Three Visitors feat. Edward Simon, Scott Colley & Brian Blade
Three Visitors conjures ephemerality – the idea that we are all temporarily in this physical realm and that we can visit other equally transient realms through art and music. In this time and space, with improvisation as the constant, the three come together to visit and explore multiple currents and influences that are passing through us.
Brian Blade was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1970. The first music he experienced was the gospel and songs of praise at the Zion Baptist Church where his father, Brady L. Blade, Sr., has been the pastor since 1961. He has played and recorded with Wayne Shorter, Daniel Lanois, Joni Mitchell, Kenny Garrett, Ellis Marsalis, Chick Corea, Marianne Faithfull, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan. In 1997, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band was formed with pianist Jon Cowherd and the band has recorded seven albums.
Scott Colley is from Los Angeles, California and at age 13, began studying with bassist Monty Budwig. As the recipient of a full scholarship at CalArts, Colley was able to continue his studies with Charlie Haden and the classical bassist Fred Tinsley. Before graduating college, he began touring with Carmen McRae, which led him to performing with Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Jordan, Joe Henderson and Art Farmer. After moving to New York City in 1988, Colley continued playing with artists such as Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Gary Burton, and many others.
Edward Simon, hailing from Venezuela, has established himself as a distinguished jazz improviser, composer-arranger, and band leader over decades in America. Renowned for blending jazz with Latin American folkloric sounds, Simon’s profile has risen in recent years. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he is the longest-serving member of the all-star SFJAZZ Collective and has received prestigious accolades such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and multiple composition grants from Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program. He has played with prominent artists such as Bobby Watson, Terence Blanchard, Paquito D’Rivera, Dianne Reeves, and Bobby Hutcherson.
(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)