“A saxophonist deeply immersed in the total jazz tradition.” JazzTimes critic Willard Jenkins
“It was the kind of music that makes one feel confident about the future of jazz.” The Detroit News
Steeped in Post Bop and Blues, Detroit saxophonist Chris Pitts made Manhattan, San Francisco and Paris his homes before moving to Boston. His bands have always featured energetic rhythm sections and adventurous music.
Contemporary Jazz Orchestra East Debut MAY 20th 7:30 PM
Big Bands are in my DNA. After playing in Big Bands in my formative years and leading the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra West for a decade in San Francisco, I am excited to introduce the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra East, with a debut performance on Tuesday, May 20th at 7:30 PM at Newton’s War Memorial Auditorium.
The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra East is comprised of top musicians from the Boston region including Pianist George Russell Jr., Drummer Mark Walker, Lead Alto Saxophonist Shannon LeClaire, Bassist Wes Wirth, Lead Trumpet Bijan Watson, (not pictured) Lead Trombonist Pete Fanelli, and Bass Trombonist Peter Cirelli.
This debut concert will feature music from some of the greatest names in jazz, including Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Frank Foster, and more. Audiences can expect powerful, swinging, expertly crafted arrangements performed with passion and precision. As a producer, my goal is simple and direct — to present remarkable performances that demonstrate a profound dedication to the artistry and craft of music.
Music from the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra West can be found on iTunes.
This event is sponsored by the Village Bank and Newton Community Pride as part of the Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts. The concert is free to the public, but seating is limited.