Granite State Stuff : Jazz

Geyer/Feld Duo at Studio 99 7/3

AskLisa — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:51:00 GMT

The Geyer/Feld duo will appear at Nashua’s Stuio 99 at 8:00 on July 3. Both accomplished singer/pianists, Ben Geyer and Matthew Bryan Feld will perform jazz standards, pop tunes, and original compositions. Admission is $10 and $7 for students. For more information, go to www.bengeyer.com and www.myspace.com/matthewbryanfeld.

After meeting at the University of Miami, Feld and Nashua native Geyer reunited in New York City as they explored its dynamic jazz scene. This performance will display the sort of atmosphere that is too often reserved for New York apartments: an intimate display of great songs and dazzling improvisation.

Ben Geyer is a pianist, composer, and bandleader. He began to play the piano at age eight in Nashua, NH, when his parents found him playing by ear at a friend’s piano and immediately enrolled him in lessons. His extensive experience includes two years on the New York City jazz scene. Ben leads two different bands: The Ben Geyer Sextet featuring New York musicians playing his original music; and The Gate, a Nashua-based cover band.

On the verge of pursuing a career in psychology, Matthew Bryan Feld performed with an R&B band and it changed his life. Years later, his work as a vocalist, pianist, and composer is distinguishing him as a force on the New York jazz scene. Matthew’s performances center on the art of the song. In addition to his fresh original compositions, he recovers gems and reinvigorates them into relevance.

April’s Bach’s Lunch: A Road Map for Listening to Jazz

AskLisa — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:22:00 GMT

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.

A Jazzy January Night

AskLisa — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:36:00 GMT

The Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble will present their annual Jazz in January cabaret-style evening with two shows on Friday, January 23, at 7 pm & 9 pm. As the audience savors food courtesy of Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, they will hear a wide-range of Latin, be-bop, gospel-tinged blues tunes as well as a few originals by the band. A highlight will be the percussion extravaganza that promises not one, but two, drummers.

Named for its downtown Concord location, the Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble is comprised of the Concord Community Music School’s jazz faculty: David Tonkin, guitar; Richard Gardzina and Matt Langley, saxophones; Tom Robinson, keyboards; Don Williams, bass; and John Faggiano and Tim Gilmore, drums. All have performed, individually and together, throughout New England, in New York City and at jazz festivals around the nation.

The sponsor of this year’s Jazz in January event is TransCanada, with thanks to Hermanos Cocina Mexicana for food and beverages. Tickets may be bought in advance for $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. The shows take place at the Concord Community Music School’s Community Room, with entrances on Fayette and Wall streets. For tickets and more information call 603-228-1196.

THE ARTISTS:
John Faggiano (percussion) trained at Acadia University and Berklee College of Music with further studies in Orff-Schulwerk at University of Lowell and in African and Afro-Latin music with Nuru. A student of Ed Nicholas, Gary Chaffee and Alan Dawson, he has performed at the Blue Note in NYC and the Saratoga and White Mountain Jazz Festivals. A member of the Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble, he is a founding member of the performance group “Applehead.” A twenty-year veteran of the band “The Knights,” John has performed shows with the Drifters as well as Gary Chaffee and Pat Metheny. He can also be heard on many recordings recently, with the Dave Tonkin Group, Steve Schuch and on Peggo and Paul’s award-winning CD, Patchwork Quilt.

Richard Gardzina (saxophone) received his B.A. in Music Composition from North Texas State University and his M.A. in Music Composition from UNH with further study at the Berklee College of Music. He is a producer, recording engineer and owner of Sound Experience recording studio and has composed works for various film companies in Los Angeles and NY, NYC choreographer Dianne Eno, NH Theater Project, Pontine Movement Theatre, Arthur Hall Dance Company, and NH Dance Alliance. Richard has composed and produced over 125 songs for children, and composed and produced 50 Songs for Social Dance as well as recorded two CDs of original jazz compositions, Play This and Imaginings. With forty years of performing experience in NH, Texas, Los Angeles. Richard is on the faculty of New England College as well as the Music School.

