The 42nd Street Jazz Festival Set for Theater Row, 12/16-23

NYU Steinhardt Music and Performing Arts Professions, New York Foundation for the Arts, Yamaha Pianos, RS Berkeley Horns, presents the 42nd Street Jazz Festival, from December 16-23, 2013 at Theater Row, 410 W. 42nd Street, NYC. Performances: Monday- Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm. Tickets are $21.25 and are available at telecharge.com.

The 42nd Street Jazz Festival features a wide variety of jazz artists from New York City and around the world, with a diversity of styles from Senegal to Prague, and Buenos Aires to Brooklyn.

The festival programs are:

Monday, December 16 at 8pm: Gabriella Anders

Gabriela Anders, voice

Jim Ridl, piano

Leo Traversa,bass

Cliff Almond, drums

Special guest,Wayne Krantz, guitar

Tuesday, December 17 at 8pm: Rudy Linka Trio

Rudy Linka, guitar

Dan Fabricatore, bass

Norman Edwards, drums

Wednesday December 18 at 8pm: Leni Stern African Trio

Leni Stern, guitar, voice

Mamadou Ba, bass

Alioune Faye, pecussion

Special guest, Leo Genovese, piano

Thursday, December 19 at 8pm: Krantz Carlock Lefebvre

Wayne Krantz, guitar

Tim Lefabvre, bass

Keith Carlock, drums

Friday, December 20 at 8pm: Tony Moreno Quintet

Ron Horton, trumpet

Marc Mommaas, saxophone

Jean-Michel Pilc, piano

Ugonna Okegwo, bass

Tony Moreno, drums

Saturday, December 21 at 8pm: Combo Nuvo

Dave Schroeder, harmonica, woodwinds

Billy Drewes, woodwinds

Brad Shepik, guitar

Rich Shemaria, piano

Mike Richmond, cello

Tim Keiper, percussion

Sunday, December 22 at 5pm: Alex Brown Trio

Alex Brown, piano

Zach Brown, bass

Eric Doob, drums

Monday, December 23 at 8pm: Jeff Franzel- Mood of the Moment

Jeff Franzel, solo piano

On Friday, December 20, 2013, at 1pm--5pm, the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) will present an afternoon of workshops entitled "Sustaining Your Musical Career: Opportunities and New Directions." Partnering with NYU Jazz Studies and Theatre Row, NYFA will present panels on resources for the music community, as well as fundraising techniques, discussions on artist sustainability, and examples and explorations of international collaborations. Tickets are $20 for the general public, and $15 for NYFA-affiliated artists. For more information, write to pcobb@nyfa.org.

Gabriela Anders was born to music amidst the grace, paradox and tradition of Argentina. Her father is a noted jazz saxophonist, his father, a classical violinist and her grandmother on her mother's side, a piano teacher. Gabriela studied classical guitar privately, and music and piano at a Conservatory in Buenos Aires." Growing up, there was a lot of Brazilian music, and I was totally fascinated with it because it's so harmonically rich and melodically interesting. Growing as a musician is absolutely the most important thing to me." Adding to the musical medley was her father's influence, which became even stronger than her classical studies. After finishing high school, Gabriela decided that, rather than continuing her classical studies in Buenos Aires, she would move to New York. There she studied orchestration for brass and strings in a class conducted by Don Sebesky and later on, Composition at Hunter College. Gabriela slowly started to write her own material. After a while her studio and club work took off and in 1999, it leads to a record deal with major label: Warner Brother's Jazz. Gabriela Anders' debut album (1999) "Wanting" is brimming with vocal subtlety; although smooth, it is anything but simple.

