Jazz in the Streets 2024
Jazz in the Streets is back in Portsmouth on Saturdays from July 6 to August 10! Enjoy live jazz most Saturdays from 12:30-2:00 in Market Square by North Church, and along the pedestrian walkway at Vaughan Mall. See the schedule below and click to see band bios!
August 10, 2024
July 6, 2024 - Cancelled Due To Weather
July 13, 2024
July 27, 2024
August 3, 2024
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In an effort to bring live jazz music to the community, each summer the Seacoast Jazz Society sponsors outdoor jazz performances in downtown Portsmouth, with the goal of expanding this program to other seacoast communities. The musicians are all professional jazz musicians who donate their time and talent to increase awareness and enthusiasm for this very special artform.
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Jazz in the Streets Bios
8.10 Tugboats (Near Intersection of Ceres St & Bow St) - Maddoc Johnson
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/maddocjohnson/
The Maddoc Johnson Band is a New Hampshire based group of musicians expressing themes of queer joy, love for the natural world, loss, pain, and radical social progress through the mediums of jazz, hip hop, songwriting, and free improvisation.
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/maddocjohnson/
The Maddoc Johnson Band is a New Hampshire based group of musicians expressing themes of queer joy, love for the natural world, loss, pain, and radical social progress through the mediums of jazz, hip hop, songwriting, and free improvisation.
7.6 Vaughan Mall - Javier Rosario
-Website: www.javierrosarioguitar.com/
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/javierrosarioguitar/
-YouTube: www.youtube.com/@javierrosarioguitar
Guitar virtuoso, composer, bandleader, educator and recording artist, Javier Rosario is the first ever Michel Camilo Scholarship winner. The scholarship was an initiative of the Dominican born, Grammy, Latin Grammy and Emmy Award winning pianist. It has been the first scholarship of its kind in the history of the Dominican Republic, where Javier was born in Santo Domingo. In 2006, Javier attended Berklee College of Music with full scholarship, graduating with the highest ratings ever given to a guitarist. In 2009, he performed at the Berklee Jazz and Blues Guitar Night: a concert which only featured the very top players of the entire school. In 2010, Javier decided to further his studies at the Longy School of Music of Bard College with a master’s degree. There he was awarded a Presidential Scholarship and was acknowledged by his guitar teachers as possibly the highest-level guitarist ever to enter the jazz program.
Some of the musicians Javier has performed with include Joe Lovano and his Berklee College of Music 21st Century Ensemble, John Lockwood, Matt Savage, Zachary King, Scott Kiefner, Ken Field, Bart Weisman, Qya Cristal, Aaron Holthus, Avery Logan, Bob Edinger, Vardan Ovsepian, Jeff Galindo, Phil Grenadier, Bret Willmott, Hoo Kim, James Heazlewood Dale, and Evan Waaramaa.
Javier is a guitar Adjunct Professor at Bunker Hill Community College where he has served as a music audition panel judge. He is a faculty member at Community Music Center of Boston, Passim School of Music, Amigos School and Morse School in Massachusetts.
“Javier Rosario was my first scholarship winner at Berklee College of Music and I am delighted to see that he has blossomed into a creative artist with a refined guitar technique and an extensive knowledge of the jazz idiom. He is a young talent that is contributing to the multi-cultural richness and diversity of our jazz community.”
—Grammy, Latin Grammy and Emmy Award winning pianist, Michel Camilo
-Website: www.javierrosarioguitar.com/
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/javierrosarioguitar/
-YouTube: www.youtube.com/@javierrosarioguitar
Guitar virtuoso, composer, bandleader, educator and recording artist, Javier Rosario is the first ever Michel Camilo Scholarship winner. The scholarship was an initiative of the Dominican born, Grammy, Latin Grammy and Emmy Award winning pianist. It has been the first scholarship of its kind in the history of the Dominican Republic, where Javier was born in Santo Domingo. In 2006, Javier attended Berklee College of Music with full scholarship, graduating with the highest ratings ever given to a guitarist. In 2009, he performed at the Berklee Jazz and Blues Guitar Night: a concert which only featured the very top players of the entire school. In 2010, Javier decided to further his studies at the Longy School of Music of Bard College with a master’s degree. There he was awarded a Presidential Scholarship and was acknowledged by his guitar teachers as possibly the highest-level guitarist ever to enter the jazz program.