Tom Robinson (piano) received a B.M. in Jazz Studies from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. He has studied saxophone with Michael Cox, and piano with Mark Flugge and Joe Hunter. He was selected for Ohio Music Educator's All-State College Jazz Ensemble in 1992-1993. Tom performs throughout New England as a sideman with several jazz groups as well as leading and writing for his own trio.

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 as a soloist, studio musician, and as a member of Straight No Chaser. He is also the 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.

Don Williams (bass) received a B.S. in Music Education at Plymouth State College, with further study in the M.F.A. program in music at the University of New Hampshire. He performs often with Raccoon Beach, Tonkin Toys, Plymouth State College Faculty Quartet, and the Loli Sterling Group. He has appeared at The Blue Note, Rainbow Room, and Saratoga Jazz Festival, and has performed with the Platters, Randy Brecker, Jack Wilkins, and Bob Guilotti. He is also on the faculty of SAU#48 and Plymouth State College.

Concord Community Music School is a full member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and is recognized nationally for program innovation and management excellence. Welcoming adults, teens and children of all musical abilities, 55 artist teachers reach more than 33,000 people in four states with educational programs, concerts, workshops and community partnerships. CCMS has received major funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hearst Foundation, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Jane’s Trust, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and is the 2005 recipient of the NH Governor’s Arts Award for Cultural Access Leadership.

Saint Anselm College, brings a taste of Parisian Gypsy Jazz to New England

AskLisa — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:15:00 GMT

Manchester, NH: The Dana Center, regional performing arts center at Saint Anselm College, brings a taste of Parisian Gypsy Jazz to New England presenting Samarabalouf!, for one performance only on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 8:00PM. This delightfully crazy string trio from Paris with a somewhat unusual name to match, was nurtured on the music of world famous gypsy jazz star Django Reinhardt. The trio plays under the artistic direction of Francois Petit, who specializes in the Selmer-type acoustic guitar from which he composes all the instrumental pieces for the group’s repertoire. Accompanied by Pierre Margerin on rhythmic guitar, Luc Ambry on double bass, and working with Django’s music tones and rhythms, the trio has developed a unique repertoire of works that range from Boogie-Blues to Flamenco Rock, integrating popular music themes such as the Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Rockabilly, and Arabic melodies. The group has been defined as a high celebration of history and life, guaranteed to get an audience smiling and dancing with contagious energy. Together only 7 years with 4 CD’s under their belt as well as a huge European and Canadian following, they made their initial debut at Festival International de Louisiane, LA in 2004, and since that time have crisscrossed North America from Alaska to New Brunswick, New Mexico, the Mid West and New York City, performing in theaters, churches, synagogues, pubs, visual arts centers, universities and outdoor music festivals.And what is so special about their music? “You can find anything you want in the music” says Pierre Margerin. “You can dance, you can clap, you can cry, you can dance!...” Founded some seven or so years ago in France, the group’s name is derived from several places. One part is from a river that flows through the area where the band started, another comes from ballroom dancing, and the “ouf” on the end is an old French word meaning crazy! The resulting name means “playing crazy dancing music on the Samara River.” In the words of Vintage Guitar Magazine, “Call it punk gypsy jazz if you want, but it’s fun stuff” Definitely appropriate for the entire family, bring comfortable shoes, as at least one member of the family will be dancing before you know it!

For more information on Samarabalouf! visit www.samarabalouf.com or The Dana Center website at www.anselm.edu/dana , where you can also buy tickets online. Reserved Seating: $29.50, Senior Citizens $24.50, Youth 18 and under, $19.50, NH Area College and University Students $10.00.

The Dana Center serves the citizens of New Hampshire and the Saint Anselm College community. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For tickets and information, call (603) 641-7700.

Jazz in January

AskLisa — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:31:00 GMT

The Musicians of Wall Street Jazz Ensemble will present their annual Jazz in January cabaret-style evening with two shows on Friday, January 25, at 7 pm & 9 pm. As the audience savors food courtesy of Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, they will hear a wide-range of Latin, be-bop, gospel-tinged blues tunes as well as a few originals by the band. A highlight will be the percussion extravaganza that promises not one, but two, drummers.