Tag: Joy To The World

Joy To The World Tickets On Sale Now

Bob Thompson’s annual holiday jazz celebration is back! The event is at the West Virginia Culture Center Theater Thursday, Dec. 14, and Friday, Dec. 15.

Special Guests Vocalist Maria Muldaur and Trumpeter James Moore Join Annual Holiday Celebration

Thursday, Dec. 14 and Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

CHARLESTON, WV:  Bob Thompson’s annual holiday jazz celebration is back! For over 30 years, Joy to the World has been delighting audiences with old and new holiday favorites.

The event is at the West Virginia Culture Center Theater Thursday, Dec. 14, and Friday, Dec. 15.

Joy to the World is presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from the West Virginia Lottery.

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

All seats are general admission and are available online at Eventbrite or at https://mountainstage.org/.

Dec. 14 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/732959610927?aff=oddtdtcreator

Dec. 15 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/732982689957?aff=oddtdtcreator

“I’m looking forward to our 31st edition of Joy to the World,” shares Bob Thompson. “And I’m really looking forward to working with Maria Muldaur. Most of us know her from her classic hit, ‘Midnight at the Oasis,’ but she brings with her a history of being immersed in many genres of American roots music – Blues, early jazz, gospel, folk and New Orleans music are all part of her rich heritage. When you add  trumpeter James Moore to our band, and we’ll have all the proper ingredients for a great Holiday party!”

Early-bird tickets are $25 when purchased before 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Tickets will be $30 from Nov. 25 until the day of show. Joining Thompson on stage is his long-time band: Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitars, John Inghram on bass, and special guest vocalist Maria Muldaur and Special Guest James Moore on trumpet.

Maria Muldaur is best known worldwide for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations. Her 55-plus year career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. Maria has toured extensively worldwide and has recorded 41 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots Music, including Gospel, R&B, Jazz and Big Band. She has now settled comfortably into her favorite idiom, the Blues. In September 2019, the Americana Music Association awarded Maria “The Lifetime Achievement Americana Trailblazer Award” for her lifelong work of covering the depth and breadth of American Roots music.

The world-renowned jazz pianist Bob Thompson is the Mountain State’s best-loved musician and ambassador of jazz. Since 1991, he has been a pianist, and regularly featured artist, on WVPB’s syndicated radio show, Mountain Stage, distributed by NPR Music. For 30 years now, he has also been co-producer and host of Joy to the World, a holiday jazz show broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. In October 2015, Thompson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He makes his home in Charleston, West Virginia, and has enjoyed a long and active career as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. Learn more about his work at colortones.com.

Watch and listen for last season’s show coming in December on WVPB radio and television.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristi Morey, WVPB Marketing Communications
304.556.4911, kmorey@wvpublic.org

Joy To The World 30th Anniversary Shows Announced

“Joy to the World” with pianist Bob Thompson celebrates its 30th anniversary of presenting holiday favorites old and new. Presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this popular event returns to the West Virginia Culture Center Theater stage for two nights: Thursday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Dec. 16. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the concerts will begin at 8 p.m.

All seats are general admission, with early-bird tickets available now for just $25 when purchased before 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. Tickets will be $30 from Nov. 25 until show day.

These events will be held at 100 percent capacity. Ticket holders should be prepared to have fellow concert goers seated in front of, behind and beside them. Masks are voluntary and will be provided by request.

Vocalist Zara Bode has appeared on Mountain Stage as a member of The Sweetback Sisters and fronts Zara Bode’s Little Big Band.

Joining Thompson on stage is his long time band — Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitars, John Inghram on bass, and special guest vocalist Zara Bode.

Tickets are on sale now:
Get Tickets for Thursday, Dec. 15

Get Tickets for Friday, Dec. 16

About Zara Bode:
An accomplished vocalist, Zara Bode has showcased her immense versatility at music festivals and performance venues worldwide. Zara has earned critical recognition as one half of the country and honky-tonk duo Sweetback Sisters. A sought-after vocal arranger and backup singer, Zara performs in styles ranging from gospel to swing. Zara teaches private lessons and group workshops out of Brooklyn, NY, where she currently resides.

About Bob Thompson:
The world-renowned jazz pianist is perhaps the Mountain State’s best-loved musician and ambassador of jazz. Since 1991, he has been a pianist, and regularly featured artist, on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s syndicated radio show, Mountain Stage. For the past 29 years, he has also been co-producer and host of Joy to the World, a holiday jazz show broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. In October 2015, Thompson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

He makes his home in Charleston, West Virginia, and has enjoyed a long and active career as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. For decades, he has played at festivals and venues around the country, and also has taken his music to Europe, Africa and South America. Thompson’s resume includes guest appearances on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, on National Public Radio, and BET on Jazz with Ramsey Lewis. His recordings on Intima Records and Ichiban International received high recognition on the jazz charts, with several reaching the Top 10. His most recent release is “Look Beyond The Rain.” Learn more about his work at colortones.com.

