Charlie Byrd

Charlie Byrd has been named the first Maryland Art Treasure by the Community Arts Alliance of Maryland.This is swell because the honor will take the Annapolis jazz guitarist on a 15-month statewide concert tour called "Welcome, Maryland Art Treasure." The performances will give even more people an opportunity to hear the unique artistry of Charlie Byrd and his wide repertoire.Over the years, Charlie Byrd has had his share of breaks good and bad. In retrospect, it all evens out to a remarkably satisfying career which has managed to combine breakthrough achievements in jazz with a serious interest in classical guitar.

Good news for jazz aficionados and connoisseurs: Concert impresario Elana Byrd has announced that she will continue the Joe Byrd jazz concerts in 2013. Joe and Elana Byrd had chosen the full 2012 slate of artists before his death March 7 in an auto accident near his Edgewater home. Elana Byrd decided to continue the planned season, bringing major jazz musicians to Annapolis. Downtown Annapolis is in its 40th consecutive year as a showcase for jazz — a legacy of local guitarist Charlie Byrd, his brother, bassist Joe, and entrepreneur Paul Pearson, who in 1972 opened the King of France Tavern at the Maryland Inn, where jazz royalty was featured for nearly 30 years.

THE STARK spars and naked masts of a thousand tranquil sailboats jut upward from the sparkling water as if to salute the winter sky with memories of summer gone, but in anticipation of good times yet to come. Truly, the view from the Annapolis condominium overlooking Back Creek is conducive to reflection, contemplation.Inside, Charlie Byrd, a Maryland treasure who can make people laugh or weep with a few flicks of his talented, sinewy hands, is reminiscing about his long career and the stature he enjoys as one of the most versatile guitarists in the world.

SATURDAY CHARM CITY ROLLER GIRL TRYOUTS: If you saw "Whip It," you've probably entertained fantasies of being a smack-talking, pain-taking roller derby girl. Well, here's your chance to see if you can hack it. Tryouts for the team will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Skateland Northpoint, 1113 Old North Point Road in Dundalk. Participants will be tested on basic skating skills, basic derby skills and endurance. There's a $10 rink fee and skate rentals will be available.

Charlie Byrd, the favorite guitar player of many peers after more than 50 years at it, is looking forward to a "Byrd and Brass" concert with a veteran's know-how and a rookie's drive. Saturday at 8 p.m. he plays Christmas music with the Annapolis Brass Quintet, two things he enjoys dearly.With his jazz trio of brother Joe Byrd on bass and drummer Chuck Redd, the legendary musician, now 65, joins forces with the Quintet at Friedberg Concert Hall, Peabody Institute. It's their 100th joint concert in five years, more or less, and their first Christmas concert (though they have recorded a Christmas "Byrd and Brass")

Good news for jazz aficionados and connoisseurs: Concert impresario Elana Byrd has announced that she will continue the Joe Byrd jazz concerts in 2013. Joe and Elana Byrd had chosen the full 2012 slate of artists before his death March 7 in an auto accident near his Edgewater home. Elana Byrd decided to continue the planned season, bringing major jazz musicians to Annapolis. Downtown Annapolis is in its 40th consecutive year as a showcase for jazz — a legacy of local guitarist Charlie Byrd, his brother, bassist Joe, and entrepreneur Paul Pearson, who in 1972 opened the King of France Tavern at the Maryland Inn, where jazz royalty was featured for nearly 30 years.

Jazz concert -- Loews Annapolis Hotel and Joe Byrd Jazz will present Jazz at the Powerhouse at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 126 West St., Annapolis. The Joe Byrd trio, featuring Nate Najar and Kevin Whisman, will perform at the 7th annual tribute concert to Charlie Byrd (above). Proceeds benefit the Charlie Byrd Scholarship fund at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. Reservations are required. 410-269-0777.

Pianist Cyrus Chestnut will perform through Sunday at the Maryland Inn's King of France Tavern.Other June performers are Charlie Byrd, June 10-12; Deanna Bogart, June 17-18; Bruno and Bollenback, June 19; and the Hard Travelers, June 24-26.Performances are 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 8:30 p.m. Sunday.Information: 263-2641.

The ghosts of Christmases Past were out in force when the Annapolis Brass Quintet took center stage for an evening of holiday music Sunday at historic St. Anne's Episcopal Church. The quintet had not played together as Annapolis' "official" representative to the world of brass chamber music since April 1993. It was a delight to hear the ensemble at work again, paying tribute to Christmas, to the past lives of its members and to the spirit of Charlie Byrd, the master guitarist and quintet colleague who died last year.

State arts group honors Charlie ByrdGuitarist Charlie Byrd has been named the first Maryland Art )) Treasure by the Community Arts Alliance of Maryland.He will receive his award at a ceremony at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Annapolis City Dock. Next month, Mr. Byrd will embark on a 15-month Maryland concert tour called "Welcome, Maryland Art Treasure.""I'm very honored to be selected for this award by the statewide group of arts professionals and arts supporters," the Annapolis-based musician said.

