Doors & bar at 7 - Music at 7:30 - $30 in advance - $35 at the door - Seated listening room show
Robin Connell and Paul Brewer bring an eclectic mix of their original jazz compositions and arrangements to The Alluvion. Their top flight Octet includes musicians of internationally renowned as well as regional favorites, in an exploration of harmony, contrapuntal lines, rhythmic grooves, instrumental colors, and vocal interpretation.
Well known across west Michigan as instrumental and vocal performers, married musicians Robin and Paul are also commissioned composers with often performed works, some of which are recorded by the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. They each have a Doctorate of Music (theory and composition), met as summer faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp, and live in Grand Rapids.
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About the artists:
ROBIN CONNELL - PIANO
Jazz pianist-singer, Robin Connell, the Artprize 2016 jazz music award recipient, and the West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 Musician of the Year, follows in the tradition of singer‐pianists Diana Krall, and Blossom Dearie, tickling the ivories with original arrangements of time honored jazz standards. Originally from Detroit, she honed her craft in New York City, at places such as The Waldorf-Astoria, bringing the sophistication of The Great American Songbook to life in her own charming and inimitable way.
Robin’s compositions reflect her love of the quirky (Carla Bley), joyously soulful (Min gus), and fusion jazz of her youth (Joe Sample). A former student of Brookmeyer, Don Sebesky and other NYC based jazz composers, with several commissioned and published works, she recently began composing again after a several year hiatus.
‘Connell is nimble at the piano in her clever arrangements’ – Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times
Learn more on her website
PAUL BREWER - TROMBONE & VOCALS
"First call trombonist," Paul Brewer has appeared in concert with over fifty major artists, such as Mel Torme, Lena Horne, and The Temptations. He performs with, and composes for, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and continues to be ‘first call trombonist’ with touring shows and regional jazz musicians. ‘J & K – Trombone Tribute’ is his homage to the great jazz trombonists, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, and includes their well-crafted original arrangements.
A prolific composer with a decidedly contrapuntal approach and colorful orchestrations, Paul continues to write for jazz big band and small ensembles. His influences include Oliver Nelson, Wayne Shorter, Bob Brookmeyer, and Maria Schneider. He recently retired from Aquinas College where he was Director of Bands.
‘Paul’s weighty but smooth trombone, standards, original compositions, and fascinating stories [all] make for an interesting and entertaining evening!’ – West MI Jazz Society
Learn more on Local Spins