"Joy and spirited musical communication" are what characterize the artistry of Alvester Garnett's drumming. Singers such as the living legend Abbey Lincoln and the late great Betty Carter, to instrumentalists Wynton Marsalis, James Carter, Regina Carter, and Cyrus Chestnut have all called on Mr. Garnett for the energy and fire that he brings to the bandstand.
"I believe that what we have as musicians is a muse, a musical spirit that resides within us as a gift from God. It is our duty to cultivate that muse. This allows the sounds from a higher power to come down through us and provide healing, entertainment and personal expression for us and to those listening. We as musicians are merely conduits for an art that already exists. We just have to pave the road, through practice and study, to let the sounds come through in our own way. Now, when I say practice and study', I don't mean only in a musical sense, but also in a personal and spiritual sense. Ultimately the music should still reflect who we are as individuals. Working with great spirits like Abbey Lincoln has taught me this." ...
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"Joy and spirited musical communication" are what characterize the artistry of Alvester Garnett's drumming. Singers such as the living legend Abbey Lincoln and the late great Betty Carter, to instrumentalists Wynton Marsalis, James Carter, Regina Carter, and Cyrus Chestnut have all called on Mr. Garnett for the energy and fire that he brings to the bandstand.
"I believe that what we have as musicians is a muse, a musical spirit that resides within us as a gift from God. It is our duty to cultivate that muse. This allows the sounds from a higher power to come down through us and provide healing, entertainment and personal expression for us and to those listening. We as musicians are merely conduits for an art that already exists. We just have to pave the road, through practice and study, to let the sounds come through in our own way. Now, when I say practice and study', I don't mean only in a musical sense, but also in a personal and spiritual sense. Ultimately the music should still reflect who we are as individuals. Working with great spirits like Abbey Lincoln has taught me this."
Gary Thomas, sax
Blake Meister, bass
Allyn Johnson, piano
Special guest: Alvester Garnett, drums
Through his monthly series, Gary Thomas brings another of the finest drummers in the US: Alvester Garnett!
Alvester Garnett is an American jazz drummer who, among many other productions, has appeared on Great Performances on PBS in a tribute to Kurt Weill. Garnett has played with Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, Regina Carter, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Teddy Edwards, James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Charenee Wade, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, Al Grey, Rodney Jones, and Sherman Irby, among others. He is married to Regina Carter
www.alvestergarnett.com
Saxophonist and flutist Gary Thomas established himself in the 1980s as one of the most jarring soloists of his generation, especially against somewhat chaotic backdrops.
The Baltimore native studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He founded the jazz studies degree program at Peabody and was the first African-American degree program director at the conservatory. Has traveled the globe as both a leader and sideman. His performance and recording credits include Dennis Chambers, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ron Carter, Vinnie Colaiuta, Billy Hart, Wynton Marsalis, David Sanborn, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, Bobby McFerrin, Sam Rivers, Vanessa Williams, Betty Carter, George Benson, McCoy Tyner, Randy Brecker, James Newton, Jeff Watts, Marvin “Smitty”Smith, Patrice Rushen, Kevin Eubanks, John Scofield, Tony Williams, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Smith, John Patitucci.
In addition to 11 recording dates as a leader, he’s worked on more than 80 recordings as a featured sideman, reflecting his status as one of the most coveted saxophonists on the jazz scene today. Two of his recordings as a leader, By Any Means Necessary and While the Gate Is Open, were named best recordings of the 1990s by Downbeat Magazine.
The most recent highlights of Thomas' activities are his tenure with British guitarist John McLaughlin from 1997 to 1999, and as a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet since 2002.
Tickets: $25 in advance/ $28 at door/$10 full-time students with ID
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