Piedmont Piano Company is pleased to present
Jackie Ryan, Larry Vuckovich, Jeff Chambers
Vocalist Jackie Ryan, pianist Larry Vuckovich, and bassist Jeff Chambers come together for an intimate trio format of varied jazz styles and tempos. Their music has richness and depth, featuring jazz classics, rare standards, South American bolerso, Brazilian music, blues, and more. Don’t miss it! Refreshments will be served.
$25 General Admission
Jackie Ryan, one of the most versatile vocalists in jazz, possesses a beautiful contralto voice that reaches three-and-a-half octaves and has a wide-ranging repertoire of rarely-heard standards, jazz-bebop classics/vocalese, Latin American boleros, Brazilian bossas, soulful blues and gospel, also jazz interpretations of French and Italian standards. She has sung all over the world from the famous Ronnie Scott's Club in London (where she was asked to record for their label) to Jazz at Lincoln Center and Birdland in New York to Oakland's Yoshi's, as well as many of the major jazz festivals. NPR reviewed of one of her recordings, You and the Night and the Music: NPR Review. Jazz Times, calls her: “One of the outstanding jazz vocalists of her generation and, quite possibly, of all time ... rivaling the dexterous sass of Sarah Vaughan, the instinctive smarts of Carmen McRae ...” The London Guardian cites her “sweeping vocal powers ... Jackie Ryan’s chemistry of passion is truly sensational.” jackieryanmusic.com
Larry Vuckovich has won acclaim from critics and jazz audiences for his deeply imaginative style and repertoire heard at prestigious North American and European jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals. The New York Times notes that his unique outlook and collection of influences “set him apart from most pianists who are heard regularly in New York.” The Village Voice comments on his “book of piano gems that will keep you guessing.” The Toronto Globe and Mail calls him “a musician who sits apart from the rest by virtue ... of his taste for both the exotic and the exquisite.” He has played with jazz greats from several influences: Dexter Gordon, Philly Joe Jones, Mel Tormé, Don Byas, and Red Norvo to today’s artists: Charlie Haden, Bobby Hutcherson, Bobby McFerrin, Tom Harrell, and Charles McPherson. He led the Keystone Korner house trio in San Francisco for five years, before moving to the New York scene, where he played at all the top clubs. When he returned home, Larry later headed the Grand Hyatt’s Club 36 music program, which during his tenure, became a San Francisco Jazz Festival venue. Larry presented weeklong theme shows there and at Kimballs East/West, Yoshi’s, and The Bach, and was artistic director of the former Napa Valley Jazz Festival in Yountville. He also performed as a guest of Marian McPartland on her NPR show, Piano Jazz. larryvuckovich.com
A talented and versatile bassist, Jeff Chambers is known for his impeccable timing, dynamic rhythms and improvisational dexterity. Chambers musical style is both lyrical and playful. With his distinct touch, smooth sound and innovative sensibility he travels the vast tradition of rhythm-fueled bass playing, skillfully referencing his predecessors while exploring new musical territory.
Chambers masterfully breaks the conventionally accepted boundaries of his instrument and forges new melodic possibilities. According to San Francisco Chronicle music critic Phil Elwood, "Jeff Chambers makes playing upright bass look and sound so easy with his rhythmic sense and melodic vocabulary." For more details, visit jeffchambersjazz.com.