May 13
8:00 PM

The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

Tickets: $30/Individual,
$25/Groups of 6 or more

Rochester, NY native Steve Cunningham began playing guitar at age 14, where he was influenced by such diverse artists as Led Zeppelin, Pat Metheny, Yes, and the Brecker Brothers, as well as classical and bluegrass music. After years of playing and touring with various rock, country, and Top 40/dance bands, including his own original instrumental rock trio “The Value of X”, Steve released his first solo CD, “Travels”, in 1995. Featuring blazing, yet tasteful electric, acoustic, and slide guitar playing, “Travels” still enjoys steady sales, as well as daily airplay on national radio. Later in ’95, Steve relocated to Atlanta, where he began playing the lap steel, immersing himself in the styles of David Lindley, western-swing great Tom Morrell, and Sacred Steel player Aubrey Ghent. In 2003, Steve released his second solo CD “Dubious Tones”, a blend of jazz, rock, blues, and bluegrass. “Dubious Tones”, has received national airplay and rave reviews in publications such as “Modern Drummer ” and “20th Century Guitar” along with on-line publications including www.musicdish.com and www.guitarnoise.com. In 2006, Steve released “Rustic Spirit”, a collection of hymns performed on slide guitars combined with his own unique musical voice complementing these traditional songs. “Rustic Spirit” is a roots-based instrumental approach with a blend of blues and gospel, with jazz inflections added in. This soulful and introspective blend of styles is a favorite of all music lovers. In 2008 Steve released his fourth solo cd, “Slide”, an instrumental composition showcasing Steve’s talent on the lap steel and slide guitar. The music is a blend of all styles from swampy rock jams to latin ballads and smoky jazz tributes. Steve let’s his singing strings soar with this release that’s sure to appeal to all music fans! One of the most in-demand guitarists on the Atlanta scene, Steve performs over 200 dates a year playing jazz, R&B, rock, funk, gospel, country, blues, pop and western-swing among other styles. He has played with Grammy nominated Susan Tedeschi, long-time members of the James Brown band, and Grammy Award winner William Bell, as well as opening for Jeff Beck, The Barenaked Ladies, Kool and the Gang, Dream Theatre, The Four Tops, Chuck Mangione, Eddie Money, and Blondie. In addition, he has performed at the Southeast Emmy Awards, The World Series, and headlined at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Steve is a first-call session player, playing on hundreds of local and national CD releases, TV and radio commercials, and movie soundtracks. He has recorded for Coca-Cola, Ford, IBM, Cartoon Network, Microsoft, CNN and NASCAR to name a few, as well as recording with the London Symphony Orchestra.

]]> http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/jazz-series-to-close-with-cunningham-trio/feed/ 0 http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/11-year-old-jazz-prodigy-to-play-arts-council/ http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/11-year-old-jazz-prodigy-to-play-arts-council/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:39:59 +0000 Lake Lanier CVB http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/?p=3979 Evenings of Intimate Jazz Series:
Morgan Guerin Quartet

April 16
8:00 PM

The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

Tickets: $30/Individual,
$25/Groups of 6 or more

]]> http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/11-year-old-jazz-prodigy-to-play-arts-council/feed/ 0 http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/sasha-masakowski-musical-playground-hit-the-high-notes-in-jazz-series/ http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/sasha-masakowski-musical-playground-hit-the-high-notes-in-jazz-series/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:36:45 +0000 Lake Lanier CVB http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/?p=3976 Read More]]> Evenings of Intimate Jazz Series:
Sasha Masakowski & Musical Playground

