Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) brings the 1980s back to life—jazz style—at Jazz Night: 80s Songbook, happening Saturday, Sept. 27 at The Music Hall Lounge. With two shows at 7 and 9 pm, this one-night event puts a bold spin on highlights from a beloved era, all reinterpreted by PMAC’s top-tier faculty musicians..
Now in its 18th year, PMAC’s Jazz Night has become a beloved annual tradition—known for its impressive musicianship and imaginative programming. “We’ve never played the same arrangement twice,” says Russ Grazier, PMAC CEO and saxophonist. “Every Jazz Night is a singular, unreplicable experience. It’s built from the ground up by the musicians on stage.”
The 80s Songbook edition is no exception. Over the past month, the band members have collaboratively crafted a diverse setlist featuring new arrangements of synth-pop, new wave, and rock ballads from the 1980s—think David Bowie, Talking Heads, Tears for Fears, and beyond.
This year’s combo features Chris Klaxton on trumpet, Russ Grazier on saxophones, Kate Possi on guitar, Jonny Peiffer on piano, Nick Phaneuf on bass, and Brian Waterhouse on drums. In a milestone for PMAC, the band also includes a former student: special guest Maddoc Johnson, a trumpeter now studying at New England Conservatory, will join the stage, playing alongside their former teacher Klaxton as a peer musician.
“This concert reflects the community we’re building,” adds Grazier. “Jazz Night brings us together in a unique way—it’s a creative reset, and it’s a real crowd pleaser. Whether you’re a longtime jazz listener, big 80’s fan, or walking in cold, there’s something here for you.”
Jazz Night: 80s Songbook Event Details
- Date: September 27th, 2025
- Time: 7:00pm & 9:00pm
- Venue: The Music Hall Lounge, Portsmouth, NH
- Ticket Price: $35
- Tickets available through The Music Hall: https://www.themusichall.org/events/pmacjazznightsongbook/
