The Hamilton College Performing Arts Contemporary Voices and Visions Series continues on Friday, Feb. 24, with the Cyrus Chestnut Jazz Trio at 8 p.m. at Wellin Hall in the Schambach Center for Music and the Performing Arts.
Featuring Cyrus Chestnut on piano, Michael Hawkins on bass, and Neal Smith on drums, this concert will feature original charts by Chestnut. Chestnut continually tours with his trio, playing live at jazz festivals around the world as well as clubs and concert halls. As he says, "I'm trying to bring the spirit of joy to as many places as possible." Chestnut uses the trio format to extend, elaborate and refine the basic concept of the jazz rhythm section.
Chestnut's leadership and prowess as a soloist have led him to be a first call for the piano chair in many big bands including the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, and Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra. He made his cinematic debut as a Count Basie inspired pianist in Robert Altman's film, Kansas City.
Born and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Neal Smith has been playing drums since the age of five. Smith says, "Ultimately, I feel I have a responsibility to positively influence other musicians in this truly African-American art form."
Michael Hawkins, bass, currently lives in the Richmond, Virginia area. Hawkins is known as the consummate sideman and brings a great foundation to the Chestnut Jazz Trio, as well as complimenting horn players and vocalists with his rich sound. He brings together any group with his talent and good-natured spirit.
Tickets for this performance are $18 general admission, $12 for senior citizens, and $5 for Hamilton students. All seating is general admission. For more information or tickets, call the box office at (315) 859-4331, 1-4 p.m. weekdays or visit www.hamilton.edu/college/performingarts.
