CAZENOVIA, NY (09/16/2010)(readMedia)-- At Jazz `N Caz you'll find intimate jazz – not a bad seat in the house at the Catherine Cummings Theatre at Cazenovia College. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet plays at 7:30 p.m., and, jazz vocalist Jane Monheit will grace the stage at 9:15 p.m., with Rick Montalbano, drums; Neil Miner, bass; and Mike Kanan, piano.

Cazenovia College's annual celebration of jazz, Jazz `N Caz, runs from Thursday, Sept. 23 to Saturday, Sept. 25. A $10 donation is suggested for events at the Catherine Cummings Theatre. The schedule is at www.cazenovia.edu/jazz. All attendees at the Friday and Saturday night performances may enter to win a day spa package at Ska:ná: the Spa at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y.

Jane Monheit is a gifted jazz vocalist whose sincere and romantic interpretation of exceptional songs has made her a favorite in both the jazz and cabaret worlds. Her first album, Never Never Land, was voted top debut recording by the Jazz Journalist's Association. Subsequent albums either charted high, or debuted at number one, and yielded two Grammy nominations in the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals category, recognizing the work of Vince Mendoza on 2002's In The Sun and 2004's Taking A Chance On Love. (www.janemonheit.com)

Pianist Michael Kanan attended Boston College. He was the accompanist for vocal great Jimmy Scott, for Annie Ross, and Madeleine Peyroux, and has also played in many instrumental settings. He is now the pianist/arranger for the Jane Monheit band, touring the United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil and Japan and performing on several of her albums and DVDs. (www.michaelkanan.com)

Bass player Neal Miner started playing regularly at the age of 19. He has accompanied jazz legends such as Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, James Moody, Bob Dorough, Bill Henderson, Frank Wess; and new jazz stars like Jane Monheit, Stacey Kent, Ann Hampton Callaway, Dena DeRose, Loston Harris; and fashion celebrity and T.V. personality Isaac Mizrahi. Miner has also held the bass chair in large groups such as the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Big Band, and the Village Vanguard Jazz Band. (www.nealminer.com)

Rick Montalbano has been playing drums professionally since his early teens. He received a scholarship from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, an international competition; a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music; and the first J.R. Monterose Memorial Scholarship. He has been the drummer for the Jane Monheit band since 2000, touring the globe in support of a series of acclaimed albums. He has performed on Jane's recordings, TV appearances, and DVDs. (www.rickmontalbano.com)

Catherine Cummings Theatre at Cazenovia College

16 Lincklaen Street, Cazenovia, N.Y. 13035

Phone: 315-655-7238 or 315-655-STAR

Posted Thursday September 16, 2010 at 06:01 am by Cazenovia College
Last Updated Thursday September 16, 2010 at 11:18 am