Within These Walls: Jazz at Westbeth

For more than fifty years, Westbeth has been a home to musicians of all genres. This exhibit is focused on jazz artists, past and present. At our tenth anniversary in 1980, our jazz artists stepped up to celebrate Westbeth with a weekend of music. A pianist/composer even wrote a special song for the event titled “Westbeth Works.” That sentiment has proved to be true, and through the years, our halls have resounded with exciting music. If you’re lucky, when walking down a hall you might hear a lilting melody being played on a piano or the soulful wailing of a saxophone. We’ve had and still have an array of musicians living here: drummers, saxophonists, trumpeters, pianists, guitarists, bassists, vocalists. They’ve been composers, solo artists, leaders of combos, members of bands.

Westbeth is the home base, but a musician’s life means traveling, packing up to go on the road for both short trips and longer tours. We’re proud to feature these jazz artists, but we realize the exhibit might not include the full complement of the wonderful musicians who have lived here. Some jazz artists who were invited to be a part of the exhibit declined to participate. In this second exhibit of our series dedicated to the Performing Arts, we present Westbeth’s jazz artists, many of them in their own words.
Exhibition design by Topos Graphics
Spotify Playlist created by Pedro Giraudo
Video Short of Installation by Roger Braimon

MUSICIANS WHO ONCE LIVED HERE

• BILLY HARPER

(1943 -) Billy Harper is an American jazz saxophonist. In his early recordings and performances with leaders such as Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, Max Roach, Randy Weston and Gil Evans during the 60s and 70s, Billy already had a massive sound on the tenor saxophone.
In 1979, Harper formed his own group, touring with it and documenting its music on the recording Billy Harper Quintet in Europe and he was featured as a soloist on a 1983 recording, Such Great Friends, with virtuoso, visionary pianist and record producer and former Westbeth resident, Stanley Cowell. The saxophonist performed on Westbeth resident, Gil Evans’ 1973 album Svengali and contributed two of the most-performed tunes in the band’s repertoire: ”Priestess” and ”Thoroughbred”. Harper also has a key role in the acclaimed jazz film, I Called Him Morgan.
Harper’s authority has only grown with age: a half-century on, he stands as one of the most commanding horn men on the planet, a pillar of stirring post-bop jazz whose robust back catalog seems overdue for rediscovery.

• CHARLES SCHWARTZ

(1922 – 1998) Charles Schwartz was a composer, author and music impresario. He received a Ph.D. in Musicology from NYU and taught for many years at Hunter College. He also lectured publicly and took part in panel discussions on American musical theater, jazz and contemporary music.
Schwartz also freelanced as an orchestrator and trumpeter. Schwartz produced two concert series: Composers’ Showcase and Jazz Profiles. They presented new music and jazz at the Whitney Museum, Circle In the Square, the Museum of Modern Art and Lincoln Center. Featured composers included Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Ned Rorem, Eubie Blake, Luciano Berio, Charles Mingus and David Amram.
His published works include George Gershwin: His Life and Music and Cole Porter: A Biography.
Schwartz also wrote, performed and recorded several ”jazz symphonies” and other smaller works combining elements of jazz and classical music, featuring jazz artists Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Sonny Fortune, Freddie Hubbard and Jon Hendricks. These included Solo Brothers, Riding High, Professor Jive and Mother, Mother. The latter two earned him ASACAP awards in 1978 and 1979.

• CHUCK ISRAELS

(1936 – ) Chuck Israels is a composer/arranger/ bassist who has worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane, and many others. He is best known for his work with The Bill Evans Trio from 1961 through 1966 and his pioneering accomplishments in Jazz Repertory as Director of the national Jazz Ensemble from 1973 to 1981.
Among Chuck’s many recordings as a bassist, some outstanding ones include: Coltrane Time with John Coltrane; My Point of View, with Herbie Hancock; Getz au Go-Go, with Stan Getz: and many recordings with The Bill Evans Trio.
Recently retired from directing the jazz studies program at Western Washington University, Chuck has moved to Portland, OR to work in its vibrant jazz community and participate in his favorite Northwest city’s cultural life.

