantazis-bass, & PeterMollica-drums.

From beginning to end, listeners will hear the pair's innate instincts, the perfectpartnership, the gorgeous groove of two friends making music. "We love jazzbeyond the traditional sense," says Albare. "I think that Jazz of the 21st Century is allencompassing. There are no limits."

The collaboration between Guitarist Albare and Phil Turcio started 27 years agowhen Albert Dadon aka Albare was looking for a new pianist for his band. At thetime Phil had just turned 18. Since their first encounter, Phil's and Albare's pathskeep on intersecting.

Phil explains that he and Albare hear music in the same way, "Everything I throw atAlbare comes back as if I would have played it myself." Albare likes to describe Philas his musical soul mate.

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Lucas Kadish Trio$20.00 Friday 6/09 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Rapidly Rising young guitarist from Hudson, Ohio & NYC leadsEast Coast based Trio live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Lucas Kadish-guitar, Devon Gillingham-acoustic bass,& Kweku Sumbry-drums.21-year-young jazz guitarist, Lucas Kadish, was born and raised in Northeast Ohio.There he spent his formative years discovering a deep love for many types ofmusic. In his late teens he began studying and playing with Theron Brown, DanWilson, Bobby Selvaggio, and many other staples of the scene.

By graduation he had already been named a National YoungArts finalist and asemi-finalist in the United States Presidential Scholars of the Arts for jazz guitar. Hewas admitted to The New School for Jazz on the President’s Scholarship and movedto NYC. In his first year of college, Lucas was selected for the prestigiousinternational Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead Residency for composition.

Since, Lucas continues to grow as a working musician and composer. He hasshared the stage and played with jazz luminaries such as Les McCann, JavonJackson, Jeff “Tain” Watts, J.D. Allen, Dominick Faranacci, Bobby Selvaggio, andmany others. He has performed internationally with Nick Dunston’s Dinner Party atthe Bern Jazz Festival and Devon Gillingham’s Trio at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival.Lucas has also performed around the country at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s AppelRoom (NYC), the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (DC), The New World Center(Miami), E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Lyric Theatre (Lexington), The Kent Stage, BluJazz+ (Akron), Chris’ Jazz Café (Philly), Andy's Jazz Club (Chicago), Cliff Bell’s(Detroit), WhyNot Jazz Room (NYC), Shapeshifter Lab, NightTown (Cleveland), TheGreenwich (Cincinnati), Merrimans' Playhouse (South Bend), The Bop Stop, Silvana,Club Bonafide, and many, many more.

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Hubb's Groove w/David Garfield $20.00 Monday 6/12 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Piano & Keyboard artist extraordinaire David Garfield from George Benson'sgroup teams up with Hubb's Groove for exciting night of Contemporary Jazz atNighttown!

Featuring: David Garfield-piano & keys, Robert Hubbard-drums, Tony Watson-sax, Walter Barnes-bass, & Special Guest Vocalist TBA

Hubb's Groove is a mIx of Soul, Jazz, R&B and a splashof Gospel.

It's a smooth but yet high energy band that believeswhats played from the heart, reaches the heart.

The band was founded In 1996 by Robert Hubbard inCleveland Ohio under the name "Moments Notice". In2006 Robert changed the name to "Hubb'S Groove".The band has shared the stage with Kirk Whalum,Jonathan Butler, Earth Wind & Fire, Wayman Tisdaleand Pieces of a Dream.

Hubb's Groove has performed with Angela Bofill,Marcus Johnson, Alex Bugnon, Mike Phillips and Sean Jones to name a few.

When the group is not on tour together, they are working with other artists such asBabyface, Toni Braxton, Gerald Albright and Pieces of a Dream.

Babyface, Toni Braxton, Gerald Albright and Pieces of a Dream.

David Garfield’s mission statement is “I make music.” And “make music” he does, as a world-renownedkeyboard artist, producer, and composer. Be it jazz, rock,funk, or world beat – he is the creative force behind theproduction of many internationally acclaimed recordings.

David started his career with jazz greats such as WillieBobo, Freddie Hubbard, and Tom Scott in the 70’s. Afterbeing on the L.A. scene for several years, he moved intothe vast studio world and earned a reputation for finecraftsmanship and versatility.

His first international release on Creatchy Records,“Tribute to Jeff,” featured 78 musicians and artistsincluding Don Henley, Eddie Van Halen, Michael McDonald,

and Richard Marx, a virtual who’s who in the music industry.

Garfield continues to have ongoing music relationships with George Benson (he isfrequently Benson’s Musical Director), and Boz Scaggs.

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Philippe LeJeune$15.00 Wednesday 6/14 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

From Toulouse, France! Boogie Woogie and Jazz from Dynamic French Pianist& Trio.

