BRATTLEBORO-Vermont Jazz Center (VJC) on Cotton Mill Hill hosts its 10th annual Solo Jazz Piano Festival on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11.
Organizers describe this event as being “for all music lovers interested in the development of piano styles and techniques throughout the evolution of jazz.” Six pianists will perform and discuss their musical aspirations and the expansion of their approaches to the instrument.
The weekend features concerts and educational opportunities that celebrate the distinct practices and vocabularies of solo piano in jazz, with headliners Mathis Picard, Rachel Z, Camila Cortina Bello, and Geoffrey Keezer, and emerging artists Mimi Terry and Dabin Ryu.
Friday’s 7:30 p.m. headliner performance features Mathis Picard and Rachel Z. Saturday’s program begins with master classes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Accessible to all audience members, they include Picard on “The Art of Creation & Creativity” at 10 a.m., Rachel Z on “Harmonic and Life Lessons of Wayne Shorter” at 11 a.m., Bello on “Afro-Cuban Grooves and the Art of Solo Piano” at noon, and Keezer on “Beyond Transcribing—The Next Step” at 1 p.m.
From 3 to 4 p.m., emerging artists Terry and Ryu will be showcased, followed by a panel discussion based on juried questions from the audience from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Bello and Keezer are the featured headliners in the main concert at 7:30 p.m.
For more information about tickets, and the featured artists, go to vtjazz.org.
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