Jazz making a comeback at Uptown!

WEST CHESTER >> Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center welcomes back jazz musicians to an intimate stage and great listening room.

The new Season of The Jazz Cocktail Hour at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center kicked off with the swagger and class of Philadelphia jazz celebrities V. Shayne Frederick and Ella Gahnt in September, and the creative genius of New York trumpeter Josh Lawrence in October. Hosted by jazz vocalist Sara Michaels (aka Sara Phelan), a variety of regional, national and international talent performs monthly through May, 2019, representing the diverse American artform that is jazz. This season is sponsored in memory of lifelong jazz and blues scholar and enthusiast, investment guru, William E. “Bill” Donoghue (1941-2017), a 1959 graduate of West Chester High School.

Vocalist Sherry Wilson Butler and The Aaron Graves Trio take the stage next, on Nov. 15. Soulful and passionate, Sherry interprets upbeat contemporary jazz, R&B, pop and gospel, haunting audiences with influences of Betty Carter, Diane Reeves, Nina Simone, and Sarah Vaughn. Multitalented Aaron Graves, an extraordinary pianist, composer, arranger & conductor, returns to Uptown! with his spiritual, downhome sounds. He has performed with jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Oscar Brown Jr., Cassandra Wilson, Grover Washington Jr., The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Kevin Mahogany & more.

Looking ahead to Dec. 20, the Cartoon Christmas Trio, with Grant Youngblood, returns with a special Family Jazz Night. Children’s choirs from local Hillendale, Pocopson and Unionville Elementary Schools will accompany the trio.

Future 2019 Jazz Cocktail Hour artists include Chelsea Reed & the Fairweather Five with The Swing Cat Dancers, presenting a “Prohibition Party” in January. Then, a Jazz Valentine event is planned for Friday, Feb. 15 as vocalist Paula Johns presents “The Look of Love,” a tribute to Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick. The Mike Boone Quartet performs in March with WCU’s John Swana and the phenomenal 12-year-old jazz prodigy Mekhi Boone, who has played professionally since the age of 7 on Philly and NYC stages. More details about future jazz events can be found at UptownWestChester.org/jazz.

Grammy Award Winner Terell Stafford performs

April 25, 2019 accompanied by Uptown! fan favorite, vocalist Rhenda Fearrington. Stafford is an internationally acclaimed trumpet player based in New York City who has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a

fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Rhenda Fearrington is a former back-up singer for Roberta Flack and MTUME who performs at notable jazz venues throughout the Philly region and supports the jazz community with independent blogs and reviews.

For the third May in a row, Uptown! Divas, Rhenda Fearrington, Sharon Sable and host Sara Michaels, with the Terry

Klinefelter Trio present Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch at Uptown! The menu is accompanied by a selection of inspirational songs of women and mothers.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is conveniently located near parking, shopping and restaurants at 226 North High Street, West Chester. Purchase tickets at UptownWestChester.org, at the box office or call 610-356ARTS(2787).

SUBMITTED PHOTO Sherry Wilson Butler and Aaron Graves will be on stage at Uptown! during a series of jazz performances.