Featuring: Philippe LeJeune-piano & vocals, George Lee-acoustic bass, & GlennDavis-drums.

French pianist Philippe LeJeune is a perfect example of the mixture of jazz andblues which was especially an important strain in the jazz tradition. The youngpianist attended a 1968 concert in Reims, France, by master boogie-woogie andblues pianist Memphis Slim, and immediately put an end to his classical efforts andbegan teaching himself the blues, scouring local record shops for LP's by boogiewoogie greats. In 1980 he was invited by Memphis Slim - who had been a parisiancitizen since 1962 - to cut an album titled « Dialog In Boogie » as a piano duet. A frenchman who loves and plays classic American jazz is not entirely unusual, butwhat sets Philippe apart from his contemporaries is his soulfoul feel for the music.His repertoire ranges from classic barrelhouse boogie woogie piano to DukeEllington and Horace Silver tunes as well those of Milt Jackson and GeorgeGershwin. Philippe LeJeune has released six CD's in the United States and also makesnumerous appearances in various American jazz and blues clubs and festivals :Detroit Jazz Festival, Toledo Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival, Monterey Bay BluesFest, Cincinnati Blues Festival. His performance at the 2005 Motor City Blues &Boogie Woogie Festival (Detroit) was recorded live to be edited into P.B.S. televisionspecials and DVD. Living in Toulouse, France, LeJeune has performed for manyyears throughout Europe in the Jazz festivals and clubs circuit (France, Spain,Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic …) and in Africa (Tunisia, Sénégal).

Philippe LeJeune has found a role not only as an interpreter of contemporarynumbers, but as traditionalist bringing back to today's audiences important musicfrom a variety of older sources and melting it all together into a highly personalstyle and repertoire. The frenchman's natural instinct for blues, jazz and boogie is

style and repertoire. The frenchman's natural instinct for blues, jazz and boogie isfood for the soul.

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Joe Lovano "Hometown Sessions"$30.00 Thursday 6/15 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

"Hometown Sessions" w/Eddie Baccus Sr.-organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, & AnthonyLovano-drums.

From his Grammy-nominated symphonic work to his role as Gary Burton Chair ofJazz Performance at Berklee College of Music, Joe Lovano fearlessly challenges andpushes his conceptual and thematic ventures in a quest for new modes of artisticexpression and new ways to define the jazz idiom. In 2014 Lovano won awards forMulti-reeds Player and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz JournalistsAssociation and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from Down Beat Magazine. He hasreleased 23 celebrated albums on the Blue Note label; with the last three focusingon his quintet, Us Five.

Lovano was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952, and began playing alto saxophone asa child. A prophetic infant photo of Lovano shows him cradled in his mother’s armsalong with a saxophone. His father, tenor saxophonist Tony “Big T” Lovano,schooled Lovano not only in the basics, but in dynamics and interpretation, andregularly exposed him to live performances of international jazz artists such asSonny Stitt, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Ammons, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Upon graduation from high school he attended the famed Berklee College of Musicin Boston. Lovano’s early professional gigs were as a sideman with organists LonnieSmith, Brother Jack McDuff, and a three-year tour with the Woody HermanThundering Herd from 1976 to 1979.

After leaving Herman’s band, Lovano settled in New York City where he eventuallyjoined the Mel Lewis Orchestra for its regular Monday night concert at the VillageVanguard; playing from 1980 to 1992 and recording six albums with the Orchestra.

Lovano joined the Paul Motian band in 1981 and has since worked and collaboratedwith John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, BobbyHutcherson, Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ed Blackwell, Michel Petrucciani, LeeKonitz, Abbey Lincoln, Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Ornette Coleman, Jim Hall, BobBrookmeyer and many more.In recent years, Lovano has spent a good deal of time collaborating with two otherpremier tenor saxophonists of his generation - Dave Liebman and the late MichaelBrecker in the collective Saxophone Summit. In 2008, Joe assumed the tenorsaxophone chair of the touring and studio ensemble, the SFJazz Collective. Also inthe Collective were trumpeter Dave Douglas, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and fellowBlue Note Recording Artist vibraphonist Stefon Harris. They joined Miguel Zenon,Renee Rosnes, Matt Penman and Eric Harland in this popular ensemble of some oftoday’s most exciting jazz players.

Lovano’s 2008 release and Grammy nominated Symphonica placed him in front ofthe world-renowned WDR Big Band and WDR Rundfunke Orchestra performingsome of the saxophonist’s most acclaimed and cherished compositions as arrangedand conducted by Michael Abene.

As Ben Ratliff opined in The New York Times, “It’s fair to say that [Lovano’s] one ofthe greatest musicians in jazz history.”

the greatest musicians in jazz history.”

