Jazz at the Cherry — Along Came Betty

The acclaimed jazz quintet Along Came Betty takes to the stage Sunday, December 11th in the Cherry Center’s musical series, “Jazz at the Cherry” beginning at 2 p.m. “Holiday Betty” will be the afternoon’s theme, celebrated with light fare, wine and dessert. Tickets: $25.
The Cherry Center has a rich history of presenting folk and jazz with its popular Thursday Jazz Series. The new series, performed in the theater’s intimate studio space showcases some of the area’s best jazz musicians.
Along Came Betty was formed in 1998 to celebrate the spirit of hard-bop, a seminal movement of 50s and 60s jazz music. The quintet has become much more than an homage to an important era of jazz history. Pianist and prolific composer Biff Smith’s sophisticated, yet highly accessible compositions, blend elements of that era with modern sensibilities. The rich sound of harmonized sax and trumpet backed by the classic piano-bass-drums rhythm section, results in fun, fresh, straight-ahead jazz.
Along Came Betty (Biff Smith, piano; Brian Stock, trumpet and flugelhorn; Paul Tarantino, saxophone; Heath Proskin, bass; Patrick Tregenza, drums) have performed at many local and national jazz venues, including the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Big Sur Jazz Festival. Since 1998 they have been celebrating the spirit of hard-bop, a seminal movement of 50s and 60s jazz. Pianist and prolific composer Biff Smith’s sophisticated yet highly accessible compositions blend elements of that era with modern sensibilities.
Champagne, wine and, incidentally — holiday cheer– all included in the price of tickets. Tickets, $25 online at brownpapertickets.com.