MATTHEW FRIES & JOHN HÉBERT

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24

9.00 PM EUROPE / 8.00 PM UK / 3.00 PM NY / 12.00 PM LA

TICKET PRICE €10.00 / £10.00 / $13.00 

Matthew Fries, piano John Herbert, bass

Matthew Fries is highly regarded in the jazz world as both a soloist and accompanist. The winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, his debut album, Song for Today (TCB Music) was named a 2001 critics pick by Jazziz Magazine, and his continuing work with his collaborative trio, TRI-FI, “takes on the Jazz Trio challenge and delivers a ‘knock out’ punch” (Jazz Review). As a sideman his work has been described as “the best jazz accompaniment I’ve seen in a cabaret in years” (The New York Times), and “the crispest rhythm section imaginable” (The London Times).

Born in the small town of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Matthew grew up in a musical home. He caught “the jazz bug” after a college jazz history course awakened his interest in jazz piano. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Ithaca College and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from The University of Tennessee, where he taught undergraduate classes and studied with jazz piano great, Donald Brown.

Matthew lived in New York City for almost 25 years performing with many of the greatest jazz musicians. He maintains a busy teaching and touring schedule – touring frequently with his collaborative trio, TRI-FI, and with singer, Curtis Stigers, as a regular member of his band. He continues to perform with a diverse lineup of artists that has included Curtis Stigers, Stacey Kent, Ann Hampton Callaway, DeeDee Bridgewater, Vincent Herring, Steve Wilson, Joel Frahm, Steve LaSpina, Dave Samuels, Claudio Roditi, Terell Stafford, and many others.

Bassist John Hébert has lived in the New York City area and established himself as a highly sought after bassist. He has worked along side world famous artists such as Andrew Hill, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Motian, Tomasz Stanko, Uri Caine, Greg Osby, Bill Stewart, Fred Hersch, Toots Thielemans, Maria Schneider, and many others.

He is named in Downbeat’s 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Critics Poll as a “Rising Star Acoustic Bassist.” Most recently in 2011, John won the poll as “Rising Star Acoustic Bassist.” From 2001 until Andrew Hill’s passing in 2007, John worked with Mr. Hill in various ensembles. John is also featured on Andrew Hill’s last Blue Note release, “Time Lines” which was awarded “Record of the Year” by Downbeat’s Jazz Critics Poll in 2006. John has also performed around the world at festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Tampere Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Moers Jazz Festival, Ear Shot Jazz Festival and San Francisco Jazz Festival. He can also be heard in some of New York City’s most renowned venues such as The Village Vanguard, Blue Note, The Jazz Standard, Birdland and Iridium.

In recent years, he has taken on the role of bandleader of various projects. His group Byzantine Monkey, released their first CD in June 2009 on the Firehouse 12 label. It was reviewed in Downbeat and received 4 stars. “On his first album as a leader he displays a sonic vision that’s all his own,” says Peter Margarsak.

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Last minute booking will close 30 minutes before the start of concert to allow time to process payments.

MICHAEL WEISS

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25

3.00 PM NY / 12.00 PM LA

8.00 PM EUROPE / 7.00 PM UK

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME FOR EUROPE AND THE UK AS CLOCKS GO BACK 1 HOUR TODAY. THESE TIMES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 1 WHEN USA CLOCKS GO BACK 1 HOUR.

TICKET PRICE €10.00 / £10.00 / $13.00 

Pianist, composer, arranger and educator Michael Weiss has forged a formidable career working in the bands of jazz legends Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Heath Brothers, George Coleman, Jazztet, Charles McPherson, Jon Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, and the Junior Cook/Bill Hardman Quintet. He has also performed with Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Clark Terry, Clifford Jordan, Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, Ron Carter, David Newman, Gerry Mulligan, Nancy Wilson, Randy Brecker, and other high profile jazz recording artists. Weiss’s big band work includes the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Epitaph Orchestra and Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

As a band leader Weiss has headlined at festivals and clubs internationally as well as every major New York venue, including the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Bradley’s, Iridium, Sweet Basil and Smoke. At the Vanguard, the New York Times wrote that Weiss "demonstrated a strong sense of leadership and organization" exhibiting "sensitivity and logic, along with crisp control."

Television appearances include CBS-TV’s Nightwatch and PBS’ Live From Lincoln Center: The City of Jazz. NPR radio appearances include PianoJazz with Marion McPartland, Making the Music with Wynton Marsalis, Jazzset, and the Jazz Piano Christmas Special.

Weiss was a 1989 prizewinner in the Thelonious Monk Institute's International Piano Competition and won the 2000 BMI/Thelonious Monk Institute's Composition Competition grandprize presented to him by Wayne Shorter.

Weiss' four recordings as a leader are on the CrissCross, SteepleChase, DIW and Sintra labels. About his latest recording, “Soul Journey” critics write:

"Warmth, integrity and above all, originality. Weiss’ originals sound as if they were standards of the genre." – JazzTimes
“the songs simply smoke” – Detroit Free Press
“About as close to perfection as a recording can get. If there is truly justice in our world, this should be a Grammy nominee.” – Jazz Improv

“This music lives and breathes freshness and exhilarating originality. The individual selections are strong and attractive enough, to still be played as jazz vehicles in 10, 20, or even 50 year’s time.” – Jazz Journal

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Booking closes 30 minutes before the start of concert to allow time to process payments and send passwords.