Presents: Jean-Michel and the BeBop Kings
Featuring METTA QUINTET
THEATRE STAFF
Executive
Artistic
Associate Artistic Director ................................................................. Angel Creeks
Director of
Director of
......................................................................... Jon Cronin
...............................................Leslie Becker
Production Manager ....................................................................... Mike Giovinco
Booking Manager ................................................................................ Sierra Weiss
Senior Business Manager ................................................................... Sean Graham
Lighting Supervisor ......................................................................... Ally Southgate
Associate Lighting Supervisor .......................................................... Dio Raquel Jr.
Senior Production Coordinator ..............................................................Madi Carr
Audio Visual Director ........................................................................... Luke Bezio
Production Coordinator ................................................................ Nichole Pollack
Production Manager ...............................................................Mark Kirschenbaum
House Manager .................................................................................... Alec Speers
Assistant House Manager ........................................................... Savannah Wagner
Director of Ticketing & Customer Relations ............................... Yasmeen Stogden
Ad Sales ..................................................... marketing@significantproductions.org
The Sharon®L. Morse
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dear Patron of the Arts,
Welcome to The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center!
Much like the building’s namesake, my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse, we love all varieties of the performing arts here. It is in her memory that I, along with my amazing team of artists and arts administrators, strive to bring many different types of the highest quality entertainment here to The Sharon.
Since opening in 2015, we have strived to establish your trust, that a show at The Sharon is a show worth seeing. Perhaps you find yourself here today to see a concert of one of your favorite musicians, or to take in the national tour of a Broadway show. Either way, we encourage you to consider trying out a new show that perhaps you haven’t heard of before, knowing that it has been intentionally curated by our team.
We welcome you to The Sharon: a place for you to see an old favorite, but also a place to discover your new favorite. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show today, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!
See You at The Sharon,
Whitney Morse
Artistic Director
ART. ARTISTS. AUDIENCE.
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS (SIGPRO) is a Non-Profit arts organization that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Sharon) & The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (The Studio).
OUR MISSION; SigPro cultivates a diverse collaborative community with a focus on artists' well-being that strives to provoke thought and spark conversation through high quality performing arts. YOUR HELP GOES A LONG WAY! LEARN MORE & DONATE ON OUR WEBSITE
Thank You
FOR SUPPORTING SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS
In order of contributions:
MULTI-DONORS
Mary Homko
Donna Taylor
Russell Jones
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Sarah Lindmeier
Patricia Schlemmer
Jon Cronin
Private Donor
Fidelity Charitable
Private Donor
Attendees at The Sharon's
9th Birthday Lobby Lunch
Lynn & Kathy Glassock
Sharon Curry
Ron Kravet
Bob Kendi
April & David Linscott
Honey & David Kirk
John McAuley
Melissa Warner
Marge Alder
Russell Jones
Marianna Niesen
Liza Diana Walters
Donna Silver
Jim Ward
Roger & Karen Kass
Xiomara Guevara Medoza
Edward & Gale Labuda
Nancy Garrison
Marie Connolly
Stan Ackerman
Giuseppina (Jo) Jones
IN HONOR OF Peg Fiore
Jason Goedken
& Whitney Morse
Alice Stogden
Ursula Becker
Thank you to our anonymous donors.
JAZZREACH
Established in 1994, JazzReach is a nationally recognized New York City-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, performance, creation and teaching of jazz music.
Through the presentation of engaging live multi-media educational productions for young audiences (grades K-12), informative clinics and master-classes for student musicians and captivating lecture-demonstrations and main-stage concerts for general audiences, JazzReach is ardently dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of this rich, compelling and distinctly American jazz tradition.
Long recognized as the nation’s leading provider of high quality educational programming on the subject. JazzReach has successfully served over 850,000 people (of all ages) nationwide in partnership with many of our nation’s most distinguished performing arts presenters and received unanimous praise from arts professionals, students, teachers, parents, the media and jazz community alike. Learn more: www.jazzreach.org .
METTA QUINTET
All of JazzReach’s artistic programming is carried out exclusively by the organization’s official resident ensemble, METTA QUINTET.
METTA QUINTET is a highly creative unit featuring some of the most dynamic, sought after artists on the jazz scene today. They are as collectively dedicated to blazing new artistic territory as they are to cultivating new generations of jazz listeners and performers. In addition to numerous critically acclaimed recordings that include, Going to Meet The Man (Koch Jazz), Subway Songs (Sunnyside Records), Big Drum, Small World (The Orchard), each member of the ensemble are widely celebrated composers, band leaders and recording artists in their own right.
