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Arts & Entertainment

Jazz Abounds in Riverhead This Winter

Looking to hear live jazz? Look no further than Riverhead.

Jazz, America's own homegrown musical genre, is making its way to Riverhead this winter. 

Weekend jazz performances are happening at Bistro 72 at . Concerts and jazz presentations are being held at the . An improvisation workshop and a seminar series exploring jazz are being offered by the .

“Jazz, as an art, has everything,” said Steve Watson, the EEAC education director and a jazz musician. “It has the finesse of classical music, the roots of American music and the ability to be an innovative voice using a traditional language. I think people who play jazz listen to each other and interact at a high level. It’s a great skill and a great gift to play jazz.”

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When February 12 arrives, jazz will explode. Jazz on the Vine (Long Island Winterfest) returns for another year bringing weekends filled with jazz performances on the North Fork and beyond through March 20.

Hotel Indigo held its first large-scale jazz concert on New Year’s Eve. The ballroom was converted into a jazz lounge and featured the Gail Storm Quartet. The group included guitarist Joe Vicino, drummer Bernice "Boom Boom" Brooks and jazz saxophonist Shenole Latimer. Storm is a regular at Bistro 72 performing frequently on Saturday nights.

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"Jazz is music everyone can enjoy," said Rob Salvatico, partner with Hotel Indigo East End. "It's great hang out music."

Latimer will perform with his own ensemble during Jazz on the Vine. He’s appearing twice at the Riverhead Free Library in upcoming months, including a concert on March 20 at 2 p.m. On Sunday, he's presenting "" from 2 to 3 p.m. 

“What’s All That Jazz About” is a primer on how to listen to jazz and what's involved in making jazz music. The program will mix jazz recordings from greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane with a live performance by Latimer and information on what makes jazz unique.

"The Library thought the program would be an opportunity to present a primer on jazz as a precursor to Jazz on the Vine," Latimer said. 

Storm brings a big dose of passion to all her performance, she said. Her penchant for boogie woogie music is another quality that sets her apart. Her stage presence and musical abilities are why she's a regular at Bistro 72's, said Salvatico.

Live music at Bistro 72 on Friday and Saturday nights began in November. Jazz and blues were a natural choice to appeal to the "over 30 party crowd," Salvatico said.

"Jazz and blues are a big part of the East End," he said. "We thought we would embrace it."

Transforming the Indigo Ballroom into a jazz lounge on New Year's Eve is the first of similar evenings to come, Salvatico said. Monthly concerts in this grander scale will become part of the hotel's regular musical offerings. Reservations will be encouraged and a two-drink minimum required. Admission will be free.

During Jazz on the Vine, the hotel will become an after-festival hang-out where musicians can show up and jam, Salvatico said. Ultimately, the hope is Hotel Indigo East End becomes known as a place where great live jazz can be heard year-round.

"Jazz is the type of music that can bridge the gap between a crazy day and your evening," Salvatico said. "We want to make leaving behind the day easier. Jazz is something you can get behind. You can hang out and have a good time."

The EEAC is a forerunner of bringing jazz to Riverhead and beyond. Jazz on the Vine (Long Island Winterfest) is a project of the EEAC. Separately, EEAC has a relationship with the Jazz Federation of America.

To foster jazz performance, the EEAC holds improvisation workshops open to kids through adults who want to sharpen their improvisation skills. The next session runs from March 2 to May 11 ($100 members, $150 non-members).

The class is led by Teddy Charles and Ben Riley. Both have serious jazz props, said Watson.

Charles is a renowned jazz vibraphonist and composer. He’s played with Charlie Mingus, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and many others. Riley is a drumming star in his own right. He’s performed, toured and recorded with Thelonious Monk. He’s performed with Randy Weston, Mary Lou Williams, Sonny Rollins and many others.

“I’m really excited about this series,” Watson said. “Kids and adults can come to hear and learn with legendary jazz masters.”

In February, the EEAC launches its first Jazz Scholar Series. Sessions will be held in Greenport (Feb. 12), Southampton (Feb 26) and Riverhead (March 12). Each session brings together jazz experts to discuss jazz’s role in society.

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