Jazz at the Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, located on Main Street in Torrington in the heart of the Litchfield Hills of northwest Connecticut will continue on Friday, March 14 when the Matt DeChamplain Trio hits the stage. Matt’s love of classic jazz piano is rooted in a profound love of the early jazz masters. What makes him unique is his application of early jazz piano devices created by Ragtime, Blues and Stride musicians. He has had the privilege of playing or sitting in with jazz legends Dave Brubeck, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Barry Harris, John Benitez, Dena DeRose, Randy Johnson, Rene McLean and Victor Lewis.
The Warner has schedule additional Jazz Performances in May, June and July:
Thursday, May 1 with Giacomo Gates:Giacomo Gates does more than sing “a bunch of songs.” He is truly an entertainer, for all ages and styles, as audiences enjoy the music, the interaction on the bandstand between him and his musicians, the spontaneity, the humor, the stories about the music and composers, along with their relation to everyday life.
Friday, June 6 with the Albert Rivera Organ Trio:Contemporary, smooth, and eclectic – three words that just begin to describe Albert Rivera, “a modern Jazz Messenger” with one of the most exciting and sought-after saxophone sounds in today’s jazz scene.
Friday, July 18 with the Arti Dixson Group:Arti began working at the Foxwoods Casino as a house drummer where he played with many of the groups that came there including Harry Connick, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Connie Francis and Ray Cousins until he put his own band together. He has recorded many albums and CDs with a host of singers and musicians from Boston to Philadelphia. He is currently playing percussion on a project written by Cuban composer Jorge Martin with Yehuda Hananni on cello and Bill Schimmel on accordion scheduled to be recorded in November as well as his own solo project.
Tickets for jazz at the Warner are $35, $40 and can be purchased by calling 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org. Buy all four shows for the price of three.
About the Warner Theater
Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as “Connecticut’s Most Beautiful Theatre.” Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre.
The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat studio theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed.
Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA’s mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website: http://www.warnertheatre.org.
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