• FREDDIE WAITS “DAWUD”

(1940 – 1989) Born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1940, Frederick Douglas Waits attended both high school and college in his hometown, yet his real musical education began with the influence of Jackson’s local rhythm and blues music.
Waits’ professional career began while still in college. He had the privilege of accompanying two great Blues singers of the time: Ivory Joe Hunter and Percy Mayfield. Waits became ”house drummer” for Motown Recording Studios when he moved to Detroit, Michigan. He worked with such legendary artists as The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder.
Waits was soon asked to accompany the ”First Lady of Swing”, Ella Fitzgerald, on an extensive tour throughout the U.S and all over Europe.
Freddie Waits was a phenomenal musician whose legacy has survived on his numerous recordings, compositions, students, and most significantly by his sons, Nasheet and Sharif Waits. Throughout his travels he sought to incorporate new influences into the music that he created. Freddie states: ”Wherever I have traveled, I felt a connection with the people, and that connection was manifested in the music. I want to experience by playing
and traveling.” His artistic approach embodied a blending of cultures, but possessed a distinctive purity of its own and, because of this, his legacy will live forever.

• GEORGE BARROW

(1921 – 2013) George Barrow was a self-taught musician who learned to play the saxophone, flute and clarinet at the age of 23. By the mid-1950s, he was performing and recording with Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard, David Amram, Ernie Wilkins, and Roy Haynes.
He played on the acclaimed 1961 Oliver Nelson album The Blues and the Abstract Truth. That same year he also recorded the score of Elia Kazan’s film Splendor in the Grass, which won an Oscar for best screenplay. Mr. Barrow played regularly at the Apollo Theatre. He also performed in Broadway orchestras, including the original production of 42nd Street as well as Jelly’s Last Jam, among others.

• GIL EVANS

(1912 – 1988) One of the most unorthodox and revolutionary arrangers in jazz, Gil Evans explored orchestral color and texture with extraordinary skill, frequently using just a handful of instruments to create the illusion of much larger forces.
His life journey took him from Canada to California, where he led his own bands in the 1930s. In the 1940s he joined Claude Thornhill’s orchestra, and in writing for it combined his interest in European impressionist composers with the newly emergent sounds of bebop. His first important collaboration with Miles Davis was in 1948-50, which became known as Birth of the Cool. On this album, Evans arranged such pieces as Boplicity for a nonet, and was later reunited with Davis on a series of projects for trumpet solo and big band. Best known are the three albums Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess and Sketches of Spain.
In the 1960s and 1970s he led several of his own line-ups, eventually ending up with a regular Monday night band at Sweet Basil in NYC which he led through the 1980s until his death. He added electronic instruments, and as well as producing a stream of original compositions, arranged music by Jimi Hendrix and Charles Mingus, among others. The band continued after his death under the leadership of his son, Miles Evans.

• JEFF ANDREWS

(1960 – 2019) Jeff Michael Andrews was an American jazz bassist who contributed significantly to jazz fusion in the 1980s. He taught at the Manhattan School of Music, SUNY Purchase, The New School and Mannes School of Music and collaborated with a number of musicians.His passion for music began at 12 when he learned electric bass, and continued in his studies at Berklee College of Music.
”I played a lot with sax players …. the cream of the crop and these guys were idols of mine. Wayne Shorter was one of my biggest influences and Mike Bracker of course ….. Playing with those guys I took the opportunity to pick up as much information from them as I could.”
Andrews also worked with Vital Information, Frank Gambale, Larry Coryell, Bob Berg, Gil Evans, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Dennis Chambers, and many more. In the early 1980s, he began playing bass with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Special EFX, Michael Bracker Band, Steps Ahead, Wayne Shorter Quintet, Olatunji, as well as his own Jeff Andrews & New Standards Band. Known for his ensemble work, his extensive discography of over 50 albums includes two Grammy winners. Jeff’s talent was noted early on by Jaco Pastorious who lauded his virtuosic technique, musical language, and fluid sound.

