Presented by the BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation (BJMF), join us for our "first Thursdays" big band artist-in-residence series led by trombonist/composer, Sam Blakeslee, featuring special guest artist - guitar virtuoso, Dan Wilson!
To start of 2017 in a big way, composer/arranger Sam Blakeslee and Akron sensation guitarist Dan Wilson have teamed up to present a special night of brand new arrangements of Sam Blakeslee’s featuring the music of Dan Wilson, as well as Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, and James Taylor! Joining the Sam Blakeslee Large Group will also be members of Dan Wilson’s musical endeavors: Dave Throckmorton from Pittsburgh on drums, and Kip Reed on bass. Come down to BLU to witness a special collaboration from two of Akron’s most prominent voices!
Sam Blakeslee is a trombonist/composer residing in Cleveland, OH. In his few years on the scene, he has played with artists Sean Jones, Jiggs Whigham, Aretha Franklin, Dominick Farinacci, Dennis Mackrel, Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson, and Derrick Gardner. Sam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies from Youngstown State University and a Master’s Degree in Classical Performance from Universtiy of Akron. Sam has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Banff Centre, as well as famous jazz clubs in New York City such as 55 Bar, Shapeshifter Lab, and Whynot Jazz Room. He has also participated in some of the world’s most illustrious workshops and residencies including The Steans Institute for the Young Artist at Ravinia, Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center, and the Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Centre. As an active educator, Sam is currently the Director of the Jazz Prep Program and After School Band Program at Cuyahoga Community College, as well as the Instructor of Improvisation at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
While Sam leads many of his own projects,The Sam Blakeslee Large Group is his unique signature. The ensemble is a high-energy 17-piece contemporary jazz orchestra that features original music of his or other members of the group. Its repertoire is an exciting mix of hip-hop, contemporary classical music, as well as hard-swinging traditional jazz styles. The members of the group are some of the most creative and innovative players and composers in the Northeast Ohio area. One of the goals of the group is to also create a larger regional network of musicians by bringing in artists from Detroit, Pittsburgh, and NYC.
Join us every “first Thursday” of the month to experience the thriving sounds of our Northeast Ohio jazz scene!
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About BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation (BJMF)
Committed to the preservation of America’s treasured art form of jazz, BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation (BJMF) is a new program developed by the founders of BLU Jazz+ Akron (BJA) that brings “front-row” jazz education performance & mentorship opportunities to student musicians and art lovers alike by presenting a series of masterclasses led by top visiting musicians from all over the world.
Recipient of a 2015 Knights Art Challenge grant award by the Knight Foundation, BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation expands upon the essence of Akron, Ohio’s award-winning live jazz destination, BLU Jazz+ Akron (BJA), launched in Fall 2014.