Bishop Arts Theater Center kicks off inaugural Jazz Series this February

by PegNews wire

Smooth Jazz TV host and global Jazz personality Cameron Smith announces the Southwest Airlines Jazz Series at Bishop Arts Theater Center for 2009. Kicking off February 7, 2009 the series will feature intimate live performances in the breathtaking 170 seat venue.

“The Bishop Arts Theater Center is the perfect setting for passionate fans of Smooth Jazz here in Dallas and Fort Worth. Every seat in the venue is within 9 rows of the stage, with sensational acoustics, unobstructed site lines and world class performers…it’s destined to be the hottest destination in Texas for Jazz! With our friends at Southwest Airlines as our sponsor people will be flying in from all over the country for these intimate concerts” said Cameron Smith the series host.

“Fans will be blown away by the theater…it’s a jewel…and with such a limited number of seats at such affordable prices we expect the first season to sell out very quickly. The arts renaissance in North Oak Cliff now has a concert series that speaks to the diversity of our residents. I’ve lived in this neighborhood for more than 15 years and the Bishop Arts District and our new theater are at the epicenter of the movement” says Smith.

The space is managed by TeCo Theatrical Productions, Inc., a multicultural theater company that impacts over 5,000 theatergoers each year. Under the direction of the theatre company’s Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Teresa Coleman Wash, the renovations began in early 2005 and were completed in June of this year. The 10,000 square ft. building was a gift from one of TeCo’s longtime patrons. Wash comments, “We’ve raised over $500,000 from private sector funding for the painstaking brick by brick renovation of this facility, because our supporters understood the impact we’re making in this community. Our stakeholders wanted a quality venue with world class entertainment south of the Trinity and this Jazz Series will not disappoint.”

The calendar of events features a handpicked collection of international Smooth Jazz stars for the 2009 inaugural season:

• Pianist Alex Bugnon and Joe McBride. Saturday, Feb 7, 2009.
• Sax man Marion Meadows and Guitarist Nick Colionne. Saturday, March 21, 2009.
• A special outdoor concert celebrating Black Music Month. Saturday, June 6, 2009.
• Vocalist Phil Perry and Saxophonist Everette Harp. Friday, October 2, 2009.
• Piano man Jeff Lorber and a special surprise guest. Saturday, November 14, 2009.

The series will feature 2 shows nightly with each artist performing one hour sets at 7:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Tickets to the entire series and individudal tickets are available. Purchase online or by calling 214-373-8000.

Posted by Shawn