First Thursday Collingswood Jazz Series 2007-2008

Our fourth season kicks off on October 4 and runs through May 1 at the Collingswood Community Center, 30 Collings Ave (next to the Firehouse) Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and $5 for students. BYOB. Free soft drinks. For info: call 856-858-8914 or visit www.jazzbridge.org

Appearing this season:

October 4: Saxophonist Sam Reed--Sam Reed was the house leader for the famous Uptown Theater shows in the 1960s. Working with Cannonball Adderly, Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis, Art Blakey, and Jimmy Smith, Reed is a local legend! Be prepared for some great stories!

November 1: Pianist Skip Wilkins--Skip has two new CDs out that are getting rave reviews. The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote: "Pianist Skip Wilkins goes from soulful, gut-bucket mode to rich ballads to angular modern jazz on this tasteful set of original tunes."

December 6: Saxophonist Bootsie Barnes--What can one say about the Philly area's most famous and most dynamic player of all? Bill Cosby's favorite jazzman, Bootsie always has something wonderful to say.

January 3: Saxophonist Denis DiBlasio--Much beloved director of the Rowan University Jazz Department and former music director of the Maynard Fergeuson Band. If you've never seen Denny, you haven't heard the bari sax!

February 7: Guitarist Monnette Sudler--This Philadelphia artist has played with many all-time jazz greats, such as Hugh Masekela, Philly Joe Jones, Grover Washington, Jr., Byard Lancaster, the Sounds of Liberation and Kenny Baron. Europe, Japan, South Africa, Jamaica, as well as the United States have all welcomed her original music and unique arrangements.

March 6: Pianist Joshua Richman--Up and coming new artist that is taking the town by storm. This performance will be a CD party for this exciting jazz musician! A must see for jazz fans looking to follow the next generation of jazz greats.

April 3: Guitarist Skip Heller--Coming all the way from LA, Skip will be performing for his mentor, the late Philly pianist Eric Speigal, to start a memorial fund with Jazz Bridge. Originally from Audubon, Skip has been getting attention, especially for his latest CD--Mean Things Happening in this Land.

May 1: Singer Denise Montana--Of course, our last concert always means lots of food and fun. But with Denise and her band it will be a party extraordinaire! Look out for the unexpected!