The Joe Byrd Trio and Quartet farewell concerts at Loews Annapolis Powerhouse last weekend were sold out, filled with fans who witnessed the end of an era of authentic, sophisticated American jazz that has been at home in Annapolis the past 40 years. Joe Byrd has been playing bass for 50 years - 40 years with his world-class guitarist brother Charlie Byrd. After Charlie's death in 1999, Joe maintained his style of jazz with administrative support from Elana, his wife of 31 years. Elana Byrd, a lawyer who also acts as her husband's promoter and agent, serves as concert emcee.

Jazz concert -- Loews Annapolis Hotel and Joe Byrd Jazz will present Jazz at the Powerhouse at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 126 West St., Annapolis. The Joe Byrd trio, featuring Nate Najar and Kevin Whisman, will perform at the 7th annual tribute concert to Charlie Byrd (above). Proceeds benefit the Charlie Byrd Scholarship fund at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. Reservations are required. 410-269-0777.

The indigenous American art form of vintage jazz was recently celebrated at Loews' Powerhouse in Annapolis. The event was hosted by Elana Byrd, who with her husband - bassist Joe Byrd - has promoted a resurgence of jazz in Annapolis. Joe Byrd is the brother of the late jazz legend Charlie Byrd, and the Charlie Byrd Trio for years was a main draw of the King of France Tavern at the Maryland Inn. The June 23--24 weekend closed the Powerhouse jazz season for the summer, with Friday night featuring the newly formed Powerhouse Six led by clarinetist Bob Thulman in a program of Dixieland and ragtime.

Ever since last fall's closure of the legendary King of France Tavern on Church Circle, the Annapolis jazz scene has been strangely silent. But listen carefully and you just might hear the sound of Joe Byrd's bass tuning up for what he hopes will be a memorable performance. Tonight at 8, Byrd - brother of the late jazz legend Charlie Byrd - will perform for the opening of the Powerhouse, a new club at the Loews Annapolis Hotel on West Street. The club is a collaborative effort of Joe Byrd, wife Elana and Loews general manager Larry Beiderman.

Rotary Club Oyster Roast Feast on raw oysters, fried oysters, oyster stew and more at the Baltimore Rotary Club's 81st Annual Oyster Roast from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the 5th Regiment Armory, Howard and Preston streets. And if you don't like the shelled treasures of the Chesapeake Bay, don't despair. There's also plenty of food for landlubbers. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the event, which last year raised more than $60,000 for charitable works. Tickets are $34 and are available in advance or at the door.

Historical society announces closings of library and gallery The Historical Society of Carroll County has announced closings for its library and exhibition gallery in the Shriver-Weybright auditorium. The library and gallery will be closed tomorrow, Sunday, Tuesday and Dec. 30 and 31. Information: 410-848-6494. Arts council is planning bus trip to Delaware Carroll County Arts Council will take a bus trip to Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington, Del., and Winterthur, Del., on Feb. 7. The bus will leave at 8 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. At the arts center, the group will see the exhibit of bejeweled miniature creations by Carl Faberge, legendary Russian jeweler and goldsmith.

What goes around, comes around, however much reduced in scale.The Charlie Byrd Music Festival started at the end of September and continues this weekend and next in Annapolis at the Maryland Inn's King of France Tavern. And jazz fans have been given an almost heaven-sent opportunity to enjoy some of the best jazz guitarists on the East Coast.The performers' bill contains such prominent names as Baltimore's Ethel Ennis, New York's Gene Bertoncini, Howard Alden, and Bucky Pizarelli, along with Pete Kennedy and the Washington Guitar Quintet, the Annapolis Brass Quintet, and, of course, Charlie Byrd.

The ghosts of Christmases Past were out in force when the Annapolis Brass Quintet took center stage for an evening of holiday music Sunday at historic St. Anne's Episcopal Church. The quintet had not played together as Annapolis' "official" representative to the world of brass chamber music since April 1993. It was a delight to hear the ensemble at work again, paying tribute to Christmas, to the past lives of its members and to the spirit of Charlie Byrd, the master guitarist and quintet colleague who died last year.

Choral arts group in Westminster plans Christmas concert Westminster Choral Arts Society will hold its annual "Messiah" and Christmas carol concert at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Westminster United Methodist Church, East Main and Center streets. The group is directed by Douglas Brandt Byerly and will be accompanied by an orchestra. Tickets are $6 at the door; children age 12 and younger are admitted free. Information: 410-239-2653. Christian musical group to perform in Finksburg Generation 21, a Youth for Christ international musical team from Africa, will perform in concert at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 3000 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg.