Jazz on Edge at Taste

Jazz On Edge is an ongoing series of musical evenings, giving jazz audiences the opportunity to hear original work by local and national musicians. The most recent one was in August and showcased NY trumpeter Brian Groder, the Eastside Combo, and Claire Courchene. You'll have to wait til February 2009 for the next one. The evenings take place a Taste Restaurant, 717 W. Smith Street, College Park, Orlando. Jazz On Edge is produced by Orlando writer/photographer Joseph Hayes, and Burry Man Productions. Below is video from the August, 2009 evening:




Equally fluent on trumpet and flugelhorn, Brian Groder draws on the entire jazz tradition, as well as world music influences, to create compositions critics have called "Music not only for today, but also for tomorrow." Brian played with Grammy-nominated bassist Doug Mathews and drummer Dru Betts.




The whole purpose of Jazz On Edge is right here, in the Eastside Combo. Gigging for parties and weddings is a way to make a living as a musician ... playing your own music, full out, is the way to stay alive. This young combo takes straight-ahead jazz and turns it on its ear. Eastside Combo is Kevin Stever (bass), Derrick Harvin (piano) Fred Green (trumpet) and Willie Rast (drums)




A jazz double-threat on two unlikely instruments, Claire Courchene has been playing since she was two, and has shared a stage with players as diverse as Christian McBride and Wayne Bergeron to Kanye West and Burt Bacharach. Joining Claire onstage was Chris Davis (keys/synth), John Krasula (guitar), Greg Jungbluth (bass) and Mike Schialabba (drums).