HOWARD FISHMAN AND THE BITING FISH BRASS BAND Launch Jewish Museum's Summernights Series, 7/12

Howard Fishman and the Biting Fish Brass Band kick off The Jewish Museum's popular SummerNights series with tonight's July 12 concert beginning at 7:30 pm. The band presents an exuberant blend of jazz, soul, country, blues, gospel and experimental music. This event also includes an open bar with beer and wine, and free ice cream courtesy of Chozen. The Jewish Museum is located at Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, Manhattan.

Upcoming SummerNights concerts include Slavic Soul Party!, mixing Balkan, Gypsy, Mexican and Asian sounds with American jazz and soul, on July 19; and One Ring Zero, featuring unique Balkan-inspired sounds, including songs with lyrics by Paul Auster, Margaret Atwood, and other writers, on July 26.

Tickets for tonight's July 12 concert are $15 for the general public; $12 for students and seniors; and $10 for Jewish Museum members. Visit The Jewish Museum's website to purchase online tickets. For additional information, the public may call 212.423.3337.

Critically-acclaimed singer, guitarist, composer and bandleader Howard Fishman's infectious, spontaneous, and unvarnished music has made him a favorite of audiences and critics alike. According to The New York Times, he "transcends time and idiom" performing his particular blend of jazz, pop, blues and experimental music. Fishman will be joined by Roland Barber, trombone; Kenneth Bentley, tuba; Etienne Charles, trumpet; and Mark McLean, drums.

Howard Fishman filters a passion for New Orleans jazz, Brooklyn soul, open-hearted country, blues and gospel music through an original, experimental aesthetic, to create a sound entirely his own. He has headlined in some of the most prestigious venues in the United States and abroad, including Lincoln Center, The Steppenwolf Theatre, The Blue Note, The Pasadena Playhouse, Joe's Pub, The Great American Music Hall, and Le Petit Journal in Paris. Fishman has performed with such diverse artists as Odetta, Yo Yo Ma, Maceo Parker, Robyn Hitchcock, Madeleine Peyroux, Allen Holdsworth and Nellie McKay. He is a frequent NPR guest, making feature-length appearances on Fresh Air, World Café, The Leonard Lopate Show and Soundcheck. Fishman's latest recording, The Howard Fishman Quartet Vol. III: Moon Country, was released in October 2011.