By Frank Maccioli of the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop

The Bakersfield Jazz Orchestra performs swing and Latin grooves with a twist of jazz and rock fusion.

We were saddened to hear from Randy Fendrick of the Southside Chicago Seven of the possibility that the Golden Empire Hot Jazz Society will be shutting down and a venue for Dixieland and traditional jazz will be dark. In the 13 or 14 years of its existence, GEHJS has sent some 50 kids to the Sacramento Jazz Camp. But as the economy and age hit this group, it will probably shut down.

The Southside Chicago Seven and the GEHJS will be at the Elks Club from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, and will play some of the tunes they have featured in the past, showing off a couple of the youngsters that went to the jazz camp this year. This includes Micah Nacita, who has been a jazz camper for the last two years and is en route to UCLA where she will study jazz piano. Fortunately, Southside Chicago Seven will continue to play on.

Additionally, you may have heard recently that The Basement in downtown Bakersfield had to close its doors. We will keep you posted as soon as we know any additional details on a change of venue for jazz concerts that were scheduled there.

Check out the following listings if you want to listen to some great jazz in the coming weeks.

Bakersfield Jazz Workshop: 6:30 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday at Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginning jazz workshop; 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. featured artist; 8:30 to 10 p.m. open jam session. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Featured artists are:

The Bakersfield Jazz Orchestra – Aug 26 (For more details, check out the BE calendar.)

To Be Announced – Sept 2

David Baron Stevens – Sept 9

Candace Freeman – Sept 16

Lawanda Smith – Sept 23

Kama Ruby – Sept 30

Jazz Alliance: 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday, Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane. No cover charge.

Modern Jazz Trio: Aug. 30, Sept. 13 and Sept. 27, location to be announced (formerly at The Basement). Shows are at 7 p.m. with $10 admission. More information: www.reverbnation.com/themodernjazztrio. Special guests:

Patrick Contreras – Aug. 30

Zane Musa – Sept. 13

Kris Tiner – Sept. 27

Richie Perez: 7 to 11 p.m. every Thursday, Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 28 and 29, Golden West Casino, 1001 S. Union Ave.

Lawanda Smith: “Wine Down Your Thursdays,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Jitters Cafe & Grill, 5060 California Ave., first floor of Stockdale Towers. Admission is $20.

Southside Chicago Seven: 2 to 5 p.m. first Sunday of every month, Elks Club Ballroom, 30^th and H streets, admission $10; 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 9, Carriage House Retirement Community House, 8200 Westwood Drive; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19, Housing Tract Opening at 10013 Jersey Shore, Tehachapi.

Isaiah Morfin: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27, Metro Galleries, 1604 19^th St. With Canaan McDuffey (drums), Glen Fong (bass), Jim Scully (guitar), Jennifer Neil (vocals), and Doug Davis (piano). Admission is $8.

This article was excerpted from Frank Maccioli’s weekly Jazz About Town and Bakersfield Jazz Workshop e-newsletters. To sign up for the newsletters, and to learn more about the workshop, visit www.bakersfieldjazzworkshop.com, e-mail bakjazzworkshop@lightspeed.net or call 444-0853.