Featuring James Westfall on piano, Jason Weaver bass, and Brent Solnick drums

March 12
8:00 PM

The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

Tickets: $30/Individual,
$25/Groups of 6 or more

Out of the great city of New Orleans, where music is as important, delicious and rich as its food and jazz music seeps through the walls and cracks of every historical building and sidewalk, vocalist Sasha Masakowski is blossoming as a very impressive key figure in the newest generation of jazz musicians destined to keep the musical legend of the city and her family afloat and ever-expanding. Sasha’s musicality can be seen as a direct influence of her mother and father. Ulrike and Steve Masakowski are both virtuoso professional musicians. Ulrike, her mother, is a concert pianist and author of highly acclaimed educational piano book series, “Reeka Rules.” Steve Masakowski, world renowned 7-string jazz guitarist, has done two albums under the Blue Note label and toured with the likes of Bobby McFerrin and Dianne Reeves, among others. Steve is currently the Coca-Cola endowed chair of the Jazz Studies department at the University of New Orleans and plays with one of New Orleans’ greatest modern jazz quartets, Astral Project. Sasha began singing at 8 and decided at a very early age that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her parents and pursue the career of a musical artist. In high school she attended the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and graduated as a highest level senior with a certificate in Musical Theatre. There she studied intensively the art of singing, as well as acting and dancing, and began frequently performing in major musical works around the city. Just weeks after Hurricane Katrina swept her wrath across the city, Sasha left to pursue an offer to study overseas on a full scholarship in the Netherlands, at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music. There she studied jazz and world music under some of Europe’s best improvising musicians. After returning to the US, Sasha was eager to bring her music to life in an artistic renaissance much needed to revitalize the decapitated state of her hurricane-ridden hometown. She began performing with her father and little brother (acoustic bassist Martin Masakowski) in venues throughout the city, from Snug Harbor to Club 300 to Donna’s. Soon thereafter, her father decided it was time to put his vocal wisdom from working with McFerrin and Reeves to the test and agreed to produce her first album, “Musical Playground.” Since the debut of her CD, Sasha has received vast acclaim from critics, fellow musicians, and general audiences alike throughout the U.S… Her reputation as a daring, fearless improviser and charming, creative interpreter has lead to reviews such as “Sasha Masakowski approaches songs as a musician, not as a character in a musical like so many jazz female vocalists” (Alex Rawls, jazz critic) and “The future of jazz is in great hands! Whether she’s singing a great standard or an obscure samba, her musical fearlessness is a joy to hear” (Leah Chase, jazz vocalist). In 2009 Sasha was nominated “Best Female Vocalist” and “Best Emerging Artist,” by Louisiana’s premier music magazine Offbeat. “Musical Playground” was also nominated “Best Contemporary Jazz Album,” in a category shared with Terence Blanchard and Christian Scott among others. Later that same year, Sasha was awarded the prestigious Big Easy Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist of 2009.” Sasha is constantly seeking to progress the sound of her music and has deeply explored many subgenres of jazz music to help cultivate her exotic style; from Brazilian music to experimental free-jazz to electro/rock to traditional jazz. She fronts two bands of her own: Musical Playground and Puppy Chow, both fundamentally spirited with New Orleans passion and charm, but stylizing in completely separate genres of music. She is also a current member of New Orleans’ premier indie rock/electronic band Bionica as well as contemporary Brazilian jazz quintet Nova Nola. Sasha has been featured at New Orleans’ greatest music festivals, including Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, and Satchmo Festival, and performs regularly at legendary New Orleans clubs such as Snug Harbor, Blue Nile, Balcony Music Club, Mimi’s in the Marigny, Spotted Cat, Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, and many others.

]]> http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/sasha-masakowski-musical-playground-hit-the-high-notes-in-jazz-series/feed/ 0 http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/the-arts-council-evenings-of-intimate-jazz-series%e2%84%a2-final-3-shows/ http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/the-arts-council-evenings-of-intimate-jazz-series%e2%84%a2-final-3-shows/#comments Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:00:48 +0000 Lake Lanier CVB http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/?p=3967 Read More]]> Small tables, candle light, and the smooth sounds of jazz create the perfect atmosphere for one of The Arts Council’s most loved series, Evenings of Intimate Jazz™. Held in the beautiful Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, this six concert series features nationally recognized jazz artists in a quaint, intimate setting.

Tickets can be purchased by the performance or for the entire series. Click to purchase tickets online.
2010/2011 Evenings of Intimate Jazz Series™ Season

Sasha Masakowski & Musical Playground
March 12
8 PM
The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

Her traditional jazz/latin style earned her “Best Emerging Artist” (Big Easy Music Awards, 2010); and “Best Contemporary Jazz Album 2009.”
click for more information

Morgan Guerin Quartet
April 16
8 PM
The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

This 11 year-old saxophone and trumpet phenomenon will “blow you away.” Get ready to be amazed!
click for more information

Steve Cunningham Trio
May 13
8 PM
The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

Steve is a blend of jazz, rock, blues, and bluegrass. This soulful and introspective blend of styles is a favorite of all music lovers.
click for more information

‘A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline’

What: Arts Council Pearce Series

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Hosch Theatre, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville

Tickets: $28 adults, $25 seniors, $22 students; $98 to all three shows in the series; Arts Council members at $200 and above level receive a $20 discount

More info: 770-534-2787

ite Patsy Cline tribute stars America’s favorite Patsy Cline, Gainesville’s own,
Katie Deal. This happy, loving tribute to Country music’s most enduring superstar traces the
legendary singer’s rise from her hometown in Winchester, Virginia to the Grand Ole Opry,
Las Vegas and Carnegie Hall. Patsy Cline defined the term “crossover hit” by dominating
country, blues, pop and gospel charts simultaneously in the 1950’s and early ‘60’s. Features
twenty-one of Patsy’s greatest hits including Walkin’ After Midnight, Sweet Dreams, I Fall
to Pieces, Crazy, She’s Got You, Seven Lonely Days and the title song, A Closer Walk
with Thee.

