Feedback File

• design by Evan Bivins, photography by Alice Keeney

A statement from the JAC stated, “Due to unforeseen construction delays, the Mezz will unfortunately not be available for the JAC Jazz Series. Since receiving this news, we have secured an alternate venue that will accommodate the same production, needs, and quality of programming.”

The JAC Jazz Series’ opening-night program, “Four Hands Full of Keys,” features pianists Tommy Gill and Gerald Gregory in two performances (7 p.m. and 10 p.m.). The JAC Jazz Series also includes two special events. Local sax player and arranger Mark Sterbank’s group will present their popular Hymns and Spirituals program at the Circular Congregationalist Church at 8 p.m. on Mon. May 28. The Fifth Annual Holy City Homecomin’ featuring Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) and the New JBs will hit the Charleston Music Hall stage at 8 p.m. on Tues. May 29.

The JAC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the local jazz scene. Visit jazzartistsofcharleston.org and check the listings at the Music+Clubs section at charlestoncitypaper.com for more.

• design by Evan Bivins, photography by Alice Keeney
• The official poster for the JAC's Jass Series 2012

The Jazz Artists of Charleston’s fifth annual JAC Jazz Series will be heading uptown to at brand-new venue this year. While they’ve previously presented the annual series in upstairs rooms at downtown restaurants McCrady’s and Mistral, they’ve landed at the Mezz (276 King St.), a newly renovated jazz listening room and bar above Sermet’s at the corner of King and Wentworth streets. As they did last year, the JAC booked and promoted these shows independently of Piccolo Spoleto.

The Mezz will host two shows per night at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. during the series. Admission to each performance is $25 at the door and $20 in advance.

The piano duo of Tommy Gill and Gerald Gregory will kick things off on Wed. May 23. The series continues with concerts by the Charlton Singleton Quintet, the Lewis-Gregory-Wiltrout trio, Asheville’s Michael Bellar and the As-Is Ensemble, the Suárez and Singleton duo, Faces for Radio, the Sterbank-Suárez duo, guitarist Clay Ross’ Matuto Trio, Columbia-based be-bop band Modus Bone, the Gennaro’s Jazz Ensemble, Cameron and the C-Notes, and the Charleston Latin Jazz Collective. On Fri. June 8, the Charleston All-Stars will close the series with a 8 p.m. performance.

The JAC Jazz Series also includes two special events. Local sax player and arranger Mark Sterbank’s group will present their popular Hymns and Spirituals program at the Circular Congregationalist Church at 8 p.m. on Mon. May 28. The Fifth Annual Holy City Homecomin’ featuring Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) and the New JBs will hit the Charleston Music Hall stage at 8 p.m. on Tues. May 29.

The JAC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the local jazz scene. Visit jazzartistsofcharleston.org and check the listings at the Music+Clubs section at charlestoncitypaper.com for more.

UPDATE: On May 19, the Jazz Artists of Charleston announced a change in venue for their fifth annual JAC Jazz Series, which starts on June 23 and runs through June 8. They’ve moved the series up King Street to Father Figaro Hall.

The JAC’s mission this week is to present several days of programming to raise funds and awareness for the organization, the musicians involved with it, and the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. “The JAC is invested in the preservation, development, and promotion of a vibrant and creative jazz culture, seeking to further this vision through the intimate concerts, special events, and educational programs offered during JAC Week,” says exec Leah Suarez. “The daily sessions will be followed by nightly special ticketed events, creating listener-friendly environments with a focus on artistic production and audience engagement. These unique performances include exciting debuts in intimate settings and are not to be missed.”

This evening (Tues. April 10), the versatile Pulse Trio — bassist Ben Wells, drummer Stuart White, and organist Sam Sfirri — will play a variety of jazz and funk from 5-10 p.m. at the JAC’s “See Jazz” event at Jericho Advisors (218 Saint Philip St.). The show will also feature galleries of behind-the-scene photographs, collectible posters, and artwork from Alice Keeney, Priscilla Thomas, Ben Williams, Reese Moore, Nathan Durfee, and other local artists. The $20 admission includes light hors d’oeuvres and libations. A reception follows from 8-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the JAC.

On Wed. April 11, an elegant program titled Rhapsody in Blue and Green will take place at the JAC’s headquarters, the Charleston Jazz House (185 Saint Philip St.). JAC veterans Tommy Gill (piano), Charlton Singleton (trumpet), and Mark Sterbank (sax) will perform from 7-9 p.m. at the venue as part of the jazz week. Gill will present portions of his extended arrangement of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Seating is limited to 20. Wines will be available. Admission is a $250 donation that directly benefit the JAC.

The big, big JAC show of the week is the South Carolina Hit Parade at the Memminger Auditorium (56 Beaufain St.) on Thurs. April 12. It’s the debut of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, and it will feature a program of adapted arrangements. The original South Carolina Hit Parade (produced by late JAC board member Jack McCray) debuted five years ago as the Charlton Singleton Orchestra, presented by Jazz Artists of Charleston. “This inaugural concert marked the birth of what is now Charleston’s own resident big band, the Charleston Jazz Orchestra,” Suarez says. Thursday’s concert is designed as a tribute to McCray, with the debut of a nine-piece chamber ensemble and “music composed, arranged, and made famous by South Carolina musicians.” The show runs from 7-11 p.m. general admission tickets are available for $100, and there are several VIP and group ticket options as well. Proceeds benefit the JAC.

Call the JAC directly at (843) 641-0011 for more info.

• A jazzy Fat Tuesday at Voodoo

“This is gonna be a good one. I would even say our best one yet,” says owner Jen Kulick. “We found it a little tame last year, so we’ve turned up the volume.” The roster features acclaimed local drummer and bandleader Quentin Baxter and crew playing under the name Slight Stench at 7 p.m. Soul/pop vocalist Quiana Parler and her band will close the show at 9 p.m.

Admission is $5. Visit voodootikibar.com for more.

• Adam Chandler
• Charlton Singleton

In addition to his recent work as a frontman with his own quartet and quintet, Singleton has served as the conductor of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra and as a member of the Jazz Artists of Charleston. He recorded the six-song album in July at Charleston Sound. The set includes four original pieces and renditions of “Body and Soul” and “Stella by Starlight.”

The CD release show this week will take place in the church’s sanctuary. Singleton’s combo will include saxophonist Mark Sterbank, bassist Reggie Sullivan, drummer David Patterson, and pianists Tommy Gill and Richard White — all of whom recorded tracks on The New Deal.

Advance tickets are available for $20 via Etix.com and at the JAC office at 185 St. Philip St. Visit charltonsingleton.com and jazzartistsofcharleston.org for more.