Yes, it’s cold and snowy outside now, but what better time to start thinking about great jazz and fabulous friends. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone for Jazz in the Meadow 2007. This site will keep you up to date with the plannings and preparations of July 14, 2007.
So check out the site to see photos and video from the previous Jazz in the Meadow, to find out more about the very talented musicians, or just to dream of warm and sunny weather. Enjoy and begin the countdown.
Welcome to Jazz in the Meadow 2007!
The idea of Jazz in the Meadow started as a dream some years ago. The genesis was a love of jazz combined with a desire to have a gathering of people we admire, respect, and love.
The Bartlett family had a jazz get-together two years ago when we celebrated “Milestones” in our family. We enjoyed it so much and it was so well received that we decided to do it again. This year we are joined again by Benny Benedum in hosting the afternoon and we have extended the musical portion of the program.
As we discussed a theme, Benny and I considered our friendship of 40 years and our great love of jazz – ergo “Friendship and Jazz” became the theme. The best way we could express our thanks to our friends was to have this garden party and entertain them with great jazz. It is our hope that our guests can share this feeling of love and appreciation of friends and jazz – and the nurturing of both.
The afternoon of music starts at 1 pm with the Mike Tomaro quintet. This quintet is comprised of gifted musicians. The leader, Mike Tomaro, is a musical Renaissance man. He heads the Jazz Studies at Duquesne University and he is a composer, arranger, writer, an educator, a recording artist, and an adjudicator at jazz seminars. The other members of the quintet read like a “who’s who” of jazz musicians. All are stars in their own realm. They have appeared on many recording and are in demand locally and nationally.
At 4:30 pm after a short intermission, the Frank Cunimondo trio will take the stage to entertain with their stylish and lyrical presentation of America’s classical music – Jazz. Frank is a legend on the jazz scene having performed nationally and internationally. Locally, Frank has become the standard by which jazz pianists are judged. He is the dean of Pittsburgh’s jazz pianists and taught many of the region’s renowned piano artists. He has recorded about 20 albums, including a CD that was #1 on the Jazz list in Paris just a few years ago.
The trio is made up of Patrick Crossley, a bassist of great talent, and Tom Wendt on drums. Tom is an early winner of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society’s scholarship award. Patrick and Tom have played at many jazz venues in the region. They are the perfect complement to the talented piano mastery of Frank. They will perform as a finale of what we hope will be a pleasant summer afternoon.
Brooks & Helen Bartlett