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Joe Lovano Quartet$30.00 Friday 6/16 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

Joe Lovano Quartet w/Anthony Fuoco-piano, Aidan Plank-acoustic bass, &Carmen Castaldi-drums.

From his Grammy-nominated symphonic work to his role as Gary Burton Chair ofJazz Performance at Berklee College of Music, Joe Lovano fearlessly challenges andpushes his conceptual and thematic ventures in a quest for new modes of artisticexpression and new ways to define the jazz idiom. In 2014 Lovano won awards forMulti-reeds Player and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz JournalistsAssociation and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from Down Beat Magazine. He hasreleased 23 celebrated albums on the Blue Note label; with the last three focusingon his quintet, Us Five.

Lovano was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952, and began playing alto saxophone asa child. A prophetic infant photo of Lovano shows him cradled in his mother’s armsalong with a saxophone. His father, tenor saxophonist Tony “Big T” Lovano,schooled Lovano not only in the basics, but in dynamics and interpretation, andregularly exposed him to live performances of international jazz artists such asSonny Stitt, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Gene Ammons, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Upon graduation from high school he attended the famed Berklee College of Musicin Boston. Lovano’s early professional gigs were as a sideman with organists LonnieSmith, Brother Jack McDuff, and a three-year tour with the Woody HermanThundering Herd from 1976 to 1979.

After leaving Herman’s band, Lovano settled in New York City where he eventuallyjoined the Mel Lewis Orchestra for its regular Monday night concert at the VillageVanguard; playing from 1980 to 1992 and recording six albums with the Orchestra.

Lovano joined the Paul Motian band in 1981 and has since worked and collaboratedwith John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, BobbyHutcherson, Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ed Blackwell, Michel Petrucciani, LeeKonitz, Abbey Lincoln, Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Ornette Coleman, Jim Hall, BobBrookmeyer and many more.

In recent years, Lovano has spent a good deal of time collaborating with two otherpremier tenor saxophonists of his generation - Dave Liebman and the late MichaelBrecker in the collective Saxophone Summit. In 2008, Joe assumed the tenorsaxophone chair of the touring and studio ensemble, the SFJazz Collective. Also inthe Collective were trumpeter Dave Douglas, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and fellowBlue Note Recording Artist vibraphonist Stefon Harris. They joined Miguel Zenon,Renee Rosnes, Matt Penman and Eric Harland in this popular ensemble of some oftoday’s most exciting jazz players.

Lovano’s 2008 release and Grammy nominated Symphonica placed him in front ofthe world-renowned WDR Big Band and WDR Rundfunke Orchestra performingsome of the saxophonist’s most acclaimed and cherished compositions as arrangedand conducted by Michael Abene.

As Ben Ratliff opined in The New York Times, “It’s fair to say that [Lovano’s] one ofthe greatest musicians in jazz history.”

the greatest musicians in jazz history.”

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Nicolas Meier$20.00 Saturday 6/17 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Switzerland and the UK! Virtuoso Guitarist from Jeff Beck's group leadsAll-Star Group for Cleveland debut at Nighttown!

In just a few short years, UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputationout as one of the UK’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing froma love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more -- allmixed with jazz -- Meier is one of the rising stars in a vibrant British jazz scene, buthis versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that ... so much so, that hisconsiderable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who hassince made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group, carrying him on two worldtours during the course of the last several years.

Meier originally hails from Switzerland; born in 1973 to parents who are greatlovers of the arts, with wide-ranging musical tastes extending to the Classical, Jazz,Latin, Flamenco, Rock and (even) Pop genres. A true gypsy spirit with a disciplinedmaestro's touch, Nicolas has embraced a number of different cultures and studiedtheir music forms, nuances and idiosyncrasies.

During the course of his six-string baptism and global sojourns, Nicolas has beenthe recipient of numerous awards. A truly dedicated student of the instrument, hehas pursued advanced studies at Switzerland's prestigious Conservatoire deFribourg, and subsequently earned a scholarship to Boston's illustrious BerkleeCollege of Music. His burning passion for both rock and jazz persists to this day.

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Eddie Baccus Sr. & Jr. $20.00 Sunday 6/18 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Father's Day Celebration with the legendary Baccus Family leading All-StarGroup live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Eddie Baccus Sr.-Hammond B-3 Organ, Eddie Baccus Jr.-Sax, CecilRucker-Vibes, Billy Artis-Guitar, Perry William III-Drums, & Special Guest VocalistMike Cady.

Mike Cady.