• JOHN SCOFIELD

(1951 – ) John Scofield’s guitar work has influenced jazz since the late 70’s and is going strong today. Possessor of a very distinctive sound and stylistic diversity, Scofield is a masterful jazz improviser.
Scofield took up the guitar at age 11, inspired by both rock and blues players. He attended Berklee College of Music. After a debut recording with Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, Scofield was a member of the Billy Cobham-George Duke band. In 1977 he recorded with Charles Mingus, and joined the Gary Burton quartet. He began his international career as a bandleader and recording artist in 1978. From 1982-1985, Scofield toured and recorded with Miles Davis, placing him in the foreground of jazz consciousness as a player and composer.
Since then he has prominently led his own groups in the international Jazz scene, recorded over 30 albums as a leader including collaborations with contemporary favorites like Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Eddie Harris, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Mavis Staples, Government Mule, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano and Phil Lesh. He’s recorded with Tony Williams, Jim Hall, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Dave Holland, Terumasa Hino among many jazz legends. Throughout his career Scofield has punctuated his traditional jazz offerings with funk-oriented electric music. Touring the world approximately 200 days per year with his own groups, he is an Adjunct Professor of Music at New York University, a husband, and father of two.

• JOHNNY PARKER

(1928 – 2006) Born in Queens, Johnny Parker started playing jazz trumpet at age 16 while attending Flushing High School. In the 1940’s he began his career playing the legendary jazz clubs on W. 52nd St. in Manhattan, where Dixieland, swing, and bebop combos held forth. The jazz drummer Zooty Singleton nicknamed Johnny Parker “Tasty” because of his tasty solos.
In the early 1950s, Johnny Parker traveled with the Rhythm & Blues band of Roosevelt Sykes. He stepped in for Cat Anderson in the Duke Ellington band. Johnny Parker also played with the great trumpet stylist and composer Sy Oliver and the singer Etta Jones. He later played with such luminaries as Sonny Rollins and Thelonius Monk.
In the 1970s he played with the pianist Brooks Kerr and the drummer Sonny Greer in Manhattan venues including the Algonquin Hotel. While living at Westbeth he became a regular performer at Arthur’s Tavern and Smalls.

• JOSEPH MURANYI

(1928 – 2012) Before we moved into Westbeth, an interview was necessary to be approved for residency. A letter of recommendation was needed. My father presented a letter to the manager at the time. She looked at it and when she finished it she asked, ”You’re Louis Armstrong’s clarinet player?” ”Yes I am.” We moved in shortly after in early 1970.
Joe Muranyi was born in Martins Ferry Ohio. His parents were Hungarian immigrants. The family moved to the Bronx in the early 50’s. My dad served 4 years in the air force just at the very end of WWII. He went to Columbia University, obtaining a master’s degree in music.
For his entire career, he played here in the states but also built a reputation in Europe, especially in Hungary. In north Hungary, there is The Wellness hotel, a 1920’s refurbished facility that holds an annual Louis Armstrong festival. My father was invited to play this event. He would go over every year until his passing in 2012. A year after his passing his wife Jorun Hansen, called me to say that the Hungarian government was building a memorial statue for Joe that was presented to the Wellness Hotel in the summer of 2013. The photo is of my Dad’s statue that is located near the stage he played on many times.
My dad was part of a continual namesake band called the ”Louis Armstrong All Stars”. The band is still alive and well. – written by Paul Muranyi

• PATTI BOWN

(1931 – 2008) Jazz pianist Patti Bown made her way from Seattle to New York City in the mid- fities. Several years later, she recorded Patti Bown Plays Big Piano, with four of her own compositions, including G’won Train.
When Quincy Jones was forming a big band in the late fifties for a European premiere of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s show Free and Easy, he hired Patti as his pianist. She was ”a child prodigy back in Seattle,” Jones recounted in his autobiography. Patti was one of two women in the band. The show failed, but the big band, which also featured such artists as Phil Woods, Jimmy Cleveland, and Clark Terry, continued to tour Europe for some ten months.
In a music-filled career, Patti played and recorded with Gene Ammons, Oliver Nelson, and Jimmy Rushing, among many others. She served as music director for Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn. In a review of Patti’s club appearance in the early eighties, reviewer John 5. Wilson wrote, ”Patti Bown is known primarily as a pianist, a jazz pianist with a strong, adventurous approach, a melodic instinct, an unusual harmonic imagination and an intense sense of rhythm.”

