Jazz guitarist Bill Washer, formerly of the Poconos and now of Lehigh Valley, said he enjoys the ‘sophistication of jazz.’ He’ll perform at Cafe Toscana during the Cavalcade of Jazz Festival in Wilkes-Barre.
Submitted photo
Cavalcade will bring 10 concerts to 9 venues
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
The Marko Marcinko Jazz Combo performed on Thursday, with Marcinko on keyboard, at the Circle Centre for the Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Marcinko will be directing the Cavalcade of Jazz Big Band on May 4 at the F.M. Kirby Center, in one of 10 performances at nine venues, scheduled for a May 3-May 5 jazz festival in Wilkes-Barre
Mary Therese Biebel | Times Leader
As the Marko Marcinko Jazz Combo played at the Wyoming Valley Art League’s Circle Centre for the Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Thursday evening, jazz fan Sherry Emershaw of Dallas took a moment to explain why she counted herself lucky to be in the audience.
“It’s very, very soothing,” she said. “It’s very relaxing after a tough day.”
“There are all different genres (of jazz), some are upbeat, some are bluesy,” she said. “I find it very relaxing, and I like the simplicity, too.”
“This is a great mix with the horn and strings (and Marko Marcinko on keyboard),” she added. “I like the way they complement each other.”
Emershaw had come with a friend, Judith Olaviany of Harding, who was experiencing her first jazz concert. She said it won’t be her last.
“I am so enjoying it,” she said. “It’s beautiful.”
Both women are planning to attend at least some of the concerts in the Cavalcade of Jazz Festival, set for May 3-5 in downtown Wilkes-Barre. And whether you’re a jazz newbie like Olaviany or a long-time fan like Emershaw, you’re bound to find something you’ll like at the festival.
Now, if you think the festival is a concert at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, you’re right.
But it’s much more. In addition to a 5:30 p.m. May 3 performance by the Joe Michaels Trio at the F.M. Kirby Center and a 6:30 p.m. May 4 performance by Arturo Sandoval and the Cavalcade of Jazz Big Band, which is also at the F.M. Kirby Center, and which Marcinko will direct, there will be performances by other artists at eight other venues.
Jazz fans and potential fans can look forward to:
• Tim Husty of the Lush Life Ensemble performing 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. May 3 at Bank + Vine restaurant, corner of South Main and Ross streets, Wilkes-Barre.
• Bill Washer performing 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 3 at Cafe Toscana, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.
• Mike Stevens performing 7 to 9 p.m. May 3 at Rodano’s, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.
• Erin Malloy and Jimmy Waltich performing 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. May 3 at Diamond City Vault Bar & Grill, West Market Street, Wilkes-Barre.
• South Side Five performing 8 to 10 p.m. May 3 at Senunas’ Bar & Grill, North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
• Brendan Brisk Band performing 9 to 11 p.m. May 3 at Franklin’s, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.
• The Williams Brothers performing 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 4 at Abide Coffeehouse, corner of West Market and North Franklin streets, Wilkes-Barre.
• Arturo Sandoval with the Cavalcade of Jazz Big Band, directed by Marko Marcinko, performing 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 4 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.
• Jost Project and Scott Edmunds performing 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at the Stegmaier Mansion on South Franklin Street.