One of the senior statesman of the Cleveland Jazz Scene, organist Eddie BaccusSr. has set the standard locally since the early 1960's. Like the late great JimmySmith, Baccus is a virtuoso on the Hammond B-3, equally adept at soul jazz andbebop. In many ways Eddie Baccus Sr. has been to the jazz scene what the lateRobert Jr. Lockwood was to the local blues scene; he has been a leader, mentor,and the soul of the community for many years.

Early on his talent was evident as he was linked with another jazz legend,saxophonist Roland Kirk. Baccus and Kirk were schoolmates at the Ohio School ofthe Blind and their sessions together in the old Euclid and 105th area are the stuffof local legends. Kirk would go on to national acclaim before his untimely death inthe late 70's. Baccus stayed close to home and it has been our good fortune.

Eddie Baccus Sr. has been the bedrock of the Cleveland jazz scene and hisinfluence on fans and musicians alike has been invaluable. After 15 years of recording and touring with famed urban jazz ensemble Pieces of aDream, saxophonist Eddie Baccus, Jr. stepped out on a lush, soulful and funkyJourney To Love, his independent debut demo to promote him for upcoming shows.Though it has been extraordinarily well received, Baccus is excited about a remixedand remastered version of the collection, which also features three new songs. TheCleveland born and raised, Virginia based artist will be releasing the revampedversion as part of a package with his soon to be released follow-up album whosetitle perfectly reflects Baccus’ life and career as he reflects on the last 20 years andlooks forward to the future: Living The Dream.

Baccus is currently putting the finishing touches on the new album, which willfeature jazz greats like keyboardist Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets, fellowsaxmen Eric Marienthal and Elan Trotman, blues guitarist Robben Ford and aspecial guest appearance by Baccus’ father, organist Eddie Baccus, Sr

Like his hero Grover, Baccus switches artfully between soprano, alto and tenor, andon Living the Dream is also playing baritone sax and EWI. Since leaving Pieces of aDream, he has been recording and performing live with his band Straight to thePoint, a powerful group of musicians who live in the Beltway region (Maryland andNorthern Virginia) .

Joining Eddie Sr. and Eddie Jr. for their appearance at Nighttown will be an All-StarCleveland lineup. They are Cecil Rucker on the Vibes. Eddie Sr. has frequentlyappeared with Cecil's group Good Vibes. Billy Artis is on guitar. Many willremember Billy from his days backing the late great Bill Doggett at the Theatrical indowntown Cleveland. Perry Williams III is on drums. Perry is a veteran on the souljazz circuit and has worked with Eddie Sr. and Cecil extensively. And on vocals isRon Davis.

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Water Seed$20.00 Wednesday 6/21 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Exciting 8-piece band from New Orleans with vocals & horns playFunk, Second Line, & then some. Live at Nighttown!Future Funk Stars - New Orleans own Water Seed has been creating a buzz all overthe band's hometown of NOLA with one of the most dynamic funk shows on thecircuit.

George Porter has critiqued the band by saying “Water Seed gives me hope”.

A band built on the jazz and funk tradition that single handedly shaped popular

A band built on the jazz and funk tradition that single handedly shaped popularmusic, Water Seed has become one of the prevalent future funk fusion bandsdaring to keep audiences on the dance floor while romancing the ears of the mostadvanced jazz purist.

They have been called a “fresh mixture of the Hot 8 Brass Band meets The Meters”.

Known for their high-energy marathon performances, Water Seed has commandedsome of the most impressive stages across the country. Their latest 2 projects havedebut in the top 40 on the iTunes jazz charts and their relentless touring schedulecontinues to gain momentum keeping the band’s diverse fan base wanting morewith every stop. Powered by a seamless rhythm section. Enforced by an agile hornsection. Topped with a demanding vocal performance and front line, Water Seedwill funk any audience right out of their seats.

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Beppe Gambetta$20.00 Friday 6/23 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

From Italy! Master of Fingerstyle Guitar Beppe Gambetta returns to Nighttown!

With Special Guest opening act: Pete Cavano.Beppe Gambetta from Genoa, Italy is the leading flat picking guitarist of Europe.Through his superb recordings, frequent tours of Europe and America, and originalresearch into early Italian traditional and popular music, Gambetta has establishedhimself as a major world artist of the steel string guitar.....powerful, flashy, musical,unforgettable. In addition to his brilliant solo performances and recordings,Gambetta has collaborated with many great folk artists worldwide. They includeDavid Grisman, Carlos Aonzo, Gene Parsons (from the Byrds), Glenn Moore (fromOregon), Danny Weiss, Norman Blake, Mike Marshall, and many others. Gambetta has played to a packed houses at Night Town on four occasions prior tothis. He last appeard at Nighttown in 2006. Currently Beppe Gambetta is touring insupport of his latest CD "Slade Stomp". In addition to being a great guitarist, BeppeGambetta has a quick wit and an evening spent with him is full of good humor andmusic. Don't miss the great Italian flat picker Beppe Gambetta live at Nighttown.

