Bria Skonberg now has a manager - DSW Entertainment - which she says will help to further her ambitious career. Her April schedule took her coast-to-coast and included a concert and workshop in her hometown of Chilliwack, B.C., Canada, and appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro in the Big Easy.
She and fellow co-founder Molly Ryan, are gearing up for their New York Hot Jazz Camp (May 17-22), saying, "We still have a few spots open for piano, bass and drums." In addition to receiving top-flight instruction on their instruments, the students will visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens and perform at the famed Iridium jazz club.
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After 14 years heading up the San Diego Jazz Party, Dave Cooper has stepped down as president and been succeeded by Board member Dan Reid, who anticipates a smooth transition leading up to the 2017 event the weekend of February 24-25 at the Hilton Hotel in Del Mar. Cooper will continue on the Board as treasurer.
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NO APRIL FOOL. It was 35 years ago on April 1, 1981 that Banu Gibson formed her first band, which had its first gig at Eddie Bayard's Jazz Alley on Bourbon Street.
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Also celebrating an anniversary in April was Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band. Bill writes: "We left Church Street in 1990 and appeared in several jazz festivals, but could not use
