The Cathy Chemi Trio joins us for this Wednesday’s show.
About the artists:
Cathy Chemi was born in New York to a pianist mother and began her singing career in her late teens. She is best known for her association with big band leader Harry James, with whom she toured the U.S. and Europe in the late '60s and early '70s. Cathy was a vocal soloist with the jazz groups in all the Playboy Clubs in the U.S. and spent time in Las Vegas sharing the stage with Red Buttons and Earl "Fatha" Hines. She also recorded demos with Frank Loesser of "Guys and Dolls" fame and Meredith Wilson ("Music Man"). Chemi's discography includes a recording, “You & I”, with Steve Rudolph & Paul Langosch on R&L Records, a live album with the Harry James Orchestra, recorded at the Hollywood Palladium and the Royal Festival Hall (London), and a recent reissue with Harry James on CD. She is currently vocalist with the Harrisburg Jazz Collective and teaches at Kutztown University.
JJ Shakur is originally from Los Angeles CA and was born into a musical family. His father, Gerald Wiggins, was a major jazz pianist and winner of the L.A. Music Award. J.J. began playing professionally at age 10 and toured internationally with the Craig Hundley trio at age 12, appearing several times on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. At age 17 he began touring with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and continues to perform with them today. He also tours the world with Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander and the trombonist Al Grey, among others. Wiggins also played on the soundtrack to the 1989 film, "The Fabulous Baker Boys."
Steve Rudolph has had an inspiring career in his 50+ years of professional music making. Jazz improv magazine states, “Rudolph is a savvy, swinging, glimmering heavyweight...simply outstanding.” With twenty acclaimed CDs as a leader, he has served as producer, arranger and performer on many recordings including sessions with Johnny Coles, Ali Ryerson, Matt Wilson, and Roger Humphries. His vast experience encompasses concert performances with many jazz masters including Louie Belson, Clark Terry, Terry Gibbs, Al Grey, and The Mills Brothers. Steve has toured throughout the U.S., India, Europe, Canada, Russia and the Caribbean. At home he is the leader of many ensembles including the Harrisburg Jazz Collective. His latest recording features him as pianist in the acoustic trio, DayDream, with Phil Haynes and Drew Gress. Currently a Yamaha keyboard artist, he is in demand as a clinician and performer. Since moving to Harrisburg in 1978 to perform with his jazz trio and guest artists six nights a week at the Holiday Inn Town, he has been largely responsible for the growth and development of the thriving jazz scene in Central PA. His devotion to the art of jazz inspired him to found the Central PA Friends of Jazz, now in its 41st successful year of monthly concerts, youth band, jazz camp, and annual central pa jazz festival. Steve was the recipient of the 2002 Harrisburg Arts Award for dedication to the arts and community service . Steve is well known in central pa for his 22 yearlong job as house pianist for the jazz programming at the Hilton Harrisburg. His detailed recording and touring information may be found at www.steverudolph.com.
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Jazz shows are free.
First-come, first-seated. Please check in with the hosts.
We ask that guests not move tables or save seats.
The floor offers an up-close view from the floor of the Listening Room, and the upstairs mezzanine offers a spot overlooking the floor.