Some of the musicians Javier has performed with include Joe Lovano and his Berklee College of Music 21st Century Ensemble, John Lockwood, Matt Savage, Zachary King, Scott Kiefner, Ken Field, Bart Weisman, Qya Cristal, Aaron Holthus, Avery Logan, Bob Edinger, Vardan Ovsepian, Jeff Galindo, Phil Grenadier, Bret Willmott, Hoo Kim, James Heazlewood Dale, and Evan Waaramaa.
Javier is a guitar Adjunct Professor at Bunker Hill Community College where he has served as a music audition panel judge. He is a faculty member at Community Music Center of Boston, Passim School of Music, Amigos School and Morse School in Massachusetts.
“Javier Rosario was my first scholarship winner at Berklee College of Music and I am delighted to see that he has blossomed into a creative artist with a refined guitar technique and an extensive knowledge of the jazz idiom. He is a young talent that is contributing to the multi-cultural richness and diversity of our jazz community.”
—Grammy, Latin Grammy and Emmy Award winning pianist, Michel Camilo
7.13 Vaughan Mall - Paul Bourgelais and Shelli LaTorre
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/paul.bourgelais/
Paul Bourgelais is a guitarist and lifelong resident of NH. He has taught music for 30 years at both public schools and at the College level. He has toured nationally and supported some very famous musicians. Currently, he performs 2-6 times a week with a variety of musical ensembles from musicals, to New Orleans funk and weddings.
-Website: www.shellilatorre.com/
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShelliLaTorreMusic/
Jazz, blues and pop alternative vocalist/pianist, Shelli LaTorre, performs on the concert stage, in restaurants, and at private functions. She performs as a soloist as well as in varied ensembles from intimate duos and trios to 18-piece big bands. In addition to her regular gigs, Shelli has sold-out Shanghai Jazz in Madison, New Jersey, one of DownBeat's Top 100 Great Jazz Clubs. Examples of her expertise can be heard on her two CD’s--Full Circle, a CD depicting Shelli’s musical journey through an eclectic mix of American and jazz standards, vocalese, blues and Brazilian repertoire; and From the Hudson’s Jersey Side, a CD that features many treasured classics in Big Band form from the Great American Songbook.
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/paul.bourgelais/
Paul Bourgelais is a guitarist and lifelong resident of NH. He has taught music for 30 years at both public schools and at the College level. He has toured nationally and supported some very famous musicians. Currently, he performs 2-6 times a week with a variety of musical ensembles from musicals, to New Orleans funk and weddings.
-Website: www.shellilatorre.com/
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShelliLaTorreMusic/
Jazz, blues and pop alternative vocalist/pianist, Shelli LaTorre, performs on the concert stage, in restaurants, and at private functions. She performs as a soloist as well as in varied ensembles from intimate duos and trios to 18-piece big bands. In addition to her regular gigs, Shelli has sold-out Shanghai Jazz in Madison, New Jersey, one of DownBeat's Top 100 Great Jazz Clubs. Examples of her expertise can be heard on her two CD’s--Full Circle, a CD depicting Shelli’s musical journey through an eclectic mix of American and jazz standards, vocalese, blues and Brazilian repertoire; and From the Hudson’s Jersey Side, a CD that features many treasured classics in Big Band form from the Great American Songbook.
7.13 Market Square at North Church - Eric Klaxton & Maurizio Fiore
-Website: www.ericklaxton.com
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/eklaxton/
Eric Klaxton is a multi-instrumentalist and composer residing in Southern Maine. Eric has extensive experience as an educator and currently holds teaching positions at Phillips Exeter Academy, Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, Concord Community Music School, and St. Anselm’s College. He maintains a private studio of saxophone, piano and clarinet students and offers workshops and lectures ranging in topic from New Orleans Music to Minimalism and Electronic Music. Working as a freelance saxophonist, pianist, and educator, he has played with and arranged for a substantial number of ensembles. When he isn’t performing or teaching, Klaxton is an active producer and studio engineer.
-Website: www.mfioresalas.com
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/mfioresalas
Maurizio Fiore Salas is an accomplished performer, composer and arranger that has developed a unique style by combining elements of Latin American folklore, Jazz improvisation and Western Classical technique. He is most known for his work with Acoustic Nomads, an eclectic ensemble based out of New England that combines jazz, bluegrass and Latin folklore to produce original and unique music.
