Joe Locke on the Tanglewood Jazz Festival

"Performing at Tanglewood in Seiji Ozawa Hall is an experience like no other. It is always a pleasure to perform in a magnificent theatre, but when that magnificence is nature itself, the memory becomes indelible. Acoustics which seem more than perfect and an open, beautiful environment make it my favorite place to perform or listen to music."

Jazz at Blades' Bistro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 23, 2009 BLADES’ BISTRO ANNOUNCES JAZZ ON THE PATIO FRIDAYS IN JULY Blades’ Bistro in Placitas, New Mexico, will launch a summer jazz series on Friday nights beginning July 3 with master guitarist, Michael Anthony, and bassist Michael Olivola. Blades opened in March of 2009 and has enjoyed an enthusiastic reception by diners from Placitas, Albuquerque and Santa Fe and has received excellent reviews from the dining press. Blades’ serves a European-inspired menu in a chic, art-filled setting with an open-air kitchen and laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. Chef Kevin Gladergroen, his wife, Anja, and his brother, Michael, form the trio that oversees this unique brand of modern dining that is comforting and sophisticated. In addition to Chef Kevin’s personal preparation of dishes such as mushrooms baked “escargot style” in a rich wine and butter sauce, saffron-infused Spanish paella, succulent London Steak topped with bleu cheese and a red wine demi sauce, Blades’ has an extensive wine list with selections from Europe, South America and the U.S. hand-picked by master taster, Anja. Opening the summer jazz series is guitarist, Michael Anthony, who spent fifteen years in Hollywood recording for studios at Paramount, MGM, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Warner Brothers and Walt Disney. His diverse career has included working with Tony Bennett, Johnny Mandel, Burt Bacharach, Diana Ross, Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Ray Brown, Gil Evans and dozens of other legendary jazz musicians, composers and arrangers. He will be joined by bassist Michael Olivola who relocated to Albuquerque from New York where he performed with such jazz luminaries as Larry Coryell, Charlie Palmieri, Dakota Staton and others. Their extensive experience and style lends itself well to the casual-chic ambience at Blade’s patio. The summer jazz series at Blades’ will continue on Friday nights through July from 6-9 p.m. with the following line-up: July 3: Michael Anthony, guitar Michael Olivola, bass July 10: Lewis Winn, guitar Michael Olivola, bass July 17: Dimi Disanti, guitar Michael Olivola, bass July 24: Michael Anthony, guitar Michael Olivola, bass July 31: John Maestas, guitar Michael Olivola, bass Blades’ Bistro is located in the Homestead Village Shopping Center, 221 Highway 165, Placitas, New Mexico 87043. Reservations may be made by calling 505-771-0695, For the complete menu, wine list, driving directions and information on Chef Kevin Bladergroen, visit their website at bladesbistro.com.