I am very excited for this upcoming concert with a new project featuring Mariel Bildsten, Simón Willson and myself. We will be performing this Friday 1/11/2019 in West Lawn, PA at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education. The concert will feature my arrangements of some classic jazz repertoire as well as originals and perhaps a few surprises. It has been a rewarding challenge to rework the music for this ensemble of saxophone/clarinet, trombone and bass (in many instances reduced from a big band conception.) We will try to capture and feature the depth and beauty of each instrument in this context. More info and tickets below.
The following day we will participate in a wonderful program called GetJazzED which is a great opportunity for middle and high school jazz musicians to work with professionals in a stress-free environment. I am a product of these programs myself. More than 10 years ago (has it been that long?), I began attending the monthly “Berks Jazz Jam” at the old location of Zeswitz’ Music where I got to jam with professionals from all over Pennsylvania and learn the old-fashioned way of trial by fire. Not only did I play with great musicians but the jam also had a CD library that allowed me exposure to the jazz greats. These experiences led me to get more involved in the great jazz scene in Berks County and fueled my desire to become a professional jazz musician. Now it is my turn to give back to the Berks County community, I’ll admit it’s strange to be on the “other side.” I feel old…lol.
There is an article coming out in the “Weekend” section of the Reading Eagle next Thursday in which I talk about the project and growing up in the rich jazz scene of Berks County. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences.
Anyway, we hope to see a lot of familiar faces next Friday at the new Yocum Institute location.
Downbeat is at 7:30pm and tickets are $10 at the door or available online here: https://yocumartsevents.ticketleap.com/jazz-in-the-gallery…/
For folks outside of the Berks Co. area there is a possibility I will live stream the concert on Facebook.
Thanks for reading,
Nathan
PRESS: NATHAN BELLOTT TRIO TO PERFORM SPECIAL JAZZ CONCERT AT YOCUM INSTITUTE FOR ARTS EDUCATION ON FRIDAY, JAN. 11 ——————————————————————————————— Saxophonist Nathan Bellott is coming home to be part of a weekend of jazz on January 11-12. On Friday, Jan. 11, the Nathan Bellott Trio, featuring Mariel Bilstein and Simon Willson, will perform at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education located at 3000 Penn Avenue in West Lawn. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 / available online or at the door! https://yocumartsevents.ticketleap.com/jazz-in-the…/ Bellott, a Berks native now living in New York City, will showcase a new project, featuring an interesting and rarely used instrumentation: saxophone, trombone and bass. The ensemble will perform Bellott’s arrangements of songs from the Great American Songbook, as well as jazz standards (and perhaps a few original compositions). The subtraction of percussion allows the musicians to give you a fresh take on these timeless classics. Their influences include Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and many others of the 20th century. On Saturday, Jan. 12, Bellott, Bilstein and Willson will be featured clinicians at the Get JazzED Instrumental Day at Wyomissing Jr./Sr. High School. Get JazzED is the educational organization for the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. At the clinic, promising young jazz musicians from Berks and beyond will have the opportunity to get coaching from professional jazz musicians in several areas. As a product of these programs nearly a decade ago, Bellott is deeply committed to giving back to Berks music students.
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