NiteLife Exchanges is a streaming video interview show, with hosts Scott Barbarino and Tony Javed. This week they welcome Jack Kleinsinger.
Once upon a time there was an assistant attorney general of the State of New York who had a passion for jazz, and in 1973 decided to try producing jazz concerts. Thus, Jack Kleinsinger embarked on a path that led to the enduring series, Highlights in Jazz. Growing up in New York the very young Kleinsinger went to the Roxy, the Paramount, the Apollo and other theaters to hear the music. He became hooked on jazz, and so, decision made, he began producing at Greenwich Village’s Theatre de Lys, with one successful concert leading to another. To date, Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights in Jazz has become the longest running continuous jazz series in the history of New York. He has produced hundreds of jazz concerts, featuring the most popular and greatest names in jazz, such as legends Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Maxine Sullivan, Buddy Rich, Dave Brubeck, Bucky Pizzarelli, Cab Calloway and hundreds more. Kleinsinger’s shows consist of a theme, a lineup of top flight musicians and a special guest.
But a half century on, Kleinsinger has decided to wrap up Highlights in Jazz with a 50th Anniversary Gala Concert. Devotees will gather at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 23 at 8 PM for a multi-generational, all-star concert lineup to mark the occasion. Appearing will be NEA Jazz Master vocalist Sheila Jordan; guitarists Gene Bertoncini, Russell Malone and Roni Ben-Hur; bassists Jay Leonhart and Harvie S; drummer Danny Gottlieb; pianist Dylan Meek; and tenor saxophonist Steve Frieder. In keeping with the long-running HIJ tradition, there will be surprise special guests.
For tickets and more information, click here.
