Renowned Saxophonist Fred Lipsius Kicks Off 2015-2016 JAZZ @ the Arsenal Series

Fred Lipsius, original saxophonist, arranger and conductor with Blood, Sweat & Tears (1967-71), and his quartet will open this season’s series on Monday, October 12, at 7:30PM at the Arsenal Center’s Black Box Theater.

Lipsius has performed with jazz greats Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Eddie Gomez, Al Foster, George Mraz, Larry Willis, Randy Brecker, Rodney Jones, plus a number of prominent Berklee College of Music faculty. He has written music for and performed on over 30 CDs as both a leader and sideman. Fred is currently an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, where he’s been teaching full-time since 1984.

The series continues on November 16 with the Kris Adams Quintet. Kris began singing on stage in a touring children’s theater as a young teenager and had her first professional gigs at the age of 19 in Connecticut, singing in a latin-jazz band that the late saxophonist Tom Chapin was a member of. Her recently released third album entitled “Longing” (Jazzbird Records) is in collaboration with trumpeter/arranger, Greg Hopkins. Kris currently teaches at Berklee and is author of the book “Sing Your Way Through Theory” (Hal Leonard).

The final date of 2015 will be a holiday themed concert of A Jazzy Christmas with The John Baboian Quintet. Jazz at the Arsenal’s Artistic Director, John Baboian, brings his quartet into the Arsenal for a concert of music inspired by the Season. Guitarist/ Composer, John Baboian, has been on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music in Boston for 35 years. He has been organizing the Jazz at the Arsenal series since its inception 8 years ago. This concert will feature unique compositions and arrangements of standard holiday fare.

Upcoming dates in the Jazz @ the Arsenal series:

October 12, 2015 - Fred Lipsius Quartet

November 16, 2015 - Kris Adams Quintet

December 21, 2015 - A Jazzy Christmas with The John Baboian Quartet

January 18, 2016 - Jeff Ramsey & George Russell Jr.: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

February 15, 2016 - The Patrice Williamson Group “Taking Love Easy”: Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass

April 4, 2016 - Mark Shilansky and Fugue Mill

For more information about any of the 2015-2016 performers, visit arsenalarts.org/music.

Performances are held in the intimate Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts located at 321 Arsenal St. in Watertown.Free parking is available and the venue is handicapped accessible.Tickets are $20; $18 for members; $15 for students, plus fees. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 617-923-8487 or visit http://www.arsenalarts.org. Jazz @ The Arsenal is brought to you by Tufts Health Plan.