The BGSU Jazz Studies program will welcome New York based pianist and composer Adam Birnbaum as guest artist for Jazz Week.
Birnbaum, who has released four recordings under his name, is considered one of the emerging piano voices. He is both active on the New York music scene and has performed around the world at festivals, concert halls, and clubs both as a leader and with many of the top names in jazz.
Allmusic.com reviewer Ken Dryden wrote: “Birnbaum’s compositions prove immediately infectious, each with a hook that draws the listener along for the ride.”
He will perform twice while at BGSU.
- Wednesday, Feb. 25 he will join the jazz faculty — Aidan Plank, bass, Dan Piccolo, percussion, Ariel Kasler, guitar, and David Bixler, alto saxophone — for a Faculty Artist Series recital at 8 p.m. in Bryan Recital Hall. The concert will also be live streamed. Click here to listen.
- Thursday, Feb. 26 he will be featured in concert with the Jazz Lab Band 1, directed by David Bixler. The program will include three of Birnbaum compositions, arranged by BGSU faculty, and three classic Thad Jones big band charts — “Us,” “Quietude,” and “Fingers.” Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Free admission for BGSU students with ID card at the door. Click to livestream
Birnbaum will also conduct a master classes in piano and composition Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. in Room 2115 and and Thursday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. in Kobacker Hall.
Jazz Week activities will kick off with a performance by the student combos, Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. in Bryan Recital Hall.
The program will feature:
- Lucas Vile trumpet, William Kale, alto saxophone, Ted Wang piano, and Lucas Stein drums, performing “Song For My Father” by Horace Silver, and “Strasbourg St. Denis,” by Roy Hargrove.
- Xander Soural, bass trombone, Bill Taborn guitar , Ayanna Grant, piano, Kayden Moore, bass, and Anthony Douglas drums, performing “Little Sunflower” by Freddie Hubbard and “Let’s Cool One” by Thelonious Monk.
- Alyssa Brennen, flute, Abby Jesso trumpet , Lucas Glenn, piano, Liam O’Hara, guitar , and Gwen Krupp, bass, performing “On Green Dolphin Street” by Bronisław Kaper and “Four” by Miles Davis.
- Ruth Wadzinski, trombone, Luca Albano, piano, Nina Petersheim, bass, and Jude Crawford, drums, performing “In Walked Bud” by Thelonious Monk, and “Old Devil Moon” by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg.
