Jazzschool Rising Stars Summer Noon Concerts - Erika Oba August 26, 2010

The Downtown Berkeley Association and Jazzschool present the Jazzschool Rising Stars Summer Noon Concerts, a series of four free concerts, Thursdays at noon. The August 26 concert features Erika Oba, a jazz pianist, flutist, arranger, composer, and music teacher who graduated with a B.M. in Jazz Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory in spring 2009.

These concerts, held in Bartlett's Patio on Kittredge St. next to the Berkeley Public Library, showcase the Jazzschool's Rising Stars summer workshop. The tenth year of these free outdoor summer celebrations is just a small sampling of the performing arts happening nightly in clubs, cafes, schools, theaters and concert halls in downtown Berkeley.

The Jazzschool is dedicated to the study and performance of America's indigenous art form - jazz. Founded in 1997, the Jazzschool is situated in the heart of the burgeoning Downtown Berkeley Arts District which also houses Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Aurora Theater, Berkeley Repertory School of Theatre, East Bay Media Center, and the Art & Music Room in the Berkeley Public Library.

These concerts are the warm up to the Downtown Berkeley MusicFest which runs August 20-29 on 10 nights, with over 40 performances, and at 10 venues in Downtown Berkeley. Enjoy diverse musical styles spanning bluegrass to salsa to rock and roll. These concerts have been made possible in part by a generous gift from David and Beth Sawi. Thanks to AT&T California for sponsorship.

Take BART to the Downtown Berkeley BART station two blocks from the concert site at 2020 Kittredge next to the Berkeley Public Library. For parking and transportation, or other information about Downtown, please visit www.downtownberkeley.org. Seating will be available. This free event is produced and sponsored by the Downtown Berkeley Association and the downtown business community. The site is wheelchair accessible.

Official Website: http://downtownberkeley.org