Becca Stevens: April 12th, 2012

On Thursday, April 12th we'll welcome Becca Stevens for an exciting evening of music exclusively for Mark Murphy's Music students and their families.

Becca has been called "New York's best kept secret" by the New York Times. She is an incredibly talented vocalist and instrumentalist who performs and teaches all over the world both on her own and with her stellar band. It has been said that she is difficult to categorize - she is a trained classical guitarist as well as a powerfully soulful yet subtle vocalist. She accompanies herself not only on guitar, but on ukulele and the South American charango, and her music seamlessly travels through many genres including jazz, folk, rock, classical and pop.

There will be 2 sets that evening: 8:15 and 9:15pm. RSVP by emailing the office. When you RSVP, please indicate the set you'd like to attend as well as the number of people who will be in attendance. Seating is extremely limited, so let us know as soon as possible if you will be able to attend! We foresee this event selling out very quickly, and I imagine that we will have to turn people away because of space limitations. So if you do RSVP yes, we will count on you to make it.

I sincerely hope you'll be able to join us - this is a wonderful opportunity for all our aspiring musicians and a real treat for all of us!

- Katie Lower / Studio Manager

For more information about Becca Stevens, please check out her website: www.beccastevens.com

Rebecca Martin & Larry Grenadier: March 7th, 2011

SPECIAL EVENT - Monday, March 7th!
We are extremely excited to host vocalist Rebecca Martin and bassist Larry Grenadier in our Springfield studio for a very special live performance.

• There will be two sets: 6:30 and 8:00pm 
• Space is extremely limited, so RSVP as soon as possible to reserve a spot.
• The event is FREE for all students and families!

These two musicians are among the best in the world, and to see them play in such an intimate setting is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This will be the first performance in our Guest Artist Series for 2011. We hope to see you there!

“Rebecca Martin can sing slow swing with a supreme sense of centering around the pulse, re-designing melodies and making her voice crinkle at emotional points."
- Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

For more information about Rebecca Martin and Larry Grenadier please check out the following links:
www.rebeccamartin.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Martin
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Grenadier

Vic Juris: May 20th, 2010

On Thursday, May 20th we are excited to welcome the next performer in our Guest Artist Series - Vic Juris, renowned jazz guitarist and composer. Let your teacher know if you'd like to be included in this special event. Space is extremely limited, so invitation will be based on teacher recommendation only.
Vic has recorded and performed with an extensive roster of jazz greats, including David Liebman, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Peacock, John Ambercrombie, Bireli Lagrene and Lee Konitz. A master of fluid lyricism, subtle phrasing and engaging harmonies, Vic is especially well known for his ballads. He’s a prolific composer and has recorded many of his previous works with the Steeplechase label and Mel Bay Records.

"Vic Juris is the greatest. There's none better!" - John Abercrombie

"His playing is always musical and his pure mastery of the instrument is something to behold." - Pat Metheny

For more information about Vic: www.vicjuris.com

Jerome Sabbagh and Danny Grissett: April 15th, 2010

Saxophonist and composer Jerome Sabbagh was born in Paris, France in 1973 and moved to New York in 1995. There he formed the collective Flipside with guitarist Greg Tuohey, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Darren Beckett. They recorded an eponymous album for Naxos Jazz. Since then, Jerome Sabbagh has been writing music and leading his own bands, recording three albums as a leader, One Two Three, Pogoand North. As a sideman, Jerome has been involved with pianist Laurent Coq's quartet and Guillermo Klein's Los Guachos. He has also played in bands led by Jean-Michel Pilc and Magali Souriau.

Jerome has performed in many festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival (Paris), Jazz In Marciac (France), Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Medellin (Columbia), and at venues such as Blues Alley (Washington), the Jazz Standard, the Jazz Gallery, Smalls, Fat Cat, the 55 Bar, the Knitting Factory, Birdland (New York), Radio France, Sunside, Duc des Lombards, AJMI La Manutention, Cri du Port, Pannonica, Sceaux What (France).

Originally from Los Angeles, California, pianist/composer Danny Grissett is a relatively new addition to the New York jazz scene. He started playing the piano at age five, and began studying classically when he turned six. Danny continued his classical training through high school and college, earning his B.A. in Music Education in 1998, while developing a love for jazz along the way. He further explored his love for jazz in graduate school, earning his M.F.A in Jazz Performance from Cal Arts in 2000, and completing studies at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute in 2001. There he studied with jazz masters such as Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Heath and Carl Allen.

In the summer of 2003 Danny moved to New York, and within the first few months of Grissett’s arrival, he became a sideman of choice for artists such as Vincent Herring and Vanessa Rubin. You can hear Danny on Vincent Herring’s Mr. Wizard, and Ends and Means on High Note, and Live at the Bird’s Eye. He has also been a member of Tom Harrell’s quintet for the last 4 years, appearing on the last two releases from the great trumpeter Light On (2007) and Prana Dance (2008).

Danny performs internationally at jazz festivals and clubs in Italy, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Colombia, and many cities within the US. He has performed with other notables such as Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, The Mingus Big Band, Marcus Strickland, Steve Nelson, and Louis Hayes. 

In May 2009 Danny’s greatly anticipated third recording as a leader Form was released.

For more infromation about Jerome and Danny:
www.jeromesabbagh.com
www.dannygrissett.com

Gilad Hekelsman & Joe Martin: March 4th, 2010

Since his arrival in 2004, Gilad Hekselman has been earning a reputation as one of the most promising guitarists in New York. This native Israeli has shared the stage with many top names from the New York jazz scene, including Chris Potter, John Scofield, Anat Cohen and Jeff Ballard, and has played such reputable venues as the Blue Note, The Jazz Gallery, Smalls, 55 Bar, and Dizzy’s Club. Gilad has released two albums as a bandleader, SplitLife (Smalls Records, 2006) and Words Unspoken (LateSet Records, 2008), both of which received rave reviews from the press. Gilad is the recipient of the America Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship for studies abroad, and Winner of the 2005 Gibson Montreux International Guitar Competition.

Joe Martin is one of the most sought-after bassists on the current New York City Jazz scene. Known for his warm sound, facile ear, harmonic flexibility, and lyrical solos, he has performed with a diverse range of musicians. Most recently he has been an integral member of Kurt Rosenwinkel’s group, documented on a forthcoming live recording from the Village Vanguard. He has also performed with Ethan Iverson, Lional Loueke, Brad Mehldau, Ben Monder, Chris Potter, Mark Turner, and many others. He leads gigs regularly in New York City at clubs including The Jazz Gallery, Smoke, and Smalls, and has toured with his band in Italy.

To find out more about Gilad and/or Joe, check out their websites:
www.giladhekselman.com
www.joemartinbass.com