Jazz SummerFest Coming to Bickford Theatre

If you're a jazz enthusiast, the upcoming schedule should be to your liking. According to an announcement issued by the theatre:

For two years running, the Bickford Jazz Showcase has undertaken an ambitious musical program during the warm months. Their 2011 Jazz SummerFest continues the tradition with a schedule that calls for a concert nearly every week, mostly on Monday evenings, priced so that nobody need feel excluded.

The first four of them, starting in  early June, will offer an interesting variety within the jazz genre to appeal to diverse audiences. Each features top musicians within their specialties, with the music experienced in a comfortable acoustic setting.  These weeknight shows are run as a single extended set, without interruption, from 8 to around 9:30 p.m., allowing people to return home early on a weeknight after enjoying a full show. 

Seats are still only $15 in advance, going to $18 at the door. Tickets are sold on site, but are best purchased by phone in advance, avoiding a queue that night.

Calling the box office at (973) 971-3706 facilitates credit card purchases.  Those unfamiliar with the hall may request that a "jazz map" be sent. Jazz SummerFest 2011 will begin with the following:  

June 6 -- If pianist Derek Smith had simply played for Benny Goodman, he'd be worth hearing.  But he's done so much more, including a lengthy stint with the Tonight Show band under Skitch Henderson.  His repertoire is immense, and he plays it all with energy and dry humor.  You've heard him at the ChickenFat Ball this year -- and probably remember him from the thrilling Piano Spectaculars at Waterloo -- but a solo evening on the fine Kawai in this acoustic room is especially invigorating for fans. 

 June 13 -- Master guitarist Frank Vignola is back after his near sellout last year, with second guitar Vinny Raniolo and hot violinist Zach Brock.  Blinding speed and unique treatments make every number memorable.  "For me, the standout musician in the ensemble was guitarist Frank Vignola, who can play more musically at ridiculous tempos than just about anyone I've heard.  Vignola had the crowd in the palm of his hand for every solo," wrote a reviewer, after a prestigious Tanglewood appearance.  

June 20 -- Bob Seeley is considered by experts to be the greatest living boogie woogie piano player.  He's featured promi-nently in A Left Hand Like God, and Dick Wellstood (no slouch at the keyboard himself) referred to Seeley (in admiration... and perhaps fear) as "that steel-fingered monster from Detroit."  A reviewer, after witnessing an entire evening featuring the acknowledged greats in this field, wrote: "The final artist of the evening, Bob Seeley from Detroit, was the least known and yet the most dramatic.  It could be said that Seeley turned the piano into a conflagration with his hard-driving blues and boogie pieces."  Experience an evening of "industrial strength" stride and boogie. 

June 27 -- This is reed maestro Dan Levinson's ode to Jimmie Noone's Chicago jazz.  Noone's skill on the clarinet and his band's popularity were so phenomenal that his Apex Club became a haven for all the legendary jazz musicians of the era.  The Apex Project captures the Jimmie Noone spirit, with an all-star cast that includes Pete Martinez (Albert clarinet), Kevin Dorn (drums), Cassidy Holden (bass), Jen Frenkel (piano) and Molly Ryan (guitar and vocals).  It's hot, authentic, tasty jazz. 

 The 300 seat Bickford Theatre is on the Morris Museum campus, located on Columbia Road/Turnpike (County Road 510) at the corner of Normandy Heights Road, east of downtown Morristown, NJ.  It is easily reached from either Interstate 287 or Route 24.  The facility has ample parking in its lot and deck.  The hall is accessible to those in wheelchairs.