Arts and more in brief: Summer Jazz to open 21st season June 11

Date: 05.19.2005
Publication: Marblehead Reporter

The 21st season of Marblehead Summer Jazz will open its six-concert series June 11 and season ticket packages, as well as individual tickets, are now on sale.

This season’s series brings back two favorites from the past. Jazz vocalist Rebecca Parris returns for her 21st summer performance and singer-songwriter-pianist Mose Allison returns after a smashing performance in August 2004. Both have been sell-out performers in past seasons.

Joining them in the series to kick things off June 11 is San Francisco jazz vocalist Kitty Margolis. Very well-established on the West Coast and on her way to a weeklong engagement at the prestigious Jazz au Bar Club in New York City, this will be Kitty’s first performance in the Boston area.

“I think of Kitty as the ‘Rebecca Parris’ of San Francisco,” series producer Gene Arnould says. “She has a huge following there, as Rebecca does here, and as with Rebecca, the word is spreading.”

Also on the summer bill are trumpeter and composer Tom Harrell and his Quintet. Harrell has many recordings to his credit with his own group and for years played with the legendary alto saxophonist Phil Woods.

Another legend comes to Marblehead Aug. 6 when saxophonist Frank Morgan brings his quartet to town. Morgan was a protégé of the great Charlie Parker and now in his seventies is playing better than ever.

Finally, guitarist, singer and songwriter Doug Wamble brings his quartet to the Marblehead series. Wamble, a youngster in comparison to his compatriots on the roster, has played with both Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr. and Cassandra Wilson. And he is one of the few artists Marsalis has chosen to record on his new record label, Marsalis Music. Wamble’s second release on that label went on sale last week.

All concerts are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. Seating is limited and the space is handicapped-accessible.