BREAKING NEWS! MATT STARK QUINTET LIVE AT THE VINEYARD TUESDAY MARCH 10

MATT STARK QUINTET LIVE AT THE VINEYARD TUESDAY MARCH 10 AT 7:00PM

“When I was 14 years old, I heard a song so powerful that it immediately gave me a purpose for the rest of my life: to bring others the same feelings that music gives me,” recalls Matt Stark. Jazz critics have stated for generations that jazz is the most sophisticated genre there is; a statement that has driven many away from experiencing the beauty of this underappreciated art form. While most focus on crafting the “perfect solo,” Stark has shifted his focus to imitating sound. His philosophy is that “the average human ear, whether trained musically or not, relates to immense amounts of expression more than anything else.” Stark intends to explore just that with his music: to reach the highest peaks and the lowest lows, as he believes this is the truest representation of humanity.

On March 10th, Matt Stark is bringing an all-star lineup to “Vineyard” (1970 Grant Street, Concord, CA). The 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM sets will be the world debut of new songs. On the front line are Matt Stark on alto saxophone and Tom Catanzaro on tenor saxophone. Catanzaro, the most experienced in the group, has masterfully found his voice on the horn, telling great stories with a lush, clean sound. He has performed all over California. He plays melodically through dense harmonies, and no matter what range of the horn he is playing, he commands it effortlessly.

Accompanying them on piano is the brilliant Brahm Sasner. Sasner, a wizard of the keys, though only in his early 20s, demonstrates creativity and maturity unmatched by most. Brahm has performed at some of New York’s best jazz clubs, such as “Close Up” and “Dizzy’s Club” at Lincoln Center.

Holding it down on bass and drums are Alan Jones and Miles Turk, respectively. Having studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, this dynamic duo are frontrunners for their instruments in today’s Bay Area jazz scene. Individually, members of the group have performed at venues and festivals such as SFJAZZ, the Monterey “Future Is Now” Festival, the Athenaeum, the Black Cat, GLASSHAUS, Small’s Jazz Club, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and many more.

Stark grew up in the Bay Area, where he won four DownBeat Music Awards by the time he was 17 and performed multiple times with professional groups such as Grammy Award–winning percussionist Javier Cabanillas’s “Cabanijazz Project.” Shortly after, he moved to New York to attend the Manhattan School of Music. Within his first year, he was playing with Frank Lacy at Smalls Jazz Club. He is now a frequent performer at venues around New York such as Nublu, where he most recently performed with Miles Moon, and Fiction, where he is leading his own group regularly in 2026. In 2025, his composition “Every Horizon” was recognized by the Manhattan School of Music, and he conducted their nonet at “Dizzy’s Club” at Lincoln Center. Last year, he was a sideman to Yussef Dayes and Venna at GLASSHAUS as part of their Summer Dayes Festival, and he was a regular member of Antoine Alvear’s band at “Guantanamera” from 2023–2024.

INTENSE PIANO SOLOS, HARD-DRIVING BASS AND DRUM GROOVES, AND EPIC SAX BATTLES RIVALING TWO COMPLETELY CONTRASTING STYLES OF PLAYING — COME FIND OUT WHAT ELSE!

Doors open 15 minutes prior. You can enjoy dinner before or after the concert or you are free to bring your own food or drink from any of the amazing restaurants within one or two blocks of the venue. Plan to bring cups, wine cork, etc as these items are not available on-site. Anyone drinking alcohol must be 21yrs or older.

Here's a few of our favorite restaurants within easy walking distance of the venue:- Cafe Napolina - 1950 Grant Street | Ste B- Taqueria Los Dos Gallos - 1950 Grant Street | Ste A- I Love Teriyaki & Sushi - 1980 Galindo Street- Aung Burma - 2151 Salvio Street- Naan n Curry - 2068 Salvio Street

There are two parking garages on Salvio Street- one near the Vineyard and one near Skipolini's Pizza and Concord Avenue.

THE VENUE: The Vineyard is on Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. This concert venue is tied to the history of jazz through Dave Brubeck - who grew up on this site in Concord - and was one of the first musicians to fight for a racially integrated band.

This concert is a collaboration with the MUSE Jazz Collective.

See you soon!

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Host or Publisher Vineyard Concord