Steve Kirby and the Illumination Project (followed by Jazz Workshop)

5 Depot Street,Freeport ME 04032

24 October, 2021

Description

Steven Kirby’s “Illuminations Project”, will present a mid-day concert and jazz workshop Steven Kirby is an award winning jazz composer and guitarist and his “Illuminations Project” features an all star cast of stellar New England based musicians and the NYC based virtuoso vocalist Aubrey Johnson. The concert, at 12 noon, will feature Kirby’s original compositions which have been compared to the Pat Metheny Group and other ECM artists, along with some of his unique and appealing arrangements of well known songs like Over the Rainbow and the Fairport Convention classic “Who Knows Where The Time Goes”. The instrumentalists in the group are all stellar New England jazz artists: Mark Shilansky (pno), Carl Clements (sax/flute), Mark Poniatowski (Aco Bass), Mike Connors (drums). Many of Kirby’s compositions and arrangements feature wordless as well as lyrical vocals and the project features the stunning talents of NYC based singer Aubrey Johnson. Ms. Johnson has recorded with jazz luminaries Bobby McFerrin, Lyle Mays and many others. She has a remarkable voice and virtuosic skills which allow her to sing complex lines like a horn player but also to beautifly interpret a lyric. Steven Kirby’s music has won awards from the International Songwriting Competition, Billboard and Downbeat Magazines. This is not cerebral jazz, it is heartfelt lyrical music with uplifting energy and remarkable beauty. The jazz workshop which will follow the concert, will begin at 1:45pm. It will be a flexible interactive format in which the group will demonstrate how each instrument and the vocalist work together in the context of a contemporary jazz ensemble. There will be ample opportunities for participants to ask questions and even sit in with the band. Individual sessions with the instrumentalists and singer will also be possible in a number of adjacent spaces set aside for teaching one on one. This is an opportunity to interact directly with world class jazz musicians. Cadenza has a singular focus: to provide live music experiences in a casual and comfortable setting.