Juneau Jazz & Classics’ (JJ&C) Fall Festival has begun! From October 2nd through the 7th, residents and visitors in Southeast Alaska will have multiple opportunities to experience live music, from large productions to intimate performances all over Juneau, Hoonah, and Gustavus. JJ&C continues their more than 30-year mission of bringing music to the people with performances by the classical group, Calder Quartet, GRAMMY award-winning cellist, Zuill Bailey, and highly versatile ensembles Chelsey Green and the Green Project and the Mike Block Trio. With the rain falling and the wind blowing, JJ&C gives us the best excuse to head inside for adventurous musical experiences.  The week begins with an opportunity to learn from the best. The Calder Quartet and Zuill Bailey will hold a FREE Open Rehearsal on Monday, October 2 at 5 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Listeners will get an inside look at the processes used by professional musicians. If you’re a musician, you won’t want to miss this unique learning experience. But even those who do not play an instrument will gain an appreciation for the work and cooperation that goes into perfecting a performance.   Next, Juneau will get to hear the polished execution of the songs that were practiced during the previous night’s Open Rehearsal. There will be two performances of Strings at Shuká Hít on Tuesday, October 3 at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm in Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building. JJ&C’s very own Artistic Director opens the performance with the Calder Quartet with the String Quintet No. 2 in C Major by Boccherini. Then they’ll play the more contemporary Hillborg before taking us back in time with the prodigy, Schubert. This will be your only chance to see the Calder Quartet and space is limited, so get your tickets before they sell out.   Wednesday night brings us the impeccable Chelsey Green and the Green Project. Jazz at the JACC takes place October 4 at 7 p.m. at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. Chelsey Green is a classically trained violinist, but don’t let this fool you into thinking this will be standard classical fare. Chelsey brings new life to the violin by pairing her smooth melodies with jazzy beats. She’s backed up by a funky rhythm section that keeps her music from being pigeonholed into one genre.  Juneau gets a rest from live music on Thursday, but the musicians are still hard at work sharing their passion for music. Chelsey Green and the Green Project head off to Hoonah to inspire the young and old while Zuill Bailey regales Gustavus with his flawless playing. While those two are off on ferries and small planes, the Mike Block Trio begins their residency, coaching students enrolled in Juneau, Alaska Music Matters (JAMM).   Friday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Zuill and Chelsey return to Juneau for Puttin’ on the Ritz. This concert is JJ&C’s annual event that showcases their namesake in the best way. The first half is filled with classical pieces by the aforementioned GRAMMY award-winning cellist, Zuill Bailey, then patrons can get down and funky with the second half being jazz-focused with Chelsey Green and the Green Project. Your ticket includes catered hors d’oeuvres but bring some cash for the bar hosted by TK Maguires.   Saturday, October 7 is the final day of the Fall Festival with two performances by the Mike Block Trio, another genre-bending ensemble that blends qualities from folk, world, and classical to bring you a sound you’ve never heard before. First, the Mike Block Trio shares their talent with our youngest community members at the FREE Family Concert at the Mendenhall Valley Library. Arrive at 10 a.m. for an activity hosted by the library and stay for the music that starts at 10:30 am. Lastly, the Mike Block Trio headlines the Festival Finale at 7 p.m. at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. You’ll want to come early for this concert too because the students from JAMM who have been learning with the trio will open the concert. This continues a newly established collaboration between the Festival and JAMM that everyone hopes will continue for many years.   All tickets can be purchased at www.jazzandclassics.org. Prices range from $15-$75 and package discounts are available and don’t forget about the FREE events. Your ticket purchases and tax-deductible donations go to supporting the arts in your local community centers and schools. Juneau Jazz & Classics is a music festival that builds community through adventurous musical experiences, purposeful arts education, and comprehensive community involvement with professional musicians. You can also support the organization by joining the volunteer team. For more information, email info@jazzandclassics.org or call (907) 463-3378.   ###  For more information contact Sandy Fortier at (720) 256-3777