Co-Op Bop Coming to The State Theatre with Show to Benefit the FREDDY Awards

The State Theatre, in partnership with PA JAZZ, present Co-Op Bop in the Acopian Ballroom on Saturday, April 15. The proceeds of this show will benefit the FREDDY Awards, now in it's 15th year!

Show time is 7:30 PM. Tickets are just $21 and can be purchased by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or online at www.statetheatre.org. The Acopian Ballroom is general admission seating.

Co-Op Bop has been performing together for over six decades and have built an extensive library of original compositions and arrangements of American standards. Four of the six members of Co-op Bop have been honored as PA Jazz Artist of the Year. Their recent CD released by Minsi Ridge records, has been garnering rave reviews and a tour of Europe is in the works for the coming summer.

Alan Gaumer (trumpet) and Craig Kastelnik (organ) appeared on the TEd Mack Original Amateur Hour as "kids". Their association continued to grow. Along the way, Tom Kozic, at 17 years of age, began to play guitar with Alan's Quartet. By the late 1970's Gary Rissmiller took over the drum chair. And while this group was playing one of its' common steady "gigs" at a local venue, Nelson Hill (sax) burst on to the scene. Since that time they have continued to perform together building a library of standard and original compositions. They have consistently played under each others' names sharing leadership roles. Recently because of their mutual respect for one another, they came to the conclusion that a group name was in order, hence Co-Op Bop.

In recent years, four of the five members have been names PA JAZZ Artist of the Year: Nelson Hill - 2012, Tom Kozic - 2013, Craig Kastelnik - 2014, Gary Rissmiller - 2015

In keeping with their education mission, PA JAZZ produces their popular Jazz Idol program and presents their annual jazz awards every spring, including their most anticipated award, Artist of the Year, honoring a prominent regional jazz artist that best exemplifies excellence in jazz performance and education.

For more, visit www.co-opbop.com or go to www.statetheatre.org.

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