Fine Arts Center Opens 2018-19 Season with Jazz Flight Performances

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The Fine Arts Center opens the 2018-19 season on Thursday, Sept. 27, with Jazz Flight, a three-night jazz sampler of vocal and instrumental jazz performances that includes avant-garde harmonic experimentation, Arabic/jazz fusion and Memphis soul.

The series begins Thursday at 8 p.m., with a concert by innovative jazz composer and pianist Angelica Sanchez in Bezanson Recital Hall. The “flight” continues with cross-cultural Amir ElSaffar and Two Rivers Ensemble, on Friday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium. The three-night series concludes with an evening with legendary jazz icon Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Memphis Soulphony on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. The Saturday night concert also features Memphis-style barbecue and a Berkshire Brewing Company beer tasting on the plaza starting at 6:30 p.m.

Angelica Sanchez’s performance on Thursday night -- during which she will be joined by an accomplished nine-piece jazz ensemble -- also serves as the launch of the 30th anniversary of the Magic Triangle Jazz Series.

A three-performance ticket package for Jazz Flight is $65 (price range "A"); Five College students and youth 17-and-under are $20. Tickets for the Angelica Sanchez Nonet are $15, and $7 for students. Tickets for Amir Elsaffar’s Two Rivers Ensemble are $25 general admission; Five College students and youth 17-and-under are $10. Tickets for Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Memphis Soulphony are $40 and $25; Five College students and youth 17-and-under are $10. Faculty and staff are eligible for 15 percent off tickets (limit two per performance) for the individual performances.

Jazz Flight is sponsored by the Daily Hampshire Gazette, New England Public Radio, 93.9 The River, the Berkshire Brewing Company, Hotel UMass and the Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, with additional funding coming from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For tickets or more information, call the FAC box office at 545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS, or purchase online at www.fineartscenter.com/jazzflight.