Night One:

Joy to the World with Bob Thompson feat. Zara Bode
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022
Culture Center Theater — State Capitol Grounds
Greenbrier & Washington Streets, Charleston, WV
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
All seats are General Admission

Available online starting Friday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. EST

Night Two:

Joy to the World with Bob Thompson feat. Zara Bode
Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
Culture Center Theater — State Capitol Grounds
Greenbrier & Washington Streets, Charleston, WV
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
All seats are General Admission

Available online starting Friday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. EST

Watch and listen for last season’s show coming in December on WVPB radio and television.

Joy to the World 2021 Tickets Now On Sale

West Virginia Public Broadcasting will present its annual holiday concert this year featuring two critically acclaimed musicians — blues and jazz vocalist Dr. Kim Nalley, and jazz violinist Christian Howes.

Joy to the World with Bob Thompson, a modern jazz concert that celebrates holiday favorites old and new, is presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from AARP West Virginia and The West Virginia Lottery. The popular event returns to the West Virginia Culture Center Theater stage Thursday, Dec. 16, and Friday, Dec. 17, after recording without an audience in 2020. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the concert will begin at 8 p.m.

Advance tickets are $30. Day-of-show tickets will be $35. To ensure the safety of our audience and performers, capacity will be limited to 50 percent, and masks will be required for the entire show.

Joining Thompson on stage is the band — Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitars, John Inghram on bass, and of course, Christian Howes on violin.

Joy to the World with Bob Thompson has been heard on radio stations across the country and seen on WVPB’s statewide television network for 29 years.

Tickets are on sale now:
Get Tickets for Thursday, Dec 16
Get Tickets for Friday, Dec 17

Dr. Kim Nalley returns for her third appearance on Joy to the World with host and pianist Bob Thompson.

About Dr. Kim Nalley
Nalley travels to West Virginia for her third Joy to the World with Bob Thompson appearance all the way from the West Coast where she was awarded the “Most Influential African American in the Bay Area” in 2005 and “Best Jazz Group” in 2013. She’s been called “legendary” and a “San Francisco institution.” A reviewer from Downbeat Magazine said Nalley is “magisterial and generous, authoritative and playful, she presides over the stage with an in-the-moment familiarity that welcomes listeners into each song.” A San Francisco Chronicle critic said, “With her vaunted 3 1/2 octave vocal range, San Francisco jazz mainstay Kim Nalley is the musical equivalent of the pitcher with a 102-MPH fastball. While the baseball flamethrower is usually relegated to the closer’s role, Nalley brings the heat every moment.” Another reviewer said she’s got “pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it,” and yet another one calls her the “Songbird of San Francisco.” Nalley has a background in classical music, writing, and is the former owner of the club Jazz at Pearl’s. She earned her Ph.D. in history at UC Berkeley and is a published scholar.

Nalley has been shortlisted for a Grammy and for a “Rising Star” by Downbeat Critics. She released two albums in 2020, “Blues People” and “Lullabies For My Daughters,” and she has founded the Kim Nalley Black Youth Jazz Scholarship.

Violinist Christian Howes will be a special guest joining the band for this year’s Joy to the World concerts in Charleston.

About Christian Howes
Violinist, educator and composer, Howes was voted #1 in the Downbeat Critics Poll (“Rising Stars/Violin”), named among the top three jazz violinists in the JazzTimes critics poll, and nominated for Violinist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist Association. The Columbus, Ohio, native received the Residency Partner Award through Chamber Music America, earned a USArtists grant through the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and was invited by the U.S. State department to teach and perform as a cultural ambassador twice, in Ukraine and Montenegro. His release on Resonance Records, “Southern Exposure” earned recognition in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Downbeat, Jazz Times, as well as a six-night run at Lincoln Center. His release, “American Spirit” was named among the Best Jazz Albums of 2015″ by the Huffington Post.

Howes is the founder of “Creative Strings,” a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to expand music education through the creation of online curriculum, an annual summer conference, and dozens of visits to schools annually teaching improvisation, contemporary styles, and related subjects.

