"Fifth Annual A-Town Jazz Festival" w/headliners Louise Grasmere & Jason Palmer -- 4/29-5/1/2016

ARLINGTON, Mass. - April 1, 2016 - PRLog -- The A-Town Jazz Festival, which has now become a much anticipated annual event, is expanding its scope into a 3-day affair, allowing for plenty of opportunities for festival-goers to check out an exciting neighborhood music scene. This milestone 5th year will feature the work of Festival headliners vocalist Louise Grasmere and trumpeter Jason Palmer, as well as several up and comers, for example vocalist Emma Zack andthe ready to roll A-Town Brass Band.

Many Boston-area jazz lovers are bemoaning the fact that there seems to be a dearth of local spaces where one can relax and enjoy live jazz. But rest assured, since jazz presenter Morningside Music Studio is clearly bucking that perceived trend. Not only does the annual Festival continue to headline established locally based musical luminaries and provide a showcase for rising stars, it also shines a spotlight on the hidden gem venues that prevail in the not so sleepy town of Arlington.

Morningside Music Studio, located in Arlington, is under the direction of Dan Fox, who is no stranger to the local music scene. Fox, an Arlington resident, is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator who has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Boston Globe Jazz Festival and the Mallorca Jazz Festival in Spain. He leads his own bands Made in the Shade, 'TarBone, and FoxBill and has performed a wide range of jazz styles with groups like the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, the Cab Calloway Orchestra, and the Either/Orchestra. His Morningside Music Studio gives students of all levels the opportunity to play in weekly musical ensembles. Further information on Dan Fox at www.danfox.com.

Further Festival details can be found specifically at www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html.

Background information on featured participants:

Vocalist Louise Grasmere is a singer with a unique fusion of jazz-influenced rhythm and blues seasoned with Motown, gospel and soul. Think Bonnie Raitt laced with the smooth landscapes of Joni Mitchell, the imaginative improvisations of Ella Fitzgerald, and the gritty authenticity of Big Mama Thornton. It has become evident why Grasmere consistently performs to packed houses. "Vocalist Louise Grasmere ... took the stage and lived up to the jazz tradition ..." (Northeast Performer Magazine). www.louisegrasmere.com

Trumpeter/Composer/Educator Jason Palmer has become one of the most in demand musicians of his generation. He has performed with Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith (the organist), Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Kurt Rosenwinkel (first trumpeter to ever be hired by this highly acclaimed guitarist), Ravi Coltrane, Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Common, Roy Hargrove, Lewis Nash, etc. "... subtle interplay, elliptical phrasing and daring arrangements" (4 star review of Palmer's most recent "Take A Little Trip" record, Downbeat Magazine). www.jasonpalmermusic.com

Still in her early 20's, Emma Zack has already been praised for her unique phrasing, whether singing jazz standards, neo-soul, or gospel, with a vocal range equivalent to where Sarah Vaughan meets Nina Simone meets Amy Winehouse. ("Her sultry style is reminiscent of Nina Simone." WICN). www.facebook.com/emzaks

A-Town Brass Band is a New Orleans style street band comprised of Arlington residents. The group covers classic groove tunes by the Rebirth Brass Band and others. The formation of this band in early 2016 has been funded in part by the Arlington Cultural Council. The band is under the direction of Dan Fox, founder and director of A-Town Jazz Festival presenter Morningside Music Studio. www.morningsidemusicstudio.com

A-Town Jazz Festival: 2016 Schedule Details:

Main Festival event:
Sunday, May 1:
--7:00-10:00 pm: A-Town Jazz Festival Main Event.
Featuring:
Award-winning Arlington High School Jazz Band (7 pm);
Vocalist Louise Grasmere backed by trio Bill Duffy (piano), Dave Fox (drums) & Dan Fox (bass) (7:45 pm);
FoxBill with Dan Fox (trombone), Bill Jones (sax), Bill Duffy (piano), Dave Fox (drums), Justin Meyer (bass) and special guest trumpeter Jason Palmer (8:30 pm).
Cover: $15, students/seniors $10, kids 12 & under $5. Advance tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2533580.
Regent Theatre Underground, 7 Medford St., Arlington 02474.
For more information, visit www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net.

Other Festival events:
Friday, April 29:
--8:30-10:30 pm: Vocalist Emma Zack accompanied byDan Fox (bass), Mike Valdez(piano) & Miki Matsuki (drums).
No cover; dinner reservations suggested.
Flora Restaurant,190 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02474. For dinner reservations: 781-641-1664, www.opentable.com/flora.
For more information, visit www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net.

Saturday, April 30:
--4:00-6:30 pm: Performances by Morningside Music Studio Ensembles.
No cover.
Kickstand Cafe, 594 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02474; 781-583-6110, www.thekickstandcafe.com.
For more information, visit www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net.

--7:00-10:00 pm: Performances by Morningside Music Studio Faculty; featuring Ethan K (guitar), Peter Cicco (guitar), Mike Carey (sax), Rich Greenblatt (drums) & Dan Fox (bass).
Cover: $10; beer, wine, & snacks available for purchase.
artlounge arlington, 1346 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02476; 781-643-0300, www.arlingtonartlounge.com.
For more information, visit www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net.

Sunday, May 1:
--1:00-2:00 pm: A-Town Brass Band performs outdoors at Whittmore Park.
Free and open to all; rain or shine.
Whittmore Park (outside Dallin Museum & Arlington Town Hall), Arlington 02474.
For more information, visit www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net.

--1:30-3:30 pm: Jazz Brunch with the Morrison/Lafleur Group.
No cover; brunch reservations suggested.
Menotomy Grill,25 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington 02474. For brunch reservations: 781-648-1775, www.menotomygrill.com.
For more information, visit www.morningsidemusicstudio.com/a-town-jazz-festival.html, 617-909-7776, danfox1@verizon.net.