True Blue Jazz series returns to Rehoboth Beach

True Blue Jazz, an independent, nonprofit jazz series produced by Eddie Sherman and Peggy Raley, will return to Rehoboth Beach Oct. 14-17 for four nights of live straight-ahead jazz.  

A series of tour de force performances by top-notch regional and international artists will feature two-time Grammy award-winning artist Diane Schuur for two performances Friday, Oct. 16.

All True Blue shows will take place at the Clear Space Theatre at 20 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth. Each artist will perform shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.  Go to truebluejazz.org for more information and to buy tickets.

Fred Hughes Trio to feature Sotache

The Fred Hughes Trio will return Wednesday, Oct. 14.  Pianist Hughes is joined by bassist Amy Shook and drummer Frank Russo.  The trio will showcase work from its latest CD, “Love Letters,” as well as many other tightly crafted works for jazz lovers.  Featured artist for both shows with the threesome will be South African jazz vocalist Vuyo Sotache, first-place winner in the vocal competition of the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Fest and second at the Montreux Jazz Fest.

“Infusion of his native South African rhythms into his interpretations of classic jazz standards sets Vuyo apart from his contemporaries,” said Hughes.  “Our set at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival was sheer joy.”

Jackie Browne Jazz Nonet

True Blue Jazz will take the lid off a box of dynamite by staging the Jackie Browne Jazz Nonet Thursday, Oct. 15.  Kingpin of this nine-piece big band is drummer extraordinaire Browne.  He and his band will unleash their full-force mix of select jazz standards and contemporary big band jazz. Conceived and forged into a working jazz ensemble by Browne and tenor saxophonist Bobby Bosick, the band is based in Wilmington and features some of the finest musicians in the tri-state area.

Schuur will shine

Long regarded as one of the leading vocalists in contemporary jazz, Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. Her distinguished recordings span over three decades and include two Grammy awards, five Grammy nominations and more than 20 albums.  Her music has explored every corner of the 20th century musical landscape.  

Her musical collaborations include the Count Basie Orchestra, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Barry Manilow and Jose Feliciano, among countless others. For more information about Schuur go to dianeschuur.com.

Free Bandstand concert

Live jazz will take the stage at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand for a free concert from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17. The concert will showcase the community's own future jazz stars, the Cape Henlopen High School Jazz Band and the Rehoboth Concert Band.  Hosts Eddie Sherman and Peggy Raley will be joined by trumpeter Geoff Gallante for the closing of the concert. Now approaching 14 years old, Gallante has been a driving force in the music community since his age was in the single digits.  He's a headliner in his own right, performing jazz fests from coast to coast.  He'll return to Rehoboth for his third engagement with the True Blue Jazz Series.

Saturday night performance

Gallante will join Raley and Sherman Saturday, Oct. 17, for a delightful romp through the jazz standards songbook. These shows will feature accompaniment by a stellar group of local players, including Joe Holt on piano and Mike McShane on drums.

Jazz In the Afternoon shows

True Blue Jazz will be offering a series of free Jazz In the Afternoon shows at two venues in downtown Rehoboth Beach, including The Back Porch Café and The Avenue Inn Bar.  Check truebluejazz.org for venues and schedules.