GBH and JazzBoston Team Up to Celebrate
International Jazz Day on Friday, April 30
Free Live Virtual Performance, JazzNOW: No Borders,
Features the Boston-based Jazz World Trio
Boston public media producer GBH and JazzBoston are teaming up to celebrate International Jazz Day. GBH’s Eric Jackson will host JazzNOW: No Borders, a free live virtual performance on Friday, April 30 at 8 pm. Live from the acoustically acclaimed GBH Fraser Performance Studio, the event will feature the Jazz World Trio, a group of three international artists each with a strong Boston tie. The video performance streams to the GBH website.
“There's a wealth of jazz talent and experience in Boston, and GBH is determined to help bring this music to audiences near and far,” said Anthony Rudel, general manager of GBH Music. “Streaming a live performance with these incredible artists gives Boston a major local presence on International Jazz Day. I expect this dynamic session is just the first of many more collaborations with JazzBoston.”
The Jazz World Trio will present a wide-ranging performance incorporating original works from leader Guillermo Nojechowicz's Argentina tango roots as well as pieces from the deep roots of jazz in Black American culture. The Jazz World Trio consists of Argentinean drummer, composer and educator Guillermo Nojechowicz, internationally-renowned Swedish bassist and composer Bruno Råberg and South African jazz pianist and composer Witness Matlou. All three musicians are affiliated with Berklee College of Music. Matlou, whose work is influenced by African traditional, folk music, classical and other genres, is currently a Fellow at the Harvard University Center for African Studies.
"I'm thrilled that JazzBoston is partnering with GBH for this exciting live celebration of International Jazz Day, as we work together to strengthen the local jazz community,” says Ken Field, JazzBoston Board President. “This fantastic trio of internationally-born, Boston-based musicians showcases Boston's place as a top jazz city.”
Started in 2011 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Jazz Day is a worldwide celebration of the artform and its diplomatic role in uniting people across the globe. The event is chaired by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and iconic jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock.
Eric Jackson, host of Eric in the Evening on GBH 89.7, is widely considered the dean of Boston Jazz radio, having been a fixture at GBH for more than 40 years. In addition to Eric in the Evening, GBH also offers Jazz 24/7, a streaming station featuring a fresh mix of new songs selected from an extensive library of jazz recordings by Jackson and Tessil Collins. GBH also collaborates with its sister organization NEPM to bring jazz to audiences across Massachusetts. NEPM’s signature jazz program is Jazz à la Mode.
"This collaboration between GBH and JazzBoston is great news, especially for the Jazz community,” said Eric Jackson, host of GBH’s Eric in the Evening. “What a great way to celebrate International Jazz Day by having a performance of a trio from 3 different continents, Nojechowicz, from South America, Råberg from Europe, and Matlou from Africa. It will be an exciting night of music!"
Eric Jackson will host a conversation with the musicians following the 8 pm performance on Friday, April 30. The free tickets for JazzNOW: No Borders are provided through the generosity of GBH, with support from the Mass Cultural Council and BioMed Realty. Event pre-registration is required.
About GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH’s local television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44 and GBH Kids. With a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR; CRB Classical 99.5; a Jazz 24/7 stream; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. From Boston to the Berkshires, from Worcester to the Cape and Islands, GBH is dedicated to connecting the Commonwealth through news, programming, learning tools and events. GBH has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.
About Jazz Boston
JazzBoston connects, promotes, and advocates for the musicians, audiences, and venues of Greater Boston’s dynamic and diverse jazz community. The nonprofit organization spreads the music and message of jazz and celebrates Boston as one of the world’s great jazz cities. Find more information at jazzboston.org.
