Jazz Greats of the Upper West Side

Tonight’s concert, Jazz Greats of the Upper West Side, is the culmination of Symphony Space’s two-week celebration, Upper West Fest. This annual spring festival, sponsored by Zabar’s celebrates the artists and cultural institutions of the Upper West Side. Featuring:

Being a West-Sider myself, I know there are hundreds of great jazz performers who are or have been my neighbors. As a producer of jazz music, I also know what talented and exciting musicians they are. When I heard that the celebration was being sponsored by Zabar’s, and since Stanly Zabar and I were classmates in high school, I immediately saw an opportunity to showcase the great artistry of some of my musicians friends. I called Stanley, and within a couple of days I was talking to the Executive Director of Symphony Space, Cynthia Elliott, who informed me that I was now charged with producing the benefit concert!

We are delighted to have Harry Belafonte hosting this event and are privileged to honor long-time West-Sider and one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, Max Roach.

I am thrilled to tell you that I have assembled an all-star cast including most of the reed section of The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra – Walter Blanding Jr., Ted Nash, and Joe Temperley – supported by a rhythm section that includes bassist, composer and vocalist Jay Leonhardt, drummer Eddie Locke, and pianist Richard Wyands. Also appearing are Lew Tabackin, with drummer Mark Taylor and bassist Boris Kozlov. And two long-time West-siders and great guitarists – Peter Bernstein and jack Wilkins – along with saxophonist Jerry Dodgion and vocalist Jay Clayton, will help to make the evening extraordinary.

As a special treat, making Symphony Space debut will be “far West-Sider” (California. Actually) – pianist Roger Kellaway, the composer of Come to the Meadow, theme music for Selected Shorts, Symphony Space’s signature literature program.

Thank you for supporting Symphony Space by joining us for this wonderful evening of celebration, recognition and, most importantly, Jazz.

Sincerely yours,
Paul J. Weinstein

Performance playlist:

Guitar Duos

Double Parking

Jumpin' on the West Side

Chelsea Bridge

Saxophone Solo

It Could Happen To You

Young and Foolish

Eronel

Sunset and the Mockingbird

You Stepped Out of a Dream

Come to the Meadow

The Red Door

Featuring:
Walter Blanding, Jr.
Ted Nash
Joe Temperley
Jay Leonhart
Richard Wyands
Eddie Locke
Lew Tabackin
Mark Taylor
Boris Kozlov
Jerry Dodgion
Jay Clayton
Roger Kellaway
Peter Bernstein
Jack Wilkins