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Travis "Moonchild" Haddix$15.00 Saturday 6/24 8:30 pm Buy Tickets

World Class Bluesmen orbits in to Nighttown with his Swingingand Soulful 8 Piece Band with Full Horn Section!Travis Haddix began playing the piano at the age of seven in his home town ofWalnut, Mississippi, located thirty miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The turningpoint in his musical learning experience came when he was eight, when thelegendary B.B. King came to Memphis and began playing daily at the studios ofWDIA. Travis was awed by King;s guitar virtuosity and he hung around the radiostation every day to learn all he could. Soon, Travis' piano playing fell by thewayside and was replaced by the guitar, which he plays on stage and in the studio.

Years later, the Haddix family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Travis, now abudding star, continued to refine his craft by singing and playing throughout theNorth. The original "Moonchild", he earned the nickname from his beamingpresence on stage and his always broad smile and energetic, sexy performances, In1959, Travis moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he joined the D.L. Rocco Band andachieved regional notoriety that led to a prominent spot with the Little JohnnieTaylor group. Travis also contributed material to five albums by Artie "Bluesboy"White. His material is also covered by Artie “blues boy” White, Dickie Williams,Jimmy Dawkins, Michael Burks, Charles Wilson, the late Son Seals, and Lee ShotWilliams.

Haddix has received rave reviews in Living Blues Magazine, Blues Revue, RealBlues, Big City, Jefferson and Audience Magazine, and he has toured Europe since1992. His style evokes the sounds of the great Stax-Volt days, when the likes of Sam& Dave ruled the urban blues roost. His fifth release on Ichiban Records is A Big OleGoodun', featuring the Travis Haddix band (together since 1988). He proves, onceagain, that he is a fixture in the modern blues industry with songs like. "Make MeSay Please" , "From Bad to Worse", and the made-for-jukebox single, "(She CalledMe) Knucklehead".

Travis received 4 awards in 1999. Best Male Blues Artist, Best New Blues Artist, BestBlues Entertainer and Contemporary Blues Artist Of The Year. In 1989 he foundedHaddix publishing Company and Wann-Sonn Records, and recorded ten CDs underhis own label. in 2007 travis won the Gay Rose Production Keeping the Blues AliveAward.

Next time you have a chance, check out the movie April's Fool which featuresTravis' hit song, Everything Is Everything.

In 2007, Travis' single, "Dick for Dinner" from "Mean Ole Yesterday" was nominatedBest Blues Song by the Blues Critic Awards 2007 Readers Poll-Comtemporary Blues.Travis was in great company; the prize was awarded to Omar Kent Dykes & JimmieVaughan.

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Sullivan Fortner Trio

$20.00 Sunday 6/25 12:00 pm Buy Tickets

From New Orleans, & NYC. Jazz Brunch & Jazz Fest Finale withrapidly rising pianist & Trio live at Nighttown!Sullivan Fortner is the 2015 Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz of the American PianistAssociation

Sullivan Joseph Fortner Jr. is a native New Orleanian who has already made asignificant foray into the jazz world that belies his young age. While touring withStefon Harris & Blackout, Christian Scott Quintet, and the Roy Hargrove Quintet,Sullivan completed his Master’s degree in Jazz Performance at Manhattan School ofMusic under the tutorage of Jason Moran, and Phil Markowitz. He holds a Bachelor’sdegree in Jazz Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Sullivan beganplaying music by ear at the age of seven. Two years later, he was playing forchurch choirs throughout New Orleans. By the time he was 11 years old, Sullivanhad won a Cox Cable “Amazing Kids Award”.

At the age of 13, Sullivan furthered his formal education in piano by attending theNew Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and earned scholarships to severalprestigious summer jazz programs, including the Vail Jazz Institute and theSkidmore Jazz Studies Summer Program. A standout on the stage and in theclassroom, Sullivan was Valedictorian of his high school class while simultaneouslygraduating from NOCCA.

Sullivan has studied and performed with many great musicians, including TheMarsalis Family, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, MarcusBelgrave, The Jordan Family, Irvin Mayfield, Peter Martin, Dave Liebman, and a hostof others.

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Transportation Boulevard$10.00 Sunday 6/25 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Dynamic North Coast Jazz Trio live at Nighttown!

Featuring: Jeremey Poparad-guitar, Alan Gleghorn-bass, & BobWalker-drums.

