A powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and world-class supporting musicians helped Lucy Woodward wow the Allentown JazzFest crowd at the Renaissance Hotel ballroom on Thursday night.
Lucy was engaging from the start, introducing many of the evening’s selections with witty stories encompassing her career as a musician. The New York native’s set was equal parts high-tempo, funky pop and soulful balladry, allowing Lucy and her band to showcase their versatile skill sets throughout the course of the evening.
Lucy heads off to London to prepare for her upcoming tour with Rod Stewart. We wish her the best, and hope she’ll visit us again sometime!
Wednesday night of Allentown JazzFest was a night not to be missed.
Saxophone legend Steve Coleman brought his band to the Lehigh Valley for the first time ever, and it was a show that proved to be well worth the wait. Coleman and his band put on an unforgettable performance before a sold-out crowd in Miller Symphony Hall’s Rodale Room — one with masterful improvisation and frantic, yet structured, rhythms that kept the audience engaged for the duration of the band’s hour-and-35-minute set. At the end, Coleman and company received a standing ovation from the folks in attendance, who hung onto every lively note that they played.
Words are failing to describe this awesome night of music… so here are some photos instead!
Last night, the inaugural Allentown FilmFest concluded at Civic Theater 514 on 19th St. A component of Allentown JazzFest, the film festival featured three nights of films – the 1966 Antonioni film, Blowup (Apr. 29), International Short Films (May 1), and last night’s showcase, the aptly titled A Night with the Experimental.
The concept for a film component to JazzFest began when Bryan Tuk, Executive Director of Performing Arts Live! Inc., approached local filmmaker Stephanie Gardner with a project.
“First, Bryan asked me to make a web teaser for JazzFest, and it branched out from there,” Gardner said. “He said he wanted to add film as an element and asked if I wanted to show something. I started giving him some ideas for programming he could show here, and he asked me to curate it.”
Gardner was intrigued by the idea, seeing an immediate connection between music and film that could be delivered to local audiences.
“I see music in general, and jazz especially, interrelated to film,” Gardner said. “I think cinema and music are a universal language, both a contrast between silences and sounds. I think film is an actual companion to JazzFest, and it’s something different that you’re not used to seeing.
Last night’s “experimental” films included several of Gardner’s, including a humorous take on William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 151, in which a man is portrayed pining over a meal from the original Nathan’s Hot Dog stand in Coney Island, NY; as well as “Allentown Grooves,” a music video showcasing the people and places of Allentown with live musical support from The Bryan Tuk Complex.
Each evening’s screening was capped by a discussion led by Gardner meant to engage the audience on a deeper, multi-cultural level.
“I like to start dialogues about how cinema is an art form of shared expressions,” Gardner said. “We can all relate to each other through it.”
Gardner hopes FilmFest leads to an ongoing discussion; one in which more local filmmakers have a voice and a platform for their work.
“I want to encourage more artists in the area to come out and say, “I have work that I can show,” Gardner said. “I know that there are arts happening here, but they’re not easy to find. I think a lot of people want to engage more in visual arts and music. I know there are filmmakers out there, but I don’t know what they’re doing or where to see them.”
Enjoy selections from Tuesday night’s “A Night of the Experimental” screening below.
Stephanie Gardner – Sonnet 151 (from The Sonnet Project)
Monday night is a good night to mellow out. The workweek has just begun, and Allentown JazzFest had just the thing to help you decompress at Allentown Brew Works’ High Gravity Lounge: the Adam Niewood Quartet.
The lounge was a perfect backdrop for the smooth improvisation of Niewood and company, and the relaxed atmosphere was enhanced by Brew Works’ signature food and brews.
JazzFest continues, while local favorites make their presence felt.
Allentown JazzFest is just getting warmed up! Expect plenty more coverage here on Lehigh Valley Underground throughout the week as we take you to different venues with an array of different artists.
Naturally, a few of those shows are listed below. We also have others for folks of different tastes. To us, they’re all, without a doubt, the…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Mon., May 2 | 7:30 p.m. Adam Niewood Quartet (AJF 2016) Venue: Allentown BrewWorks, 812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown Admission: $20 Description: Niewood and his band will play selections from his latest effort, “Homage: Niewood Plays Niewood,” in honor of his late father, Gerry.
Wed., May 4 | 7:30 p.m. Steve Coleman and Five Elements (AJF 2016) Venue: Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th St., Allentown Admission: $30 general; $50 VIP Description: World-renowned saxophonist and MacArthur Fellow Steve Coleman performs at JazzFest.
Thurs., May 5 | 8 p.m. Lucy Woodward (AJF 2016) Venue: The Renaissance Ballroom, 12 N. 7th St., Allentown Admission: $30 general; $47 VIP Description: Acclaimed London-born singer-songwriter Lucy Woodward makes her Lehigh Valley debut.
Fri., May 6 | 5:30 p.m. The Bastard Sons Ride Again Venue: Weyerbacher Brewery, 905 Line St., Easton Admission: FREE Description: Come to Easton after work for songs and musings from Carter Lansing, Bryson Kay, Werner Sommer, and Mike Roi.
Fri., May 6 | 9 p.m. The Groove Merchants Venue: The Hamilton Kitchen, 645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown Admission: FREE Description: Shoot over to Allentown later on for a great night of excellent food, drinks, and Groove.
Sat., May 7 | 5 p.m. JazzFest at Noches de Ritmo (AJF 2016) Venue: West Park, 15th and Linden Sts., Allentown Admission: FREE Description: Hector Rosado’s Orq HACHE kicks things off, and the Jeff “Tain” Watts Quartet keeps it going.
