SCOTTSDALE – ASU’s Kerr Cultural Center launched its “Catch a Rising Star” series last week with an evening featuring two quartets–The Paul‑Eirik Melhus Quartet and The Barb Catlin Quartet–that set the tone for the remainder of the series–pairing established Valley jazz artists and mentors with exciting young “next‑generation” jazz musicians. 

Next week, on Wednesday, June 28, the series delivers its second installment, this time with two quintets–The Nick Wlodarczyk Quintet and The Charles Lewis Quintet.    

Currently a student at North Texas State and a member of the school’s prestigious “Two O’Clock Band,” Nick Wlodarczyk is making great strides (or rather, slides) in the art of the trombone both in class and on stage. In addition, Wlodarczyk has the distinction of being one of 80 young musicians in the United States to be invited to the Mancini Institute this summer.

As the first act in the June 28 “Catch a Rising Star” performance, Nick will be playing straight‑ahead jazz with some  other young rising stars from around the Valley, including Jacob Koller on piano and Chris Finet on bass.

Next up comes the distinctive, notable piano style of a contemporary master, “Sir” Charles Lewis, who combines the sophistication of Duke Ellington and the humor and rhythm of Horace Silver with a strong Latin influence. Some of his early influences include Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gelespie, John Coltrane,  Charlie Parker and Nat King Cole, but the meter he taps the keys to these days is all his own.

A member of the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, he has the honor of being its first jazz category inductee. As a teacher, Lewis has conducted workshops on the relationship of music to colors, textures and linear shapes for the National Alliance for Arts Education. Currently, he coaches young students in a variety of subjects including jazz piano, harmony and theory, jazz improvisation and vocal performance.

Taking particular pride in his work with children, Lewis is capitalizing on this opportunity to give a rising star a boost by spotlighting one of his most promising students, 11‑year‑old vocalist Lea Capelli, who will join him on the Kerr stage as his special guest.

The stars are on the rise at Kerr. Catching them is as easy as holding out your hand...and presenting your ticket.

“Catch a Rising Star,” featuring The Nick Wlodarczyk Quintet and The Charles Lewis Quintet, begins at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center, located at 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for students and seniors and are available at the box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. For information, call (480) 596‑2660.