• PETER WARREN

(1935 – 2022) Peter Warren was born in New York City. He attended the Julliard School of Music as a cellist.
Later becoming a member of the Atlanta Symphony, Peter realized he needed more freedom musically so he took up the double bass and moved to Las Vegas. After freelancing his way back to New York, Peter worked with Dionne Warwick for three years, but jazz was his passion. He decided to make an album with all Bass players, Bass Is, which received 5 stars from Down Beat.
Peter then moved to Europe where he played and recorded with Jean-Luc Ponty, Joachim Kuhn, Stu Martin, John Surman, Tomasz Stanko and more.
When Peter returned to New York he was fortunate to play and record with Jack DeJohnette. Jack played on Peter’s album, Solidarity, one of Peter’s proudest recordings. Peter lived in Westbeth from 1975 until his passing in 2022.

• STANELY COWELL

(1941 – 2020) Stanley Cowell was an American jazz pianist. Cowell played with Marion Brown, Max Roach, Bobby Hutcherson, Clifford Jordan, Harold Land, Sonny Rollins and Stan Getz. Cowell played with trumpeter Charles Moore and others in the Detroit Artist’s Workshop Jazz Ensemble in 1965-66. In 1971, Cowell co-founded the record label Strata­East with trumpeter Charles Tolliver. The label would become one of the most successful Black­ led, independent labels of its day.
“Mr. Cowell’s playing epitomized the piano’s ability to consolidate generations of musical history into a unified expression, while extending various routes into the future. And when he needed to say more than the piano allowed, he expanded his palette . … He was among the first jazz musicians to make prominent use of the kalimba, a thumb piano from southeastern Africa. In his later decades he worked often with a digital sound-design program, Kyma, which allowed him to alter the pitch and texture of an acoustic piano’s sound.” Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, Dec. 28, 2020

MUSICIANS WHO LIVE HERE NOW

• ALEXIS COLE

A dozen albums into her career, vocalist Alexis Cole is hitting her stride. As a sought after international performer, she’s appeared with her trio, with whom she both plays piano and sings, and is a frequent guest with big bands and pops orchestras including the Boston Pops and the Detroit Symphony. In 2020 she founded the online educational community JazzVoice.com, and co­founded the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit. Alexis’ 2024 release Jazz Republic: Taiwan, the United States and the Freedom of Swing features big band arrangements written for her during her six years serving in the Army as the vocalist for the West Point Band’s Jazz Knights Big Band. After the Army, Alexis headed the Vocal Jazz program at SUNY Purchase for ten years. Her students included Multi-Grammy Award winning vocalist Samara Joy. In 2023 Alexis founded MusicAuditions.com to help emerging artists connect to opportunities. Alexiscole.com

• ANDREAS BRADE

Drummer, educator and composer. Born and raised in Germany, moved to the US over 30 years ago, to study American Music. With an open mind he has found himself in many different musical situations, and cherished all the experiences and exposures gained. Andreas performed, recorded and toured nationally and internationally with many different African, Afro Caribbean, Jazz, Gospel, and Improvisational Artists. These days Andreas enjoys improvisational music, art music and electronica, while exploring his own sound and maintaining his passion to Jazz.
He has accompanied for over 20 years for modern dance schools such as the Martha Graham School, Mark Morris Dance Center, and many more.
As a composer Andreas has composed for Cornfield Dance the last 15 years creating sound scores and sound scapes. He composes for the collaboration Mizell, Sanwald and Brade, and is a member of the improvisational quartet “Emergency Group”.

