Welcome to Jazz Alive

JAZZ ALIVE PRESENTS

JAZZ VOCALIST THELMA MASSEY
WITH THE RANDY VILLARS TRIO

3PM, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST
 FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER

Image of Thelma Massey

Thelma Rencher-Massey was born in Wyoming, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. She began singing at a very early age.  From the age of eleven through fifteen, Thelma was member of a gospel singing group called "The Smith Singers." The group sang locally, travelled and performed regularly on a radio program. When the group disbanded, Thelma became the director of her church's youth choir. Members of this choir would later form the group "Charles Fold and the Gospel Messengers." 

Thelma remained a member of the Gospel Messengers until she married and moved to Cleveland. Her life in Cleveland revolved around her marriage, work outside of the music business, and the rearing of her daughter and developmentally challenged son.  For a while, singing was put on the back burner. 

After a time, Thelma moved back home to Cincinnati. One day, while out with friends, she heard music coming from a downtown piano lounge. They strolled into the club and listened to jazz pianist, Randy Villars. He began playing her favorite song "That's All." Her friends encouraged Thelma to sing along.  She did.  Randy was impressed and wanted to know who she was and where she was singing.  He expressed his disbelief that she was not performing at all. 

Randy and Thelma became great friends and for the next two years, he persistently urged her to start singing again professionally. Much to her surprise, Randy invited Thelma to perform with his trio on a number of occasions. She was noticed and began to receive offers to sing.  One appearance that she holds very dear is sharing the stage with Cincinnati jazz vocalist Kathy Wade in 2007.

With the support and encouragement Randy and Kathy, Thelma has revived a singing career that holds the promise of great success. She will be recording a CD this summer. Look for news about it at www.randyvillars.com.
 TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE
 CALL (513) 867-5348 DURING BUSINESS HOURS
 OR ON LINE AT WWW.FAIRFIELD-CITY.ORG
 GENERAL ADMISSION $12.00,
SENIORS AND  STUDENTS $10.00
 

 

JAZZ ALIVE is a not-for-profit educational organization, 501(c)(3), dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the uniquely American art form of jazz and its practitioners.

JAZZ ALIVE NOW ON RADIO

WMKV 89.3 FM

MONDAYS ----- 9:00 PM

AND

SUNDAYS ----- 10:00 PM

Listen to the music of the modern jazz era - from bebop to the present –
Hosted by Bob Nave, Nate Henderson, Jim Anderson, Larry Kinley and Don Carr!

On Sunday, July 6th and Monday, July 7th 2008 host Bob Nave will feature rare solo recordings of guitar master Kenny Poole.  These recordingsshowcase the immense talent of Kenny as he plays melody, chords, and bass lines simultaneously. 
Kenny was absolutely amazing.

This is not just listening to jazz but also learning to understand modern jazz – with plenty of discussion and analysis of the compositions played and the artists who perform!

So, get comfortable, listen deeply and live that NOW experience of modern jazz!
PREVIOUS EVENTS
March 30th, 2008 - The Thirteen Piece Psychoacoustic Orchestra led by Pat Kelly
Formed in 1990 by pianist/composer/arranger Pat Kelly, the Psychoacoustic Orchestra knows no boundaries. Musical influences of all kinds can be heard in Pat’s beautifully conceived musical creations which are played masterfully by his assemblage of great musicians.

January 20th, 2008 - Anne Chamberlain and Eddie Morgan
Ann Chamberlain and Eddie Morgan are one of the best Jazz Vocal Duos in the Midwest. They perform a variety of jazz standards and show tunes. Eddie is also known as a fine trombonist.

