In this show, Cold Spring Jazz Quartet showcases the full range of Charles Mingus’s work, punctuating the selections with humorous, informative stories about the man and his music.

Virtuoso bassist, innovative bandleader, composer of genius and legendary jazz character, Charles Mingus was a man driven by many passions. His music is as varied and passionate as his personality, embracing everything from joyous gospel (“Better Get Hit in Your Soul”) and a myriad of blues, all the way to quasi-classical suites like “Sue’s Changes,” political commentaries such as “Fables of Faubus,” and tender tributes to his musical heroes (“Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love,” “Reincarnation of a Lovebird”). We’ll also present vocal versions of some tunes, featuring lyrics by luminaries like Joni Mitchell (“The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines”), Elvis Costello (“Jelly Roll”), Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (“Devil Blues”) and Mingus himself.

If you haven’t been officially introduced to this amazing jazz artist’s work, or if you’re already a Mingus maven, this is your chance to celebrate his music. Come on out, tap your feet, clap your hands, and feed your brain!
October 16th, 2015 7:30-9:30
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Tickets: 410-752-4515 or visit ticket source.

Virtuoso bassist, innovative bandleader, composer of genius and legendary jazz character, Charles Mingus was a man driven by many passions. Mingus’s music is as varied and passionate as his personality, running the gamut from joyous gospel and a multitude of blues all the way to quasi-classical suites, political commentaries, and tender tributes to his musical heroes. In this show, Cold Spring Jazz Quartet showcases the full range of Mingus’s work, punctuating the selections with humorous, informative stories about the man and his music. Come on out, tap your feet, clap your hands, and feed your brain!
October 16th, 2015 7:30-9:30
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Tickets: 410-752-4515 or visit ticket source.

Cold Spring Jazz Quartet will be appearing at 49 West, Annapolis’s finest coffeehouse and wine bar, on Friday, July 10th, from 8-11 pm. It’s a great place to listen to music while enjoying your favorite beverage. Get tickets by calling 410-752-4515. Hope you can join us!

By popular demand, we’re reprising our Horace Silver show. Come on out to Germano’s on May 29th and enjoy an evening of delicious Italian food, cool beverages, and scintillating Silver songs.

Open for dinner at 6; the music starts at 7:30, at Germano’s Piattini, 300 St. High St., in Baltimore’s Little Italy. Call 410-752-4515 for reservations, or click here for tickets.

I’ll be appearing on Chesapeake Collectibles, talking about the Louis G. and Shirley Hecht collection of jazz records now housed at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. This collection is amazing: it contains most of the significant jazz records of the 20s to the 40s, and even a copy of the very first jazz hit, “Livery Stable Blues.” The show airs at 8 pm on Maryland Public Television this Thursday, April 2nd. Tune in and find out more about this collection and jazz history!

Pianist, bandleader and composer Horace Silver was a pivotal figure in modern jazz: as a co-founder of the Jazz Messengers, he was one of the main inventors of hard bop. Silver’s work looked backward and forward, as he both returned jazz to its roots in blues and gospel and introduced novel rhythms and moods to the music. No matter the style, Silver’s tunes feature memorable melodies and a contagious beat. Many of his works, such as “Song for My Father,” “Doodlin,’” “The Jody Grind,” “Peace,” and “Nica’s Dream,” have become jazz standards. CSJQ will perform these favorites, vocals and instrumentals, along with several equally great but less-known tunes, in this all-Silver show. Come on out and let CSJQ—and Horace—blow your blues away!

I’ve just finished reading Silver’s autobiography and will share some entertaining stories from his fascinating life. Hope you can make it!

April 3, 2015
7:30 pm
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Baltimore
410-752-2515
Click here for tickets

CSJQ’s new CD, Warming Trend, is now available for purchase. Click here to sample tracks, download songs, or purchase the entire CD.

I’ll be on WEAA-FM’s “Morning Blend” this Thursday, Nov. 13th, starting at 7 am. If you’re up early, turn your radio to 88.1, where you’ll hear me talk with Robert Shahid about Cold Spring Jazz Quartet’s new CD, Warming Trend.

Cold Spring Jazz Quartet is thrilled to announce the release of their latest CD, Warming Trend. The new disc shows the group taking off in new directions.

• Anthony Villa boosts the band’s straightahead chops.
• Mark Osteen’s new compositions showcase the group’s mastery of many styles.
• Four originals feature lyrics by award-winning poet Ned Balbo.
• Guest artist Joel Michael-Schwartz adds that Gypsy sound to “Aubade.”

Join us for the release party on Nov. 14th, 2014, at Germano’s Piattini. The music starts at 7:30. You can hear all the tunes and can get your autographed copy of Warming Trend!

Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-752-4515
Tickets $10. http://germanospiattini.com/events/

Here’s a sneak preview of the CD cover.

CSJQ CD Cover

My band, Cold Spring Jazz Quartet, has an exciting couple of months ahead.

On October 2nd, we’ll be performing at Baltimore’s grand movie palace, the Senator Theater,  before the screening of Singin’ in the Rain. We’ll be setting the mood with some standards from that period. We hit at 6:30, and the movie starts at 7 pm. On October 10th, we will reprise our successful show “Night Songs: The Music of Film Noir,” at An die Musik Live! in Baltimore. Walk down the mean streets with us as we perform songs identified with the hard-boiled detectives and slinky femmes fatale of film noir. This show features evocative music, film clips, and introductions by me. Don’t miss this unique multi-media event! The show begins at 8 pm. For tickets, click here.

And on November 14th, we’re hosting a release party for our new CD, Warming Trend, at Germano’s in Little Italy. The disc, recorded at Secret Sound here in Baltimore features several new originals, including four with lyrics by award-winning poet Ned Balbo. The planet is warming up, and so is Cold Spring Jazz Quartet—but in a good way!

Come on out, listen to the new tunes and get your autographed copy! The music starts at 7:30. Germano’s is located at 300 S. High St in Baltimore. For tickets, call 410-752-4515 or click here.