Friday July 5, 2024 at 7pm
Westbeth Community Rm
155 Bank St (enter through courtyard
New York, NY

John Eckert trumpet
Chris Hemingway alto sax
Cecilia Coleman piano
Will Woodard bass
Andy Watson drums

Description of the event:

“Having seen Wozzeck, I have been very interested in Berg’s music.
I was fascinated by his 4 Early Songs, hearing the most contemporary harmony used by modern Jazz performers throughout these songs written in 1910. I formed a small group to perform this music as Jazz. These songs were written for a vocalist with piano accompaniment. Alto Sax and Trumpet share the vocal melody, Bass plays the bass line of the piano part. Pianist plays the piano part. Drums intuitively add Jazz rhythm. Generally no material is added, none is left out.”

Alban Maria Johannes Berg was an Austrian composer of the Second Viennese School. His compositional style combined Romantic lyricism with the twelve-tone technique. Although he left a relatively small oeuvre, he is remembered as one of the most important composers of the 20th century for his expressive style encompassing “entire worlds of emotion and structure”.

Bios
John Eckert is one of the busiest freelance trumpet players on the East Coast. He can play it all: jazz, latin, pop, classical, even opera. John juggles his engagements, often working one or two recording or rehearsal sessions during a day followed by a bebop big-band gig or an evening at the Carlyle with Bobby Short later that same night.
John has played on concert stages worldwide as well as in orchestra pits of operas and Broadway shows. He is equally comfortable in the lead trumpet chair of a big band or small jazz ensemble, and enjoys playing all types of music with all kinds of musicians. “The variety just presents itself,” says John, explaining how he can play Benny Goodman or Stan Kenton arrangements one day, then work with the Simon & Garfunkle Reunion Band, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, Deodato’s 2001 Orchestra, or the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra the next. John Eckert

Chris Hemingway, born in Florence, SC, Chris grew up listening to the sounds of gospel, soul, R&B, and blues even though he and his friends weren’t quite accepting of this “old people’s” music. However, as a product of his own environment Chris eventually came full circle and would later pull from these early listening experiences to develop his overall approach to music today. Chris’ natural fluency in both classical and jazz styles separates him from most musicians.
In 2007 Mr. Hemingway won an Emmy Award as a performer of WQED’s (PBS affiliate station) “Live From Studio A.” As a sophomore at Duquesne University, Chris won the School of Music’s prestigious concerto competition. At the young age of 21, he was also a featured soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Chris has studied with James Houlik at the North Carolina School of the Arts and at Duquesne University.@chrisheminwaysax

A native of Long Beach , California, Cecilia Coleman started on piano at age five and began jazz piano studies at age fifteen. During the early 1980’s, she studied with vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake, arranger Tom Kubis and classical pianist Dr. Allan Giles.
Cecilia has led her own groups since 1990, when she formed a trio with bassist Eric Von Essen and Kendall Kay on drums. In 1993, she began working with her quintet. They recorded three CD’s:Words of Wisdom,Young and Foolish and Home between 1990-1995 . Along with numerous local club and concert appearances, the quintet also performed at the Monterey and Telluride Jazz Festivals. In 1998, Coleman moved to New York and has played with a variety of groups as a sideman, accompanist and leader.
In 2010, Cecilia became a big band leader of some significance and has recorded two CD’s with the Cecilia Coleman Big Band. The 18 piece band continues to play concerts regularly in the NYC area and has been listed in the the Down Beat Critic’s poll as a rising star in the big band category. Cecilia Coleman

Will Woodard’s big sound, strong feel and creative approach have made him a welcome presence on stages and bandstands and in recording studios around the world. He’s been blessed with numerous opportunities to work with, and learn from, revered masters (Dave Liebman, Ed Blackwell, Billy Hart, Chico Hamilton), cherished contemporaries (Walt Weiskopf, Vince Herring, Roy Hargrove), and great younger players (Chris Potter, Jon Irabagon). Will just wrapped up the second of two long stints as a member of drummer Rick Hollander’s quartet, with which he recorded five cds for the Concord, Timeless and Laika record labels, two of which featured his compositions, and with which he toured extensively, performing in major clubs, concert halls and festival stages throughout the US, Europe and Japan. Will Woodward

Andy Watson has been a fixture on the New York jazz scene for over two decades. He has performed and recorded with an impressive list of artists and groups, including: Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bill Frisell, Benny Golson, Jim Hall, Tom Harrell, Jon Hendricks, Woody Herman, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland, James Moody, Marvin Stamm, Mike Stern, Lew Tabackin and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. As a member of Jim Hall’s trio, Andy played on the critically acclaimed recording, “Dialogues “. All About Jazz magazine called his performance on David Bixler’s “Call It A Good Deal” “one of the top ten for 2006”. Other notable recordings include Jon Hendricks’ “Boppin’ at the Blue Note,” Toshiko Akiyoshi’s “Hiroshima: Rising from the Abyss,” Jim Hall’s “Downbeat Critic’s Choice”, The Westchester Jazz Orchestra’s “Maiden Voyage Suite” and the Telarc compilations “Jazz: Live from New York,” and “Triple Play: Live From the Blue Note.” Watson has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, appearing at many of the major festivals: Monterey Jazz Festival, Ravinia, JVC New York, Playboy Jazz Fest, JVC Saratoga, Zurich Jazz Festival, and the Vienna Jazz Festival Andy Watson