• CHRIS HUNTER

It was the spring of 1983 when I got my first glimpse of Westbeth. I had been playing in NY with the Mike Westbrook All Star Brass Band and Cabaret as part of the Britain salutes NY Festival. I called Gil Evans, who I’d worked with a couple of months prior as a member of his British Orchestra. He said “Hey Chris, why don’t you come to Sweet Basil tonight and sit in?” Incredible! I went along and at the end of the evening he said “I have a tour of Japan in a couple of weeks and I’d like you to join us, you can stay at my apartment till we leave.” So that was the beginning of my adventures here. I moved permanently to NY a couple of months later and began a long and varied career in creative music, which has taken me all over the world working as featured player with a multitude of international projects. Westbeth really has been a magical Portal.huntercsax.com

• DAN ROSE LAST NIGHT

What is it about the guitar that can bring out the raging exhibitionist in those who play it? All too often we hear recordings featuring guitarists that are flooded with fretboard frenzy; notes and chords cascading about each other seemingly as if to prove that all that plentiful practice to master the instrument was well spent. And then there are guitarists like Dan Rose and albums like Last Night … Taking his time, finding on the mark harmony and linking it perfectly by way of not just note selection and phrasing, Rose plays to the song, not to his ego. That Rose is a virtuoso is unquestioned; his extraordinary command of the instrument is always in plain sight. But extravagant speed and other look-what-I-can-do displays are replaced by taste and subtlety. The beauty of Rose’s tone and his mellifluous playing is part and parcel of the artfulness of the classic songs he chooses. Through him we notice once more the sturdy structure and lyrical splendor of long familiar melodies. And as we listen to Last Night … we hear a musician expressing his sincere love of song and elegant improvisation. Simultaneously, we continually admire a masterful player who treats exquisite music with the respectful restraint it fully deserves. – written by Steve Futterman danrosemusic.com

• EVE ZANNI

Eve Zanni is an original jazz voice, warm and expressive with a sensual musicality, inspired by the The Great American Songbook of Jazz Standards, World music traditions from Brazil, Afro-Cuba, Greece, Ireland and the Middle-East and originals in unique arrangements …. all sung with passion and romantic soul.
Born in California to a family of musicians and vocalists spanning several generations, studying and performing music was a family tradition. Eve writes songs, plays percussion, Celtic penny whistles, guitar and more .. As a young adult Eve left the U.S. to learn song traditions from many cultures and is a vibrant performer
Eve’s composition “Woman Strong” was featured in the PBS documentary Heather Booth by Lily Rivlin. Her lyrics vocalese are acclaimed in jazz tomes such as Lester Leaps in by Dr. Henry Daniels. Vocal Director of Bliss Singing: SingTime Sessions at Westbeth – a weekly community choral programme currently in its 8th year. She is the author of Jazz Superheroes Billie Holiday Lady Day and Lester Young Prez, available on Amazon.com

• GINA LEISHMAN

Gina Leishman, composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer and performer, began life in the UK but has made NYC her home since 1994. Studying at the Vienna Conservatory and Edinburgh University, majoring in medieval music, she ran away with the circus to become a jazz player and singer/ songwriter, with 13 albums to her credit. She has written for theater, opera, dance, TV, film and the concert stage. She co-founded the legendary Kamikaze Ground Crew, playing jazz festivals and clubs across Europe & the US since 1984; Mr. Wau­Wa, dedicated to the songsof Bertolt Brecht; and various ensembles exploring the Leishman Songbook. She has received numerous grants, awards and commissions, including NEA, Meet The Composer, Opera America, Chamber Music America, Doris Duke Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and others. Her instruments include piano, alto and baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, accordion, harmonium, baritone ukulele, mandola and glass. www.ginaleishman.com

• JOHN ECKERT

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 & Garfunkel Reunion Band, The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, Deodato’s 2001 orchestra, or the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra the next.

• MARIA MCAULIFFE

Marie McAuliffe is an improvising pianist who writes new music, employing both improvisation and through-composition. She has performed and collaborated with like-minded musicians, artists, and poets throughout the NYC metropolitan area since 1980.
She formed the Ark Sextet for which she wrote and arranged her own compositions, and celebrated the release of Marie McAuliffe’s Ark Sextet cd in 1997. Her arrangement of Burt Bacharach’s ”I Say a Little Prayer” (included on a double cd tribute by 20 musicians, Great Jewish Music: Burt Bacharach) and subsequent cd, Refractions (featuring her arrangements of Bacharach songs) were produced by John Zorn. She is a recipient of grants from the NEA, NYSCA, Meet the Composer, and NYFA, and was part of the first collaborative music-making residency offered at Art Omi, in New York’s Hudson Valley.

