Janet Metzger: News

On Friday, Tony Wasilewski, owner/producer of jazz label Hot Shoe Records, gave Janet the thrill of a lifetime when he took her for a ride on the track at Road Atlanta. One of the premiere road racing courses in the world, Road Atlanta is 2.51 miles of hills, hairpin turns and fast straightaways. In addition to recording some of Atlanta's best jazz artists, Tony is an avid racing fan who serves as an instructor with BMW Car Club of America's Atlanta chapter. During one of the "free play" periods on Friday, Tony strapped Janet into his Mustang and took her out on the course for three laps, topping out at 140 miles an hour. (see photo gallery) Cross that off the bucket list!

It's the ideal combination - wine and jazz! And Sherlock's Wine Merchants have partnered with Janet to make it easy for you to enjoy this combination. You can now purchase her live CD, "Small Day Tomorrow," at two of Sherlock's locations in the Metro Atlanta area. Create your own special event! Invite a few friends, or just that special someone, for wine and music, and let Janet Metzger and her Killer Combo perform swinging standards and romantic ballads live from Churchill Grounds Jazz Cafe, right in your own home! Specializing in unique wines from around the world, Sherlock's Wine Merchants can help you find just the right wine for your special occasion. Visit the Sherlock's location nearest you. On the Northside, 3401 Northside Parkway, Atlanta 30327 and in downtown Decatur, 180 West Ponce DeLeon. And, hear Janet's CD played at wine tastings every Saturday at the Decatur location, 3-5 PM.

Can you dig it? A new show called The Jazz Garden which introduces children to jazz music premiered yesterday at 800 East to great response from all the children present. Adults had no trouble watching over their little ones who were engrossed in the story of how a jazz song grows from a little musical seed. They were treated to songs like It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing, I Got Rhythm, Bourbon Street Parade, Pennies From Heaven and Glow Worm. The Jazz Gardeners are Bob Shaw, guitar, LA Tuten, bass and vocalist Janet Metzger. Sponsored by SOJA (The Southeastern Organization of Jazz Arts), The Jazz Garden is available for touring to schools and communities around Georgia. For more information, contact SOJA at soja-org-events`at`comcast.net

Lives For Sale, a documentary by Gayla Jamison on immigration and human trafficking, explores the human side of immigration policy through the stories of two young women from Guatemala and Mexico, trafficked into sexual bondage in the US. Janet has voiced a character in English for this documentary. Also airs on January 21 at 4:40 PM. Inb Atlanta, Lives For Sale airs on WPBA, Channel 30. For areas outside of Atlanta, check your local listings at http://www.livesforsale.com/stations.pdf A shorter version will air on the Hallmark Channel January 28, 7:30 AM

Barbara Rubin of the event committee of the AIDS Survival Project's "AIDS at 25" gala writes, "You truly created the perfect mood for our attendees - it really brought the crowd together."

In early April, Bob Shaw and I performed for the Sarasota Jazz Festival, sponsored by the Sarasota Jazz Club. The Sarasota Jazz Club is the largest club in the country, with over 800 members. This annual festival grows every year and draws top performers from around the country. Major acts this year included Marian McPartland, Ramsey Lewis, Chick Corea, Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many other notables. The event we played is called Jazz Caravan by Trolley. On Wednesday night participants parked at the Van Wezel Auditorium where they boarded trolleys that took them to 6 different jazz venues in the downtown Sarasota area. We were one of 6 groups featured on this caravan. Wes Bearden, the producer of the Caravan, secured two great musicians to join us on the stage at The Silver Cricket: tenor saxophonist Jim Wellen (New Jersey and Sarasota) and bassist Ernie Williford (Chicago and Sarasota). We had no rehearsal, and didn't meet until we all showed up at the gig. Wes sure knows his musicians - we were a perfect match! Gordon Garrett, the president of the Jazz Club, invited us to come back and perform at one of their concerts during the coming year.
I was invited last year to be part of the club's jazz festival after Wes heard Bob and me at the Sarasota Yacht Club. While in Sarasota, Bob and I returned to the Sarasota Yacht Club where we presented a cabaret/jazz program for the members. See the photo gallery for pictures from both events.

"So Many Stars" is now being given airplay statewide in Georgia through Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday night's The Jazz Spot, hosted by Masani. The CD already has received considerable play on WBCX in Gainesville GA and WCLK in Atlanta. Moving beyond Georgia, WAER in Syracuse New York has just been added.

Jazzatlantaga.com has selected Janet as person of the week. Check it out!