Holiday jazz to liven up season
YARDLEY - The Dave Leonhardt Jazz Group will liven up the holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Yardley Community Centre, 64 Main Street, Yardley.
7KH fiYH-SLHFH JURuS KDV EHHn playing a blend of mainstream and modern jazz together for years. Leonhardt, a jazz pianist of the highest caliber, has toured the U.S., Europe, Canada and China. He has played with legends including Jon Hendricks, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Art Blakey, Benny Carter, Dave Liebman and Diane Reeves.
His long list of performance locales include New York City’s ‘The Blue Note’, ‘Birdland’, and the ‘Village Gate’. His recording URVWHU LV HTuDOOy SUROLfiF DnG KH LV the president of ‘Big Bang Records’. CD’s will be available for sale at the concert, a perfect holiday gift or concert souvenir.
The performance is sponsored by PECO, Waste Management and McCaffrey’s.
While the concert will feature some unforgettable, improvisational instrumental parts, Nancy Reed will bring her ‘voice’ to many of the holiday tunes. She is the daughter of a jazz pianist and opera singer, who was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Reed brings an effortless joy and warmth to her vocalization that makes every audience member feel as though she is singing just to them. She has toured the U.S., Europe, the Far East and Mexico with jazz greats including Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, and Bob Dorough. She has also leant her voice to movie soundtracks, commercial jingles and numerous jazz recordings.
The rhythm pulse of the group is set by drummer, Paul Wells, and acoustic, upright bassist, Matthew Parrish. Wells has worked with Debbie Harry of Blondie fame, Rufus Reid, Randy Brecker, and Joe Williams. He is a true showman on the drum kit with his colorful, fun, and expressive solos.
Bucks County’s own Matthew Parrish brings his worldwide touring and performing experience with Regina Carter, Stefon Harris, Houston Person, Clark Terry and Winton Marsalis to the stage. He also is ‘at home’ with his memorable solos as well as providing a steady bass ‘anchor’ to the group.
Tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna completes the group with more than 45 years of a life immersed in jazz. He is a well-known Philadelphia-based educator and arranger, with an unparalleled performance history with Frank Sinatra, and Woody Herman, to name a few familiar names. He has a beautiful, heartfelt tone in his playing and is a beloved Philadelphia legend in his own right.
Performance tickets are $18 (general admission), $15 (seniors) and $10 (students). They are are available by contacting the BC3$C RffiFH, RnOLnH WKURuJK 3Dy3DO DW www.bcpac.org or at the Yardley Community Centre prior to the concert.