About Bob Thompson
The world-renowned jazz pianist is perhaps the Mountain State’s best-loved musician and ambassador of jazz. Since 1991, he has been a pianist, and regularly featured artist, on West Virginia’s NPR syndicated radio show, Mountain Stage. For the past 29 years, he has also been co-producer and host of Joy to the World, a holiday jazz show broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. In October 2015, Thompson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

He makes his home in Charleston, West Virginia, and has enjoyed a long and active career as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. For decades, he has played at festivals and venues around the country, and also has taken his music to Europe, Africa, and South America. Thompson’s resume includes guest appearances on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, on National Public Radio, and BET on Jazz with Ramsey Lewis. His recordings on Intima Records, and Ichiban International, received high recognition on the jazz charts, with several reaching the Top 10. His most recent release is “Look Beyond The Rain.” Learn more about his work at colortones.com.

Night One:
Joy to the World with Bob Thompson feat.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Culture Center Theater – State Capitol Grounds
Greenbrier & Washington Streets Charleston, WV
Doors 7:30 pm Show 8 pm
All Seats General Admission
Advance Tickets: $30
Day of Show: $35

Available online  starting Friday October 29 at 10a.m. EST.

Night Two:

Joy to the World with Bob Thompson featuring vocalist Kim Nalley
Friday December 17, 2021
Culture Center Theater – State Capitol Grounds
Greenbrier & Washington Streets Charleston, WV
Doors 7:30 pm Show 8 pm
All Seats General Admission
Advance Tickets: $30
Day of Show: $35
Available online  starting Friday October 29 at 10a.m. EST.

Watch and listen for last season’s show coming in December on WVPB radio and television.

Tonight at 9 PM – Watch Bob Thompson's 'Joy To The World' Featuring Jane Monheit

Watch & Listen to Bob Thompson’s Joy To The World

WVPB Radio
Thursday, Dec. 24– 1 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 25 – 1 p.m.

WVPB TV
Tuesday, Dec. 15 – 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 – 8 p.m
Thursday, Dec. 24 – 9 p.m.

West Virginia Channel
Sunday, Dec. 13 – 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 25 – 7 p.m.

Watch On Demand, In Your Browser or With The PBS App

Joy To The World featuring Jane Monheit

Join us for this year’s broadcast of Bob Thompson’s Joy to the World on the WVPB radio and television networks. Recorded last December at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, W.Va., this year’s holiday jazz celebration features favorites, old and new, performed by pianist and WV Music Hall of Fame member Bob Thompson and his band, along with this season’s guest vocalist, Jane Monheit.

1 of 4  — Jane Monheit, 2019
Singer Jane Monheit performing in 2019 as part of Bob Thompson’s annual Joy to the World.
2 of 4  — Bob Thompson, 2019
Pianist Bob Thompson has been producing Joy to the World for WVPB for over 25 years.
3 of 4  — Jane Monheit and Bob Thompson, 2019
Pianist Bob Thompson and vocalist Jane Monheit
4 of 4  — Jane Monheit and Bob Thompson Band at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston.
Pianist Bob Thompson leads his band with vocalist Jane Monheit at the 2019 Joy to the World celebration.

You’ll hear Monheit put her special touch on some classic songs, including “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and her rendition of “Merry Christmas Darling,” made famous by The Carpenters, is a beautiful highlight.

Audiences will also enjoy instrumental takes of seasonal gems like “Jingle Bells”, “Sing We Now Of Christmas” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” performed by pianist Bob Thompson’s band, with Doug Payne on saxophone, Ryan Kennedy on guitar, John Inghram on bass, and Timothy Courts on drums.

Listen for the broadcast on WVPB Radio at the following times:

Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24– 1 p.m.
Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 – 1 p.m.

Watch the television broadcast at these times on WVPB:

Tuesday, Dec. 15 – 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 22 – 8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 24 – 9 p.m.

Catch television broadcasts on the West Virginia Channel at these times:

Sunday, Dec. 13 – 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 25 – 7 p.m.

Find your WVPB radio station.
Find your WVPB television signal.
Find the West Virginia Channel.

Joy to the World 2019 Tickets Now On Sale

Pianist Bob Thompson returns with 27th edition of Joy to the World, featuring guest-vocalist Jane Monheit.

Tickets are on sale now:

Pianist Bob Thompson continues his annual holiday tradition with two shows, Thursday Dec. 12 and Friday Dec. 13, featuring special guest Jane Monheit. Produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Joy to the World is heard nationally on radio stations across the country, and seen on the television networks of WVPB. Both concerts will once again emanate from the Culture Center Theater on the state capitol grounds in Charleston, WV.

This modern jazz concert celebrates holiday favorites, new and old, performed by WV Music Hall of Fame member Thompson and his band, Doug Payne on saxophone, Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitar and John Inghram on bass. World renowned jazz sensation Jane Monheit will join the band to spread joy throughout the winter season.

Tickets are on sale online and at Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St. in Charleston.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyMz64Pusvw

RSVP to our Facebook event to let others know you’re coming!