Django Festival All-Stars$30.00 Wednesday 6/28 7:00 pm Buy Tickets

Direct from France! All-Star French Group brings Gypsy Jazz in to the 21stCentury Live at Nighttown! As featured at Birdland, Newport Jazz Festival, andSF Jazz Center!

Featuring: Samson Shmitt-lead guitar, Ludovic Beier-accordion & accordina,Pierre Blanchard-violin, Doudou Cuillerier-rhythm guitar & vocals, & AntonioLicusati-bass.

The Django Festival Allstars bring the music of the great Gypsy jazz guitarist DjangoReinhardt fully into the 21st Century. Their unique, high-energy performances paytribute to Reinhardt, who is considered one of the greatest guitar players of all timeand the first European jazz musician to make major contributions to thedevelopment of the jazz guitar genre. Reinhardt's driving, swinging style becameknown as "hot jazz" and it continues to grow in popularity.

The Allstars honor the traditions of this "French Gypsy Jazz", adding their owncreative interpretations, arrangements, and original compositions with stunningvirtuosity. They have performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Birdland, the SFJazzCenter, and the Kennedy Center. The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Djangofest is thebest jazz show in town! Imagine a stage filled with six contemporary Reinhardtdescendants, and you'll get a sense that the collective talent pool on the bandstandis larger than the Arc de Triomphe!"

Led for many years by legendary guitarist Dorado Schmitt, the Allstars currentlyfeature Dorado's son, Samson Schmitt, lead guitar; Ludovic Beier, accordion andaccordina; Pierre Blanchard, violin; Doudou Cuillerier, rhythm guitar and vocals;Antonio Licusati, bass.

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Songwriters in the Round$10.00 Thursday 6/29 8:00 pm Buy Tickets

Gretchen Pleuss, Rebecca Jean, Amanda Walsh and Tom Girard

North Coast Songwriters Summit Meeting at Nighttown!

Gretchen Pleuss"As with some of her proudly stated musical heroes, which include Nick Drake, JoniMitchell, Paul Simon, and Ani Difranco, Pleuss keeps the music above the standard, three-chord, coffee-house troubadour sound with some cool chord progressions (a la Mitchell)and grooves underneath layered vocal harmonies. Her most recent release, From Birth toBreath to Bone, was self-produced and is available on vinyl or compact disc.

Rebekah Jean

Rebekah JeanRebekah Jean is an original songwriter, born in Lake County, Ohio, 1985. She cut herprofessional musician teeth playing in a couple of touring bands during and after college,finally releasing her first solo album of original songs in January 2012. During 2012 and2013 Rebekah Jean joined forces with the nationally-touring David Mayfield Parade as theirfull-time harmony singer and multi-instrumentalist. In addition to plotting her secondalbum of original songs, her current pet project is co-fronting Classic Country outfit"Duchess."

Amanda WalshAmanda Walsh has been playing piano and violin since she was seven years old. Hertraining began with Anita Pontremoli, Head of Collaborative Piano at The ClevelandInstitute of Music. Amanda also studied violin with Helen Richards at The Cleveland MusicSchool Settlement. In 1998, she graduated from She recently released an album entitled"Magic is Real" and debuted it at Nighttown and various venues in Northeast Ohio.

Tom GirardSinger songwriter

Planning a reception, wedding, business meeting, graduation, birthday or B'nai Mitzvah?

. . . . . . . . .think Nighttown!

We give you the best package in town at a price that won't break thebank. And everything is included at no extra charge. Our experienceis as accommodating as our atmosphere. Private function spacesfrom 20 - 150. Valet parking available.

To book your party, call Brendan Ring directly at 216-952-9133

Visit our Private Event Page

Nighttown uses Yamaha Pianos

exclusivelyFor more information about the Yamaha C-7,

The New Avant Grand Piano or any of the Yamaha pianos, Please contact Mattlin-Hyde at (440) 449-6180

Nighttown/JWP graphicdesigner

Nighttown drums providedby

www.fortunedrums.com

designerKathy Kelly

216-941-5439

Gerry Paluck RPTRegistered PianoTuner/Technician(216) 346-9308

www.gerrythetuner.com

Recommended Places to StayIntercontinental Suites 216-707-4300

The Place on Larchmere 216- 721-8968University Circle Bed & Breakfast 216-721-8968

Looking for great music on the radio

and the web?

Check out the Nighttown / Jim Wadsworth Productions

Radio Guide. Updated 10/10/15 Radio List (in pdf)

Thanks to Bruce Amsel for compiling and keeping the list up to date!!!

12387 Cedar Road (top of Cedar Hill)

Cleveland Heights, OH 216-795-0550

No need to make an additional table reservation -it's already included with your concert tickets!!

www.nighttowncleveland.comMap to Nighttown

Producers of All the Great Music atNighttown

Call us for Music for your Private Event216-721-5624 jwadsworth@aol.com

www.jwpjazz.com

To Purchase Concert Tickets

No need to make an additional table

reservation - it's already included with your concert

tickets!!