Our Arts Council Pearce Series Corporate Sponsor:

*Discounted Series Tickets rate applies to Arts Council members who joined or join at
the $200 level or above between July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. ]]> http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/governor-deals-daughter-to-headline-arts-council-event/feed/ 0 http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/five-questions-with-monica-spears-jazz-singer/ http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/five-questions-with-monica-spears-jazz-singer/#comments Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:40:36 +0000 Lake Lanier CVB http://www.lakelaniercvb.com/?p=2425 Story by: Ashley Bates
Gainesville Times

For years, Monica Spears played with bands at nightspots, restaurants, festivals and fairs and lived the crooner lifestyle.

But now as a mother of three girls in Alto, she has changed the way she expresses her musical talent.

Spears branched out to jazz standards and torch melodies because “jazz is an art,” she said.

Now 37, she performs on the weekends to open the world up to the sound of jazz classics. Locally, Spears plays at nightspots and eateries at the downtown Gainesville square and in downtown Buford.

We caught up with Spears to talk about her musical background and how her love of jazz has kept her singing.

Question: What is your music background?
Answer: I started singing before talking, with records with the radio, my mother was surprised at my voice. She bought me a portable tape recorder and I took it everywhere with me. Then I began performing at family reunions … I never have been professionally trained.

Q: What is your favorite genre of music?
A: There’s nothing like the classics. The jazz standards have a way of telling a story. In early teens I fell in love with it. Is it more difficult to sing? Well, yes and no. Yes, in a sense that the vocal jazz is all about the vocals. Vocally it can be challenging … it is very expressive and very heart felt.

Q: What do you like about getting on stage and performing?
A: I love connecting with the audience. … It is about taking people back to another time.

Q: What singer/group influences you from the jazz standards and torch genre?
A: That’s like saying what’s my favorite ice cream. There are SO many, but legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Julie London as well as Sinatra and Tony Bennett. As far as current artists go, I am a huge fan of Diana Krall, Michael Buble and Eva Cassidy.

Q: You mentioned you recorded a song a couple of years ago in Nashville, Tenn. What was that experience like?
A: Actually that was an amazing experience — they (Imperial Records of Nashville) actually produced and recorded (“I Can’t Go On”). My style at the time was country … I never had that, my voice doesn’t fit that genre, but it was a blast; it was a great experience.
It was actually made into a duet, “I Can’t Go On,” performed by Ricky Hendrix.

Want to hear Monica? Come out to Scott’s on the Square, Gainesville most Friday and Saturday nights.
Check the entertainment schedule on Scott’s website by clicking HERE.

Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Pearce Auditorium
Brenau University
500 Washington Street SE
Gainesville, GA 30511

Contact the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra

Phone: (770) 532-5727

Website: www.gsomusic.com
E-Mail: info@gainesvillesymphony.com

Joel Chandler Harris’ tall tales have enchanted generations – bring out your little one to see his characters come alive on stage.

Event Date:

10/1/2010 7:30 PM to 10/8/2010 7:30 PM

Location:

Brenau University Pearce Auditorium. 1 Centennial Circle

Order tickets online: www.gainesvilletheateralliance.org or call 678.717.3624. Discounted and free t

Contact Information:

You will never find Another classic rock band like them. With great male & female vocals the hits are endless and the band members are musically amazing!

The members have shared the stage with “The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, MC5, Rick Derringer, Ratt, Helloween, Accept, Skid Row, Yngwie Malmsteen, Humble Pie, Jackyl, Zakk Wylde, Triumph and April Wine.

The Lake House Bar & Grill
5466 McEver Road
Flowery Branch

Reservations recommended: 770-967-4979

Event Date: 11/10/2009 thru 11/21/2009
Location: Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre in the John S. Burd Center, 429 Academy Street, Gainesville, GA 30501
Tickets: Adult $22.00
Student $16.00
Child (College & younger) $16.00
Senior (65 & over)