Anick - Klaxton - Effenberger - Connors
Sunday, August 23, 6:30-8:30 PM, (doors 5:30pm)
THE PRESS ROOM, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
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.
Jason Anick, violin
Jason Anick is a Berklee College of Music professor who 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.”
Chris Klaxton, trumpet
Trumpeter Chris Klaxton is a lifelong student of the jazz tradition and performs locally / regionally with a variety of self/co-led ensembles ranging from small group interpretations of American standards to his contemporary large ensemble, "Ourbigband." Klaxton has also been fortunate to participate in the Boston hip hop scene for well over a decade. In addition to performing, he also teaches trumpet at UNH, USM, PMAC, and Longy School of Music in Cambridge. Klaxton resides in South Berwick, Maine, with his talented wife Taylor O’Donnell and their two daughters.
Mike Effenberger, Hammond B3 Organ
Mike Effenberger is a composer, arranger, pianist, organist, keyboardist, and multi-talented recording and performing artist. He has been living in the New Hampshire Seacoast since 2007. He received the "Young Beacon in Jazz" award from New School University in New York City, from which he graduated in 2005. While there, he studied with diverse artists including Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Werner, John Hollenbeck, Reggie Workman, Fred Hersch, and Joanne Brackeen. Mike has curated an unmistakably individual voice that draws on gospel, minimalism, jazz, and 20th century music. His work has been written about in international publications including the Paris Review, The Guardian, Pitchfork, and DownBeat, as well as appearing on nationally syndicated media including NPR's "All Things Considered "and PRX's "Echoes."
Mike Connors, drums
As a freelance musician, Mike Connors is one of the most sought-after drummers in New England, playing in groups as varied as jazz, folk, rock, and world ensembles. Mike has toured internationally with the avant-pop group "Combustible Edison", Bryan Ferry, The Lillith Fair with Brenda Kahn, and many others
Jason Anick is a Berklee College of Music professor who 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.”
Chris Klaxton, trumpet
Trumpeter Chris Klaxton is a lifelong student of the jazz tradition and performs locally / regionally with a variety of self/co-led ensembles ranging from small group interpretations of American standards to his contemporary large ensemble, "Ourbigband." Klaxton has also been fortunate to participate in the Boston hip hop scene for well over a decade. In addition to performing, he also teaches trumpet at UNH, USM, PMAC, and Longy School of Music in Cambridge. Klaxton resides in South Berwick, Maine, with his talented wife Taylor O’Donnell and their two daughters.
Mike Effenberger, Hammond B3 Organ
Mike Effenberger is a composer, arranger, pianist, organist, keyboardist, and multi-talented recording and performing artist. He has been living in the New Hampshire Seacoast since 2007. He received the "Young Beacon in Jazz" award from New School University in New York City, from which he graduated in 2005. While there, he studied with diverse artists including Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Werner, John Hollenbeck, Reggie Workman, Fred Hersch, and Joanne Brackeen. Mike has curated an unmistakably individual voice that draws on gospel, minimalism, jazz, and 20th century music. His work has been written about in international publications including the Paris Review, The Guardian, Pitchfork, and DownBeat, as well as appearing on nationally syndicated media including NPR's "All Things Considered "and PRX's "Echoes."
Mike Connors, drums
As a freelance musician, Mike Connors is one of the most sought-after drummers in New England, playing in groups as varied as jazz, folk, rock, and world ensembles. Mike has toured internationally with the avant-pop group "Combustible Edison", Bryan Ferry, The Lillith Fair with Brenda Kahn, and many others
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
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.
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, 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.
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.