The Bach’s Lunch Series continues on April 2nd with a lecture by Mark Shilansky entitled “Listening to Jazz: A Road Map.” On April 9th, Matt Langley, saxophone; David Tonkin, guitar; Brendan Dowd, bass, and Tim Gilmore, drums, will present “The Legacy of Bassist Charlie Haden.” Bach’s Lunch programs are free, and take place in the Music School’s Recital Hall, 23 Wall St., downtown Concord, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m.
On April 2, Mark Shilansky will give audience members a tour through the “library” of jazz improvisational techniques, giving an entertaining insider’s view into how jazz musicians decide what to play when improvising on a tune. Shilansky will demonstrate these improvisational ideas at the piano and with selected recordings. Especially with the “free jazz” idiom that Haden often explored, this road map of how jazz musicians organize the improvisation will help listeners follow the structure of the music to be presented in the concert on April 9. The Bach’s Lunch concert will feature works of famous bassists from the jazz tradition, including Charlie Haden, Oscar Pettiford, Rufus Reid and Charles Mingus. Listeners are invited to explore, as the ensemble plays, the way in which the bass player holds a singular position in a jazz setting. A deep understanding of this role allows the bass player a unique vantage point from which to lead a musical journey for both players and listeners alike.
The Bach’s Lunch Series received a 2007 Best of NH Award from New Hampshire Magazine, named as an Editor's Pick - “best place to bring a brown-bag lunch.”
The Bach’s Lunch series is sponsored by The Duprey Companies; The Couch Trusts, TD Banknorth, N.A., Trustee; and The Timothy and Abigail B. Walker Lecture Fund. Call 603-228-1196 for information, or visit the website www.ccmusicschool.org.
About the artists:
Mark Shilansky has been playing the piano and writing songs since the age of 8. Now, 28 years later (after studying with Dave Tonkin and Michael Annicchiarico at the Concord Community Music School, then going on to UNH and New England Conservatory), he teaches ear training, improvisation, and arranging at Berklee College of Music, and his alma mater, UNH. He also keeps himself busy writing music and producing CDs (over 40 at last count) for himself and others, on which he plays keyboard instruments and sometimes sings. Some of these CDs are the piano trio date "First Look" (1997), the collection of original pop songs "Different Songs" (2000), the suite of extended jazz compositions "Other Voices" (2003) and "Join the Club" (2007). Shilansky also counts as his achievements 3 performances at the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) annual convention, and performances and recordings with such artists as Luciana Souza, Rebecca Parris, Kenny Wheeler, Jerry Bergonzi, and the New York Voices, as well as two recent tours of Japan and a performance at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival with the vocal jazz group "Syncopation."
Matt Langley (saxophone) has studied with Lou Marini of Saturday Night Live, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland. Since 1988, he has been a member of the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet (CKQ), recording three CDs on the Accurate Label. CKQ has toured the United States extensively, performing in jazz festivals from the Boston Globe Festival to the Rutabega Jazz Jam in Knoxville, Illinois, and giving clinics, master classes and individual lessons. CKQ’s fourth CD, Dancing on my Bedpost, showed up on the top ten lists of many jazz critics in 1999 and their fifth CD is currently awaiting release on the NADA label. Matt’s recording sessions have included ones with Ron Carter, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Roswell Rudd, and many others. Matt performs regularly with Tonkin Toys and teaches at the Concord Community Music School.
David Tonkin (guitar) has studied jazz guitar with Ed Cory, Jay Azzolina, and Randy Roos. Chair of the Music School’s Jazz Department, he has worked with the NH Artists in the Schools Program, led workshops at the Lincoln Center Institute at Dartmouth College, and taught at UNH Manchester. He performs throughout New England. Founder of the David Tonkin Group and Tonkin Toys. Tonkin performed in two sold-out performances with Straight No Chaser at the well-known New York City jazz club, The Blue Note, and at the Saratoga Jazz Festival. An active composer, his work has been heard on radio and television throughout the area. He teaches at the Concord Community Music School, where he is Jazz Department Chair.
Brendan Dowd (bass) graduated magna *** laude from Plymouth State University having studied with Don Williams and John Hunter and attended master classes with Todd Coolman, Rufus Reid, and David Dempsey. In addition to electric/double bass instruction and co-leading jazz ensembles at CCMS, Brendan teaches general music, band, and chorus at Ashland Elementary School, in Ashland, NH. He has performed throughout New England with many talented musicians, and performs regularly with the Jared Steer Quartet, Scott Solsky Group, The ftet, and the critically acclaimed bluegrass/folk group, High Range.
Tim Gilmore (percussion) received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Ed/Music from Salem State College and studied further in composition and performance programs at Berklee College of Music. He is a member of the Harry Skoler Jazz Quartet with Brownstone Recording Artists and has performed with such groups as the Cape Ann Symphony, the Symphony by the Sea, the Paul Madore Chorale, the Boston Percussion Ensemble and the Cambridge Harmonic Orchestra. He has also performed with Lester Bowie, Marion McPartland, Tower of Power, Tiger Okoshi, and Warren Vache. Some of his recordings include “A Work of Heart,” “Reflections on the Art of Swing” and “Conversations in the Language of Jazz” on Brownstone Records. Tim is also on the Concord Community Music School faculty.