The online box office for this event is closed. Tickets will be available at the venue at 6:30pm
Award-winning vocalist Alexis Cole may be the best-kept secret in jazz, a status that’s certain to change as more people are discovering her for themselves. Indeed, a dozen albums into her career, she has become a sought-after international performer. She’s appeared with her trio, with whom she both plays piano and sings, and is a frequent guest with big bands and pops orchestras including the Boston Pops and the Detroit Symphony. This capstone concert of the 2023 Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend marks her debut with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra, one of the most exciting big bands in the northeast.
Alexis’ 2021 release “Sky Blossom” features arrangements written for her while serving in the Army as the vocalist for the West Point Jazz Knights Big Band. That recording provides much of the music for the vocal portion of the concert with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra.
Alexis’ recent appearances have been at celebrated venues like The Carlyle, Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Blue Note. She also contributed a guest turn on pianist Harold Mabern’s star-studded album Afro Blue, alongside the likes of fellow guests Norah Jones, Gregory Porter, and Jane Monheit. This will be her debut with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra.
The Amherst Jazz Orchestra is a professional big band whose mission is to explore and preserve the music of America's original art form. Formed in 1996 by trombonist, arranger and leader Dave Sporny, the AJO membership includes the finest jazz musicians in the northeast. The 17-piece ensemble has had distinguished guest conductors such as Gunther Schuller, Herb Pomeroy, David Berger and Andrew Homzy. In addition to backing Alexis Cole, tonight’s concert will feature the AJO’s unique treatment of familiar and original big band selections.
There's not a bad seat in the house, at the Lee Meeting House (a.k.a. Lee Congregational Church), in downtown Lee, Mass., "the Gateway to the Berkshires." Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the show.