Paul Meyers, Guitar
Bret Zvacek, trombone
John Geggie, bass
“It Might as Well be Spring” is the theme – it’s a great tune, and a little wishful thinking goes a long way… 😉
Wednesday, March 20, 7 PM
Robin McClellan’s house in Sanfordville.
Paul Meyers will be playing a concert with two wonderful musicians who are both on the Crane faculty. Bret Zvacek, trombone, and John Geggie, bass, are two fantastic jazz players that Paul had the pleasure of working with as a group only once before. They had a fantastic time then and they are all looking forward to reuniting to perform their arrangements of Spring related tunes from the Great American Songbook (such as Spring is Here, Spring can Really Hang You Up the Most, and our theme song, It Might as Well be Spring) along with jazz standards (Joy Spring by Clifford Brown, Up Jumped Spring by Freddie Hubbard) and more.
AND Joel Hurd from North Country Public Radio is coming out to record the concert for a CD – so if you’re there, you will also be on the CD! Join this wonderful trio at Robin McClellan’s house in Sanfordville where Paul has played several times before in the past two years. There will be some light refreshments, but feel free to bring your own.
Admission: $10
Personnel
Bret Zvacek (trombone) has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Gene Bertoncini, The Woody Herman Orchestra, and numerous other jazz artists. Since September 2005, Bret has served as the Musical Director of the Central New York Jazz Orchestra (Syracuse), collaborating with artists including Phil Woods, Hubert Laws, Bobby Watson, Joe Locke, and others. Under Bret’s direction, the CNYJO has released its first CD/DVD “THEN, NOW & AGAIN” to critical acclaim. Bret’s 2001 quintet CD “DAY IN MAY” has been described as being “infused with creative energy” (Cadence Magazine, December 2002). He has written big band music for numerous professional and student ensembles. He has held teaching positions at University of North Texas, McGill University, and at The Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY, where he currently is Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies He is a clinician and performing artist for the Yamaha Corporation of America, and conducted the New York All-State Jazz Ensemble in December 2007, and the Massachusetts All-State Jazz Ensemble in March 2009. Get Bret Zvacek Quintet DAY IN MAY and CNY Jazz Orchestra THEN, NOW & AGAIN at cdbaby.com & iTunes music store.
You can find out more about Bret and hear some of his music at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/zvacek, http://www.myspace.com/bretzvacek and http://bretzvacek.com/.
John Geggie is greatly in demand as a versatile musician (double bassist) and creative composer both in Canada and internationally. He has been the curator and programming director of the Geggie Series for thirteen years. For over ten years, he has hosted the Late Night Jam Sessions at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. He has also toured extensively with the award-winning jazz group Chelsea Bridge and the JUNO-nominated D.D. Jackson Trio. He has also recorded or performed with a many of the top names in creative improvised music: Jon Christensen, Ron Miles, Joel Frahm, Andy Milne, Marc Copeland, Vic Juris, Ben Monder, George Colligan, Craig Taborn, Sheila Jordan, David Murray, Andrew Cyrille, Donny McCaslin, Matt Brubeck, Ted Nash, Billy Hart, Marilyn Crispell, Myra Melford, Bill Carrothers, Cuong Vu and bassist, Mark Dresser. Previously, he has performed at various international festivals including in Rouen and Maubeuge (France), in Molde (Norway) and throughout the United States. Geggie has also participated in the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. In addition, he continues to maintain a busy concert schedule with the 13 Strings Chamber Ensemble and is involved in many recording projects. He performs regularly with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. John is on faculty at the Crane School of Music, State University of New York (SUNY Potsdam) and has students at both Carleton University as well as University of Ottawa. This winter, the Thirteen String Chamber Orchestra premiered his most recent composition, St.Andrews’ Vibrations as part of their 2012-201 season.
You can find out more about John and his music at johngeggie.com (although he assures me it’s nothing like what they are going to be playing together!).
Paul Meyers – “one of the most eloquent jazz guitarists since Kenny Burrell” – James Gavin, NY Times – Paul is already familiar to many music fans in the North Country through many performances there over the years. He has gained a reputation as one of the top jazz guitarists of our time. Paul has performed and recorded with an ever growing list af jazz greats – Geri Allen, Karrin Allyson, Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Ron Carter, Eliane Elias, Eddie Gomez, Jovino Santos Neto, Rufus Reid, Claudio Roditi, Annie Ross and David Sanchez to name a few. He’s also toured worldwide for many years with two of the greatest jazz singers ever – Jon Hendricks (since 1993) and Andy Bey (from 1997 to 2008). Paul performed in Argentina and the US with vibraphonist Gary Burton, who recorded Paul’s tune Panama on his “Reunion” CD with Pat Metheny. He has a number of critically acclaimed CDs including World on a String, a quintet with rising stars Donny McCaslin and Helio Alves, featuring Paul’s original compositions and arrangements, and Paul Meyers Quartet featuring Frank Wess, a relaxed straight ahead session with the legendary tenor and flute master. He has also recorded 4 solo guitar CDs including Welcome Home (2011), a highly acclaimed CD of all original music. Paul teaches jazz guitar, improvisation and coaches jazz and Brazilian ensembles at William Patterson University and at New Jersey City University and he also taught at the first year of the Jazz for Teens program at NJPAC in Newark.
Paul’s web site has more about him and you can listen to some of his music at www.paulmeyers.info/live/
Robin McClellan 