In the role of JazzReach’s “resident ensemble”, the quintet is charged with carrying out the organization’s mission to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of jazz music. Through the presentation of engaging, alloriginal live educational productions for young audiences, informative clinics and masterclasses for student musicians, intensive multi-day residencies and captivating mainstage concerts for general audiences, Metta Quintet tours the U.S. tirelessly and in partnership with some of our nation’s most distinguished performing arts presenters, has successfully served over 750,000 people in more than 100 communities in 44 states.
ARTIST BIO’S
CHRISTOPHER MCBRIDE, ALTO SAXOPHONE
Born in Chicago and now residing in New York, Christopher McBride is a professional musician, educator, composer and arranger. His resume is extensive in jazz (Marquis Hill), hiphop (Pete Rock, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim), R&B (Solange, Ne-Yo), rock (Brandon Flowers) and beyond. As an Educator he has served as Director of Education for the Second Line Arts Collective, as a teaching artist for Jazz At Lincoln Center and as a teacher for different educational companies.
As a Composer he was selected as 18th Street Arts Center’s 2022 Make Jazz Fellow. As a Performing Artist he has received a Grammy certificate from the Recording Academy for his work as a collaborator/soloist on Steven Feifke and Bijon Watson’s 2022 album “Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra.” He has also worked as a Journalist and Consultant with Forbes Ignite, the innovation coalition of Forbes Magazine. McBride recently released his second project ‘Ramon’ in 2023 which reached the Top 25 on the JazzWeek charts & Top 100 Jazz Albums of 2023.
WAYNE ESCOFFERY, TENOR SAXOPHONE
A Grammy-Award-winning saxophonist and two-time Downbeat Critics Poll Winner, is one of the most talented and sought-after musicians in jazz today. Originally from London, England, and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Escoffery’s passion for jazz began early, under the mentorship of saxophone legend Jackie McLean. He later earned a Master’s degree from the Thelonious Monk Institute at the New England Conservatory. Escoffery has held a frontline position in the Tom Harrell Quintet, touring globally and co-producing several albums. He has been a key member of The Mingus Big Band since 2000 and has worked with jazz greats like Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Randy Brecker. As a bandleader, Escoffery fronts his own groups, releasing critically acclaimed albums. His most recent release, *Alone* (2024), features an all-star Quartet with Gerald Clayton, Ron Carter, and Carl Allen. The album, which reflects on themes of love, loss, and solitude, has been lauded as a standout, receiving 5 stars from the London Times and 4 stars from both Jazzwise and Downbeat Magazine. In addition to performing, Escoffery is committed to jazz education, teaching at Yale University and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. His contributions to jazz continue to shape the future of the genre.
ARTIST BIO’S
LAWRENCE FIELDS, PIANO
Born and bred in St. Louis, has earned a spot at the forefront of young jazz pianists, thanks to his blending of vintage ideals with a contemporary mindset. Fields showcases his own dynamic blend of composition and playing in his trio and quartet, and his band and music are featured internationally. His debut album featuring his trio and solo playing, “To the Surface”, was released in February 2024 to critical acclaim. Veteran saxophone icon Joe Lovano – with his unerring ear for youthful talent – has become one of the pianist’s biggest fans. A modern-minded bandleader from the younger generation also relies on Fields, as he mans the piano and keyboards for the Christian Scott Group. Fields also appears on releases by drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, and saxophonists Jaleel Shaw and Steve Slagle. The pianist has been a member of the Watts band, as well as that of trumpeter Nicholas Payton. In addition to performing onstage with the likes of Payton, Watts, Marsalis and Carrington, Fields has appeared with star bassist Christian McBride, drummer Nate Smith, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, and bassist Robert Hurst, among others.
ADI MEYERSON, BASS
An Israeli bass player, composer, educator and producer. She moved to the U.S. in 2012 and quickly established herself on the scene as a promising, up-and-coming voice in the New York City music scene. She has played and toured around the world both as a leader and sideman, and played and collaborated with a diverse group of artists such as Charlie Persip, Bria Skonberg, Joshua Bassett, Armand Hammer, and many more. As a bandleader, Meyerson has released two critically acclaimed albums and is currently in the process of recording her third with her cordless quartet project ‘Dark Matter’. Meyerson is a 2020 recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts women’s grant, ‘Uncharted’ 2022 creative residency fund and The Chamber Music America Performance Plus 2024 grant, and a Next Jazz Legacy 2022 nominee.
