Arts & Entertainment

Napa Valley Jazz Society Announces Fall Line-Up

A multi-Grammy-winning violinist, two sensational vocalists and one of the best jazz drummers on the scene bring their groups to the Napa Valley this fall for Sunday-afternoon concerts that are sure to sell out. Get tickets now at nvjs.org.

The has finalized and released the Fall lineup for its monthly Parlor Jazz Series. The scheduled live performances are:

September 16 at , Napa – Jazz Violinist Mads Tolling Quartet

October 14 at Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville – Vocalist Paula West & Trio

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November 18 at Silo’s, Napa – Vocalist Judy Wexler & Quartet

December 16 at Silo’s, Napa – Drummer Jeff Hamilton Trio

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This is the third year of the Parlor Jazz Series that brings a range of artists from the Napa Valley, the Bay Area, and the world to local venues. Concerts are scheduled Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. and give audiences the opportunity to experience the finest tradition of small-group live jazz with fine wines and nibbles in intimate settings. 

Tickets to NVJS performances can be reserved or purchased by phone at 707-224-JAZZ (5299) or on line at www.nvjs.org [NVJS Members: $20; non-Members: $40]. 

About the artists:

At the ripe old age of 32, Mads Tolling has continued the spirit of the late Stephane Grappelli and the very-much-alive Regina Carter in proving violins can swing. His recent CD, "Celebrating Jean-Luc Ponty-Live at Yoshi's" salutes another great jazz violinist. Mads's efforts have already earned him two Grammys as a member of the Turtle Island Quartet and garnered invitations to perform with numerous jazz greats. Chick Corea calls Mads "A wonderful new voice on violin... very refreshing!"

Paula West has been filling jazz clubs from New York to San Francisco with her unique, soulful jazz interpretations of composers from Cole Porter to Bob Dylan.  Her long runs at a number of  clubs have made her a darling of both the Great City by the Bay and The Big Apple. This is another of the Society’s annual appearances at the Robert Mondavi Winery, a great supporter of jazz over the years. Mondavi presents an extraordinary setting and will likely offer some special surprises.

Judy Wexler is a pure jazz vocalist from Los Angeles who has sung at festivals in Montreal, Tel Aviv, Dubai, and San Jose. She's performed at the Blue Note, Birdland, Feinstein’s and Kitano in NYC, as well as Blues Alley in DC, Yoshi’s in SF and Scullers in Boston. Her CDs have debuted high on the charts and stayed there for months. And critics say: "Judy Wexler is a great singer..." -Jazz Improv Magazine. "Wexler possesses a voice for the ages." -All About Jazz.

Jeff Hamilton is considered by many to be simply the best jazz drummer around. He continues to be ranked #1 in a number of jazz polls. From long stints with the likes of Lionel Hampton and Ray Brown, he has progressed to a legendary orchestral collaboration with his friend and colleague John Clayton.  Jeff has been appearing in top jazz venues around the world with his own wonderful trio. Let’s just say we’re the lucky beneficiaries of his love of Napa Valley and its most famous product.

About the Napa Valley Jazz Society

“The Jazz Society has set out to recreate the memorable big-city experiences of jazz in small clubs and Harlem flats, adapted to the more casual lifestyles of the Napa Valley,” explains Bill Hart, NVJS president and one of its founders. 

“My colleague Bruce Hopewell, noted jazz producer and artist manager, and I believed from the outset that there were many jazz fans in the area who would coalesce around a user-friendly way to experience great jazz.” 

Joined by Janice King, founder of the 25-year-old Sonoma Jazz Society, and more recently by marketing and media pros Dick Danne and Louisa Hufstader, Hart and Hopewell have validated their instincts with 400 Jazz Society members and recent sold-out performances. 

Patrons are advised to reserve their tickets early: Priority is given to NVJS members, who pay half the public price.

For tickets and more information on membership and sponsorship, visit http://nvjs.org/

Source: Napa Valley Jazz Society. Board member Louisa Hufstader is also editor of Napa Patch.

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