Saturday, Aug. 20, marks the 14th year for the Monroeville Jazz Festival at Monroeville Community Park West, Tall Trees Ampitheater. Chelsea Baratz kicks off the evening at 6 p.m. and Adam James will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. with guest artist Grammy Award-winning, Maurice “Mobetta” Brown.
Backup will be provided by Joe Blaxx on drums, Warren Fields on keyboard and Tony DePaolis on bass.
Saxophonist Chelsea Baratz’s soulful sound, forged in Pittsburgh, is a fiery combination of be-bop swing and hip hop hooks.
Her debut release “In Faith” illuminates the distinctive tenor of an emerging player & original composer. She’s a band leader whose music follows in the footsteps of 1960’s soul jazz & the hard bop roots of the “steel town”.
Innovative & ear-bending with a sizzling originality to her horn, her heartfelt music is simple in its power to bridge quiet moments with bursts of fiery improvisation.
As a band leader, she displays confidence, intuitively gathering the right musicians to cultivate her distinctive sound, garnering a “recommended pick” for “in Faith” by Jazzchicago.net & two “Artist 2 Watch” features with Skope Magazine.
Baratz maintains a busy schedule, performing & recording with artists including Talib Kweli, Maurice”Mobetta” Brown, Brandee Younger & Revive Big Band.
Whether on stage, in film, or on television, showman Adam James lives to entertain. An accomplished performer & songwriter, Adam has contributed to projects in Hollywood & on Broadway for a number of esteemed recording artists, film & theatrical productions. His skills as one of the top international male vocalists have won him various awards including Best Vocalist With a Group by The Jazz Report in 1997 & a nomination for a Genie Award for singing & co-writing the theme song for the popular film, Mambo Italiano.
Both The Toronto Star & The New York Sun rave that James
“gives Connick and Buble a run for their money.” In addition to duets with Liza Minnelli & opening for Ray Charles & Tony Bennett, James was selected by Tina Sinatra, to portray the role of her father in the first-ever stage musical about his life, Sinatra Remembered. Adam has won international fame as a guest artist performing his own written work &d jazz standards with The Atlanta Pops, Detroit Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Orchestra London, Macon Symphony, Victoria Symphony & numerous jazz ensembles.
Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for seating under the tall trees. Dine & enjoy the concert with food & beverages from festival vendors or bring your own.
Handicapped Parking is limited so come early.
This year MJF is proud to partner with The Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania and you are welcome to visit their booth to lend your support.
(For information or directions: www.monroevillejazz.org.)
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
About Post Author