• MARYA ZIMMET

I’ve never known how to categorize myself as a singer. As a child, the sounds of Billie Holiday, Paul Robeson, Judy Garland, Lead Belly, and The Beatles got into my bones. A little later, it was Joni Mitchell and Grace Slick. At some point I was introduced to the Great American Songbook, and dipped my toes (or maybe up to my knees) into jazz. I discovered cabaret, which gave me permission to bring in acting and comedy and any musical genre. I’m drawn to a wide range of repertoire, from standards to jazz to folk and pop classics. I dream of being a “jazz singer” and continue to work on my skills. At this point, I can only claim to be “jazzy.” I feel most alive and joyful when I’m singing and performing. maryazimmetmusic.com

• MICHAEL MOSS

Reed player/composer Michael Moss has been actively involved in the music scene for many years leading his own musical groups: Bows Ensemble for Strings and Piano, ROOTS to SHOOTS, the Accidental Orchestra-a 22-piece renaissance jazz orchestra, Four Rivers, and Free Energy. Numerous grants include Meet the Composer, NYSCA, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and CREATE Council on the Arts. His record label, Fourth Stream Records, has produced multiple LPs, cassettes, and CDs including HELIX, Intervals, Free Play, Dream Time, In Between Gigs, Pyramid, Upstream, Cross Current, Live at AC/A. Performances and commissions are wide-ranging- Little Island, Bridge Street Theatre, Turks and Caicos Arts Foundation, Isthmus Jazz Festival, New York Loft Jazz Celebrations, Revelation Gallery, St John’s in the Village, Jazzmania, Studio Rivbea, Central Park Bandshell. Collaborations include work with electroacoustic composer James Dashow, choreographer Judith Moss, storyteller Regina Ress and playwright Domnica Radulescu. Michael Moss holds a Ph.D. in psychology.

• MIKE DIRUBBO

Mike DiRubbo was born in New Haven, CT in 1970 and fell in love with the saxophone as a child. In 1988 his musical life changed when he came under the tutelage of alto sax master and educator Jackie McLean at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.
Moving to New York City in the mid-1990’s, Mike quickly established himself as a leader and a sideman with Harold Mabern, Al Foster, Larry Willis, Cecil Payne, Mario Pavone, Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, Tony Reedus, Carl Allen, Joe Farnsworth and others.
An active performer, bandleader and composer, DiRubbo has ten recordings as a leader which feature over 50 of his original compositions. Mike has been featured in articles, reviews, and interviews in magazines such as Jazziz, Hot House, JazzTimes, JazzWise and Down Beat where he’s a perennial presence in the Down Beat Critics Poll Rising Star: Alto Saxophone category. He also holds a BM and MM degree in Jazz Saxophone.
‘Something about the sound Mike DiRubbo elicits from the alto saxophone – deep, dark, immense, with a machete edge that denotes a ready-for­anything urban sensibility – immediately grabs the ear. It’s a sound familiar to the cream of New York’s hardcore jazz community since the mid-’90s”

• NASHEET WAITS

Musician/ educator, is a New York native, his interest in playing the drums was encouraged by his father, legendary percussionist, Frederick Waits.
Throughout the 30 year span of his career Waits has boasted stints with some of the most notable musicians in the world. Long standing relationships with Andrew Hill, Jason Moran And The Bandwagon, Christian McBride and David Murray. He also leads his group, Equality and co-leads Tarbaby, with Eric Revis and Orrin Evans.
Amidst his performing, recording and touring activity, Nasheet is also a professor at NEC. Waits stresses a personal approach to the drums and music. He stresses the necessity to balance Tradition and Modernism and is dedicated to exploring the creative path in music.

