Metro’s celebrates five years of jazz Photos by Matthew Jonas jonasm@mscd.edu Story by Adam Goldstein goldstea@mscd.edu

Reid Anderson, bass player for jazz trio The Bad Plus, performs at the Kenneth King Center Saturday April 8. The Bad Plus played a variety of jazz including original work and covers of Aphex Twin and Bjork. They headlined the 5th Annual Jazz Celebration at Metro.

From left: Members of Groove Society, Cameron Chinatti, LaDamion Massey, Dave Sheehan, Bianca Herbert and Joe Herbert perform on the opening night of the fifth Annual Jazz Celebration at Metro in the Kenneth King Center April 6. The Groove Society is a vocal ensemble that covers a broad range of musical styles from R&B to Jazz.

Kathy Kosins sings while Joe Anderies plays saxophone at the Kenneth King Center April 6. Kosins headlined the opening night of the celebration, closing her set with a jazz rendition of “These Boots Are Made For Walking” by Nancy Sinatra.

  Jazz, in all its varied guises and expressions, is alive and well at Metro.
  The 5th annual Jazz Celebration at Metro provided a forum for performance and education as professional musicians and students arrived at Auraria to revel in America’s unique art form.
  With in-depth classes and top-notch concerts, the celebration continued in the proud tradition of its predecessors. Although the festival, which took place April 6-8, is still in its infancy, its impressive roster of artists and commitment to education has insured a durable place in Metro’s cultural identity.
  Following proudly in the substantial footsteps of such legends as Eddie Palmieri and Lee Konitz, this year’s celebration featured guest performances by The Bad Plus,  Kathy Kosins and Groove Society. These featured artists spotlighted diverse elements of the jazz genre, from mellow crooning to frenzied funk.
  For all the steady transformations in pop culture, Metro is a haven for America’s most distinct and widespread musical contribution. The jazz celebration event is a three-day ode to a vibrant art form and a fitting tribute to the talent and passion of Metro’s music faculty.

For more information on the featured artists check out their Websites listed below:
http://www.thebadplus.com
http://www.kathykosins.com
http://www.groovecity.biz