Miro Sprague, Marty Jaffe, Jason Ennis and Claire Daly; new program on Nov. 30
Nov. 30, 7:30pm. Saint James Place,
Great Barrington, Mass.
An evening of fresh and familiar music with Berkshire standouts Miro Sprague, Marty Jaffe, and Jason Ennis, with special guest Claire Daly. This concert marks Berkshires Jazz’ first collaboration with the stunning new performance venue.
The Sprague/Jaffe/Ennis Trio is an exciting new ensemble featuring long time collaborators Miro Sprague (piano), Marty Jaffe (bass), and Jason Ennis (guitar). Though they always include a few surprising interpretations of familiar tunes, the trio mainly performs original jazz compositions by each band member. Infused with influences from Brazil, classical chamber music, funk and more, the trio’s music features intricate group improvisation, inventive arrangements, and a deep sense of beauty and groove.
Joining the trio for this evening is award-winning baritone saxophonist Claire Daly, who is right at home with the mix of familiar and original. Recognized as an interpreter of such legends as Thelonious Monk and Gerry Mulligan, she has appeared in a wide range of ensembles, and has appeared in the Berkshires in both a big-band and small-group setting.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 on the day of the concert, and are available here, and at Wood Brothers Music, Allendale Shopping Center, Pittsfield.
Berkshire native Miro Sprague is a pianist and composer, known for his inspiring creativity, dynamic and passionate performance style, and artistic versatility. He has performed at many of the world’s top venues and festivals in settings ranging from solo piano to septet. He leads his own trio and quintet, and is a member of the cooperative septet “Holophonor”. He has performed with many renowned artists, and is an in-demand vocal accompanist. Since 2015 has been the pianist of choice for vocalist Karrin Allyson, appearing with her at the 2017 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, along with bassist Marty Jaffe.
Guitarist Jason Ennis is an exciting voice in the world of jazz guitar. His unique sound, deep groove and sensitive feel, along with a diverse background in jazz, blues, Brazilian music and classical music have made him highly in demand as a soloist, sideman, bandleader and musical director. Jason leads his own instrumental group, Trio Jota Sete, and co-leads the world jazz trio, La Voz de Tres, which has toured extensively throughout the United States and Chile and has released two CDs. His searing blues style is a cornerstone of the NYC-based jazz/blues powerhouse group, Opius Bliss.
Also a Berkshire native, Marty Jaffe comes from a musical family that includes his father, the educator, composer and bandleader Andy Jaffe, a former Board member of Berkshires Jazz. A Juilliard graduate, Marty is the youngest member of the group, and is already in demand as an ensemble player and soloist. He has performed in venues around the world, and has appeared in the Berkshires with Samirah Evans and Karrin Allyson, among others, as well as with Jason Ennis and Miro Sprague.
Guest artist Claire Daly’s career has included anchoring the sax section in the Diva Big Band, freelancing in New York doing every imaginable kind of gig, recording five CDs with the band “People Like Us”, as well as several CDs as leader. She has appeared at many festivals and venues, including Pittsfield, where her last appearance was with Sharel Cassity and Ada Rovatti and the Empire Jazz Orchestra. President Clinton’s Library requested a copy of her first CD, Swing Low, to be included in a listening station as a CD that was significant to the former president while in office. A four-time winner of the Downbeat Critic’s Poll “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition,” she was also recognized by the Jazz Journalist Association as Baritone Sax Player of the Year.
Check back for updates, tickets are on sale now (click here). The venue is amazing, both visually and acoustically. It’s great to be holding an event in this remarkable performance space. Seating is limited, don’t miss out on this highlight of the holiday weekend.
Headline weekend starts on Friday, Oct. 18, with another prodigious piano talent, Dayramir Gonzalez and his quartet. A Cuban jazz pianist, composer, arranger and music visionary, Gonzalez has appeared at leading jazz venues worldwide, He will be performing on the Steinway at the Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street. His group includes Dean Torrey, bass; Juan Chiavassa, drums; and Arturo Stable, a master Cuban percussionist and composer. C
e Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, and The Jazz Showcase; and headlined at top festivals including Monterey, Montreal and Telluride. As a child, she began performing with her musician parents, the late pianist Hod O’Brien, and the singer/educator/author Stephanie Nakasian, and in 2015, she earned second place in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, the most prestigious contest in the art form. Her command of the vocal-jazz tradition is astounding, as was demonstrated at last year’s Pittsfield CityJazz Festival. Swift so impressed the audience that she is the only performer ever invited back for a second consecutive year. PBS viewers caught part of her tour with Chris Botti on a recent fundraising concert video.
will be Nakasian’s third appearance in Pittsfield.
uest vocalist Chiara Izzi. The musical app
roach for Saturday has been described as “bossa nova with a fiery modern flavor”.
The wWinning paintings include (with judges’ comments):
an iconic jazz pianist, and has performed worldwide, both as a leader and as a sideman with many jazz greats, including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, and Jon Faddis. His classical/jazz crossover performances include solo and featured appearances with the Boston Pops, the Baltimore Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony, and many other orchestras. His work includes adapting themes by Brahms, Schumann, Tchaikovsky and others into a mainstream jazz idiom. Local audiences are still talking about his interpretation of “Rhapsody In Blue” at the Berkshire Museum last year.
erhaps “adventures” would say it better) of love. From fascinating to flirting, from courting to marriage to family and who-knows-what, Atla brings unique vocal stylings to our stage. She will be accompanied by her equally amazing pianist –her husband Matt– and their group. Rounding out the band are Matt Dwonszyk on bass and Tony Davis on guitar. A veritable who’s-who of next-generation jazz talent who call New England “home.”