Summer Jazz Festival

BILL CROW

Nearly six decades ago, Bill Crow embarked on a career as a Jazz bassist.

Since that time, he has gained an international reputation as one the finest double bassists of that genre. The list of musicians that Bill has worked for reads like a virtual who’s who in the history of the art form: Gerry Mulligan, Benny Goodman, Marion McPartland, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, Stan Getz and the list goes on and on.

Besides being an extraordinary musician, Bill is also an accomplished writer and has authored two widely read books Jazz Anecdotes and from Birdland to Broadway.


Bill will be performing selections that reflect some of the important musical relationships of his vast career (which, incidentally, shows no signs of slowing down!). Interspersed will be his recollections and humorous anecdotes in what promises to be a delightful musical experience.

Drummer Nick Scheuble has assembled an all-star quintet for this event which includes; Trumpeter Randy Sandke, Baritone and Alto saxophonist Carl Maraghi, guitarist James Chrillo, Scheuble, and of course, the master bassist himself, Bill Crow.

CHICO MENDOZA

Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Cal Tjader are among a handful of musicians and bandleaders that personify the “golden age” of Latin Jazz. Pianist, Chico Mendoza will lead a celebration of their music.

A Grammy-nominated musician himself, Chico has “worn many hats” including being a composer, arranger, vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, and host of the famed Manhattan Latin Jazz club, “The Village Gate” as well as a D.J. on WBGO “Jazz 88”. He was also elected to the N.J. Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and is on the board of directors there. And besides all this, as a college professor, Chico has the honor of having the longest running Jazz ensemble in the history of William Paterson University (34 years).

Under the musical direction of percussionist, Nick Scheuble, this “fiery” small group also includes Tito Puente’s former bassist, Mike Vinas. So get your dancing shoes on because as Chico points out, “Here comes the rice and beans!”.

For years, Chico Mendoza led a double life, a teacher by day and a musician by night, performing at such venues as Club Birdland, Madison Square Garden, The Village Gate, NJPC, William Paterson University, Essex County College, Princeton University and Seton Hall Law School. Chico is still burning the midnight oil with many new assignments such as staff writer for the "Latin Jazz Legends Series" at NJPAC, musical editor for "Resource Guide," musical director and arranger for the "Big Splash" Gospel Series on WWDJ and entertainment manager at Café Bianco Jazz Club in NYC. He has been commissioned to teach at Princeton University, as part of the Connections Arts Program, under the title of "Latin Jazz Percussion and Rhythms of the Caribbean" and has hosted various music workshops.
HENDRIK MEURKENS
SAMBA QUARTET

From tranquil Bossa Nova treatments to burning New York Sambajazz versions by the way of authentic Chorinhos and in-the-pocket Sambafunk, Hendrik Meurkens and Amazon River explore the wide terrain of Brazilian Jazz. The unique sound of the band is defined by Hendrik Meurkens' trademark sound of Jazz harmonica and vibes plus the immensely swinging rhythm section of Helio Alves, Gustavo Amarante and Adriano Santos.

The group explores the Great Brazilian Songbook from a Jazz point of view and features compositions by Hendrik Meurkens, many of which are documented on the numerous CDs of the group. The band has recorded nine CDs, five of them for the prestigious Concord Label. Hendrik’s latest release, Amazon River, is the culmination of his lifelong love of Brazilian music.

Hendrik Meurkens, a virtuoso on both the chromatic harmonica and the vibraphone, is the most important jazz harmonica player since Toots Thielemans. German-born but now based in New York, Meurkens' recordings and performances garner worldwide acclaim because the transcendent beauty of his music has universal appeal. Hendrik Meurkens’ profound involvement in both jazz and Brazilian music resulted in a very personal and instantly recognizable version of Samba jazz. This music, a cross-cultural amalgam guaranteed to touch the heart, features his harmonica and vibes along with piano, bass and drums, playing his stirring originals and arrangements
http://www.billcrowbass.com/ http://www.myspace.com/nickscheuble

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