November 4th, 2007 - Phil Degreg and Brazila
Brasilia is a band that performs classic instrumental Brazilian jazz and original compositions, playing in several typical styles such as samba, bossa nova, baião, choro, frevo, and partito-alto. Brasilia is led by pianist and CCM professor Phil DeGreg, a Yale graduate and veteran of the Woody Herman Orchestra in the 1980’s. Phil is joind by vibraphonist Russell Burge, percussionist Stan Ginn, bassist Steve Whipple and dummer Jake Reed.
September 30, 2007 - The Ron Jones Quartet
Ron Jones, Alto Saxophonist and leader of The Ron Jones Quartet lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Jones and his Quartet tour throughout the midwest performing at Universities, Jazz Clubs, and Jazz Festivals.
February 17, 2007 - The Jazz Circle
The Jazz Circle features the bluesy, expressive vocals of Steve Coghill. But this is no typical vocal jazz group. There's lots of blowing room for soloists, tightly arranged ensemble work, and nimble vocalese. The band features new arrangements and original lyrics to classic tunes recorded by Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, Wayne Shorter, and Oliver Nelson. Their new CD, Joshua, released in June 2006, has had airplay on more than 85 stations in 32 states and Canada. The group features two-time Grammy nominee Bill Cunliffe (piano), Mike Wade (trumpet), Mike Sharfe (bass), Brent Gallaher (tenor), Bill Gemmer (trombone), Steve Hoskins (alto), Dan Dorff (drums), and Phil Willis (guitar).
February 24, 2006 - The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble
Led by bassist Jim Anderson and drummer Bobby Scott, The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble has been playing their brand of jazz since 1973. The group features Garin Webb on tenor sax, Steve Kortyka on alto sax, soprano sax and flute, Mark Fields on trombone and Jim Connerly on piano. The well conceived, hand crafted original material written for the group by the group members is the basis for The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble’s unique and inspired improvisational capabilities without limit.
February 24, 2006 - The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble
Led by bassist Jim Anderson and drummer Bobby Scott, The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble has been playing their brand of jazz since 1973. The group features Garin Webb on tenor sax, Steve Kortyka on alto sax, soprano sax and flute, Mark Fields on trombone and Jim Connerly on piano. The well conceived, hand crafted original material written for the group by the group members is the basis for The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble’s unique and inspired improvisational capabilities without limit.
January 14, 2006 - The Jazz Youngbloods
With young talent like this abounding, we have no concerns about the future of jazz. This enthusiastic crew of youthful jazz players will amaze you with their skill in performing an eclectic mix of jazz from the mainstream, to Bop, post Bob and Fusion.
November 5, 2005 - WOW!
Tenor saxophonists Gene Walker, Eddie Beyard, and Rob Dixon propelled by the Hammond B3 organ of Wayne Yeager and the explosive Anthony “T” Lee on drums will tantalize your ear buds with a power packed mix of blues, ballads, bop and beyond. This group “WOWED” audience at the Contemporary Arts Center in April. This group is pure jazz excitement!
September 30, 2005 – An evening with Mary Ellen Tanner and Larry Kinley
Mary Ellen Tanner and Larry Kinley, two of the areas top jazz vocalists backed by pianist Phil Degreg, Bassist Lou Lauche and drummer John Von Ohlen, perform the great standards of yesteryear from the Songbooks of Gershwin, Porter, Kern, etc. This nostalgic concert will be sure to revive some of those cherished moments of your life.
April 22, 2005 – Celebration of Jazz Month – featuring 3 Tenors + B3 Organ = WOW!
This new group featuring the tenor saxes of Gene Walker - Eddie Beyard – Rob Dixon with B3 organist Wayne Yeager and drummer Anthony “T” Lee has raised the bar for jazz organ groups – there was funk – there was soul – there was gospel – the “groove” was there all night long!

September 27, 2004- Jazz Youngbloods
A showcase of young enthusiastic jazz artists from high school and college performing jazz standards from bop to fusion.

September 26,2004 - Jazz Alive at the Taft Museum Fall Jazz Series - featuring
The AI Nori / Joe Gaudio Quintet
A superb straight ahead performance by two master jazz artists showing the influences of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

August 22, 2004 - A Tribute to jazz drummer John Von Ohlen
A benefit concert to help the noted local drummer while on medical leave from The Blue Wisp Big Band.
July 16 - Jazz Alive at the Contemporary Arts Center - featuring
The Cohesion Jazz Ensemble
An ensemble of six musicians featuring original jazz compositions that explores and utilizes compositional techniques of modern classical composers.
April 27-Celebration of Jazz Month - Jazz Alive at Daveeds Restaurant
The start of Jazz Alive's series of jazz events was a good old jam session backed by the Steve Schmidt Trio with a host of regional horn players sitting in - Mark Fields (trombone), Gordon Brisker (saxophone), "Chuz" Alfred (tenor sax), Brent Gallaher (saxophone).