Wednesday, October 22, 2003
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Wednesday, October 22, 2003 |
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Offshoot ties jazz and blues together with coffeehouse scene By MICHAEL
BOYLAN It seems that the days of going to a coffeehouse and catching a cool set of jazz or blues are in the past, somewhere with Maynard G. Krebs and his bongos. Offshoot Productions is changing that, at least for a weekend, as they present a Jazz and Blues Weekend as part of their Stars on the Southern Crescent coffee house series. The event gets started on Friday, Oct. 24 with performances by blues performer/composer Ray Chesna, cabaret singer Janet Metzger and smooth jazz vocalist Oscar Sheppard. Chesna has appeared at several past coffee house events, as well as in clubs in Atlanta and New York. Metzger has performed at the Kennedy Center as part of the Millenium Series and has also performed for 18 months at The Hot Club in Atlanta. She also starred in ART Station’s production of “Always...Patsy Cline.” Sheppard is an Emmy nominated composer who has also performed with The Manhattans and Curtis Mayfield among others. He was a finalist on BET’s “Jazz Discovery” and was featured on the internationally aired “Jazz Showcase.” There is no drop off the next night when Urban Blu, Extension and Father to Son take the stage. Urban Blu is an eight piece outfit that unites jazz with funk. Urban Blu consists of three female vocalists with a five instrumentalists. They released a CD, “Out of the Blu,” last May and have won over audiences everywhere. Extension is a three man jazz band, filling the slot left open by the Jennifer Perry Combo. Father to Son will perform an “emerging talent” set. Father to Son consist of Coweta County residents Bob and Andrew Clockel. Aside from a short appearance at A Major Music in Newnan, this is their first public performance. They play acoustic blues/folk in the vein of Jorma Kaukonen and the Jack Casady Combo. The Jazz and Blues Weekend will take place at the Fayette Family YMCA, located at 215 Huiet Road, Fayetteville.? Doors open at 7:45 p.m. each evening, and the show starts at 8:15.? The menu features home-baked desserts, gourmet coffee, herbal tea, cold drinks and hot apple cider.? Patrons who use their own mugs get a discount on hot beverages and are eligible for the “Most Unusual Mug” award.?? Admission, paid at the door, is $8 ($6 for senior citizens and children twelve and younger.) Stars on the Southern Crescent, now in its tenth season, is presented by Offshoot Productions.? For group rates and additional information, call Offshoot at 770-631-2362 or send e-mail to offshootpr@aol.com. |