• NOAH HAIDU

Jazz pianist and composer, Noah Haidu combines modernism, soul, and swing to create what the Wall Street Journal has described as “his own compelling brand of pianism>”.
Noah started classical piano at age 6, spurred on initially by fear of his vindictive piano teacher. Falling in love with jazz at age 20, the young pianist moved to NYC, supporting himself as a waiter until he was fired for breaking too many dishes.
After paying his dues as a freelancer for many years, Noah has lately toured and recorded with icons such as Billy, Hart, Buster Williams, Lenny White and Steve Wilson. His Sunnyside Records albums garnered millions of streams and reached the top 5 in the JazzWeek radio charts.
Join Noah’s trio for free Westbeth house concerts on Oct 24, Nov 5, and Dec 3, 2024 and on Jan 7, Feb 4, and March 4. 2025.
“Stunning and heartfelt.” Downbeat; “This record was really breautiful”. NPR

• PEDRO GIRAUDO

Pedro Giraudo, a Latin GRAMMY Award-winning bassist and composer, is a prominent figure in the jazz and tango music scenes. Renowned for his innovative compositions that blend classical forms, Argentine tango, folk music, and jazz improvisation, Giraudo has led his own jazz and tango ensembles, performing in prestigious venues like the Jazz Standard, Birdland, and Blue Note. His work has received critical acclaim, with Downbeat’s John Murph describing his music as “an opulent listening experience of modern, orchestral jazz.” Giraudo has collaborated with notable artists such as Pablo Ziegler, Paquito D’Rivera, and Dizzy Gillespie’s protege William Cepeda. He has also conducted renowned orchestras like the WDR Big Band and Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. Giraudo’s discography includes acclaimed albums like Córdoba and El Viaje, and his compositions have earned numerous awards and recognitions. pedrogiraudo.com

• PETER BERNSTEIN

Peter Bernstein, born in 1967 in NYC, is a prominent figure in the jazz scene since 1989. His talent was recognized early on when jazz legend Jim Hall invited him to perform alongside him in the 1990 JVC Jazz Festival, praising him as ”the most impressive guitarist I’ve heard.” Since then, Peter has collaborated with numerous jazz greats, such as Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Cobb, Melvin Rhyne, David Fathead Newman, Etta Jones, Brad Mehldau, Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Bobby Hutcherson, and Sonny Rollins, to name a few. He has appeared on over 300 albums and recorded 14 as a leader. Peter has performed with Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart in their organ trio for 35 years. The New York Times called them ”the best organ trio of the last decade”. His remarkable musical associations and influential performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide. He’s lived in Westbeth since 2016. peterbernsteinmusic.com

• SARAH KING

Sarah King is a trained actor, a chanteuse, street performer and dancer. In 2009, a jazz pianist discovered her talents for singing. Since then, she’s appeared at speakeasies dubious and prestigious around this and other cities. Their quartet held a weekly residency at the Top of the Standard Hotel for ten years.
Around the same time, she began leading parades with Hungry March Band, and toured new parts of the world as a dancing majorette. She was involved in many fun artsy theatrical projects in NYC, and performed in several fancy and funky ensembles. In 2014, she toured Brazil with the French brass band Les Vilains Chicots.
She was cast as a singer in Sleep No More, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and the upcoming film, A Complete Unknown. Usually she’s singing jazz around town at an array of hotels and clubs with crews of swinging musicians.
Sarah recorded two studio albums with her band, and was featured on Stephane Wrembel’s latest album, Django New Orleans.sarahkingnyc.com

• STEVE BERGER

As a teenager, Steve Berger took up the guitar as a student of George Barnes. He went on to study with Barry Galbraith, Tai Farlow, Jim Hall and Barry Harris. He made his way in the New York jazz scene; from smaller venues like The Cajun, Fat Tuesdays and Angry Squire to Sweet Basil, Zinno, The Village Gate and the Blue Note. He played with jazz luminaries Doc Cheatham, Buck Clayton, Ruby Braff, Eddie Barefield and accompanied vocalists David Allyn, Jack Sheldon, as well as the Ink Spots. Participating in a variety of groups, he played with Warren Chiasson, Teddy Charles, Ronny White and big bands led by John Collianis and Vince Giordano. Holding court at Arturos from 1981 to 2000, he welcomed and encouraged a range of players, from eager students at The New School, to overlooked greats like Harry Whittaker, whom he brought back from retirement at Bobby Pratt’s passing, nurturing a unique music scene that continues to this day. He also often accompanied great singers like Dianna Krall, Annie Ross and Tony Bennett, who often appeared at the famous establishment.
He travelled the world as a jazz ambassador with Bob Dorough, whom he accompanied in clubs and festivals from 1983 til Bob’s passing in 2018.

