Are you ready for the most colossal *FREE* jazz event EVER to hit the Monadnock Region? The 19-piece Compaq Big Band is beyond thrilled to announce that our appearance this year at TEAM Jaffrey’s ‘Concerts On The Common’ series is a ‘Special Edition’ in two important ways. First, we’re featuring Special Guest Anaïs Reno from New York City on vocals, in her first ever New Hampshire performance! Second, this concert has just been relocated INDOORS – rain or shine – to the fabulous Park Theatre in downtown Jaffrey!
Still *FREE*, still that great small town New England vibe and welcoming atmosphere, within sight of our usual bandstand venue. Just moved inside a beautiful 333-seat theater ;) The concessions will be open, and a Cash Bar will be offered (no mixed drinks).
This all goes down Wednesday July 24th - show runs 6:00pm-8:00pm. Doors Open 5:30 – General Admission only - we encourage you to get there EARLY for best seats. Summer casual attire. And on your way to or from the concert – or both ways – remember to stop for the best ice cream in the region (and beyond?) at nearby Kimball Farm!
*** THIS IS A FREE SHOW *** Do NOT respond to anyone offering tickets for re-sale!
Since Anaïs’ public Boston debut with us just two short months ago at City Winery, this rising New York City jazz star has been busy performing in her hometown, and in Saint Louis, Philadelphia (where one of her frequent jazz club venues has named an ice cream after her…), San Francisco, London, Edinburgh, Scotland, and back through London and New York on her way to … Jaffrey!
On July 24th, she’ll be singing arrangements from the Great American Songbook as performed by Ella Fitzgerald with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, as well as other jazz classics as sung by Ella, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, Helen O’Connell, and more. A few very hip, more modern takes on timeless vocals will be sprinkled in, such as John Clayton’s powerful version of “Fever”. And, we’ll round out the evening with a few tasty instrumental arrangements from the likes of Chris Walden, Sammy Nestico, and Gordon Goodwin.
Both of Anaïs’ CDs will be available for purchase on July 24th, along with vinyl of her second album. All merchandise will be on sale before the show, during intermission, and upon exit from the theatre.
Anaïs Reno began singing the Great American Songbook at the age of eight, and has been performing at legendary Birdland Jazz Club in Times Square since she was thirteen. A graduate of the acclaimed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in NYC, she is an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar who just completed her junior year at Purchase College (SUNY Purchase) in New York, majoring in vocal jazz performance.
Among her many accolades, she won the Ben Tucker Jazz Award at the 2023 American Traditions Competition, took First Place at the 2020 Mabel Mercer Foundation competition, received the 2020 Julie Wilson Award, was awarded Second Place at the 2018 Michael Feinstein’s Great American Song Book Academy competition, and earned the 2016 Forte International Competition’s Platinum Award.
She has performed for sold out shows at storied NYC venues such as Rose Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Django, Dizzy’s, and Feinstein's 54 Below, plus Seneca One Auditorium in Buffalo, NY for International Jazz Day, as well as singing her own compositions with the NY Philharmonic in David Geffen Hall (Lincoln Center). Anaïs has also sung at Madison Square Garden, and at the Caramoor Jazz Festival. She delivered a stunning rendition of “America The Beautiful” on national television at Citi Field for the New York Mets/Yankees game on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Anaïs appears regularly at iconic music venues such as Birdland, Chris’ Jazz Club in Philadelphia, and at PizzaExpress in London. Her first album, “Lovesome Thing: Anaïs Reno sings Ellington & Strayhorn”, debuted in 2021, and is a 12-song compilation of 100% Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn collaborations that rose quickly to #6 on the jazz charts. Her second album has just been released and is titled “Anaïs Reno at PizzaExpress Live - in London“ – recorded last year at the iconic club’s trendy Soho flagship location. She’s currently working on a new album project with noted jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein planned for release later in 2024.
The Compaq Big Band is one of the longest continuously operating large-format jazz ensembles in New England. Formed in 1975, the group has performed for hundreds of clients across the region and beyond, impressing crowds at swing dances, gala celebrations, nonprofit fundraisers, music festivals, summer concerts, and legendary Boston area music venues. It features the power of 14 horns, a cookin’ rhythm section, accomplished instrumental soloists, a rotation of outstanding regional vocalists, one of the most exciting ‘books’ in New England, and an unrivaled passion for technical production.
Among the band’s many accomplishments are a 10-day/7-gig tour of the United Kingdom, producing and warming up for sold out shows of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and several concerts featuring international high jazz trumpet virtuoso Wayne Bergeron. Their two commercial CDs – “Bandwidth” and “Hard Drive” – have been played on New England Jazz National Public Radio, BBC2 in the United Kingdom, and Swedish public radio jazz programs.
Check out www.compaqbigband.com, www.anaisreno.com, www.theparktheatre.org, and www.teamjaffrey.org. ‘Like’ the CBB, ‘Anaïs Reno’, ‘TEAM Jaffrey’, and ‘The Park Theatre’ on Facebook. Follow @anaisrenojazz on Instagram.