Is This Jazz?: Autumn in Rhode Island

As leaves begin to fall, we tend to get caught in the nostalgia of summer, but if we only look behind us we end up missing the bounty of great music ahead. Fall is a time of celebration in New England with crisp air, trees engulfed in explosions of color, cups of warm apple cider and some of the best jazz around coming through. While there is always a ton of great jazz happening around the state, here’s a quick glimpse at the next few months.

Starting us off on September 9 is Charge The Atlantic and Four Agreements at AS220 (Providence). While not necessarily jazz in the strictest sense, there’s plenty of jazz-based knowledge and skill put to the test behind each group’s mind-bending charts. For those with a taste for smooth, September 23 at the Park Theatre (Cranston) Earl Kluge takes the stage with special guest Grace Kelly. Since 1976 Kluge has been redefining the classical guitar sound in jazz, and the sensational Kelly only sweetens the deal with her award-winning style. Local icon Greg Abate returns to Chan’s (Woonsocket) on September 24 for a tribute to his long-time friend, the late Phil Woods. Prepare for an evening of whirlwind saxophone playing and dynamic music courtesy of Abate’s quartet. Like pop music but want it performed in a jazz/ragtime/swing style? Join Postmodern Jukebox at The Vets (Providence) on September 29, for a night of genre-busting arrangements. Support local artists and their original works on October 7 for the next “Is This Jazz?” concert series at AS220 (Providence) featuring the Alex Han Quintet and the Ben Marcoux quartet. Both contain some of most burning, brilliant young talent around. The next day, October 8, head to the Jamestown Arts Center (Jamestown) for the release of RI’s own Francisco Pais’ Lotus Project’s latest offering Verde. Dan Bilawsky at allaboutjazz.com raves that Pais “has managed to create something completely in line with today’s borderless musical world. Other guitarist-composers may be green with envy after encountering the wonderful music on Verde.” Finally, head back to The Vets (Providence) on December 8 to check out the incredible Norah Jones playing music from her latest album Day Breaks alongside many other wonderful tunes.

Keep checking back for more shows and catch all the great jazz that’s already happening around town:

The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra; Mondays @ The Met (Pawtucket)

Is This Jazz?; first Friday, bimonthly @ AS220 (Providence) isthisjazz.tumblr.com

Joe Potenza; Fridays @ Tarragon Bar (Providence)

Groove Merchants; Mondays @ Fifth Element (Newport)

Jazz Jam;Tuesdays @ Ten Rocks (Pawtucket)

Parlour Jazz Jam; third Sunday, monthly @ The Parlour (Providence)

Matunuck Beach Hot Jazz Party; Mondays @ The Ocean Mist (Matunuck)

Travis Colby & Friends Jazz Brunch; Sundays @ Dorrance (Providence)

The Ed Tomassi Group; fourth Sunday, monthly @ The Parlour (Providence)

Richard Hundley Trio/Quartet; Thursday’s @ Cassarino’s (Providence)

To add your listing please email isthisjazzri@gmail.com.

Ben Shaw is a local composer, performer, writer, and podcaster. Dig into his works at ahueofshaw.tumblr.com or find him on Twitter @ahueofshaw.