Upcoming Concerts and Events

What they're saying about MJS Concerts: REVIEW

The Madison Jazz Society's concerts are held at the Coliseum Bar, 232 East Olin Avenue, Madison, from 1-4 PM (doors open at noon), unless otherwise noted. Admission: $20 for MJS members; $25 for non-members; those age 18 & younger admitted free.

This location provides jazz fans with a central location that is close to the Beltline, downtown Madison and beautiful Lake Monona, as well as being on a Madison Metro route. In addition, full food and drink service will be available at modest prices, sufficient and close parking is available and the facility is fully handicapped accessible. Parking in Coliseum Bar lot, Wonder Bar lot AND in the WPS lot next to the Wonder Bar (you can ignore the towaway signs on Sundays).

January 29 - Red Rose Jazz Band

The Red Rose Jazz Band was formed to play a repertoire reflecting almost every aspect of early jazz music, including ragtime. Today, the Red Rose has perhaps the widest variety of traditional jazz sound of any band in America . Represented on the "menu" are compositions by Jelly Roll Morton, Tiny Parham, Benny Moten and King Oliver, to mention a few of the classic jazz composers. Rags by Scott Joplin, James Scott, Joe Jordan, May Aufderheide and others highlight the ragtime era. Red Rose delves into early Dixieland with seldom-heard tunes by the pre-l920 Original Dixieland Jass Band--- then continues into the "hot” 1920s with the music generated by the legendary Bix Beiderbecke and others. The West Coast Revival period is represented by Lu Watters and Turk Murphy compositions. Members: Art Davis, trumpet; Kim Cusack, clarinet; Tom Bartlett, trombone; Jack Meilahn, banjo; Steve Ley, tuba; Andy Schumm, drums; Joan Reynolds, piano & leader. www.redrosejazz.com

February 26 - Ken Killian's Swingtet with Vocalist Michelle DuVall

Making their first MJS appearance, part of the reason for the popularity of Ken Killian’s Swingtet is its size ~ the four horns blend well with the rhythm section and allow the Swingtet to deliver a very tasty sound with just seven players. This group performs some of the more contemporary swing and Latin sounds and provides a great selection of styles. Ken has been playing the saxophone for over 40 years and the flute and clarinet came shortly thereafter. He has played with lots of different groups during his career. Vocalist Michelle DuVall fell in love with jazz working in a snazzy little piano bar and restaurant just south of the Wisconsin border in Galena, IL In 1997, DuVall joined musical forces with Michael B.B., Bill McIlvane and John Shaffer and they quickly compiled a repertoire of standards and began performing for private functions in and around Madison. www.saxtetplus.com

March 25 - River City 6

The River City 6 is one of the most popular groups in the Midwest and will also be making their first appearance on the MJS stage. Their enormous repertoire consists of Big Band, Swing, Latin, Dixieland, New Orleans and classics from the Great American Songbook. They have performed at the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, the Cedar Basin Jazz Festival and for many other festivals and groups. As educators, the band’s members are proud of their role in bringing the history of jazz to public schools around the Midwest. They have lectured and performed for thousands of students, in an ongoing commitment to inspire young minds through one of America ’s greatest art forms, jazz. Members: Kirk Prebyl, drums; Steve Little, trumpet & vocals; Mike McMann, trombone; Matt Podschweit, piano; Jeff Peterson, reeds; Dave Abdo, bass

MJS Receives 2010 Rabin Award

On March 3, 2010, the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO) Board of Directors awarded the 2010 Rabin Youth Arts Awards. The Madison Jazz Society was the winner for philanthropic support and Michael George, Executive Director of the Wisconsin School Music Association, was the winner for artistic achievement. The awards were presented by former Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton at Arts Wisconsin’s Arts Day at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison . A large, statewide group nominated numerous deserving individuals and organizations, representing all arts mediums.

