April 16 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
This event is sold out.
The Geller Jazz Series at Clark University is proud to present an extraordinary night of jazz featuring a powerhouse ensemble of Nicholas Payton(trumpet), Benito Gonzalez (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and Lenny White (drums). This one-night-only performance, the final concert of the series, will showcase the immense talents of these jazz luminaries at the intersection of tradition and innovation.
The evening will also feature a special opening set by jazz vocalist Ekep Nkwelle and her quartet.
The Art of the Quartet is a unique gathering of four influential and visionary jazz musicians. Each member has contributed to the landscape of modern jazz with decades of groundbreaking work and collaborations with jazz legends across genres.
- Nicholas Payton, a Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer, is known for his bold musical vision that blends the history of jazz with contemporary sounds. With a distinctive approach to trumpet playing, Payton has created a sound that challenges and transcends traditional boundaries.
- Benito Gonzalez, an acclaimed Venezuelan pianist who combines a long lineage of American jazz traditions with rhythms from around the world. He’s worked with dozens of the greats, and is known for the Afro-Latin patterns and his rhythmic drive. Intricate solos are a cornerstone of his ensembles.
- Buster Williams, a living legend in jazz bass, has spent over five decades performing with luminaries such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, and Wayne Shorter — to name just a few. His ability to meld intricate harmonies with deep groove has made him one of the most respected bassists in jazz history.
- Lenny White, a visionary drummer, was a key figure in jazz fusion with the iconic band Return to Forever. His work in both straight-ahead jazz and fusion has set a new standard for jazz drumming with its intensity, precision, and creativity.
These four will take the stage for an evening that promises to explore the full spectrum of jazz expression, from intense improvisation to rich, melodic interplay. It’s a unique opportunity to hear these virtuosos push the boundaries of the genre and redefine what jazz can be.
Opening the evening will be the Ekep Nkwelle Quartet, a rising star in the jazz scene. Ekep Nkwelle, a 25-year-old Cameroonian-American jazz vocalist, has carved her musical path from the vibrant streets of Washington, DC, to the heart of New York City’s jazz scene. Her journey through the esteemed Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard University, and The Juilliard School has been extraordinary. The power of her voice has resonated with jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, and Peter Washington, along with young stars like Emmet Cohen and Endea Owens, leading to countless collaborations. Her performances have graced iconic, internationally renowned venues from the illustrious Radio City Music Hall, where she shared the stage with classical virtuoso Lang Lang in collaboration with Disney.