-Website: www.ericklaxton.com
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/eklaxton/
Eric Klaxton is a multi-instrumentalist and composer residing in Southern Maine. Eric has extensive experience as an educator and currently holds teaching positions at Phillips Exeter Academy, Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, Concord Community Music School, and St. Anselm’s College. He maintains a private studio of saxophone, piano and clarinet students and offers workshops and lectures ranging in topic from New Orleans Music to Minimalism and Electronic Music. Working as a freelance saxophonist, pianist, and educator, he has played with and arranged for a substantial number of ensembles. When he isn’t performing or teaching, Klaxton is an active producer and studio engineer.
-Website: www.mfioresalas.com
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/mfioresalas
Maurizio Fiore Salas is an accomplished performer, composer and arranger that has developed a unique style by combining elements of Latin American folklore, Jazz improvisation and Western Classical technique. He is most known for his work with Acoustic Nomads, an eclectic ensemble based out of New England that combines jazz, bluegrass and Latin folklore to produce original and unique music.
7.27 Vaughan Mall - Zakk Machemer
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/xaquemukeemer
-YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC4AV8I5a659856sHg8XrUvA
Zakk Machemer is an up-and-coming saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based in the Seacoast. His influences span from hard-bop greats such as Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane to contemporary musicians like Eric Marienthal and Kazui Katsuta of the Mario Kart Band. In 2022, Zakk was selected as one of three finalists for the Carinthian International Jazz Award (CIJA) Saxophone Competition. He recently graduated from college, and has since been sharing his love of the jazz tradition through performance and education. This fall, he will be attending the University of North Florida to complete his master's degree in Jazz Studies.
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/xaquemukeemer
-YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC4AV8I5a659856sHg8XrUvA
Zakk Machemer is an up-and-coming saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based in the Seacoast. His influences span from hard-bop greats such as Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane to contemporary musicians like Eric Marienthal and Kazui Katsuta of the Mario Kart Band. In 2022, Zakk was selected as one of three finalists for the Carinthian International Jazz Award (CIJA) Saxophone Competition. He recently graduated from college, and has since been sharing his love of the jazz tradition through performance and education. This fall, he will be attending the University of North Florida to complete his master's degree in Jazz Studies.
7.27 Market Square at North Church - Russ Grazier
Russ Grazier, Jr. is a Co-Founder of the Portsmouth Music & Arts Center (PMAC) and its Executive Director. A native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Russ is a composer and saxophonist who has taught saxophone, composition, and music theory for over 25 years.
He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition with Saxophone Concentration at Boston Conservatory and a Master’s degree in Composition at Peabody Conservatory. Additionally, he studied graduate-level composition at the University of Chicago.
He has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country, including Boston Conservatory, Roosevelt University (Chicago), the University of Chicago College, the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, and the Merit School of Music (Chicago). Russ has been composer in residence with Chicago’s CUBE Ensemble, and his music has been performed by the Contemporary Chamber Players of Chicago, the West End String Quartet, CUBE, Voices from the Heart, and many other ensembles and soloists. In 2011, he won the Duo Fujin one-day composition competition and his winning work, analecta for flute and saxophone, was performed by the duo on their tour of the Southeast U.S. in Spring 2012.
Russ Grazier, Jr. is a Co-Founder of the Portsmouth Music & Arts Center (PMAC) and its Executive Director. A native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Russ is a composer and saxophonist who has taught saxophone, composition, and music theory for over 25 years.
He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition with Saxophone Concentration at Boston Conservatory and a Master’s degree in Composition at Peabody Conservatory. Additionally, he studied graduate-level composition at the University of Chicago.
He has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country, including Boston Conservatory, Roosevelt University (Chicago), the University of Chicago College, the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, and the Merit School of Music (Chicago). Russ has been composer in residence with Chicago’s CUBE Ensemble, and his music has been performed by the Contemporary Chamber Players of Chicago, the West End String Quartet, CUBE, Voices from the Heart, and many other ensembles and soloists. In 2011, he won the Duo Fujin one-day composition competition and his winning work, analecta for flute and saxophone, was performed by the duo on their tour of the Southeast U.S. in Spring 2012.
8.3 Vaughan Mall - Kit Demos & Jeff Platz
-Website: www.kitdemos.com
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/kit.demos
Kit Demos, the bassist, directs the 18-piece Kit Demos Off/Axis Big Band in the seacoast New Hampshire area which explores experimental, Cuban-American, and modern jazz compositions for big band. Over the last 25 years, Kit has performed with Stephen Haynes, Jeff Platz, Pandelis Karayorgis, Jim Hobbes, Junko Fujiwara, Charlie Kohlhase, Kresten Osgood, Daniel Carter, and Pat Battstone. Kit has taught music privately, curated regular free improv performances in Boston, MA, Portland, ME, and currently performs analog electronic music with Angstrom Star, jazz with the Eric Andrews Jazz Quartet, and free improv with the David Haas Coalition of the Willing in Cambridge, MA.