For the past 20 years, the New York-based guitarist (and founder of the Bohemia Jazz Festival in his native Czech Republic) Rudy Linka has consistently put out high-quality, swinging small group recordings, beginning with his 1992 debut, News From Home. An accomplished six-stringer with a warm, inviting tone, Linka reveals touches of Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, John Scofield and Bill Frisell in his playing. Accompanied by the hand-in-glove rhythm tandem of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Kenny Wollesen (a frequent collaborator on Linka's past recordings) and augmented on a few tracks by the presence of mercurial pianist Jonathan Batiste, Linka cuts a wide stylistic swath on RE: Connect. The slow-chugging, tuneful opener "Simply Put" has the guitarist conjuring up Frisell in heartlandish mode before dipping into his Scofield bag on the evocative ballad "It's Just That Easy," which features some glistening piano accompaniment and unpredictable soloing from Batiste. The pianoless trio turns in a clever reggaefied rendition of "All The Things You Are" and a highly conversational take on John Abercrombie's elegant swinger, "So Weary," which is underscored by Wollesen's brisk brushwork and also features a brilliant bass solo from Grenadier. Batiste returns for "Club On The Corner," imbuing that funky tune with his irrepressible New Orleans spirit. The pianist also contributes to the moody, slow- grooving "I Hear You" and a beautiful inter- pretation of the traditional Czech folk tune "By Our Farm." Elsewhere, the trio engages in more heartlandish fare on "How Spiritual Are You?" which is paced by the kind of stark, minimalist beat that Wollesen has practically patented, then they commune on Monk's "Bye-Ya" with the kind of conversational playfulness that can only come from true kindred spirits. Two songs, Linka's elegiac "Song For Joni" and a gentle rendition of the poignant "River," pay tribute to Joni Mitchell. -Bill Milkowski

Born in Munich, Germany, Leni Stern started playing piano at the age of six and guitar at eleven. At seventeen, she formed her own Acting Company, and her radical productions sold out houses across Europe. In 1977, she turned her attention to music and left for the United States to study film scoring at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Scoring gave way to her love for guitar and in 1981, Leni moved to New York to play in a variety of rock and jazz bands. In 1983, she formed a group of her own with Paul Motion on drums and Bill Frisell on guitar. As a recording artist, she originally made a name for herself in jazz circles (her first nine albums were instrumental,) then crossed her talents over into the singer-songwriter realm, garnering consistent praise in the process. Critics have said her music incorporates "intelligent lyrics and beautifully drawn vignettes" (Washington Post), "crystalline, jazz-meets-blues guitar lines" (Guitar Player), and "thoughtful structure, evocative moods, attention to groove" (San Francisco Bay Guardian). A "Fleet and Lyrical guitarist", (The New Yorker). "A Gifted Singer-Songwriter with a Wide-Ranging Sensibility and Sophisticated Guitar and Harmonic Chops" (The Boston Globe). Leni runs her own label, LSR/RED.

From 1997-2003, Krantz Carlock Lefebvre, a/k/a/ KCL, a/k/a K3, a/k/a Wayne Krantz Trio, was an explosively creative, mind-bending underground sensation in downtown New York City and the UK. Massively influential on many subsequent bands working the fields of funk, electronica, rock and rhythmic mayhem on the international creative music scene, Krantz Carlock Lefebvre appearances became extremely limited due to the rigorous touring schedules of its individual components - Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre. Despite the rarity of shows, the one-of-a-kind band's DNA remains intact and as inspirational as ever.

Native New Yorker, Tony Moreno began studying piano at age three, switching to drums at age 10 and began studies with Stan Koo at age 10. Tony's mother took him to the neighborhood club to hear Elvin Jones, from whom he purchased his first drum set a week later. Tony continued studying with both Stan and Elvin until the age of 18. His first gig was at age 12 with Anthony Coleman, David Krakauer and John Shea at The West End. Through Elvin, Tony met and became friends with many great musicians who lived in the neighborhood. Jimmy Garrison, Joe Farell, MiLes Davis, Duke and Ruth Ellington. Hanging out to hear music with Charles Mingus, Pepper Adams,Wilber Little. Tony also attended Jazz Interactions in NYC, where he studied with Al Kuumba Heath, Art Blakey and Freddie Waits. Tony also met Bob Moses, who as a drummer and composer encouraged the idea of writing and performing original music. After attending music school, he freelanced in NY and began working in Europe, where he toured and recorded extensively. Tony has appeared on over 100 recordings, DVD's, and televised concert broadcasts. He has also composed chamber music, documentaries, independent film and cartoons. Tony Endorses Paiste Cymbals and plays Sonor drums.

