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NOON30: Pasquale Grasso Trio

Born in Italy and now based in New York, Pasquale Grasso has developed an astounding technique and concept informed not by jazz guitarists so much as by bebop pioneers like Bud Powell, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as the classical-guitar tradition. The sparkling, immaculately balanced tone; the tasteful tinges of stride and boogie-woogie…

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba / Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss & Laurel Premo

Bassekou Kouyate is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa. He has collaborated with many notable musicians in and outside of Mali, including Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté, Taj Mahal and Béla Fleck. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba is an ensemble with unusual instrumentation, including three…

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba / Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss & Laurel Premo

Bassekou Kouyate is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa. He has collaborated with many notable musicians in and outside of Mali, including Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté, Taj Mahal and Béla Fleck. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba is an ensemble with unusual instrumentation, including three…

The Alt with Oisín McAuley / Téada

The beautiful mountain Knocknarea in Ireland’s County Sligo is said to be the final resting place of the ancient Irish warrior-queen Maeve. The ‘Alt’ is a storied glen on the side of Knocknarea, and it was in the shadow of this glen in the little village of Coolaney that the three master Irish traditional musicians…

The Alt with Oisín McAuley / Téada

The beautiful mountain Knocknarea in Ireland’s County Sligo is said to be the final resting place of the ancient Irish warrior-queen Maeve. The ‘Alt’ is a storied glen on the side of Knocknarea, and it was in the shadow of this glen in the little village of Coolaney that the three master Irish traditional musicians…

Zydeco Dance Party: Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys

One of the most influential accordionists and vocalists in modern zydeco music, Jeffery Broussard continues to be one of the genre’s most dynamic performers. Broussard began his career with traditional zydeco music playing drums in his father’s band, Delton Broussard & The Lawtell Playboys. After developing the nouveau zydeco sound as a member of the…

Zydeco Dance Party: Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys

One of the most influential accordionists and vocalists in modern zydeco music, Jeffery Broussard continues to be one of the genre’s most dynamic performers. Broussard began his career with traditional zydeco music playing drums in his father’s band, Delton Broussard & The Lawtell Playboys. After developing the nouveau zydeco sound as a member of the…

NOON30: Téada

This is a mid-day encore performance by Irish traditional music band Téada featuring Oisín Mac Diarmada on fiddle, Paul Finn on accordion, Damien Stenson on flute, Seán McElwain on guitar and Tristan Rosenstock on bodhrán. “Téada…determinedly keep the traditional flag flying at full mast…they imbue their music with a decidedly Old World feeling…unhurried and satisfied…

NOON30: Bruce Molsky & Maeve Gilchrist

In this lunchtime performance, Bruce Molsky (see page 22) performs work from his most recent album for solo guitar, his original instrument. Known and respected internationally for decades as a master fiddler, preserver of American music traditions and multi-style collaborator, Bruce Molsky’s first musical love was finger-style guitar. With this project, Molsky dives into intimate…

Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka & Michael Daves / The Onlies

A powerhouse trio encompassing old-time and bluegrass, Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka and Michael Daves are exceptional exponents of American roots music. Tony Trischka is one of the most influential banjo players in the world, referred to as “the great banjo liberationist” by NPR and the “father of banjo fusion” by The Wall Street Journal. Georgia-born…

NOON30: Bruce Molsky

In this lunchtime performance, Bruce Molsky performs work from his most recent album for solo guitar, his original instrument. Known and respected internationally for decades as a master fiddler, preserver of American music traditions and multi-style collaborator, Bruce Molsky’s first musical love was finger-style guitar. With this project, Molsky dives into intimate and unique arrangements…

Tim O’Brien with Jan Fabricius / The Foreign Landers

This concert has Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius stepping in for Vivian & Riley, who had to cancel due to COVID-19. Grammy-winning singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien grew up singing in church and in school. After seeing Doc Watson on TV, became a lifelong devotee of old time and bluegrass music. Tim started touring…

Tim O’Brien with Jan Fabricius / The Foreign Landers

This concert has Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius stepping in for Vivian & Riley, who had to cancel due to COVID-19. Grammy-winning singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien grew up singing in church and in school. After seeing Doc Watson on TV, became a lifelong devotee of old time and bluegrass music. Tim started touring…

Alexa Tarantino Quartet / Pasquale Grasso Trio

Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning young jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer and educator. She was recently named one of the Top Five Alto Saxophonists in the JazzTimes Critics’ Poll and nominated as a “Rising Star – Alto Saxophone” in the Downbeat Critics’ Poll. Tarantino has played prestigious venues such as Jazz in Marciac Festival, Umbria…

Alexa Tarantino Quartet / Pasquale Grasso Trio

Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning young jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer and educator. She was recently named one of the Top Five Alto Saxophonists in the JazzTimes Critics’ Poll and nominated as a “Rising Star – Alto Saxophone” in the Downbeat Critics’ Poll. Tarantino has played prestigious venues such as Jazz in Marciac Festival, Umbria…

Noon30: Christian Sands, Piano

The 2023 season kicks off with a solo piano performance by renowned jazz pianist Christian Sands, whose abundant piano technique accomplishes a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz. The power and prowess of his playing has taken him to the Kennedy Center, Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival…

Christian Sands High Wire Trio

Christian Sands’ High Wire Trio celebrates and elaborates upon the musical legacy of Erroll Garner, the Pittsburgh-born jazz pianist, composer, concert hall artist and recording star. In addition to several other creative and educational roles, five-time Grammy-nominee Christian Sands also serves as the Creative Ambassador for the Erroll Garner Jazz Project. He is a natural…

Christian Sands High Wire Trio

Christian Sands’ High Wire Trio celebrates and elaborates upon the musical legacy of Erroll Garner, the Pittsburgh-born jazz pianist, composer, concert hall artist and recording star. In addition to several other creative and educational roles, five-time Grammy-nominee Christian Sands also serves as the Creative Ambassador for the Erroll Garner Jazz Project. He is a natural…

Charles McPherson Quintet Feat. Sean Jones / Joe Alterman Trio Feat. Houston Person

Acclaimed alto saxophone player, composer and bandleader Charles McPherson returns to SMF after 10 years, with a quintet featuring Sean Jones on trumpet, Jeb Patton on piano, David Wong on bass and Bill Drummond on drums. McPherson left Detroit for New York in 1959 at 19 years of age, joining Charles Mingus’ band the following…

NOON30: Charles McPherson Quintet Feat. Sean Jones

This is a mid-day encore performance by alto saxophone player, composer and bandleader Charles McPherson with a quintet featuring Sean Jones on trumpet, Jeb Patton on piano, David Wong on bass and Bill Drummond on drums. See page 19 for more information on Charles McPherson Quintet feat. Sean Jones. Pianos by Steinway & Sons |…

Charles McPherson Quintet Feat. Sean Jones / Joe Alterman Trio Feat. Houston Person

Acclaimed alto saxophone player, composer and bandleader Charles McPherson returns to SMF after 10 years, with a quintet featuring Sean Jones on trumpet, Jeb Patton on piano, David Wong on bass and Bill Drummond on drums. McPherson left Detroit for New York in 1959 at 19 years of age, joining Charles Mingus’ band the following…