Sunday, August 23, 11 AM-1 PM, (doors 10am)
THE PRESS ROOM, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
Artie Bakopolus Quintet
Enjoy a Mix of Jazz with Brunch!
While you're brunching, enjoy a mix of straight-ahead jazz, plus the Great American Songbook, bebop, ballads, Latin jazz, and more with Artie Bakopolus (sax), Jon Wheatley (guiitar), Russ Hoffmann (piano), Bruce Gertz (bass), and Jerzy Glod (drums). A brunch/lunch menu will be available for optional purchase.
Enjoy a Mix of Jazz with Brunch!
While you're brunching, enjoy a mix of straight-ahead jazz, plus the Great American Songbook, bebop, ballads, Latin jazz, and more with Artie Bakopolus (sax), Jon Wheatley (guiitar), Russ Hoffmann (piano), Bruce Gertz (bass), and Jerzy Glod (drums). A brunch/lunch menu will be available for optional purchase.
Artie Bakopolus, sax
Artie Bakopolus is an in-demand sax player for all types of music but especially sought after for jazz. Known as a "hot alto sax player," he favors the styles of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley and the like, while adding his own personal touch to his solos. He is a long-time veteran of the "Big Bands." He has toured with or performed locally with such groups as the Artie Shaw Band, the Benny Goodman Tribute Band, the Jimmy Dorsey Band, the Guy Lombardo Band, Johnny Mathis, the Shirelles, Bobby Rydell, Barnum and Bailey’s circus in the Boston Garden, Liza Minelli, and many others. These days he can be seen and heard playing with renowned jazz groups of all sizes all around Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Jon Wheatley, guitar
Jon Wheatley is a favorite guitar player of Artie's, having met while they both were playing with the Artie Shaw Band in the 1990s. As the leader of "Jon Wheatley and His Famous Associates," he recorded "Guitar on the Loose in London." He also has notable recordings and/or performances with his 50/50 Quintet and with Ruby Braff, George Masso, Daryl Sherman, Gordon Brisker, the Dick Johnson Orchestra, Donna Byrne, Herb Pomeroy, Billy Novick, Dave Whitney, Jim Porcella, and Debbie Larkin, and. more. He has also performed at jazz festivals un the U.S. and U.K
Russell Hoffman, piano
Russell Hoffmann is a pianist, recording artist, composer, and arranger in many styles of contemporary music, including jazz, Latin, and pop. He has served as musical director for Concord recording artist Marlena Shaw and the University of Minnesota's "Twelve Moods for Jazz" Langston Hughes project. He has performed with jazz luminaries such as Jack McDuff, James Moody, Billy Hart, Donald Harrison, Bobby McFerrin, Peter Leitch, and many of Boston's finest jazz artists. Russ is also assistant professor of piano at Berklee College of Music.
Bruce Gertz, bass
Bruce Gertz is a highly respected jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, author, and educator whose career spans more than five decades. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Gertz is known for his mastery of both upright and electric bass and has been a cornerstone of the Boston jazz community and beyond. He has recorded over 20 albums as a leader and performed and recorded with jazz greats including Jerry Bergonzi, Gary Burton, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, and many others. In addition to his performance work, Bruce is an accomplished composer and author of multiple instructional books for bass, and he has received numerous awards including multiple Boston Music Awards and a National Endowment for the Arts jazz performance grant. A longtime Professor of Bass at Berklee College of Music since 1976, Gertz has shaped generations of bassists while maintaining an active performing and recording career.
Jerzy Glod, drums
Jerzy (Jurek) Glod, born in Poland, began playing guitar (his first instrument) when he was 10 years old. Four years later, he switched to playing drums and just a year later, at the age of 15 Jurek started playing professionally at local clubs and events in Poland. In the next few years he formed a jazz trio with Jacek and Wojtek Niedziela. Together, they won numerous awards and competitions including the 1st Prize in the prestigious European Jazz Competition in Leverkusen Germany, where they received the European Young Jazz Artist of 1985 title. As a trio, they formed a rhythm section behind legendary Jan Ptaszyn Wroblewski performing around Poland and making several recordings and many radio and TV appearances.
