5th Avenue Jazz Trio to perform upcoming shows in Rehoboth

The 5th Avenue Jazz Trio will perform at Rehoboth's Bluecoast Seafood Grill at 5 p.m., Saturday, May 19, and Java Jukebox at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 31.

"5th Avenue is an elegant and intimate music experience, with a mix of selections from the Great American Songbook, jazz classics and original works. 5th Avenue exudes a level of virtuosity and charm that delights audiences at every performance," from 5th Avenue Jazz Trio.

Each member of 5th Avenue has been studying and playing music since childhood. Jeff Cooper, double bass, has for years been a professional, full-time musician specializing in pop, jazz and theater music. He has performed at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, the Hippodrome Theater, Ford's Theater and other venues up and down the East Coast, including presidential inaugural balls.

Alto saxophone and clarinet player and current Georgetown resident Ken Cicerale, a former student of legendary saxophonists Gerry Niewood and Frank Foster, has toured with several nationally known artists. Cicerale has also composed and performed music for highly acclaimed off-Broadway plays and worked as an executive of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in New York City.

Rounding out the trio is Ken Schleifer, a lifelong drummer, percussionist and vocalist who has traveled all over the East Coast performing with various musical groups.

Schleifer turned his passion for music into teaching and has a diverse background in music, performing classic rock, R&B, big band, blues, Latin and contemporary pop. He has now returned to his passion for jazz.

"Jazz has been our focus with 5th Avenue, mainly because it allows us the greatest amount of freedom and creativity. And we love being able to bring our brand of intimate jazz to the Eastern Shore because it is what we love to do most, but also because there is such of scarcity of it here," said Cicerale. "Our mission is to provide the very highest level of jazz artistry to the greater Rehoboth area on a regular basis."

When asked about the band's recent show at historic Milton Theatre, Cicerale responded, "One of the things we have noticed from our wonderful experiences performing at the Milton Theatre and various venues in and around Rehoboth Beach is that many people who might not think they like jazz, or understand it, or would not think to go out to listen to it, come away from our performances with a newfound or rekindled love for the music we play."

He said in addition to a high level of musicianship, "The reason for this is that we make our music accessible to both jazz aficionados as well as people less familiar with the idiom."

He said the band is true to the jazz brand in its presentation. "We dress mostly in suits and ties as a show of respect for our audience and for what we do. Our manner is friendly, entertaining and easy-going; we are serious about what we do, but we don't take ourselves too seriously."

The jazz trio hopes to see a great crowd at its upcoming shows. For information go to www.5thavenuejazz.com/home.html.