For more than 40 years Len Grazier was recognized as one of the premier jazz pianists on the Delmarva Peninsula. Upon relocating to Maryland from New York City in 1962, he founded the Shore Jazz ensemble and made the promotion and preservation of American jazz music a lifelong pursuit.
Since Grazier’s passing in 2005, Shore Jazz has continued that tradition under the guidance of Mike McShane and John Ewart. The ensemble draws from a regional group of talented musicians, performing a variety of jazz styles, ranging from traditional and swing to Latin sambas and bossa novas. The emphasis is on performing improvisational versions of classic American standards written by such legendary composers as Cole Porter, the Gershwins, A.C. Jobim, Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Dizzy Gillespie and many others.
On Friday, Nov. 6, Béseme on Second and Market streets in Lewes will host Shore Jazz performing as an instrumental trio, featuring John Ewart on saxophone, clarinet and flute; Joe Holt on piano; and Mike McShane on drums and percussion.
Ewart enjoys playing a variety of styles from blues to zydeco, but his main focus is on classic jazz from the 1920s and 1930s through the 1970s. He has performed at a variety of local venues, around the U.S. and internationally. He is a frequent visitor and performer in New Orleans and has been a regular on the Eastern Shore jazz scene for more than 15 years.
Holt is a classically trained improvisational jazz pianist with a unique and diverse musical background. His career spans more than 30 years. He has performed throughout the U.S. at jazz concerts and festivals. He also has a successful solo career and a weekly radio program on WKDI 840 AM, serving eastern Maryland and southern Delaware.
McShane performed and recorded with several bands in New York City’s avant-garde music scene. After relocating to southern Delaware in the mid 1990s, he made the transition to straight-ahead jazz. His versatility playing congas and a drum kit has made him the drummer of choice for many of the regional jazz combos.
For information and reservations call 302-645-8108 or visit beseme.biz
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