Benefit Jazz It Up! Bobby Thursday at KPC

Emcee Ken Wiley (KPLU’s “The Art of Jazz”), vocalists Stephanie Porter, Bernie Jacobs and dancers Kevin Buster and Tim Hickey join the Full Circle Jazz Ensemble and deliver some of Bob Hammer’s best arrangements in this production at the Kirkland Performance Center on Thursday Nov. 10, 2011 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  This concert will serve as a fundraiser for the 81-year-old jazz giant, Bob Hammer. 

Pianist Bob Hammer has had a major hand in the American jazz scene for over sixty years. He has arranged and played for legends such as Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, and Charles Mingus (Mingus referred to Bob as his, “Beethoven”).  

Keynote Speaker and emcee Ken Wiley of KPLU’s ‘the Art of Jazz’, will add his expert introductions and titillating historical notes to the pieces during the evening.  

• Emcee Ken Wiley will be joined by Stephanie Porter & Bernie Jacobs - vocals 
• The Full Circle Jazz Ensemble, 11 piece with: Nathaniel Paul-Schleimer (band leader/woodwinds)
• Eric Verlinde - piano
• Andy Zadrozny - bass
• Garey Williams - drums
• Jack Klitzman and Galen Green (Nearly Dan) - woodwinds
• Bobby Medina and Ron Barrow - trumpets
• Bill Anthony - trombone
• Johnny Conga - percussion
• Frank Seeberger - guitar  

In addition, lindy hop dancer and horn player Kevin Buster joins tap dancer Tim Hickey to round out the evening with some energetic lindy hop and tap dance.  Kevin Buster is responsible for a super hot sax solo in award winning music video “Black Coffee” from the Carless Lovers and director Joon Chang.