"Late Night at Nighttown"Fridays Moss Stanley on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

Saturdays Jackie Warren on piano 10:30PM - 1:00AM No cover

Tuesday, May 16 Gerald Clayton Trio 7 PM $20.Jazz Pianist extraordinaire and Concord Recording Artist leads his Trio live at Nighttown.Featuring: Gerald Clayton-piano, Joe Sanders-acoustic bass, & Kendrick Scott-drums.

Tuesday, May 16 Balkan Strings Trio 7:30 PM $20.From Belgrade, Serbia! On Nighttown's back patio. TRIO BALKAN STRINGS (Zoran Starcevic & sons) performs its original guitar music, a fusion of Balkanmusic: Serbian, Gypsy, Macedonian, Romanian, Moldavian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mediterranean, Greek,Oriental…Jazz, Gypsy Swing, Classical music, asymmetrical rhythms and original guitar interpretation.The result, combining many cultures, is BALKAN SWING - JAZZ GUITAR - ETHNO - WORLD FUSION,virtuoso, rich and unconventional, fresh and spontaneous, brimming with energy!" Trio Balkan Strings dedication to the music of the Balkans and central Europe is inspiring. The guitarinterpretations of this music are wonderful. Really good !!! "- John McLaughlin

Thursday, May 18 Hathaway Brown Vocal Music Program 8 PM $10.Next Generation of Vocalist from HB hit the stage at Nighttown!

Friday, May 19 Debbie Darling 8:30 PM $15.Exciting North Coast Jazz Vocalist hits the stage at Nighttown!Featuring: Debbie Darling-vocals, Jake Briggs-piano, Toussaint English-bass, & Nick Bruschi-drums.

Saturday, May 20 Richie Cole All-Star Quartet featuring Greg Bandy 8:30 PM $20.Alto Madness with Sax Legend Richie Cole, & with special guest Master Drummer Greg Bandy Live on theNighttown Stage!Featuring: Richie Cole-alto sax, Greg Bandy-drums, Jackie Warren-piano, & Peter Dominguez-acousticbass.

Sunday, May 21 "Angel of The Night" w/Barbara Barrett & John Morton Cancelled.

Wednesday May 24 Gus Mahoney in Concert - Benefit 7 PM Tickets $90 single, $160 duosBenefit for Stage IV Cancer Research. In honor of Martha Mahoney. With Shaker Heights High JazzComboTickets here: http://bit.ly/2qQDlrU

Thursday, May 25 Winslow Road w/Webster, Carr, Custy, & Abersold 8 PM $15.North Coast Folk, Pop, and more from Winslow Road, Shaker Hts., Ohio!Featuring:Laura Webster-vocalsJim Carr-guitar & vocalsNikki Custy-violin & vocalsTom Abersold-sax

Friday, May 26 Jeff Lorber Fusion 8 & 10 PM $40.Legendary Fusion Master Jeff Lorber leads All-Star Group at Nighttown!Featuring: Jeff Lorber-piano & keys, Everette Harp-sax, Jimmy Haslip-bass, & Gary Novak-drums.

Saturday, May 27 Moises Borges & Joshua Smith 8:30 PM $15.Bossa Nova, Samba, and more from Brazilian Vocalist and Guitarist Moises Borges with West CoastSaxophonist & Cleveland Native Joshua Smith.Echoes of Getz/Gilberto on Nighttown's Stege!

Sunday, May 28 Christian Sands Trio 7 PM $20.Rapidly rising Pianist from Christian McBride's Trio debuts music from his brand new Concord Records CDlive at Nighttown!Featuring: Christian Sands-piano, Yasushi Nakamura-acoustic bass, & Jerome Jennings-drums.

Thursday, June 1 John Richmond Swingtet Celebrates Benny Goodman 7 PM $10.Rare Vintage Films of Jazz Legend Benny Goodman. Celebrating Benny Goodman's birthday!!And, Live Music Made Famous by Benny Goodman with the John Richmond Swingtet live at Nighttown!Featuring: John Richmond-clarinet & film curator, George Foley-piano, & Bill Fuller-drums.

Friday, June 2 Pat Harris 8:30 PM $15.North Coast Vocalist extraordinaire sings jazz, gospel, opera, and more live at Nighttown! With All-StarLineup! Featuring: Cliff Barnes-piano, Walter Barnes-bass, Zaire Darden-drums, Lee Savory-trumpet,Andrenee Fant-Prie-background vocals, Kevin Henderson-background vocals, & very specialguest Lafayette Carthon-piano.

