LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Steve Turre/Jon Faddis Quintet featuring Roy McCurdy
Don’t miss this rare evening with three legendary jazz masters: Steve Turre on trombone and shells, Jon Faddis on trumpet, and drummer Roy McCurdy. These celebrated jazz musicians come together for an exclusive appearance in the Bay Area, providing a unique chance for jazz enthusiasts and historians to witness the collaboration of these iconic artists. The event marks the inaugural performance of OPC’s "Catch the Vibe Concert Series," which aims to raise funds for the “Brick by Brick, Note by Note” campaign to construct a new state-of-the-art facility in Old Oakland.
General Admission $35 advanced / $40 at the door
VIP General Admission $50 advance only (guaranteed seating first five rows)
We are offering a limited number of tickets to attend these performance in person. Advance purchase is recommended. Masking is no longer required.
STEVE TURRE, Trombone and Shells
Steve Turre, a world-renowned jazz innovator, is an American trombonist and seashellist who has consistently earned top honors in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz polls. Born to Mexican-American parents in Omaha, Nebraska, Turre's musical journey began in the San Francisco Bay area, where he was exposed to mariachi, blues, and jazz. He joined the Escovedo Brothers salsa band while attending Sacramento State University, launching his lifelong involvement in the genre.
In 1972, Steve Turre's career took off when Ray Charles hired him for a tour. A year later, his mentor Woody Shaw brought him into Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Since then, Turre has worked with a diverse range of musicians in jazz, Latin, and pop music, including Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, and Van Morrison. Introduced to seashells as an instrument by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Turre later learned that his ancestors also played them. He has incorporated seashells into his unique musical style, becoming a pioneering seashell virtuoso.
As a studio musician, Steve Turre is one of the most prolific living jazz trombonists globally. Since 1984, he has been a trombonist with the Saturday Night Live Band and leads several ensembles. His innovative approach to music has expanded the boundaries of jazz, combining tradition with forward-thinking concepts and styles.
JON FADDIS, Trumpet
Jon Faddis, an Oakland-born trumpet legend, is celebrated for his virtuosic command of the instrument and his dedication to music education. Starting his career with Lionel Hampton's big band, he later joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra as lead trumpet. Faddis has collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington. As a studio musician in New York, he contributed to many pop recordings in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In the mid-1980s, Faddis focused on his solo career, releasing acclaimed albums like "Legacy," "Into the Faddisphere," and "Hornucopia." He directed the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band from 1992 to 2002 and later became the artistic director of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. Faddis currently leads the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra and performs with his quartet.
A Schilke Trumpets performing artist/clinician, Faddis is renowned for his exceptional trumpet technique, big band leadership, and composing skills. With a commitment to inspiring young musicians, he frequently conducts clinics and masterclasses worldwide, shaping the next generation of jazz artists. In Chicago, Faddis served as the Jazz Institute's first mentor and created the Louis Armstrong Legacy Program. Whatever the context, Jon Faddis embodies the finest in jazz.
ROY McCURDY, Drums
Roy McCurdy is a living legend, having worked with some of the greatest artists in jazz including Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson. Born in Rochester, New York, McCurdy began playing drums at age nine and pursued formal lessons in his teens. At sixteen, he performed with Roy Eldridge and Eddie Vinson, marking the beginning of his impressive career.
Joining the Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet in 1960, McCurdy later toured extensively with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. His talent has graced numerous chart-topping albums, including Sonny Rollins' "Sonny Meets Hawk" and Cannonball Adderley's Grammy-winning "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." McCurdy's studio work includes collaborations with NBC and pop artist Kenny Rankin, adding to his versatile repertoire.
Now a respected educator at the USC Thornton School of Music and the Pasadena School of Music, Roy McCurdy continues to inspire the next generation of jazz musicians. As a testament to his influence, he was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as a jazz icon and dedicated mentor.
MATT CLARK, Piano
Matt Clark has a BFA in Jazz Studies from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Recorded and/ or performed with Bobby Hutcherson, Benny Golson, Eddie Marshall, John Faddis, David “Fathead” Newman, Gene Bertoncini, Joshua Redman, and Teddy Edwards. Toured extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States including appearances at the Monterey, San Francisco, Vienne, Big Sur, Stanford, and Rochester jazz festivals in addition to televised performances for CNN Showbiz Today and numerous PBS specials. Clinician, lecturer in jazz history, and ensemble instructor at the Stanford, Oaktown and Cazadero jazz workshops.
AMINA SCOTT
Amina Scott, an esteemed OPC (Oakland Public Conservatory) alumna, is an accomplished bassist, composer, arranger, and music educator. Her passion for music was evident from an early age as she began learning the piano under her grandmother's guidance. At 12, she started playing the electric bass, quickly gaining recognition in local Oakland bands.
In 2012, Amina relocated to New Orleans and became a vital part of its thriving music scene. She joined the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra led by Adonis Rose and has since collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Nicholas Payton and Joanne Brackeen. Currently, she tours with Dee Dee Bridgewater's WE EXIST! quartet and the DDB Big Band, where she serves as bassist and arranger.
Amina's debut album, "Where The Wild Seed Grows," reflects her journey into Black womanhood and showcases her unique style influenced by her extensive musical experiences. Her commitment to education is demonstrated through her teaching positions at Loyola University New Orleans and the University of New Orleans, where she inspires the next generation of musicians.
OAKLAND PUBLIC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
For twenty years, the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music (OPC) has been providing music education and performances in Oakland, California. OPC emphasizes the significance of African American heritage in shaping American musical culture and identity. Its programs celebrate, preserve, and enhance the musical heritage of the Oakland community and the greater Bay Area by offering everyone affordable, culturally enriching musical experiences. opcclasses.squarespace.com