Combo Nuvo, is a unique improvisational ensemble featuring some of New York City's leading jazz artists. The group combines influences ranging from jazz and classical to blues and world music. Individually, these artists have performed with such music legends as MiLes Davis, Ravi Shankar, Yo Yo Ma, Natalie Cole, Oscar Castro Neves, Randy Brecker, Horace Silver, Pat Metheny, to name a few. Combo Nuvo is as comfortable performing at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City as it is collaborated with symphony orchestras around the world including the Costa Rica National Symphony, The United Arab Emirates Philharmonic, and i Solisti dell Orchesta del Teatro Verdi, in Florence, Italy. The group is comprised from artist/faculty members from New York University's Steinhardt Jazz Studies Program. Combo Nuvo is endorsed by RS Berkeley Horns.

Setting the tone for the second decade of the 21st century, pianist Alex Brown kicked it off with a feature article in the January 2010 issue of Keyboard Magazine. His reputation continues expanding via his notable performances with everyone from innovative saxophonist Miguel Zenon to the legendary Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. A member of Paquito D'Rivera's ensemble since 2007, he shared in that ensemble's 2010 Grammy nomination for D'Rivera's album, Jazz-Clazz. OF Brown's 2010 debut CD with his own ensemble, Pianist (Sunnyside), DownBeat magazine proclaimed it "A really fine record that leaves you wanting more." This just a year after his 2009 graduation with a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory where he studied with Danilo Perez and Charlie Banacos, among others. Due to his diverse influences, Classical, rhythm & blues, hip-hop, Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian styles all co-mingle - naturally and infectiously - in Brown's music. Doubtlessly, this versatility contributed to his collecting an array of student and young composer awards from ASCAP, DownBeat Magazine and BMI, propelling him towards a professional career. Now in Alex Brown's rear-view mirror are appearances at top jazz venues and festivals, including: Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, Birdland, and the Blue Note in New York (and Tokyo), Blues Alley in Washington DC, the Telluride Jazz Celebration and Israel's Red Sea Jazz Festival. Alex Brown is a Yamaha Artist.

Jeff Franzel is a multi-talented songwriter and composer with over 30 years experience in the music business. Jeff began his career as a jazz pianist and toured with many groups, including big band legend Les Brown. During that time he accompanied such artists as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Mel Torme. Jeff has been a Yamaha artist for over a year now. He recently recorded a CD and DVD to a live audience in Montreal at the Oscar Peterson Hall on a Yamaha CFX Piano. Jeff is planning on releasing the CD and DVD in October, 2013.

Jeff has written pop songs for such diverse artists as Josh Groban, Placido Domingo, Push Play, Hayley Westenra, Clay Aiken, Shawn Colvin, N'sync, Dianne Reeves, Taylor Dayne, and Chuck Wicks. He writes in virtually all styles and works with lyricists in many languages. Jeff's songs have been featured on over 20 platinum albums in the U.S. and other countries. On the U.S. Billboard charts Jeff has had a #2 pop hit with Don't Rush Me, a top 10 AC hit with You've Got a Way and a #1 contemporary Christian song called Love Was Never Meant To Die. He has had top ten hits in Japan, England, Brazil, Australia, Holland, Belgium and Poland.

Jeff has a song that Placido Domingo and Josh Groban recorded with lyrics adapted by Pope John Paul II which was #1 on the classical billboard charts this summer. His song "When You Know" is the title track to Dianne Reeves CD. He recently had a platinum record in Italy with the San Remo winner Marco Carta on Warner Bros. Jeff co-wrote 3 songs with Hayley Westnera for her upcoming Christmas Winter Magic CD which will be released worldwide this November. This fall Jeff's songs were featured on two top 10 DVD's in Brazil by artist Ricky Vallens and Tania Mara. Kaci Battaglia recently recorded "Seeing You" which will be featured on her upcoming release on Warner Curb Records.

Jeff has also had a number if his songs in film and TV. He has had songs in Runaway Bride, Serendipity, Dawson's Creek, Deja Vu, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Barbershop 2, Go Figure, Dear God, Gray Matters and Fort McCoy. Jeff is a Yamaha Artist.

