Join us as we celebrate jazz this summer! Two unique concerts will reflect a wide array of influences, including traditional American, Latin American and chamber-jazz fusion. First, La Voz De Tres brings an eclectic mix of jazz styles to Geneva on Friday, June 9. Chilean vocalist Natalia Bernal, keyboardist Mike Eckroth, and seven-string guitarist Jason Ennis blend the infectious rhythms and nuanced songwriting traditions of Latin America, original compositions and picks from the great American songbook into a surprising improvisational texture. Special guest Paul McCandless, legendary jazz oboist and multi-instrumentalist, joins the trio for interpretations of the music from their recent album Sueños y Delirios (Dreams and Deliria), which features music by Jobim, Stevie Wonder, Arsenio Rodriguez, Cesar Portillo De La Luz, Milton Nascimento, Billy Strayhorn, and Silvio Rodriguez, as well as McCandless and Ennis.
(Watch La Voz De Tres, “The Secret Life of Plants” online.)
“I’m hoping the Finger Lakes audiences will enjoy the genre-crossing style of La Voz de Tres,” says Ennis. “Our experience playing chamber music, and appreciation for it, makes its mark on the sound of the group. In fact, a bit inspired by the path blazed by groups such as the Modern Jazz Quartet, we sometimes describe the sound of the trio as ‘Chamber Latin Jazz.’”
He notes La Voz De Tres is looking forward to playing with special guest McCandless for this concert.
“As long time McCandless fans, we were elated to discover the beautiful way his reed sounds meshed with a long-established group sound during several engagements early last year,” he explains. “This was hardly surprising, since McCandless’s work with Oregon, The Paul Winter Consort, and other projects has been a major influence on the development of our project and that of countless other musicians interested in bridging genres. Audiences who heard our first concerts with Paul in early 2016 responded enthusiastically and remarked about the instant rapport the group had. We look forward to bringing this very personal dynamic to the Geneva Music Festival.”
(Hear for yourself why Ennis is such a McCandless fan.)
On Sunday, June 11, the Thomas Bergeron Quartet will bring love and romance to the Festival with a jazz-chamber fusion from Bergeron’s latest album. The concert will include new jazz interpretations of the music of Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Takemitsu and Scriabin, in addition to some original compositions and jazz standards. McCandless will be a special guest of the Thomas Bergeron Quartet, of which guitarist Ennis is a regular member. The group also will be joined by a string quartet of GMF-artists-in-residence, creating an octet of trumpet, oboe/bass clarinet, guitar, two violins, viola, cello and bass.
The artists are all looking forward to the camaraderie and collaboration of the Geneva Music Festival, as well as the opportunity to spend time in the Finger Lakes.
“Geneva is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the summer,” remarks Bergeron. “I’m looking forward to performing in a beautiful outdoor setting by the lake. How romantic!”
Tickets for both concerts are available online. Watch for upcoming “Artist Spotlight” articles on Thomas Bergeron and Jason Ennis this month. A video sampling of Thomas Bergeron’s sound can be viewed here.