Tempe Concert Series Ends Spring Season With World-Renowned Jazz Trio

The Christian Jacob Trio will perform at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, on Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. as the final concert of the spring 2011 Lakeshore Jazz Series.

“Christian Jacob has played for us three times in three years with singer Tierney Sutton and dazzled our audience with his solo virtuosity,” said Lakeshore’s Woody Wilson. “When you think of the great jazz pianists in the world today, Jacob is in the top five. It’s the perfect way to end our spring season.”

Jacob began playing at the age of four and graduated with First Prize from the “Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique” in Paris. In 1983, he enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and later joined the faculty. “Downbeat Magazine” honored Jacob as Top Collegiate Jazz Soloist, and in 1988 Jacob won the 6th Annual Great American Jazz Piano Competition. After graduating, Jacob joined the Maynard Ferguson Big Band, as pianist, composer, arranger and musical director.

It was through Jacobʼs association with Ferguson that brought about his two Concord recordings: “Maynard Ferguson Presents Christian Jacob” and “Time Lines”. Also an accomplished writer, Jacob is often commissioned to write for big bands and symphony orchestras. Helvetic, a 45-minute inaugural piece for jazz quintet and symphony orchestra, has been recorded on the Swiss Radio Label SRI. The success of Helvetic brought about The 6 Cycles composed and performed in Bangkok in celebration of his Majesty the King of Thailandʼs 72nd birthday. His trio’s Live in Japan album is staple listening for aficionados of jazz piano throughout the world.

At present Jacobʼs 15-year collaboration with vocalist Tierney Sutton has kept him busy. However, his world-class trio has toured extensively in recent years. Long-term band members bassist Trey Henry, drummer Ray Brinker and Jacob have held the strong belief that there is a great demand in music today for the intricate, tightly woven sound that their years of cultivation have produced.

The Bob Ravenscroft Trio will perform on Sept. 24 as part of the fall 2011 Lakeshore Jazz Series at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

This concert is part of the Ravenscroft Piano Masters Series. For more information, visit http://www.lakeshoremusic.org/. To purchase tickets, call 480-350-2822 or visit www.tempe.gov/tca.

Source: City of Tempe

Technorati Tags: Arizona, Tempe, Tempe Center for the Arts