Sacramento composer and band leader Harley White, Jr. is writing and arranging “Louis and the Gator,” a New Orleans-style Jazz re-write of Sergie Prokofievs’ musical “Peter and the Wolf.” White will begin to officially promote the project on the fundraising website Kickstarter.com starting Sep. 30. His goal is to raise $9,000 by Nov. 10 to fund a live performance of “Louis and the Gator,” record a CD featuring his jazz arrangements of Prokofievs’ compositions, produce an interactive educational DVD and write a children's book. Launched in 2009, Kickstarter.com allows entrepreneurs and artists to post projects and garner funding from investors who can donate any amount from $1 to thousan

Who says summer has to end in August? Well, the organizers of the Crocker Art Museum’s “Jazz At The Crocker” summer music series agree.   In fact, the museum is prolonging the spirit of summer with its “Jazz At The Crocker” every third Thursday of the month beginning at 5:30 p.m. and going to 8 p.m. in the E. Kendall Davis Courtyard. This month, the Crocker featured the renowned Roger Smith jazz band.   The band consists of bandleader and keyboardist Roger Smith, drummer Brian Collier, bassist Curtis Ohlson, guitarist Jeff Tamelier, saxophonist Jon Skinner, saxophonist Tom E. Politzer and vocalist Carol J. Toca.   “The Crocker has been doing this for 15-20 years—it’s a popular series

Looking for a way to have a little fun on your Thursday evenings? The Crocker Art Museum may be able to help. Running for more than 10 years, the Third Thursday Jazz series will be starting up again this month. Every month, from May until August, concertgoers will be treated to sounds of jazz in the museum’s courtyard. The Crocker’s marketing communication coordinator, Kathleen Richards, said the event will feature good music, good weather, and good people. “Sacramento is really well-known for its nice summer evenings,” she said. “This is a good way to spend those evenings.” All shows will begin at 5:30, with the music starting a bit later. Richards said refreshments will be served, incl

Jazz keyboard master Roger Smith will perform during the Crocker Art Museum’s Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series on September 17 from 5:30-8 p.m. Smith and his band will bring their lively spirit and exceptional talent to perform an array of melodies ranging from R&B to smooth jazz. This is the final concert of the Summer Concert Series before it takes a hiatus during the winter months. During his 30 year career, Smith has released five CD recordings and collaborated on countless others. His Off the Hook was a smash, No. 1 hit on Billboard’s contemporary jazz singles chart in 1999 and stayed in the top 10 for nearly 20 weeks. Smith returned to the charts in 2004 with the 14-track s