WYSO noted that MJS was formed in 1984 to provide a common meeting ground for all persons interested in jazz; musician, listener, collector. They endeavor to preserve, encourage and stimulate interest in jazz music; to foster and advertise creators of jazz music; and to exchange helpful information which may be instructive or entertaining to its members. They rely solely on donations from its members and other supporters. Over 25 years, MJS has awarded nearly $70,000 in grants to schools all over the state. They have provided funding for more than 35 schools across the state to assist with the purchase of music and equipment, sponsor national level clinicians, enable participation in jazz festivals, and support statewide and national travel. They have also awarded over $15,000 in scholarship funds to high school students entering college to study music with an emphasis on jazz and for high schools students to attend summer jazz music camps.

This picture shows (l-r) Beverly Blahnik, MJS member who nominated the group; Lt Governor Lawton, Gretchen Patey, MJS Sgt at Arms, Marvin Rabin and Linda Marty Schmitz, MJS President at the awards ceremony.

The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras presents the Rabin Youth Arts Awards in honor of their founding conductor, Dr. Marvin Rabin, as a means to honor those who follow in his footsteps. The awards are a forum for promoting quality youth arts programs and honoring those who work diligently to provide arts opportunities for children throughout Wisconsin . They also serve as a means to elevate awareness in our community about the importance of arts education for all children.

'RIVERWALK: LIVE FROM THE LANDING' FRIDAYS ON WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO--SUPPORTED BY MJS!!

The Madison Jazz Society-supported "Riverwalk Live from the Landing" jazz broadcasts on Wisconsin Public Radio, featuring the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, can be heard on Fridays. The one-hour program airs from 8-9 p.m. The program airs on WERN 88.7 FM in Madison; check your local WPR station schedules at http://www.wpr.org/regions/ for local airings. For more information on the programs, including links to further information, go to Riverwalk Jazz and click on "Program Guide."

Miss a broadcast? The current week's program is available for online listening at Riverwalk Jazz Jim Cullum's and Riverwalk Jazz' "Jazz Me News": Riverwalk Jazz Then click on "What's New." (It's also available by subscription, as explained at the Web site.) Jazz Study Guide: Riverwalk Jazz and click on "Study Guide."

Here is the schedule for February 2012 on Wisconsin Public Radio (WERN -- 88.7 FM in the Madison area):

February 2012 on Riverwalk Jazz

This Month on Riverwalk Jazz

February 3: The Rhythmakers: A Gathering of Jazz Titans
A celebration of the 1930s’ multiracial recording group The Rhythmakers, which included luminaries like Fats Waller, Eddie Condon and Red Allen, with help from musical guests Duke Heitger on trumpet and guitarist Clint Baker.

February 10: Love, Hollywood Style: Romance and the Silver Screen
Listener favorites Rebecca Kilgore and Nina Ferro perform love songs made famous in the silver screen’s golden age. Included are audio clips from classic romantic Hollywood movies like Shall We Dance and Babes on Broadway.

February 17: Porgy & Bess: An Original Jazz Transcription Part 1
Encore Presentation: Stage legend William Warfield tells the story as The Band performs their original jazz transcription of George Gershwin’s “folk opera.” Part One of this two-part series introduces the characters of Catfish Row and the classics “Summertime”and “Bess, You is My Woman Now.”

February 24: Porgy & Bess: An Original Jazz Transcription Part 2
In Part Two of this encore presentation, William Warfield returns in his role as narrator as Porgy’s love for Bess is put to the test. Songs include “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “A Red-Headed Woman,” and “Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way.”

Help keep Riverwalk on the air by any or all of the following:

1) Donate to MJS, which pays $50 per week to underwrite the show (mark your contribution specifically for "Riverwalk")

2) Donate to Wisconsin Public Radio and indicate you're a Riverwalk listener (if you donate this way, also email us at mjs@madisonjazz.com and we'll send you a free copy of Jim Cullum's most recent CD as a thank you from Jim, as long as supplies last)

3) Let Wisconsin Public Radio know you listen to the program; go to www.wpr.org/pages/feedback.cfm for contact information, and

4) Listen to Riverwalk and encourage other jazz fans to do the same.

Donations to the Madison Jazz Society and Wisconsin Public Radio are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Design Courtesy

Dodgeville, Wisconsin