-Website: www.jeffplatz.com
Jeff Platz, New York, Boston area guitarist-composer, has toured extensively for the past decade throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has performed in various music festivals worldwide such as New York City's What is Jazz? festival, the Heidelberg jazz festival, Amsterdam's Crossing Borders festival, the Munster International Jazz festival in Munster Germany and most recently the Bia Jazz Festival in Milan Italy.
The Berlin-based music journalist Wolf Kampmann writes, "Platz's music is generous although never accidental. The secret of its uninhibited quality lies more in Platz's playful use of the familiar where intuition, feeling, and memory are the most important navigational instruments".
Jeff Platz received a grant from the city of Muenster Germany for Werkstadt Tage, a multimedia arts festival. Platz collaborated with visual artists to present a musical score for live improvisation featuring German bassist Meinrad Kneer and veteran jazz drummer Bill Elgart. In May of 2010, Jeff released his quartet cd "Panoramic" featuring New York City legend Daniel Carter on reeds and trumpet. Freejazz.com writes, "The ensemble is a wonderful example of cohesive playing and total sound, full of lyricism". In a recent live review, Downbeat magazine said: "Platz's group was truly amazing, on fire!".
Currently, Jeff hosts a monthly improvised music series in Providence Rhode Island. The Modern Sounds series features players from the Boston and New York City areas presenting original modern compositions and free improvisations.
-Website: www.kitdemos.com
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/kit.demos
Kit Demos, the bassist, directs the 18-piece Kit Demos Off/Axis Big Band in the seacoast New Hampshire area which explores experimental, Cuban-American, and modern jazz compositions for big band. Over the last 25 years, Kit has performed with Stephen Haynes, Jeff Platz, Pandelis Karayorgis, Jim Hobbes, Junko Fujiwara, Charlie Kohlhase, Kresten Osgood, Daniel Carter, and Pat Battstone. Kit has taught music privately, curated regular free improv performances in Boston, MA, Portland, ME, and currently performs analog electronic music with Angstrom Star, jazz with the Eric Andrews Jazz Quartet, and free improv with the David Haas Coalition of the Willing in Cambridge, MA.
-Website: www.jeffplatz.com
Jeff Platz, New York, Boston area guitarist-composer, has toured extensively for the past decade throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has performed in various music festivals worldwide such as New York City's What is Jazz? festival, the Heidelberg jazz festival, Amsterdam's Crossing Borders festival, the Munster International Jazz festival in Munster Germany and most recently the Bia Jazz Festival in Milan Italy.
The Berlin-based music journalist Wolf Kampmann writes, "Platz's music is generous although never accidental. The secret of its uninhibited quality lies more in Platz's playful use of the familiar where intuition, feeling, and memory are the most important navigational instruments".
Jeff Platz received a grant from the city of Muenster Germany for Werkstadt Tage, a multimedia arts festival. Platz collaborated with visual artists to present a musical score for live improvisation featuring German bassist Meinrad Kneer and veteran jazz drummer Bill Elgart. In May of 2010, Jeff released his quartet cd "Panoramic" featuring New York City legend Daniel Carter on reeds and trumpet. Freejazz.com writes, "The ensemble is a wonderful example of cohesive playing and total sound, full of lyricism". In a recent live review, Downbeat magazine said: "Platz's group was truly amazing, on fire!".
Currently, Jeff hosts a monthly improvised music series in Providence Rhode Island. The Modern Sounds series features players from the Boston and New York City areas presenting original modern compositions and free improvisations.
8.3 Market Square at North Church - Jarred Garneau
-Website: www.jarredgarneau.com
-YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JarredGarneauMusic
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/jarredgarneaumusic
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/jarredgarneaumusic
Jarred Garneau is a guitarist and singer/songwriter from the New Hampshire Seacoast. With a penchant for experimentation and eclecticism, while also firmly rooted in American music, Jarred Garneau channels the spirit of the blues, R&B, funk, jazz, gospel, and rock and roll. Crafting soulful melodies and delivering captivating performances, his music will resonate with you long after you have witnessed it.