HANS SCHUMAN, DRUMS & FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, JAZZREACH
Born in Lansing Michigan, Hans Schuman began playing the drums in middle school while growing up in Tucson, AZ. His maternal grandparents, both prominent figures on the 20th Century American classical music scene, were both nurturing and supportive of his budding interest in music and encouraged him to explore a broad range of musical styles and genres. A graduate of Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Hans has played and/or performed with a who’s who of jazz contemporaries including Geoff Keezer, Mark Turner, Seamus Blake, Kenny Rampton, Mark Gross, Dwayne Burno, Donny McCaslin, Richie Goods, Roy Hargrove, Chris Cheek, Jeff Parker, Antonio Hart, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Delfayo Marsalis, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Reed, Wynton Marsalis, Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, Christian McBride, Don Braden, Stefon Harris, Helen Sung, Marcus Strickland, Jaleel Shaw, Keyon Harold, Joshua Redman and Glenn Zaleski among many others. In 1994, Schuman, with proceeds from the reluctant sale of an inherited Steinway Grand Piano, established JAZZREACH PERFORMING ARTS & EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, Inc., a 501c3, not-for-profit dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of jazz music. In the 30 years since JazzReach’s inception, Schuman, in his capacities as Executive-Artistic Director, has successfully positioned the organization as the nation’s leading provider of live educational programming on the subject. As the founding member of JazzReach’s Metta Quintet, he’s conceived and appeared on all of the ensemble’s critically acclaimed recordings, Going To Meet The Man, Subway Songs and Big Drum, Small World. He is an official Gretsch Drum, Zildjian Cymbal, Vic Firth Stick and Evans Drumheads artist.
ARTIST BIO’S
DANIEL CARLTON, NARRATOR
Narrator Daniel Carlton is a multiple award-winning actor, storyteller, playwright, poet, lyricist, director, and teaching artist. Recent performances include productions of “Finding North” and “The Meeting”, in addition to seventeen Off-Broadway productions, multiple solo shows, and performances with the Children of War Theater Project. Directing credits include “Jabari Dreams of Freedom” (New Victory Theater national tour), “Hero: Boy From Troy” (First Woman Productions), “48 Hours in Harlem” (Harlem 9 Theater Co.), “Freedom Riders” (Mad River Theater Works), and “What If” (Negro Ensemble Company). An enthusiastic creator of new works, Daniel wrote and directed “Keep Marching” (Mad River Theater Works), “March On” (Apollo Theater), “Pigfoot Mary Says Goodbye To The Harlem Renaissance” (Schomburg Center), “Night Train 57” (Kennedy Center workshop), and “Freedom Flight” (national tour), as well as penning “A Whistle in Mississippi”, “Check Yo Invite Parts 1 and 2”, and “Timeless Journeys”. With Nambi E. Kelley, he also co-wrote “Hidden Inside”, “This Ability”, and “So Journey To The Truth”.
SIGPRO ANNUAL SPONSORS
Significant Productions would like to thank our Annual Sponsors for The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
PRIVATE BOX experience
ENJOY YOUR NEXT SHOW AT THE SHARON LIKE A VIP!
• Private experience for up to 15 guests.
• Private lounge for the evening including home-like furnishings, private facilities, and direct access to the auditorium box for comfortable viewing of your show.
• Upgrades available such as a private bartender or personalized celebratory furnishings.
To explore accommodations and availability, please contact Yasmeen@SignificantProductions.org
The Villages® Community Sarasota Plaza | 352-775-1772 312 Heald Way handandstonethevillages.com
The Villages® Community Southern Trace | 352-461-1740 3433 Wedgewood Lane handandstonesoutherntrace.com
Month-to-Month Membership Program Available
*Introductory offers valid for first-time visit only and not valid towards gift cards. Sessions include time for consultation and dressing. Limited time offer. Rates and services may vary by location. Independently Owned & Operated. ©2024 Hand & Stone Corp. Franchises Available. MM39256/ CE10017237, MM43233/CE10034642
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Increase your visibility by marketing your message to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center’s local, engaged audience, as well as advertise in The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol’s Programs and our monthly Digital Newsletter, The Scoop!
For information on prices, ad sizes, and availability, please email us at marketing@significantproductions.org.
