Jazz Extravaganza At Ventfort Hall
 |
LENOX, Mass. — The Prima Music Foundation returns to Ventfort Hall with their jazz concert on Sunday, June 28 at 5:30 pm.
This is the opening concert for the Prima Music Institute & Festival week June 28 to July 5.
According to a press release:
An unforgettable evening of timeless music awaits, featuring the captivating artistry of George W. Michael on saxophone and clarinet, alongside the dynamic Michael Shirtz on piano and vocals. Adding a special highlight to the evening, Prima Music Foundation Young Scholar Artois Sancho will take the stage as a featured guest artist. Audiences will enjoy beloved classics from the Great American Songbook, with music by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin, among others, in a vibrant celebration of jazz, song, and timeless American artistry.
George W. Michael is a New York City–based saxophonist, clarinetist, educator, composer, and arranger with more than 20 years of experience as a performer and music educator. He holds degrees from The University of Texas and Bowling Green State University, and has spent the last 12 years teaching music with the New York City Department of Education.
As a performer, George has appeared at venues and educational programs throughout New York City, including the Carnegie Hall Music Educators Workshop, NYC Jazz Workshop, and with the Michael Shirtz Quartet. His musical influences span a wide spectrum of jazz and contemporary music, with artists such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock.
Michael Shirtz is a performer, educator, composer, and conductor whose work bridges jazz, contemporary, and classical music. Known for his expressive vocals and inventive arrangements, he performs as a solo artist and with the Michael Shirtz Quartet, blending jazz and singer-songwriter traditions in programs that celebrate the Great American Songbook and American musical heritage. He has collaborated with artists including Melissa Manchester, Maureen McGovern, Evelyn Wright, and Elizabeth von Trapp.
An accomplished conductor and music director, Shirtz has led educational, theatrical, symphonic, and festival productions with organizations such as the State Theatre Repertory Company, Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, and the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. His original works include compositions for jazz, choir, theater, and large-scale musical narratives. In June 2026, he will make his Carnegie Hall conducting debut leading Gabriel Fauré's Requiem.
Shirtz currently serves on the faculty of The Ohio State University School of Music, where he teaches applied and jazz voice, and continues to advocate for community engagement, creativity, and music education through his artistic and educational work.
Artois Sancho is a dedicated music student at the Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield, where he studies piano with Anastasia Dedik and Amy Renak. A rising junior at Wahconah Regional High School, 15-year-old Artois is an accomplished flutist in the school's concert band and a regular participant in the annual MMEA District Music Festival as well as Prima Music Institute & Festival. Artois was awarded a full talent scholarship by to return to PMIF in the summer of 2026. In addition to his musical pursuits, Artois is a competitive swimmer and a proud member of the Wahconah Warriors swim team, which has earned the title of Berkshire South Division Champions twice during his time on the team.
Tickets are $45 general admission. Members receive a discount code for $5 off all ticket prices. Reservations are required as seats are limited. For reservations click for tickets or call (413) 637-3206. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
