DESCRIPTION:
Bruce Williams is one of the New York Area's most electrifying improvisers. Bruce has toured and played with some of the premier musicians of today, including Roy Hargrove's "RH Factor" and Big Band, the Count Basie Big Band, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Frank Foster. A leader on three recordings and a sideman on dozens more, he is truly a musical force to be reckoned with. Bruce is also an inspiring educator. He is a professor of Saxaphone Studies at Bard College and serves as the principle jazz instructor for our own Jazz Arts Academy at the Count Basie Theatre. Radam Schwartz: Hammond B3 Organist and Jazz pianist Radam Schwartz has built his reputation over the last 30 years playing with such great musicians as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, and Jimmy Ford. He continues to make music history today playing with renowned artists Cecil Brooks III, Russell Malone, and David Fathead Newman among many others. Radam has hosted a Jam Session since 1986, beginning at the famous Peppermint Lounge in Orange, New Jersey, and in 1997 when the Mint closed its doors, moving to the Crossroads in Garwood, where you can still find him every Tuesday night. His recording, Organized (Muse Records 1995), was mentioned in the B3 Bible as one of the essential organ records of all time and Sesac gave Radam an award for being one of the top 5 Jazz Composers of 2007-08. Radam also has been a jazz educator for many years, he was music director at the Jazz Institute of New Jersey, artist-in-residence at Middlesex County Arts program, and is currently one of the instructors at the JAZZ ARTS ACADEMY at the Count Basie Theatre. Opening Act: Jazz Arts Academy Summer Camp students This very special event will showcase our own "jazz lions" in what promises to be an impressive and inspiring opening set. These talented middle school and high school musicians, hailing from all over the region, have just completed a one-week intensive summer course focusing on Jazz improvisation, ensemble playing and jazz history.