Sat., May 8 | 5 p.m. Jazz at Billy’s: The Bryan Tuk Complex (AJF 2016) Venue: Billy’s Downtown Diner, 840 W. Hamilton St., Allentown Admission: FREE Description: Allentown JazzFest 2016 concludes with a show from the festival’s Executive Director and his ensemble, plus special guests.
Sunday night was a time for more traditional jazz at Allentown JazzFest. Who better to provide it than the ultra-talented violinist, Scott Tixier?
The French-born Tixier and his band came to us from Brooklyn and left the crowd at 187 Rue Principale amazed with their stunning musical precision during the acoustic, all-instrumental set. Each musician had plenty of opportunities to shine for the Emmaus crowd, and each member of the band made the most of those chances.
Below, enjoy our take on another brilliant night of music in this intimate setting.
It was experimental. It was electronic. And, in the true spirit of jazz, it was improvisational. It was also impressive, as the Swiss-born drummer and his band combined jazz rhythms with atmospheric sounds that filled Halo nightclub for a solid 90 minutes.
For sure, JazzFest is making good on its promise to provide something new and interesting to local audiences. Hopefully, these photos captured the essence of another amazing night!
The musicians of Al Chez & the Brothers of Funk are so diverse in talent that it’s hard to classify what they do within a single genre. Jazz, rock, funk, you name it — there are probably elements of it within their music.
They’re one of the tightest bands you’ll ever hear. Crisp horns, smooth saxophones, blazing guitar riffs, and driving percussion come together to complement Chez’s abundant onstage charisma; soulful, gravely vocals; and world-class trumpeting.
The band’s high-energy, hour-and-40-minute set at the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom was the perfect selection to kick off Allentown JazzFest 2016.
Personally, I was very happy to finally check out the Brothers of Funk live. I know Al and his wife Cat from years of karaoke singing back in Jersey (yes, I’m originally from that side of the Delaware). I had always heard about the band — but now, I know about the band!
I’m also quite pleased with a lot of the shots from last night’s show. Check ’em out!
The day has arrived! Allentown JazzFest begins tonight with a big night of music (and film) in the Lehigh Valley’s largest city. Lehigh Valley Underground will be at the festival throughout its duration to cover key performances and highlights.
As a proud, official media partner of Allentown JazzFest, we want to tell you what we’re most looking forward to over the course of the next ten days. For full information, please visit allentownjazzfest.org.
A ‘Funky’ Beginning – Tonight at 8 p.m., Al Chez & the Brothers of Funk kick off the festival at the Renaissance Ballroom. Chez, a world-class trumpeter whose performance history reads like a “Who’s Who” list, brings a rock and roll feel to big band music as he and his band roll into Allentown for a second consecutive year.
More Than Music – For the film aficionado in all of us, Allentown FilmFest receives its trial run at Civic Theater 514 during three of the festival’s ten days. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., FilmFest begins with the 1966 Antonioni film, Blowup. That will be followed by International Short Films on Sun., May 1 at 4 p.m. and A Night with the Experimental on Tues., May 3 at 7 p.m. Performing Arts Live! Filmmaker in Residence Stephanie Gardner will lead a discussion each night.
We’ve Got ‘Nerve’ – Jojo Mayer and his trio Nerve will push the boundaries of jazz by intertwining it with their trademark genre-busting live electronica. This is sure to be one of the most unique performances associated not only with JazzFest, but the entire Lehigh Valley in 2016. It takes place Sat., Apr. 30 at Halo nightclub (22 N. 6th St.) beginning at 7 p.m.
I See London – After 15 years of touring, London-born singer Lucy Woodward makes her Lehigh Valley debut at Allentown JazzFest 2016. Lucy has toured with the likes of Rod Stewart and has major label credibility to her name. She’ll bring all of that and more to the Renaissance Ballroom on Thurs., May 5 at 8 p.m.
I See France – Scott Tixier, a French violinist quickly gaining international fame, is coming to 187 Rue Principale for his JazzFest debut this Sun., May 1 at 7 p.m. Scott has worked with an incredible list of artists, and both his recordings and live show prove him to be a cut above the rest.
Homegrown Talent – Of course, what would a Lehigh Valley music festival be without plenty of our own on the bill? Regional favorite Hector Rosado will make a couple of appearances, and local music fans can enjoy performances from Joe Wagner, Tiffany Ly, Eric Mintel, and the Bryan Tuk Complex – to name a few – at different points throughout the festival.
As April gives way to May this week, we can look forward to the return of this popular video meme. In any other week, that would have been enough, but we’re excited for a different reason: Allentown JazzFest!
We’re stoked to be an official media partner of this year’s festival, and you can be sure that we’ll be there quite a bit this week and next. In addition, there’s plenty more music where that came from!
Let that be your preface as we present the…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Thurs., Apr. 28 | 7 p.m. The Originals Music Series Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown Admission: FREE Description: Rofo Audio and Infinite Lives are the bands chosen to rock the stage at Chicago Restaurant’s Club Gravity this week.
Fri., Apr. 29 | 8 p.m. Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk (AJF2016) Venue: The Renaissance Ballroom, Allentown Admission: $30 general admission, $60 VIP Description: World-class trumpeter Al Chez brings his big band’s high-energy show to the opening night of Allentown JazzFest
Sat., Apr. 30 | 8 p.m. JoJo Mayer/Nerve (AJF2016) Venue: HALO, 22 N. 6th St., Allentown Admission: $35 Description: Nerve helps open HALO after its brand of electronic, dance-infused jazz proved to be one of the big hits of last year’s Allentown JazzFest.
Sun., May 1 | 7 p.m. Scott Tixier (AJF2016) Venue: 187 Rue Principale, 187 Main St., Emmaus Admission: $25 Description: Scott Tixier, an award-winning French jazz violinist and a recording artist, makes his Allentown JazzFest debut.
