Celebrates 10th Anniversary!

The North Arkansas Jazz Society and University of Arkansas Music Department kick off their 10th season of the KUAF Summer Jazz Concert Series on Friday, June 27th at 8:00 PM at the Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall on the U of A campus in Fayetteville. This season showcases internationally acclaimed jazz soloists performing with our house rhythm section, pianist Claudia Burson, bassist James Greeson and drummer Darren Novotny.

Tickets available - SOON - at the North Arkansas Jazz Society website: www.digjazz.com

Call 479-225-2306 for more information.

Friday, June 27th at 8:00 PM, the Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall

Terell Stafford has been hailed as "one of the great trumpet players of our time” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, Stafford combines lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge. Stafford possesses the ability to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads. No stranger to northwest Arkansas, Terell has appeared twice with Bobby Watson’s group, Horizon and once with Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts. A stand-out soloist who can deliver a heart-wrenching ballad or a rollicking barn-burner, Terell will take the helm of our house rhythm section, steering them to new musical heights.

Friday, July 11th at 8:00 PM, the Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall

Vocalist Marc Pompe began performing in Chicago around Rush Street as a solo piano/vocalist in the mid-fifties and was influenced by the music of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. Vocal influences include Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McCrae and Jon Hendricks. Marc’s most recent CD, You Must Believe in Swing, was released in November of 2004 on Cadence Jazz Records. Chicago Jazz Magazine said of Marc and the album, “His treatment of each song is unique without losing the tradition of singers that come before him.” Marc Pompe is hip in the deepest, most profound way. He stays true to the music, performing it with love for its tradition and possibilities.

Friday, July 25th at 8:00 PM, Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall

The Composer’s Showcase carries on the Summer Concert Series tradition of spotlighting local jazz artists performing original compositions, in some cases for the first time! The first half of this year’s showcase will feature a performance of Cada Nota--A Suite for Jazz Nonet composed and arranged by guitarist Ben Harris. The suite consists of five jazz compositions for a nine piece band that blend elements of jazz, rock, blues, funk, Latin, and a little New Orleans groove thrown in for good measure. The second half of the program will open the floor to composers James Greeson, Nathan McLeod and other northwest Arkansas jazzers to be announced. Come out and support our hometown jazz giants.

Friday, August 1st at 8:00 PM, the Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall

Paul Wertico gained world recognition as a member of the Pat Metheny Group in 1983. He performed on ten CDs, won seven Grammy Awards, numerous magazine polls and several gold records. Paul left the PMG in 2001. Wertico has played with such jazz greats as Eddie Harris, Lee Konitz, Buddy DeFranco, Roscoe Mitchell, Jay McShann, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Ramsey Lewis and many others. He's currently a member of both the Larry Coryell Trio and the Jeff Berlin Trio. In reviews, his playing has been compared to that of an "Impressionist painter", while Paul has also been described as "an inspired madman" and "a restless innovator." In 2004, the Chicago Tribune honored Paul as one of their "Chicagoans of the Year".

Saturday, August 23rd 8:00 PM, the Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall

The Sons of Brasil is one of In Kansas City’s most popular jazz groups. The native Kansas Citians play nothing but Brazilian jazz, with a flavor and passion one might think could only be found at a night club in Ipanema or Leblon. The Sons of Brasil will close out the Summer Jazz Concert series with a bossa nova bombshell! Led by Stanton Kessler on trumpet, flugelhorn and percussion, these five musicians create great melodies and sophisticated harmonies within the driving pulse of bossa nova.

Tickets available - SOON - at the NAJS website, www.digjazz.com Call 479-225-2306 for more information.

ABOUT US

The North Arkansas Jazz Society (NAJS) was founded in 1993 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We are a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to presenting, preserving, and promoting jazz music in all of its forms.

With over 125 members we are a growing organization with an open arms policy to jazz lovers of all ages.

The NAJS has been a community leader in presenting world class jazz performers in a variety of venues in Northwest Arkansas. Some of the talent presented over the past 9 years includes Kenny Barron, Ray Anderson, Kevin Mahogany, James Williams, Ray Drummond's Excursion Band, David Sanchez, Bobby Watson, and Danilo Perez.

Our affiliation with the Walton Arts Center since 1992 has been a mutually beneficial partnership. The WAC Jazz Concert Series stands out as a showcase for internationally renowned jazz artists as well as regional stars.

Our ongoing JAZZ STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM is a highly successful program that provides tuition support for high school and college music students wishing to further their studies of jazz at the Jamey Abersold Summer Jazz Camp.

The NAJS is proud to support our regional jazz musicians with our SUMMER JAZZ CONCERT SERIES at the University of Arkansas Stella Boyle Smith Fine Arts Concert Hall in Fayetteville.

Check the events page regularly for updates.

Website created by David Hudson