The Ellen Cogen Ensemble plus Juke Joint Jazz

Juke Joint Jazz plays their own hard-driving arrangements of the classic modern jazz repertoire, with influences ranging from Miles Davis to the Grateful Dead, from Monk to Funk. The band features Ken Forfia on Piano, David Kisala on Saxes, Ed Brainerd on Horns, Michael Levine on Guitar, George Kaye on Bass and Clark Seibold on Drums.Local Jazz Heros Juke Joint Jazz played a world record 25 shows at the legendary Iron Horse Music Hall…

Ellen Cogen began her musical life as a classical pianist and cellist, getting her Master’s degree in Classical Voice Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. Jazz singing now comprises a large part of her music-making, and her work as an educator as Professor of Music at Holyoke Community College, as well as private teaching. In 2018, Ellen organized and performed in “Strike Every Chord You Feel” here at Gateway City Arts, a multi-artist tribute in honor of Joni Mitchell’s 75th birthday.

Guitarist John Mason performs in a wide variety of styles, from Classical (with the Back Bay Guitar Trio and solo)to jazz with several different groups in the area and Boston. He is also a composer, arranger, and improviser, a past National champion of the Guitarmageddon and has served on the music faculties of Westfield State, Holyoke Community College, and Western New England University.