Artists

Artists

Since its inception in the spring of 1995 the Berman Music Foundation has provided funding for a growing number of jazz artists, for their recordings and for special concert appearances in Lincoln, Nebraska, and throughout the Midwest.

Below is a select list of those artists in alphabetical order. Click on the artist's name to see photos and to read what the BMF has written about them in interviews, concert previews, concert reviews and CD reviews.

Greg Abate
Saxophonist Greg Abate and trumpeter Claudio Roditi were accompanied by pianist Phil DeGreg, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Todd Strait in a February 1996 performance at the 7th Street Loft in Lincoln, Neb. In April 1997 he returned to perform at Ebenezer's and conduct a workshop at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His quartet was one of the featured acts at the 2003 Jazz in June series in Lincoln. He returned to Lincoln as a guest soloist with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra in March 2005.

Monty Alexander

Pianist Monty Alexander and his trio performed in March 2002 at the Royal Grove in Lincoln, Neb. He also appeared several times at the Topeka Jazz Festival when it received major funding from the BMF.

Karrin Allyson

Singer Karrin Allyson made her first Lincoln appearance in March 1995 at the Zoo Bar. Subsequently, she also performed at the Zoo Bar and Huey's in Lincoln, Neb. In November 2001, she performed a concert with a classical string section at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Neb.

Charlie Burton

George Cables

Pianist George Cables and his trio performed in June 2002 at a Jazz in June concert in Lincoln, Neb. In March 2005, he played a solo performance in Topeka, Kan., as part of the Berman Jazz Series.

Joe Cartwright

Pianist Joe Cartwright and his trio performed in November 2001 at P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb.

Eldar Djangirov

Pianist Eldar Djangirov and his trio performed in June 2001 at a Jazz in June concert in Lincoln, Neb. Djangirov returned to Lincoln as a guest soloist with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra in May 2002 and again in January 2003. He returned to the Jazz in June lineup in June 2004. He has performed at the Topeka Jazz Festival since its inception in 1998.

Giacomo Gates

The Berman Music Foundation first saw singer Giacomo Gates perform at the 2004 Topeka Jazz Festival. He was hired by artistic director Butch Berman to return to Topeka for the 2005 festival. He later appeared in Lincoln, Neb., with the Joe Cartwright Trio in April 2006 and returned to that city as a featured vocalist with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra for a performance in April 2007.

Jerry Hahn

Guitarist Jerry Hahn conducted a workshop at Dietze Music House in Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 22, 2005. Two days later Hahn performed a concert with bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Tommy Ruskin at P.O. Pears in Lincoln.

Norman Hedman

A longtime associate of the BMF, Norman Hedman first performed in Lincoln, Neb., with Andrienne Wilson and Tropique in June 1997 at a Jazz in June concert. In March 1999, the BMF funded a CD release party for Hedman's recording "One Step Closer" at the Blue Note in New York City. The BMF also funded a CD release party for "Taken by Surprise" in November 2000 at the Jazz Standard in New York City. Norman Hedman's Tropique returned to Lincoln, Neb., in March 2001 for a performance at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. They returned for another Jazz in June concert in June 2003. The BMF executive produced "One Step Closer" and "Taken by Surprise."

Hot Club of San Francisco

First performing in Lincoln, Neb., with singer Barbara Dane at the Zoo Bar in October 1995, under the name The Quintet of the Hot Club of San Francisco, this band has had a longtime relationship with the BMF. They returned to Lincoln in 2002 for the Jazz in June concert series and appeared again for Jazz in June in 2006. The group also performed at the 2005 Topeka Jazz Festival, under the artistic direction of Butch Berman.

Sheila Jordan & Cameron Brown

Singer Sheila Jordan and bassist Cameron Brown performed a duo concert in March 2003 at Westbrook Recital Hall in Lincoln, Neb.

Stan Kessler

Stan Kessler and the Sons of Brasil performed at the 2002 Jazz in June concert in Lincoln, Neb. Stan Kessler was featured at the 2005 Topeka Jazz Festival.

Russ Long

Pianist Russ Long performed with his trio in February 2002 at P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Neb. The trio was a featured act in the Berman Jazz Series in Topeka, Kan. in November 2004. The BMF also executive produced the trio's CD "Never Let Me Go." In 2006, the BMF made it possible for Long's compositions to be preserved and recorded on "Time to Go: The Music of Russ Long."

Ivan Paduart

Pianist Ivan Paduart of Brussels, Belgium, performed with bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Todd Strait on Sept. 12, 2002, at P.O. Pears, Lincoln, Neb.

Claudio Roditi

Trumpeter Claudio Roditi and saxophonist Greg Abate were accompanied by pianist Phil DeGreg, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Todd Strait in a performance at the 7th Street Loft in Lincoln, Nebraska, in February 1996. He returned in March 2004 as a guest soloist with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra. Roditi was prominently featured at the 2005 Topeka Jazz Festival.

Rob Scheps

The Rob Scheps-Zach Brock Quintet performed at P.O. Pears in Lincoln, Nebraska, in January 2004. The band returned for a performance at the same venue in October 2004. Saxophonist Scheps was a featured player at the 2005 Topeka Jazz Festival. He returned to Lincoln with the Rob Scheps Core-tet in October 2005 for a performance at the Cafe de Mai.

Kendra Shank

Singer Kendra Shank performed with her quartet at the 2004 Jazz in June series in Lincoln, Neb. The Kendra Shank Quartet, with pianist Frank Kimbrough, bassist Dean Johnson and drummer Tony Moreno, returned for the 2007 Jazz in June series for a tribute to Abbey Lincoln.

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