The New England Jazz Ensemble will be part of Pittsfield's musical celebration
Pittsfield - Mayor James M. Ruberto today announced The Legacy Banks Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, presenting traditional and mainstream jazz on the weekend of Oct. 14-16.
The festival will bring world-class performers to the Berkshire Music Hall for two evening concerts, one of which will be recorded for a new CD. Local jazz musicians will also be featured throughout the weekend in venues around town.
“This is another great cultural event that we’re bringing to downtown Pittsfield,†noted Mayor Ruberto. “I expect this to become an annual event during the fall foliage season, when our residents and visitors can come and enjoy all this great city has to offer.â€
On Friday, October 14, at 8pm, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, perhaps the country’s most respected exponent of traditional Jazz, will perform for the first time in Pittsfield. New York Times critic John S. Wilson once wrote that the Black Eagles are “so far ahead of other traditional bands…there is scarcely any basis of comparison.â€
On Saturday, October 15, the New England Jazz Ensemble’s live performance will be recorded for its fourth CD. Award-winning New York City vocalist Joyce Breach and the Keith Ingham Duo will also be featured at the Saturday concert, which begins at 7:30pm.
Tickets for the Friday and Saturday night concerts at the Berkshire Music Hall, 30 Union Street in downtown Pittsfield, are $25 for front orchestra seats, and $15 general admission.
The New England Jazz Ensemble will be also recording at its open rehearsal beginning at 1:30pm on Saturday, October 15. Admission to the open rehearsal is free to students and youth under 18 years of age, and $5 for all others. “It’s an excellent opportunity, especially for music students, to watch a jazz big band at work,†noted Megan Whilden, Director of Cultural Development for the City of Pittsfield.
J. Williar Dunlaevy, chairman and CEO of Legacy Banks, said, “This jazz festival is another great example of the renaissance of downtown Pittsfield, and we are pleased to partner with Mayor Ruberto and the City to make it happen. Legacy Banks is committed to Pittsfield and the Berkshires, and this sponsorship is another dimension of our investment in the community. We have heard the Black Eagles Jazz Band several times at Ozawa Hall on the Tanglewood campus, and we are thrilled to now help bring them to Downtown Pittsfield.â€
The Black Eagles have performed in countless venues across the United States and in Europe, and have been featured on broadcasts for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including This Old House and Roaring Through The 20's, in which they were featured with Claude Hopkins and Bobby Short.
Saturday’s concert is a double bill, with the famed New York vocalist Joyce Breach and the Keith Ingham duo, followed by the New England Jazz Ensemble. Breach, known for her distinctive voice and her sophisticated interpretations of classic American popular songs, won the 2000 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award for Best Jazz Performer and won the 1998 Bistro Award for Best CD (This Moment).
Writing in the NY Observer, Rex Reed described Breach as "a throaty peach [who] has been adding a new luster to Manhattan's after-dark scene. Her husky voice, superb taste in songs, and unique way with a classy tune are worth waiting for."
The New England Jazz Ensemble was formed in 1991 as a weekly rehearsal band and forum for new compositions by regionally-based artists. Over the years, it has also evolved into a professional performance group. It has three CDs to its name, including Duke Ellington’s adaptation of The Nutcracker, which was a highlight when the Ensemble performed it at last year at The Colonial Theatre’s holiday gala.
Thanks to a grant from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, the New England Jazz Ensemble will be recording its concert for their next CD. The concert will mark the public debut of compositions by pianist and director Walt Gwardyak, saxophonist John Mastroianni, and trumpeters Jeff Holmes and Phil Person.
Hearing the band for the first time was, “to put it succinctly, an unexpected pleasure of the first rank,†said Cadence Magazine reviewer Jack Bowers. The band, he added, “can flat out play!â€
In addition, local jazz musicians will be playing in a variety of local venues, including live "Jazz at Lunch" at the Central Block building at 75 North Street on Friday, October 14, and others to be announced. “We have wonderful musical talent right here in the Berkshires, which the CityJazz Festival will be highlighting as well,†said Whilden.
Lead sponsor Legacy Banks and the presenter, the City of Pittsfield, are joined by co-sponsors the Berkshire Music School, Brix Wine Bar, Barrington Stage Co., Berkshire Bank, Downtown Inc., The Gables, and others to be named.
