Jazz Series Will Swing For Lesher Center

Like an improvisation on a familiar theme, Walnut Creek's premier auditorium will launch "Jazz at the Lesher Center" in July and August.

The headliners will be jazz names with national and international followings:

• Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval —July 7.
• Guitarist John Pizzarelli — July 28.
• Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon — Aug. 4.
• Vocalist Jane Monheit — Aug. 11.

The series marks the debut of the Diablo Regional Arts Association as a presenter. For more than 20 years the DRAA has been committed to elevating the quality and professionalism of the performing arts in Contra Costa County, according to a DRAA press release.

Excerpts from the press release:

The Saturday evening concerts, all beginning at 8 p.m., will be held in the 300-seat Margaret Lesher Theater, an ideal setting for this highly personal art form.

“This series will fill a gap,” said Peggy White, DRAA executive director. “Jazz, as performed by artists of the very top rank, has been missing from the area’s arts scene.”

The DRAA has engaged Daniel Levenstein to manage the inaugural 2012 season.  Levenstein was the founding director of Smuin Ballet and is currently director of the esteemed classical series Chamber Music San Francisco which presents five concerts from February to May in the LCA’s Lesher Theater.

Subscriptions to all four concerts are available at a special inaugural price of $99 and may be obtained online.