ABOUT DAVE SCHROEDER, 42ND STREET JAZZ FESTIVAL PRODUCER As Director of the Jazz Studies Program at NYU Steinhardt since 2003, Dave Schroeder's central focus has been to create an environment for his students that offer total emersion into the international jazz music culture. The success of his program is due to the nearly unlimited access he provides between his students and internationally acclaimed artist/faculty.

Since 2001, Schroeder has been the musical director for Combo Nuvo, an eclectic ensemble that combines influences ranging from jazz and classical to blues and world music. Combo Nuvo has toured internationally and has been featured with such orchestras as the Costa Rica National Symphony, and the United Arab Emirates Philharmonic in Abu Dhabi.

As a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the New York Foundation for the Arts and Artists House Foundation, Schroeder produced the Jazz Master Class Series from NYU that is currently airing on WNYC TV channel 25. He was also the creator and host for the weekly NYU Jazz Interview Series at Barnes and Noble Bookstores. Dr. Schroeder is currently in production with Jazz From Greenwich Village, a video series designed for international broadcast.

ABOUT NYU STEINHARDT JAZZ STUDIES The NYU Steinhardt Jazz Program strives to create an environment modeled after the real-life experiences of our world-class faculty. Studies in jazz performance at NYU are designed to train and develop artists capable of succeeding in the current music industry. NYU Jazz provides aspiring students advanced performance training combined with the finest related academic and music courses designed to encourage entrepreneurship. The B.M., M.M. and Ph.D. programs in jazz performance and composition draw outstanding performers and composers interested in advanced training and extraordinary opportunities in the music industry.

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, the world's Mecca for jazz music, students are offered direct and immediate interaction and performance opportunities with internationally acclaimed artists and educators as well as industry executives. NYU students and faculty are shaping the future of jazz.

ABOUT NYU STEINHARDT MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTST PROFESSIONS Steinhardt Music and Performing Arts Professions offer acclaimed programs of study in Music Performance (B.M, M.M., PhD) Music Business (B.M., M.A.), Music Technology (B.M., M.M., Ph.D.), Music Composition (B.M., M.M., Ph.D.), and Music Education (B.M., M.A., Ph.D.) provide a rich and valuable array of elective courses for jazz music performance majors that prepare them for an ever-changing music industry and musical climate. Our undergraduate and graduate students benefit from the extraordinary opportunities available through the diverse offerings of a major university in the cultural capital of the world, New York City. Our reputation, faculty and location provide students with a unique opportunity to develop as performers and to make the contacts necessary to launch a professional career in the globalized jazz world. For further information, contact the Jazz office:By phone: 212 998 5442By email (preferred): jazzstudies@nyu.edu

ABOUT NYFA: NYFA was established in 1971 by the New York State Council on the Arts as an independent organization with a mission to provide catalytic support to individual artists in all disciplines. In 1976, NYFA established the ability to provide Fiscal Sponsorship to individual artists and emerging organizations and since then we have helped participants raise and manage over $50 million for innovative projects. In 1984, NYFA was selected by NYSCA to administer the state's Artists' Fellowships. The Fellowship program has since awarded more than $26 million cash grants to approximately 4,400 New York State artists in 15 disciplines, which has had a significant impact on New York City's cultural landscape.

NYFA's website (www.nyfa.org) was launched in November 2002. Among the most popular features are NYFA Classifieds, which provides artists and arts organizations with the opportunity to find and post listings for jobs, events, space and opportunities, and NYFA Source, which provides a free online database of funding and other resources for visual, performing, media and literary artists. Both are among the most extensive and widely used resources of their kind.

More recently, NYFA has launched a number of programs that address the growing need for professional development training in the arts under the umbrella of NYFA Learning. This includes our highly successful Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp, which provides business training to artists across disciplines, and our unique Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program, which gives one-on-one support and community building to promising artists from New York's extensive community of immigrant and first-generation artists."

ABOUT THEATRE ROW: Theatre Row is a collection of Off-Broadway theatres on 42nd Street, NYC. It is owned and operated by the 42nd Street Develpment Corporation. Theatre Row is proud to be the home of The New Group, The Actors Theatre Company (TACT), The Keen Company, The United Solo Festival and Theatre Breaking Through Barriers. Erika Feldman, Managing Director.