As 2015 gets under way, the West Virginia Jazz Society looks forward to this year’s version of Winter Jazz Weekend, to be held Jan. 23-24 at Bridgeport Conference Center. Not only is the hot jazz event a welcome addition to the winter season, but this year’s featured entertainment is a very special treat, said WVJS President Eric Spelsberg.

 

Sponsored by Bridgeport Arts Council, the “New York Nights” celebration of music and dining will feature PUSH, a New York City-based septet headed up by veteran trumpeter and band leader, Eddie Allen.

 

“PUSH is extra cool because it represents Eddie taking jazz into some new places, like many of his predecessors did when they embraced bossa nova and even elements of progressive rock,” Spelsberg said. “Eddie is all about straight ahead, hard bop jazz including some truly wonderful covers of jazz classics, but he also explores new territory.”

 

Not only is the jazz sliced right off the Big Apple, so is the dining experience.

 

“We want to offer a genuine taste of New York City, musically and with the dining,” said Mary Kay Greer, Bridgeport Arts Council chairperson. “So we asked the West Virginia Jazz Society to work with the Bridgeport Conference Center chefs to make the event authentic Manhattan.”

 

Friday night’s event will feature a five-course dinner. The “Uptown Steakhouse” menu will feature wedge salad, Manhattan Clam Chowder inspired by The Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station, sliced filet ala Keene’s Steakhouse, plus similarly inspired dishes of crab stuffed shrimp, angel hair primavera, salad and dessert.

 

On Saturday night, five “Night On the Town” dining stations will  feature dishes inspired from Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Little Italy and the Upper West Side NYC neighborhoods. Foods will include chef sliced strip steak, seared pork and beef meatballs, baked mac n’ cheese with peas and bacon, gnocci with sausage and peppers, Asian barbeque pork ribs and a variety of salads and sides, including canoli and cheese cake.

 

The cost for the 6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 event is $80 per person and for 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, cost is $50 per person. Corporate tables and a VIP reception are also available. Reservations can be made by calling 304-842-8240.