Saturday, June 3 The Numbers Band (15-60-75) 8:30 PM $10.From Kent, Ohio! Celebrating their 47th Year! Northeast Ohio Jazz, Blues, & Rock Legends hit the Stageat Nighttown!Featuring: Bob Kidney-guitar & vocals, Jack Kidney-harmonica, sax, keys, & vocals, TerryHynde-sax, Bill Watson-bass, & Clint Alguire-drums.

Wednesday, June 7 Urbanity w/Albare & Phil Turcio 7 PM $20.From Melbourne, Australia! All-Star International Contemporary Jazz Group live at Nighttown!Featuring: Albare-guitar, Phil Turcio-keyboards, Gerry Pantazis-bass, & Peter Mollica-drums.

Friday, June 9 Lucas Kadish Trio 8:30 PM $20. Rapidly Rising young guitarist from Hudson, Ohio & NYC leads East Coast based Trio live at Nighttown! Featuring: Lucas Kadish-guitar, Devon Gillingham-acoustic bass, & Kweku Sumbry-drums.

Monday, June 12 Hubb's Groove w/David Garfield 7 PM $20.Piano & Keyboard artist extraordinaire David Garfield from George Benson's group teams up with Hubb'sGroove for exciting night of Contemporary Jazz at Nighttown!Featuring: David Garfield-piano & keys, Robert Hubbard-drums, Tony Watson-sax, WalterBarnes-bass, & Special Guest Vocalist TBA.

Wednesday, June 14 Philippe LeJeune 7 PM $15.From Toulouse, France! Boogie Woogie and Jazz from Dynamic French Pianist & Trio. Featuring: Philippe LeJeune-piano & vocals, George Lee-acoustic bass, & Glenn Davis-drums.

Thursday & Friday, June 15 & 16 Joe Lovano "Hometown Sessions" & "Quartet" Thurs. 8 PMFri 8:30 PM $30.Tenor Titan returns home for two night stand Live at Nighttown!> Thursday, June 15: "Hometown Sessions" w/Eddie Baccus Sr.-organ, Bob Ferrazza-guitar, &Anthony Lovano-drums.> Friday, June 16: Joe Lovano Quartet w/Anthony Fucco-piano, Aidan Plank-acoustic bass, &Carmen Castaldi-drums.

Saturday, June 17 Nicolas Meier 8:30 PM $20.From Switzerland and the UK! Virtuoso Guitarist from Jeff Beck's group leads All-Star Group for Clevelanddebut at Nighttown!

Sunday, June 18 Eddie Baccus Sr. & Jr. 7 PM $20.Father's Day Celebration with the legendary Baccus Family leading All-Star Group live at Nighttown!Featuring: Eddie Baccus Sr.-Hammond B-3 Organ, Eddie Baccus Jr.-Sax, Cecil Rucker-Vibes,Billy Artis-Guitar, Perry William III-Drums, & Special Guest Vocalist Mike Cady.

Wednesday, June 21 Water Seed 7 PM $20.Exciting 8-piece band from New Orleans with vocals & horns play Funk, Second Line, & then some Live atNighttown!

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Friday, June 23 Beppe Gambetta 8:30 PM $20. From Italy! Master of Fingerstyle Guitar Beppe Gambetta returns to Nighttown!With Special Guest opening act: Pete Cavano.

Saturday, June 24 Travis "Moonchild" Haddix 8:30 PM $15.World Class Bluesman orbits in to Nighttown with his swinging, and soulful 8 Piece Band with full hornsection!

Sunday, June 25 Sullivan Fortner Trio 7 PM $20.From New Orleans, & NYC. Jazz Brunch & Jazz Fest Finale with rapidly rising pianist & Trio live atNighttown!

Sunday, June 25 Transportation Boulevard 7 PM $10.Dynamic North Coast Jazz Trio live at Nighttown!Featuring: Jeremey Poparad-guitar, Alan Gleghorn-bass, & Bob Walker-drums.

Wednesday, June 28 Django Festival All-Stars 7 PM $30.Direct from France! All-Star French Group brings Gypsy Jazz in to the 21st Century Live at Nighttown!As featured at Birdland, Newport Jazz Festival, and SF Jazz Center!Featuring: Samson Shmitt-lead guitar, Ludovic Beier-accordion & accordina, Pierre Blanchard-violin, Doudou Cuillerier-rhythm guitar & vocals, & Antonio Licusati-bass.

Thursday, June 29 Songwriters Circle w/Rick Szekelyi, Gretchen Pleuss, Rebekah Jean, & TomGirard 8 PM $10.North Coast Songwriters Summit Meeting at Nighttown!

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