• TERI ROIGER

Teri began her career in Minneapolis before moving to NYC, where she continues to perform, record, and compose. Teri’s 5 recordings have all met with critical acclaim, as have her live performances at festivals and top NYC Jazz spots. Her recordings showcase her uncommon knowledge and deep love for the artistry of Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, and many others. She shared her knowledge and love of Jazz for many years with her students at SUNY New Paltz, Williams College and Bard. Her composition “Still Life” won 3rd prize in the jazz category of the songwriting competition ISC. Teri & John Menegon’s highly-acclaimed recording MISTERIOSO with jazz legends Jack DeJohnette & Kenny Burrell was released on vinyl in July 2024. teriroiger.com

• THEO BLECKMANN

Theo Bleckmann is a multi GRAMMY® nominated vocalist, composer and ECM recording artist who has recorded over 20 albums and collaborated with artists such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Sheila Jordan, Kneebody, Ben Moncier, John Hollenbeck, Phil Kline, David Lang, Ulysses Owens, Bang on a Can All-Stars, and, most prominently Meredith Monk. Bleckmann has been interviewed by Terry Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air and appeared on the David Letterman show with Laurie Anderson. He ranks consistently in the top spots in DownBeat polls, and is a recipient of the prestigious JAZZ ECHO award from his native Germany. Recent albums are with brass quartet ‘The Westerlies’ and ‘Reason’ in trio with Henry Hey and Sly5thAve. Most notably, Pulitzer-Prize-winning composer David Lang wrote a monodrama for Theo Bleckmann (commissioned by the Japan Society and directed by Yoshi Oida). A new trio recording for ECM is in the works. theobleckmann.com

• VAL HAWK

Raised by a multi-instrumentalist father and a big band and supper club singer, Val Hawk spent her childhood standing behind her dad’s drums and hearing her mom sing the great American songbook. At 10, she took up the guitar, by 17, was singing folk/ blues in Village coffeehouses. Her love of standards took hold working at Jays, Cleopatra’s Needle, The Metropolitan Room, 55 Bar, etc. Doubling as a “sideman” on rhythm guitar in bands from Swing to Zydeco, she also belted out pop hits at weddings and bar mitzvas on the clubdate circuit.Her work in a vocal trio behind Bob Dorough led to a lead vocal as Becky Sue in” Dollars and Sense” for ABC’s Schoolhouse Rock In the early 90s , Hawk took the alto part in vocal group, “The Ritz” , touring Japan and Europe and recording Almost Blue (Denon) Her recording “Dream”, (Spotify/Apple Music ) features her arrangements and originals. As curator of PANGEA’S Wednesday Night Jazz series, Val presents artists from around the globe, including Sheila Jordan, Ronnie White, Jay Leonhart and most recently, herself in a tribute to her mom, Susan Shepard.

• VICTORIA HORNE

Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Victoria was exposed to music and the vocal styles of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington as a child, due to her Mother, Edith Dorothy Horne, a vocalist whose influence and passion for music had a direct impact on her daughter. Although a native New Yorker, Victoria’s career and performances developed throughout Europe and Japan. Learning to sing in French, Italian, German and Japanese was a necessary and difficult task, and planning to return to the USA was always the main goal. The work overseas kept her busy and eventually, Victoria made her home in France.
Working as a primary and respected entertainer on European luxury cruise liners, allowed Victoria to explore many facets of her music, and travel extensively. A consummate collector of antiques, paintings, music, and all things beautiful, Victoria has a unique view of the world as a very small place where all people are connected through their cultures. victoriahorne.com