-Website: www.jarredgarneau.com
-YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JarredGarneauMusic
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/jarredgarneaumusic
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/jarredgarneaumusic
Jarred Garneau is a guitarist and singer/songwriter from the New Hampshire Seacoast. With a penchant for experimentation and eclecticism, while also firmly rooted in American music, Jarred Garneau channels the spirit of the blues, R&B, funk, jazz, gospel, and rock and roll. Crafting soulful melodies and delivering captivating performances, his music will resonate with you long after you have witnessed it.
8.10 Vaughan Mall - Jason Anick
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasonanick1
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/jasonanick
Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator.
Growing up playing fiddle tunes with his family and classical music with local orchestras, he developed a passion for improvisation, which led him to study jazz and classical music at Hartt Conservatory. In 2008, Anick started what would be a 10 year stint touring and recording with Grammy award-winning guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson while still a senior at Hartt Conservatory.
As a band-leader, Anick has launched a variety of musical projects over the years, including the Gypsy Jazz group Rhythm Future Quartet, an Americana-inspired Acoustic Trio, and a contemporary jazz ensemble with pianist Jason Yeager. His string of recordings (Sleepless, Tipping Point, United, Travels, Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends) has earned him praise from Downbeat Magazine as a "Rising Star in the world of jazz violin."
A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artist like Stevie Wonder, Guster, Tommy Emmanuel, Hamilton de Holanda, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Celia Woodsmith, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers. With performances all over the world from China, Europe, and Japan and renowned venues like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Scullers Jazz Club, Yoshi's, Iridium, TD Garden, Regattabar, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.
-Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasonanick1
-Instagram: www.instagram.com/jasonanick
Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator.
Growing up playing fiddle tunes with his family and classical music with local orchestras, he developed a passion for improvisation, which led him to study jazz and classical music at Hartt Conservatory. In 2008, Anick started what would be a 10 year stint touring and recording with Grammy award-winning guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson while still a senior at Hartt Conservatory.
As a band-leader, Anick has launched a variety of musical projects over the years, including the Gypsy Jazz group Rhythm Future Quartet, an Americana-inspired Acoustic Trio, and a contemporary jazz ensemble with pianist Jason Yeager. His string of recordings (Sleepless, Tipping Point, United, Travels, Rhythm Future Quartet and Friends) has earned him praise from Downbeat Magazine as a "Rising Star in the world of jazz violin."
A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artist like Stevie Wonder, Guster, Tommy Emmanuel, Hamilton de Holanda, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Celia Woodsmith, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers. With performances all over the world from China, Europe, and Japan and renowned venues like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Scullers Jazz Club, Yoshi's, Iridium, TD Garden, Regattabar, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.
8.10 Market Square at North Church - Arthur Bakopolus Trio
-Website: AB5MUSIC.COM
Arthur Bakopolus, alto sax
Jon Wheatley, guitar
Tony Sumbury, bass
This is Arthur's third time performing at Jazz in the Streets in Portsmouth and we're so happy to have him back. His form of jazz is very straight-ahead and enjoyable for all tastes. Art, Jon and Tony have been playing in the Portsmouth area and Boston to Cape Cod and beyond for over 40 years. Arthur and Jon and have also done stints with the world famous Artie Shaw Orchestra together. Whether playing as sidemen for any number of bands or in this wonderfully hip trio setting, these musicians are sure to please.
Arthur, Jon and Tony are also teachers and clinicians. They are known for teaching and training many student musicians to perform successfully in these very situations. Come out and hear this group practice what they preach, and preach what they practice. We're sure you'll be tapping your toes before you know it.
-Website: AB5MUSIC.COM
Arthur Bakopolus, alto sax
Jon Wheatley, guitar
Tony Sumbury, bass
This is Arthur's third time performing at Jazz in the Streets in Portsmouth and we're so happy to have him back. His form of jazz is very straight-ahead and enjoyable for all tastes. Art, Jon and Tony have been playing in the Portsmouth area and Boston to Cape Cod and beyond for over 40 years. Arthur and Jon and have also done stints with the world famous Artie Shaw Orchestra together. Whether playing as sidemen for any number of bands or in this wonderfully hip trio setting, these musicians are sure to please.
Arthur, Jon and Tony are also teachers and clinicians. They are known for teaching and training many student musicians to perform successfully in these very situations. Come out and hear this group practice what they preach, and preach what they practice. We're sure you'll be tapping your toes before you know it.