Artie Bakopolus is an in-demand sax player for all types of music but especially sought after for jazz. Known as a "hot alto sax player," he favors the styles of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley and the like, while adding his own personal touch to his solos. He is a long-time veteran of the "Big Bands." He has toured with or performed locally with such groups as the Artie Shaw Band, the Benny Goodman Tribute Band, the Jimmy Dorsey Band, the Guy Lombardo Band, Johnny Mathis, the Shirelles, Bobby Rydell, Barnum and Bailey’s circus in the Boston Garden, Liza Minelli, and many others. These days he can be seen and heard playing with renowned jazz groups of all sizes all around Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Jon Wheatley, guitar
Jon Wheatley is a favorite guitar player of Artie's, having met while they both were playing with the Artie Shaw Band in the 1990s. As the leader of "Jon Wheatley and His Famous Associates," he recorded "Guitar on the Loose in London." He also has notable recordings and/or performances with his 50/50 Quintet and with Ruby Braff, George Masso, Daryl Sherman, Gordon Brisker, the Dick Johnson Orchestra, Donna Byrne, Herb Pomeroy, Billy Novick, Dave Whitney, Jim Porcella, and Debbie Larkin, and. more. He has also performed at jazz festivals un the U.S. and U.K
Russell Hoffman, piano
Russell Hoffmann is a pianist, recording artist, composer, and arranger in many styles of contemporary music, including jazz, Latin, and pop. He has served as musical director for Concord recording artist Marlena Shaw and the University of Minnesota's "Twelve Moods for Jazz" Langston Hughes project. He has performed with jazz luminaries such as Jack McDuff, James Moody, Billy Hart, Donald Harrison, Bobby McFerrin, Peter Leitch, and many of Boston's finest jazz artists. Russ is also assistant professor of piano at Berklee College of Music.
Bruce Gertz, bass
Bruce Gertz is a highly respected jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, author, and educator whose career spans more than five decades. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Gertz is known for his mastery of both upright and electric bass and has been a cornerstone of the Boston jazz community and beyond. He has recorded over 20 albums as a leader and performed and recorded with jazz greats including Jerry Bergonzi, Gary Burton, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, and many others. In addition to his performance work, Bruce is an accomplished composer and author of multiple instructional books for bass, and he has received numerous awards including multiple Boston Music Awards and a National Endowment for the Arts jazz performance grant. A longtime Professor of Bass at Berklee College of Music since 1976, Gertz has shaped generations of bassists while maintaining an active performing and recording career.
Jerzy Glod, drums
Jerzy (Jurek) Glod, born in Poland, began playing guitar (his first instrument) when he was 10 years old. Four years later, he switched to playing drums and just a year later, at the age of 15 Jurek started playing professionally at local clubs and events in Poland. In the next few years he formed a jazz trio with Jacek and Wojtek Niedziela. Together, they won numerous awards and competitions including the 1st Prize in the prestigious European Jazz Competition in Leverkusen Germany, where they received the European Young Jazz Artist of 1985 title. As a trio, they formed a rhythm section behind legendary Jan Ptaszyn Wroblewski performing around Poland and making several recordings and many radio and TV appearances.
More Events during Portsmouth Jazz Weekend
This year marks the annual Seacoast Jazz Festival marks its 43rd year, with the first festival in 1983. We have expanded this year's event to a full weekend of jazz. After the daytime festival in Prescott Park, there will be three jazz shows at The Press Room in Portsmouth. It was at The Press Room, established in 1976, that a love of jazz in the community emerged as a result of the venues promotion of jazz and hosting of many talented jazz musicians from the region and nationallly who came to perform or jam on a weekly basis.
It was tradition that following the annual jazz festival, musicians, festival goers, and individuals from the surrounding communities would traditionally gather at The Press Room to continue their celebration of jazz music. This year, we are bringing back that much-loved tradition by hosting three special jazz shows at The Press Room on the evening of August 22 following the Seacoast Jazz Festival, and in the morning and evening of August 23.
