The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Jazz series begins with Brubeck, Triple Play
WATERBURY — New England Arts & Entertainment’s Fall Jazz Series at the Palace Theater Poli Club opens Friday, Sept. 21 with Chris Brubeck and Triple Play. It marks the 100th show in the Palace Theater Poli Club’s jazz series.
Triple Play is the name given to three outstanding and versatile musicians — Peter Madcat Ruth (on harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals), Joel Brown, (folk and classical acoustic guitar and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano and vocals). Collectively they bring a rare level of joy, virtuosity and American spirit to the folk, blues, jazz and classical music they perform. Triple Play’s musical roots go back nearly 40 years in each member’s history. Chris and Madcat have toured and recorded together in different settings since 1969, first as young rock musicians in the group “New Heavenly Blue” (with albums on RCA and Atlantic Records), “Sky King” (on Columbia), and then as jazz musicians touring the world with Dave Brubeck.
Chris went on to form the group Crofut and Brubeck with the uniquely talented banjo player Bill Crofut and also featured Joel on guitar. A highly unusual and critically acclaimed CD, “Across Your Dreams” (Telarc), features famous mezzosoprano Frederica von Stade singing songs written by Chris, Dave & Iola Brubeck. Their next project was the recording of the acclaimed “Bach to Brubeck” (Koch International Classics) at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Bill Crofut passed away in 1999, and Madcat joined Chris and Joel to form the group Triple Play. Their live performance is documented on their first CD, “Triple Play Live,” recorded at one of their college concerts. In reviewing this disc, All Music Guide wrote: “This boundary stretching CD should be
investigated by anyone who enjoys great American music.”
Their second CD, “Watching the World,” was recorded in studios across the country and, according to All Music Guide, “It’s great to hear a group that combines top-notch musicianship, potent originals, and a touch of humor, this CD is truly a Triple Play in any fan’s score book.”
With an ever-expanding repertoire, the trio continues to play in concert halls, clubs and festivals all over the country, including performing many of Chris’ symphonic arrangements with orchestras across the U.S. Recently they played a set at the Monterey Jazz Festival and later that evening were featured in the premiere of Dave Brubeck’s Cannery Row Suite.
Paul deBarros, writer for the Seattle Times and Downbeat, said, “Triple Play is what jazz always was and always should be about: Good-time rhythm, unbridled joy and the sweet release but bittersweet aftertaste of the blues. If there’s a better old-time blues and jazz harmonica player out there than Madcat Ruth, I’d sure love to know where he lives.”
This show is the first in the five part Fall Jazz Series that includes The Kristina Koller Quartet Oct. 12, Gabriela Anders and Los Dukes Nov. 2, Manhattan Vibes Nov. 16 and Gabriel Alegria & The AfroPeruvian Sextet Dec. 7.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with doors and the bar opening at 6:30 p.m. Seating is general admission. Tickets are available for the entire series, including reserved seating at each show. The series is produced by New England Arts and Entertainment.
Tickets are available at the Palace Theater Box Office at 203-346-2000 or at www.PalaceTheaterCT.org