Noel Jewkes Septet with Kay Kostopoulos at The Sound Room

Noel Jewkes has earned a distinguished reputation over the past 35 years as among the premier saxophone players in San Francisco Bay Area. He has recorded with John Hendricks, Wesla Whitfield, Mary Stallings, Paula West, Mike Greensill, Lavay Smith, Bill Bell, Mimi Fox, Graham Bruce, Bobbe Norris, Larry Dunlap, Larry Vuckovich, Pat Yankee and Jerry Hahn, as well as his own ensembles.

Listening to the majestic phrasing and harmonic adventurousness of Noel Jewkes is almost like hearing the entire history of modern jazz in a single evening. No wonder he is revered by musicians, critics, and music lovers alike as the premiere Saxist-by-the-Bay. Some years back, Phil Elwood, the legendary jazz critic, said of Noel, "I don't know of a better contemporary modern saxman anywhere."...

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Noel Jewkes has earned a distinguished reputation over the past 35 years as among the premier saxophone players in San Francisco Bay Area. He has recorded with John Hendricks, Wesla Whitfield, Mary Stallings, Paula West, Mike Greensill, Lavay Smith, Bill Bell, Mimi Fox, Graham Bruce, Bobbe Norris, Larry Dunlap, Larry Vuckovich, Pat Yankee and Jerry Hahn, as well as his own ensembles.

Listening to the majestic phrasing and harmonic adventurousness of Noel Jewkes is almost like hearing the entire history of modern jazz in a single evening. No wonder he is revered by musicians, critics, and music lovers alike as the premiere Saxist-by-the-Bay. Some years back, Phil Elwood, the legendary jazz critic, said of Noel, "I don't know of a better contemporary modern saxman anywhere."

Dave Bendikeit - trumpet; Charles McCarthy - saxophone; Noel Jewkes - saxophone; Rob Ewing, trombone; Keith Saunders, piano: Chris Amberger, bass; Mark Lee, drums

And Kay Kostopoulos is not only one of Northern California's finest singers, she is also a great friend of Noel's, and their on-stage partnership exudes a rare chemistry and musical rapport.

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