The City of Pittsfield is located in the heart of western Massachusetts’ Berkshire County, considered America’s “premier cultural resort.†The Legacy Banks Pittsfield CityJazz Festival is being held at the height of the fall foliage season in the Berkshires, when thousands of visitors come to the area to enjoy the panoramic display of turning leaves amid the scenic Berkshire hills. Information on lodging and other nearby attractions can be found at www.berkshires.org or the Berkshire Visitors Bureau at 800-237-5747.
Advance tickets are available at the Pittsfield Visitors Center. Phone reservations and credit card orders are being taken at 413-395-0105, Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 5pm, Sunday, 10am to 5pm. General admission for the open rehearsal of the New England Jazz Ensemble will be $5, at the door, no advance ticket sales.
Further information is available at www.CulturalPittsfield.com, the website of the city’s Office of Cultural Development.
Calendar Listings Include:
Legacy Banks Pittsfield CityJazz FestivalFriday, October 14, 11am-1pm
Free! "Jazz at Lunch" with the Andy Kelly Quartet
Central Block Concourse, 75 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
www.culturalpittsfield.com
Friday, October 14, 8pm
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band
Berkshire Music Hall, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA
Tickets: $25 front orchestra/$15 general seating
Contact: 413-395-0105 for tickets, M-Sat, 6:30-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm
Saturday, October 15, 1:30pm
The New England Jazz Ensemble
Open rehearsal & live album recording
Berkshire Music Hall, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA
Free to students & under 18/$5 all others at the door
Saturday, October 15, 7:30pm
The New England Jazz Ensemble
Joyce Breach & the Keith Ingham Duo
Berkshire Music Hall, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA
Tickets: $25 front orchestra/$15 general seating
Contact: 413-395-0105 for tickets, M-Sat, 6:30-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Berkshire County to Elect DA, Governor, More in Primary Election
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and beyond will elect a Massachusetts governor, attorney general, district attorney for Berkshire County, and other positions in the 2026 state election.
The City Council OK’d the issuance of the State Primary Election warrant, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and designated polling locations, hours, and police details.
The early voting period for the state primaries will be Aug. 22-28, while early voting for the Nov. 3 state election will be held Oct. 17-30.
In the primary election, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election held on Nov. 3.
The following positions will be on the primary ballot:
Senator in Congress for the Commonwealth
Governor for the Commonwealth
Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth
Attorney General for the Commonwealth
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth
Treasurer of State for the Commonwealth
Auditor for the Commonwealth
Representative in Congress for the First District
Governor's Councillor for the Eighth District
Senator in General Court for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts
Representative in General Court for the Second Berkshire District
District Attorney for Berkshire County
Register of Probate for the Berkshire Middle District
There are no challengers on the Democratic primary ballot for the re-election of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
On the Republican primary ballot, Michael Minogue of Hamilton and Brian Shortsleeve or Barnstable are vying for the gubernatorial nomination to take on Maura Healey in November; there are no other GOP primary races involving the Berkshires.
As there are no Republican nominees on the primary ballot for secretary of state or auditor, and no independent running in the general election, meaning the primary will essentially determine the winner in those two elections.
For U.S. senator, Edward Markey is being challenged by Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary; the winner will face off against John Deaton of Bolton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
For the Massachusetts 1st District representative in Congress, Richard Neal is being challenged by Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley; the winner will face off against independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.
Closer to home, Paul Mark is unchallenged for state Senate and Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis for state representatives in the Democratic primary, but John Barrett III is being challenged by Andrew Fitch in the 1st Berkshire District.
Tara Jacobs of North Adams is being challenged as District 8 Governor's Councillor by Michael Fenton of Springfield.
There are no Republican or independent candidates for these seats so the winners will essentially be determined by the Democratic primary.
Polling locations for Pittsfield's 7 wards are as usual; polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. during the primaries on Sept. 1.
Pittsfield polling locations:
Ward 1, Precinct A Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 1, Precinct B Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 2, Precinct A Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank Street
Ward 2, Precinct B Somerset Fire Station, 9 Somerset Avenue
Ward 3, Precinct A Providence Court, 379 East Street
Ward 3, Precinct B Egremont School, 84 Egremont Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct A Herberg Middle School, 501 Pomeroy Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct B Williams School, 50 Bushey Road
Ward 5, Precinct A Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 5, Precinct B Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 6, Precinct A Columbus Arms Housing, 65 Columbus Ave.
Ward 6, Precinct B Silvio 0. Conte Community School, 200 West Union St.
Ward 7, Precinct A Pecks Road Fire Station, 54 Pecks Road
Ward 7, Precinct B Capeless Elementary School, 86 Brooks Avenue
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
