April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and Charleston is celebrating with the 2013 Jazz Artists of Charleston Week, April 8-12. Charleston’s best jazz musicians will show off their skills to the public with three anticipated shows and a discussion.
April 8 is a performance from saxophonist Simon Harding and pianist Jordan Gravel called “People Time Revisited: The Music of Stan Getz & Kenny Barron.” They’re teaming up to play the legendary jazz duets of Getz’s album People Time. Limited seating is available to this pay what you can event, so get there early. They’re playing two sets which are BYOB, at the Charleston Jazz House, located at 185 St. Philip.
April 9 is Jazz Appreciation Day. The Charleston Jazz Orchestra Ensemble, featuring musicians Charlton Singleton on trumpet and Quentin Baxter on drums, is playing Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite. The Ensemble is a line up of Charleston jazz superstars, making this the must-attend performance of the week. This show is being held at the Mezz on 276 King St., above Sermet’s. It’s the Ensemble’s first anniversary, so its sure to be a special show. Sets are at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per seat, with a special 3 for $30 menu with wine pairings.
On April 10, local jazz band Faces for Radio are performing new music inspired by Charleston’s food community they’ve dubbed “Food Grooves.” Plenty of food trucks will be on hand if your taste buds are as inspired as your ears will be. The show is at GrowFood Carolina at 990 Morrison Dr., and tickets are $10. Doors are at 7 p.m. and the show is at 8 p.m.
April 11 is JAC(K) Talk and Movie Night. This is a discussion of the year in jazz, curated by jazz historians and advocates. One of the topic is the Carolina Hit Parade, a Charleston Jazz Orchestra Ensemble program of music inspired by South Carolina and South Carolinian music. There will be a TBD jazz influenced movie. This is a pay-what-you-will event held at the Olde Village Community Building at 4820 Jenkins Ave., North Charleston. Doors are at 7 p.m. and the discussion begins at 8 p.m.
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