WHAT: LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch – Katy and west Houston’s place to shop and play – announces the return of Hot Nights, Cool Jazz, June 4 through July 30, 2009. Guests are invited to unwind after a long day and ease into the weekend with the improvisational artistry of the area's premier jazz musicians each Thursday.

Food and nonalcoholic beverages are available from any LaCenterra restaurant or specialty food retailer. Courtyard beverage service will be available from The Wine Next Door and Fish City Grill. All events are free and open to the public.

Performances take place weather permitting. Showtimes and performers subject to change. Visit www.lacenterra.com for additional information and the latest event announcements.

WHEN: Thursday Nights

June 4 – July 30

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

DETAILS: June 4 The Scenic Route

The Scenic Route is a collective of professional jazz musicians from the greater Houston area. Members perform with local and regional bands, as well as with national touring acts. Its set list includes traditional and modern jazz favorites and blues. The lineup includes Ara Gray on percussion and flute, John Broussard on guitar, Gerald Stewart on saxophone and Tashia Beatty on keyboard.

June 11 Jawad & Friends

www.jawadmusic.com

Frontman Jawad has performed on stages with Dizzy Gillespie, Gerald Albright, Alex Bugnon, The Manhattans and others. His eclectic style epitomizes “cool.” Regardless of the temperature, the night is sure to be breezy and comfortable when Jawad takes the stage.

June 18 The Tyler Mire Combo

www.myspace.com/tylermiremusic

The Tyler Mire Combo is comprised of three rising, young jazz musicians and Katy natives. Group leader Tyler Mire, is currently studying at the University of North Texas Jazz School, one of the nation’s preeminent jazz universities. Bassist Nick Puccia has been a regular on the Houston music scene playing with numerous groups in and around town. Pianist Noel Bryant is a student at Texas Tech University and plays in the Texas Tech Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of the notable New York alto saxophone player, Brad Leali.

June 25 George Poe Trio
www.george-p.com

The George Poe Trio has a flair for infusing familiar and beloved music from the 1930s through the 1980s with a modern twist entirely their own. More than just a tribute to America’s Songbook, the trio pays homage to a bygone era of songwriting and performing. They blur the lines between the classics, blues, pop, R&B and jazz.

Members of the George Poe Trio include Matthew Stephens on upright bass guitar and vocals, George Poe on keyboard and vocals and Lee Bigelow on percussion.

July 2 In The Pocket
www.jazzperformances.com
In The Pocket represents a talented cast of professional musicians who share an interest in classic improvisational jazz and a healthy admiration for musical greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Horace Silver. Special guests to be announced.

July 9 White Stone Craving

www.whitestonecraving.com

White Stone Craving consists of six talented players from the Katy area. The group features Pat Cooper on keyboard, Rush Selden on trumpet, Neel Woods on trombone, Dan Williams on saxophone, Robin Roewe on keys and backing vocals and Jamie Strain on drums and vocals. White Stone Craving draws their influences from old-school jazz standards, 1970s funk, Motown, contemporary jazz and pop.

July 16 The Billy Keener Band

The Billy Keener Band’s namesake frontman is no stranger to the stage. With a career spanning almost three decades, Keener has played all over the world. From jazz festivals to concerts and private events, he has entertained audiences with original pieces and soulful jazz favorites. Keener is completing his second CD entitled, “Billy Keener – Music Works.”

July 23 Dr. FeelGood

Dr. FeelGood has an impressive following and a talented lineup comprised of 2009 Taylor High School graduates. The members of the band include Elin Crockett on alto and soprano sax, Matt Faldyn on bass, Martial Morrison on the trombone, Stefan Munoz on trumpet, and Carl Yates on drum. Dr. FeelGood’s musical repertoire includes swing, Latin, Dixieland, funk and blues. The band has been studying hard and making music for two years.

July 30 Cool Breeze

Cool Breeze is a spirited jazz combo featuring Gene Fritts on guitar and Tom Viviano on trumpet and flugelhorn. The combo serves up jazz standards, cool jazz and bossa nova.

About LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch

A joint venture of Houston-based Vista Equities Group and Denver-based Amstar Group, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is greater Katy/ west Houston’s premiere retail-oriented lifestyle center. Located within the 7,400-acre master planned community of Cinco Ranch, the $140 million mixed-use project represents the ultimate amenity. Designed to serve as a gathering place and town center for this growing community, the 34-acre development offers national and local specialty retailers, class “A” office space, residential living and quality dining options in an inviting, pedestrian-friendly environment with outdoor common areas, lakes and water features. Phase I of LaCenterra opened March 1, 2007 with approximately 170,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 90,000 sq. ft. of Class “A” office space. Phase II is scheduled for completion Spring/Summer 2011 and will include an additional 160,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 252 residential living units. Design plans for Phase III of the LaCenterra are currently in development. Construction on Phase II and Phase III will take place simultaneously with an anticipated Summer 2011 completion date for Phase III.

LaCenterra is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, at the intersection Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway, just minutes from I-10, Highway 6 and the Westpark Toll Road. The project design is by Hermes Architects with construction by Hoar Construction.

Retail leasing coordinated by Donna Keith of Vista Equities Group, (713) 560-7314. Office leasing provided by Louann Orlando and Steve Rocher of CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., (713) 577-1600. For additional information on LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, please visit www.lacenterra.com or the Vista Companies at www.vistahouston.com.