About Jane Monheit: Blessed with “a voice of phenomenal beauty” (Stephen Holden, New York Times), Jane Monheit has had plenty of milestone moments in establishing herself as one of today’s best and most important vocalist-musicians. The twice Grammy-nominated singer has released 12 solo albums and has collaborated with Michael Bublé, John Pizzarelli, and Terence Blanchard, among many others. Her latest release, The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald, pays joyous tribute to the legendary singer, while sharing a definitive portrait of herself.

Monheit was raised in Oakdale, New York, on Long Island’s South Shore. Her aunt and grandmother were professional singers. Her mother performed in musical theater and currently performs in local choirs, and her father plays banjo and guitar. His love of bluegrass, folk, and acoustic blues (Bonnie Raitt and Maura O’Connell were among his favorites) shaped her musical sensibility. Jane went on to study voice at the Manhattan School of Music with Peter Eldridge, a founding member of the vocal group New York Voices, where she graduated with honors in 1999. Soon after, Jane released her stunning debut album, Never Never Land, which was voted Best Recording Debut by the Jazz Journalists Association and stayed on the Billboard jazz chart for a year. She’s released 12 albums including a CD and DVD Live at the Rainbow Room, documenting her performance at the iconic New York club with a full band and Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alan Broadbent. In 2005 she released a holiday collection called The Season.

About Bob Thompson: Since 1991 Bob Thompson has been pianist, and regularly featured artist on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s nationally syndicated radio program Mountain Stage w/ Larry Groce. For the past twenty-seven years he has also been co-producer and host of “Joy to the World,” a Holiday jazz show, broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. With a prolific career of recording, collaborating and performing, Thompson is a beloved treasure to the music lovers in West Virginia and to anyone who experiences his music. In October 2015, Thompson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

Monheit will join The Bob Thompson Unit- Doug Payne, saxophone, Ryan Kennedy, guitar, Timothy Courts, drums, John Inghram, bass- to celebrate the season for two nights at Charleston’s Culture Center Theater. The show will be recorded for television broadcast this season on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with national radio distribution scheduled for Winter 2020.

Joy to the World is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with production support provided by WV Lottery.

Night One:
Joy to the World with Bob Thompson feat. Jane Monheit
Thursday December 12, 2019
Culture Center Theater – State Capitol Grounds
Greenbrier & Washington Streets Charleston, WV

Doors 7:30pm Show 8pm

All Seats General Admission
Advance Tickets: $30
Day of Show: $35

Available online and locally at Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St. Charleston, WV starting Friday October 25 at 10a.m. EST.

Night Two:

Joy to the World with Bob Thompson feat. Jane Monheit
Friday December 13, 2019
Culture Center Theater – State Capitol Grounds
Greenbrier & Washington Streets Charleston, WV
Doors 7:30pm Show 8pm

All Seats General Admission
Advance Tickets: $30
Day of Show: $35
Available online  and locally at Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St. Charleston, WV starting Friday October 25 at 10a.m. EST.

Joy To The World 2019 will premiere Monday, December 23, at  8 p.m. on WVPB.

Joy To The World 2018 Premieres Dec 20 at 8 p.m. on WVPB TV

Pianist Bob Thompson returns with 26th edition of Joy to the World, featuring guest-vocalist Paula Cole.

Watch the TV premiere of Joy To The World 2108  Thursday, December 20 at 8 p.m. on WVPB.

Stay tuned at at 9 p.m. for Joy To The World 2017 featuring Eugene Landau Murphy Jr. 

Additional Air Dates for Joy To The World 2018

12/22/18, 9:00 pm WVPB

12/24/18, 8:00 pm WV Channel

12/24/18, 10:00 pm WVPB

12/25/18, 7:01 pm WV Channel

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXfukZbOePA

This modern jazz concert celebrates holiday favorites, new and old, performed by WV Music Hall of Fame member Thompson and his band, Doug Payne on saxophone, Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitar and John Inghram on bass. Platinum selling vocalist Paula Cole, known for her hits “I Don’t Want to Wait,” and “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone,” will be the featured vocalist. Her most recent release “Ballads”, a twenty-song collection of American jazz and folk classics from the 1930’s to the 1960’s, finds her paying homage to her first love of jazz and folk music.

Cole’s compositions have been covered by a diverse range of artists (jazz legend Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Katherine McPhee, JoJo, hip-hop duo THEY), she has sold approximately three million albums, performed with icons such as Peter Gabriel, Dolly Parton, Herbie Hancock, Emmylou Harris; Amy Lee of Evanescence, Burt Bacharach, Counting Crows, Matchbox 20, and currently has over four hundred thousand monthly listeners on Spotify.

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