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Randy Brecker Quintet featuring Ada Rovatti, and the Dafnis Prieto Sí o Sí Quartet
Tickets required ($20 general admission/$5 with Clark ID): Tickets here.
“Ever since his ground-breaking stint with his saxophone brother, the late Michael Brecker, in the Brecker Brothers (Band), Randy Brecker’s been ‘the guy’ you turn to for thrilling sine-wave runs up and down the scales, razor-sharp fiery solos and power; sheer, unadulterated brass power.” London Jazz News
“Randy Brecker is one of the greatest trumpet players of this generation.’” Follow Your Dreams
Join us for a musical journey with the legendary Randy Brecker, a virtuoso trumpeter and flugelhornist. With a career spanning over five decades, Brecker’s sonic explorations have resonated across genres, from jazz and rock to funk and beyond. As a founding member of the groundbreaking ensemble Blood, Sweat & Tears, and later, the trailblazing Brecker Brothers alongside his saxophonist brother Michael, Randy has been at the forefront of shaping the evolution of jazz fusion.
The unmistakable sound of this Grammy Award-winning can be heard on iconic recordings from Horace Silver and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen, and Frank Zappa. Whether collaborating with legends or leading his own ensembles, Randy Brecker continues to captivate audiences with his impeccable technique, soulful improvisations, and an innate ability to connect through the language of music.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the brilliance of Randy Brecker, a living legend whose music transcends boundaries and enriches the tapestry of contemporary sound. Join us for an unforgettable evening immersed in the timeless artistry of this jazz icon.
Randy’s set will feature Ada Rovatti on saxophone. A veteran of important festivals such as JVC in NYC Rochester Jazz Festival, IAJE, Detroit Jazz Fest, Montreal Jazz Fest appearing and performing with an impressive and diverse list of artists and bands such as John McLaughlin, Joanne Brackeen, Tony Levin and many others. In addition to her musical expertise Ada appeared in the movie “Mona Lisa Smile” featuring Julia Roberts. Rounding out the group is a rhythm section of Daniela Shaechter (piano & vocals), Alex Claffy (bass) and Steve Johns (drums).
We’ll be joined for a closing set by Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto, who’s revolutionary drumming techniques and compositions have had a powerful impact on the Latin and Jazz music scene, nationally and internationally. As a composer, Prieto has created music for dance, film, chamber ensembles, and most notably for his own bands ranging from duets to big bands, including the distinctively different groups featured by nine acclaimed recordings as a leader. Prieto has performed at many national and international music festivals as a bandleader presenting his own projects and music. Since his arrival to New York in 1999, Prieto has also worked in bands led by Michel Camilo, Chucho Valdés, Bebo Valdés, Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, Eddie Palmieri, Chico and Arturo O’Farrill, Dave Samuels & The Caribbean Jazz Project, Jane Bunnett, D.D. Jackson, Edward Simon, Roy Hargrove, Don Byron, and Andrew Hill, among others.
Prieto, a 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, will perform with a trio of masterful musicians and improvisers: Peter Apfelbaum (Saxophones, Percussion), Martin Bejerano (Piano), and Johannes Weidenmueller (Bass).
The Geller Jazz Concert is supported by generous gift to the Visual and Performing Arts Department from the Estate of Selma Geller. The biannual jazz concert series pairs new and emerging artists with jazz legends, and supports audience development programming. Previous featured artists in Geller Jazz Concert series and recipients of the Selma B. Geller Foundations of Jazz award include Ron Carter, Dave Liebman, Tom Harrell, Christian MacBride, Ravi Coltrane & Joe Lovano, Trio da Paz, Bill Charlap with John Faddis, Omar Sosa, and Donald Harrison.
Selma Geller was a New York City philanthropist who died in 2007. She was deeply concerned about the lack of musical educational opportunities available to the current generation of students. Her gifts to Clark University for music scholarships and musical performances are a testament to her desire to bring the original American musical art form to the Clark community.
For further information, contact ClarkArts at ClarkArts@clarku.edu or 508-793-7349.