ellington jazz series Thomas C. Duffy, artistic director
Renee Rosnes Quartet Renee Rosnes, piano with Steve Nelson, vibraphone John Patitucci, bass Lenny White, drums
Friday, March 1, 2019 | 7:30 pm Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall
Robert Blocker, Dean
Artist Profiles Renee Rosnes, piano Renee Rosnes is one of the premier jazz pianists and composers of her generation. Upon moving to New York City from Vancouver, she quickly established a reputation of high regard, touring and recording with such masters as Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, J.J. Johnson, James Moody, and legendary bassist Ron Carter. She was a charter member of the all-star ensemble, the SFJAZZ Collective, with whom she toured for six years. As a leader, Ms. Rosnes has released 17 acclaimed recordings. In 2016, Written in the Rocks (Smoke Sessions) was named one of ten Best Jazz Albums of the Year by The Chicago Tribune, one of the Best Albums in all genres of music by The Nation, and was awarded a 2017 Canadian Juno (her fifth Juno award). JazzTimes wrote, “Ms. Rosnes delivers conceptual heft, suspenseful compositions, and mesmerizing performances,” and DownBeat praised it as “an exceptional achievement” stating “Rosnes is a virtuoso composer.” The band’s most recent session, Beloved of the Sky (2018) draws inspiration for the title track from Canadian painter Emily Carr, and features master musicians Chris Potter, Steve Nelson, Peter Washington and Lenny White. Renee has produced concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Renee is also the music director for ARTEMIS, a new international all-star band featuring the vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, clarinetist Anat Cohen, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Allison Miller. Rosnes is married to jazz pianist Bill Charlap, and the two often perform in a
two-piano setting. The duo was featured on four tracks from the 2015 GRAMMY award-winning album, Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining.
Steve Nelson, vibraphone Vibraphonist Steve Nelson began his career during the 1970s in his hometown of Pittsburgh, following the path set by his first major influence, Milt Jackson. After a year working with legendary guitarist Grant Green, Steve began performing around Pittsburgh with local musicians before moving to New Jersey, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Music from Rutgers University. He often worked with his Rutgers professors James Spaulding and Kenny Barron, before landing a spot in saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman’s Quintet. In the midnineties, Nelson’s brilliant artistry caught the ears of Sir George Shearing, who had reassembled his quintet after many years, and invited him to join the new band. In 1995, Steve Nelson joined Dave Holland’s Quintet, a band the New York Times referred to as, “one of the jewels of the jazz world.” He had long and fruitful collaborations with the late pianists Mulgrew Miller and James Williams. Aside from his projects as a leader, Steve is in great demand as a sideman, and has worked and recorded with artists including Donald Brown, Louis Hayes, Bobby Watson, Renee Rosnes, Jeremy Pelt, Chris Potter, Houston Person, and Geoff Keezer.
John Patitucci, bass
Lenny White, drums
Bassist John Patitucci has been at the forefront of jazz for the last 30+ years and active in all styles of music. He is a four-time GRAMMY winner who has been nominated 16 times. He has performed and recorded with jazz giants Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, Victor Feldman, Nancy Wilson, and countless others. John is active as a composer with 16 solo recordings to date, and has been commissioned to write for various chamber music groups. As an educator, John was a Professor of Music at The City College of New York from 2002 through 2012. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Institute and launched his interactive online bass school through ArtistWorks. com. 2019 finds John touring with the Children of the Light Trio, the Chick Corea Akoustic Band, and his own groups. He is also in collaboration with the Harlem String Quartet as a composer and a performer. John will release a new solo bass album, Soul of the Bass, in April 2019.
A versatile drummer, four-time GRAMMY award winner, Lenny White is widely known for being a member of Chick Corea’s classic group, Return To Forever (1972–1976). Born in New York City in 1949, White was a self-taught, left-handed drummer, who began his career playing with local bands. He quickly rose to the top, working with saxophonist Jackie McLean in 1968. In 1969, he recorded the historic Miles Davis album Bitches Brew, and in 1970, recorded Red Clay with Freddie Hubbard (CTI). He has toured and recorded with a who’s-who of jazz, including Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Andrew Hill, Curtis Fuller, Don Cherry, Gil Evans, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Bobby Hutcherson, and Stan Getz. Lenny continues to stay on the cutting edge by producing new artists. His own record label, IYOUWE, has released five projects to date, with three more to come this year. Lenny’s successful podcast, IYOUWE UNIVERSE, can be found on iTunes and other digital formats. He is in the process of co-authoring a book with drummer Mike Clark about their 50 years in music. He is currently a professor at NYU Steinhardt.
Upcoming Events mar 31 Quicksilver Baroque: Violini a due Collection of Musical Instruments The period-instrument chamber ensemble explores the musical styles of 17th-century Italy. 3 pm | Collection of Musical Inst. Tickets $30, Yale staff, seniors and associates $25, students $15
apr 26 Peter Oundjian, principal conductor Yale Philharmonia Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D major, Op. 283, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. 7:30 pm | Woolsey Hall Tickets start at $12, Yale faculty and staff $8, students $5
apr 5
Carolyn Kuan, guest conductor Yale Philharmonia Carolyn Kuan conducts the Yale Philharmonia in Copland’s suite from Appalachian Spring and more. 7:30 pm | Woolsey Hall Tickets start at $12, Yale faculty and staff $8, students $5
apr 28 A&A Harpsichord Duo Collection of Musical Instruments A nastasia Antonova and Anna Kiskachi perform Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, and more. 3 pm | Collection of Musical Inst. Tickets $30, Yale staff, seniors and associates $25, students $15
apr 16 A Far Cry Oneppo Chamber Music Series The chamber orchestra collective presents a program of music by Pärt, Xenakis, Aaron Jay Kernis, and Bartók. 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall Tickets start at $28, students $13
may 7 Competition Winners Oneppo Chamber Music Series Performances by the winners of the Yale School of Music’s annual Chamber Music Competition. 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall Tickets start at $12, Students $6
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