7 nights of concerts as part of the Jazz Marathon
By WTJU
In addition to all the great programs this year as part of the 2022 Jazz Marathon, we also have seven nights of live music at the WTJU Stage to which you are invited.
These are free events, open to all. Masks are strongly encouraged for all attendees. You can also listen to each night’s concert on the radio (91.1 FM) or on-line, and even video stream it at WTJU’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. But concerts always sound better with you as part of the studio audience. WTJU is located at 2244 Ivy Rd in Charlottesville, right next door to Vivace. There is plenty of parking, both in our lot as well as the Sentara lot next door.
Monday, September 26 – The Unknown Known Ensemble
On the first night of the 2022 WTJU Jazz Marathon, the Unknown Known Ensemble will primarily perform Jamal Millner’s compositions with a possible rearranged cover tune or two.
Tuesday, September 27 – Chickenhead Blues Band
The Chickenhead Blues Band is Charlottesville’s premiere New Orleans boogie-woogie, upbeat, rhythm and blues dance band. Composed of 5 veterans: Aric van Brocklin – Guitar, Skip Haga – Keyboards, Jeff Louderback – Drums, Jack Sheehan – Sax, and Vic Brown – Bass, these guys will get you up and dancing on the floor on the second night of the 2022 WTJU Jazz Marathon!
Wednesday, September 28 – Ivan Orr with Daphne Brown
Ivan Orr is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and writer. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Ivan was involved with the forming and nascent days of The Music Resource Center as its first Program Director. Ivan is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Music and recently served as the composer for the PBS documentary Raised/Razed written and directed by Jordy Yager and Lorenzo Dickerson. Ivan is joined on vocals by Daphne Brown, a New York City native now residing in Richmond, VA, who performs regularly in a variety of Jazz, Gospel and R&B ensembles.
Thursday, September 29 – Michael Elswick Gathering
The Gathering includes Michael on sax, Bill Edmonds on guitar, Joseph Nichols on bass, and David Drubin on drums. They play jazz, blues, Latin and ballads, but for enough donations they promise to break into some Cambodian surf rock. So says the leader for the sounds we will hear on the fourth night of the 2022 Jazz Marathon.
Friday, September 30 – More Trumpet! with John D’earth and Will Evans
On the fifth night of the 2022 WTJU Jazz Marathon, trumpeter John D’earth will present an hour of music titled, “More Trumpet!” featuring D’earth and guest trumpeter Will Evans in the frontline, backed by a stellar rhythm section: Garen Dorsey on piano, Peter Spaar on acoustic bass, and Kofi Shepsu on drums. “Will and I have been inspiring each other since he was about thirteen years old and we love to play together, like Fats Navarro and Howard McGee; since I am fatter than Will, I guess we know who gets to play Fats!”
Saturday, October 1 – Zuzu’s Hot 5
Zuzu’s Hot Five is Pete Vigour (acoustic guitar), Brandon Rose (trumpet, cornet), Aaron Olwell (clarinet), Sam Green (upright bass), Paul Rosen (tenor banjo), Gary Elwell (trombone), and Susanna Rosen (vocals, uke). You’ll hear stomps, Dixieland, blues, and ballads from the 1900s to the early 1930s. Think Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong’s Hot 5s and 7s, and Bessie Smith performing for us on this sixth night of the 2022 WTJU Jazz Marathon.
Sunday, October 2 – Hard Swimmin’ Fish (Charlottesville edition)
Hard Swimmin’ Fish is an ensemble deeply rooted in the traditions of American music. Their down-home roots sound pilfers from the best that early American music has to offer including blues, jazz, funk and swing, and churn it all up into a spicy brew that is familiar yet uniquely their own. The band is led by Demian Lewis (guitar/vocals) and Waverly Milor (harmonica/vocals) and will be supported by the local rhythm section of Steve Riggs (bass) and Danny Barrale (drums). They advertise on their t-shirts “twisted vintage roots music”… come find out why on this seventh and final night of the 2022 WTJU Jazz Marathon.
