BOBBY SELVAGGIO QUINTET
Bobby Selvaggio is one of the leading alto saxophone voices on today’s jazz scene. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound.”
Bobby, who grew up in the Cleveland area, earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kent State University. He eventually moved to New York City and earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music. While in New York he studied with Joe Lovano, Bobby Watson, Dick Oatts, and Maria Schneider.
The Band: Bobby Selvaggio ~ saxophone, composer, and educator | Tommy Lehman ~ trumpet | George Delancey ~ bass | Zaire Darden ~ drums | Zach Jones ~ guitar
Tickets: $20 General Admission
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TOM BECKHAM TRIO
As a leader, vibraphonist Tom Beckham has released 4 CD’s to date: Suspicions, Center Songs, Rebound and a duo album with guitarist Brad Shepik entitled Flower Starter. He also performs on solo vibraphone. He also co-leads a quartet band with pianist Dred Scott called “Cali Mambo.”
As a versatile sideman in New York for 30 years, Beckham has toured with and performed and/or recorded with Brad Shepik’s “Across the Way” Quartet, George Schuller’s Circle Wide bands, JC Sanford’s Jazz Orchestra, lap steel guitarist Mike Neer, the Motown/Soul group The Soul Night Band; trombonist J. Walter Hawkes, the swing-era ensembles of Lapis Luna and Flying Home; Joseph C. Phillips’ Numinous Ensemble; the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP); pop/lounge artist Sylvia Black, as well as session work for film and TV such as PBS and HBO and has appeared on over 28 recordings to-date.
In 2018 he was featured in the book “Masters of the Vibes” (Mostly Marimba Productions) by Anthony Smith along with his own heroes of the vibes such as Stefon Harris, Joe Locke, David Friedman, Warren Wolf, and many other great players. Tom earned his Bachelor’s Degree at the Berklee College of Music and is a former student of Gary Burton and Ed Saindon.
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CARMEN LUNDY
Carmen Lundy has chart topping albums and multiple Grammy nods, it’s evident why the vocal luminary has enjoyed an illustrious career. This iconic star will be shining bright when she brings her remarkable artistry to town for these immersive performances.
Showtimes: February 15 ~ 7:30 & 9:30pm | February 16 |~ 6:30pm
Tickets: $45.00 ~ $50.00
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Pekka Eerik Juhani Sarmanto was born February 15, 1945 in Helsinki, finland. He first studied classical violin at the Sibelius Academy from 1958 to 1964 before switching to upright bass. He initially played dance music but was soon invited to perform in jazz clubs by bandleaders like Eero Koivistoinen and Esa Pethman.
1967 saw him joining the house band of Down Beat Club where he played with musicians like Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon. In 1975 Sarmanto founded UMO, abbreviation of Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri, (New Music Orchestra) and the group accompanied many international jazz musicians visiting Finland. As a result Pekka was able to meet and play with Charles Mingus in Belgrade, Serbia; Gil Evans, Edward Vesala and Sonny Rollins.
Sarmanto received the Georgie Award of the Finnish Jazz Federation in 1978. In 1982 he worked on the album To a Finland Station with Dizzy Gillespie and Arturo Sandoval, released on the Pablo label in 1983. He considers this to be his most successful recording.
In 1996 the bassist founded the Pekka Sarmanto Trio and in 2007 he retired from UMO but he still keeps performing actively with different groups, including with his own trio..
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Fred Staton was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1915 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His musical life began with his mother’s player piano and 78 records of Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson. He began singing in his church’s gospel choir, but got introduced to playing jazz when the group’s sponsor brought in a full band’s worth of equipment, complete with charts of popular music. He first picked up the drums but having to pack up his kit left few women to flirt with as his bandmates left after the gig. This and the influence of a Johnny Hodges cut on an Ellington big band record inspired him to choose the saxophone.
He played in the first ensemble Art Blakey ever formed, alongside pianist Erroll Garner. The lack of opportunity and venues for a young black man in segregated Pittsburgh led Staton to leave the Steel City and find his fortune gigging on the East Coast. He fell in with Horace Silver and watched fellow Westinghouse High School graduates Billy Strayhorn and Ahmad Jamal pen iconic compositions.
Staton went on to become a veteran member of the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, and toured Europe, Russia and the United States to much acclaim. He has received numerous honors and awards, and was a lifetime member and supporter of WBGO Radio. Tenor saxophonist Fred Staton continued to play jazz until his death at 102 years of age on October 25, 2017.
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