Join Us for a full weekend of great jazz...
For info about all of the Portsmouth Jazz Weekend Shows,
CLICK HERE or go to: https://www.seacoastjazz.org/jazzweekend2026.html
This year marks the annual Seacoast Jazz Festival marks its 43rd year, with the first festival in 1983. We have expanded this year's event to a full weekend of jazz. After the daytime festival in Prescott Park, there will be three jazz shows at The Press Room in Portsmouth. It was at The Press Room, established in 1976, that a love of jazz in the community emerged as a result of the venues promotion of jazz and hosting of many talented jazz musicians from the region and nationallly who came to perform or jam on a weekly basis.
It was tradition that following the annual jazz festival, musicians, festival goers, and individuals from the surrounding communities would traditionally gather at The Press Room to continue their celebration of jazz music. This year, we are bringing back that much-loved tradition by hosting three special jazz shows at The Press Room on the evening of August 22 following the Seacoast Jazz Festival, and in the morning and evening of August 23.
Join Us for a full weekend of great jazz...
For info about all of the Portsmouth Jazz Weekend Shows,
CLICK HERE or go to: https://www.seacoastjazz.org/jazzweekend2026.html
Two More Shows at The Press Room
Ticket Cost:
For a seat(s) in all three Press Room shows: $75/person (pre-sale)
For a seat(s) in a single show per person: $32 (pre-sale), $38 (day of)
Saturday, August 22, 6-8 PM, (doors 5pm)
THE PRESS ROOM, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
Ed Saindon Quartet
Special Tribute to Les Harris, Jr.
Ed Saindon (vibraphone, piano) and the Good Vibes Trio (Billy Novick, clarinet; Mark Carlsen, upright bass; and Steve Langone, drums) will perform a tribute to the late Les Harris Jr. who was a beautiful person, musician, educator, and loved by all. The concert will be a CD release party for their new recording "One For Les" and will showcase originals from the band including "Ballad For Les" by Mark and "One For Les", a solo vibraphone piece by Ed.
Sunday, August 23, 6:30-8:30 PM, (doors 5:30pm)
THE PRESS ROOM, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
Anick - Klaxton - Effenberger - Connors
From Ellington to the Beatles"
Seacoast Jazz All-Stars Jason Anick (violin) and Chris Klaxton (trumpet) lead a stellar quartet featuring the one and only Mike Effenberger (Hammond B3 Organ) and Mike Connors (drums). The group performs hard-swinging jazz classics from Ellington to Monk with the occasional funk tune and jazzed up Beatles song mixed in. Don't miss what promises to be a great show by these four outstanding musicians.
Saturday, August 22, Noon-6 PM
43rd Annual Seacoast Jazz Festival (at Prescott Park)
105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
No Tickets Needed: You do not need to purchase a ticket to attend the festival.
Optional Recommended Donation: $20
Bring family and friends.
For complete festival info CLICK HERE or go to: www.prescottpark.org/event/43rd-annual-seacoast-jazz-festival
Optional Recommended Donation: $20
Bring family and friends.
For complete festival info CLICK HERE or go to: www.prescottpark.org/event/43rd-annual-seacoast-jazz-festival
Festival Line-Up...
12:00-12:50 Yoko Miwa Trio
1:15-2:05 Soggy Po’ Boys
2:30 – 3:20 Nick Grondin Group
3:20-3:50 Salsa Secrets
3:50-4:40 Kristalis y Las Nenas del Swing
5:00-6:00 Seacoast Big BanD
* Rain Date: Sunday, August 23. Please note: the line-up is subject to change in the event of a move to the Rain Date.
12:00-12:50 Yoko Miwa Trio
1:15-2:05 Soggy Po’ Boys
2:30 – 3:20 Nick Grondin Group
3:20-3:50 Salsa Secrets
3:50-4:40 Kristalis y Las Nenas del Swing
5:00-6:00 Seacoast Big BanD
* Rain Date: Sunday, August 23. Please note: the line-up is subject to change in the event of a move to the Rain Date.