Don Aliquo Quartet feat. Michael Jefry Stevens

Pianist Michael Jefry Stevens and saxophonist Don Aliquo have performed and recorded several projects over the past decade including their latest cd release: “The Innocence of Spring”. According to All About Jazz “The Innocence of Spring brings together two veterans of the US jazz scene in a live performance of raw improvisational clarity and sensitivity." On saxophone, Aliquo’s playing “smooth as silk...with an unfailing feel for breath and phrasing" combines delightfully with that of Michael Jefry Stevens, described by Cadence Jazz Magazine as “a sensitive pianist who ekes out droplets of sparkling gems or volumes of rushing waves…" In an era where albums are often carefully constructed in a studio, this is a rare opportunity to hear two master improvisors at work live, complete with clapping, laughing, and cheering from the audience.
Joining Aliquo and Stevens are joined by Jack Aylor on bass and drummer Jordan Perlson.
Don Aliquo’s playing has been described as possessing an “unfailing feel for breath and phrasing" while extremely supple in the addressing of his axe but always zeroed in on what he's describing”.
“Growth” his newest release, explores new territory with intriguing compositions and ample solo space for Aliquo’s inspired improvisations. The eight originals are both complex and open, which shows him expanding his boundaries not only as an instrumentalist and improviser, but also as a composer. The music is an electrifying modern outing with one foot in the future and one in the tradition.
Aliquo has released six solo projects and has worked collaboratively or performed as a sideman on many others. His previous solo cd “Sun and Shield” features veteran jazz masters Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely, and the dynamic Obed Calvaire.
Notable collaborations include quartet recordings with Roger Humphries and the late Beegie Adair. He also has recorded with his mentor, notable Pittsburgh tenor stalwart, Don Aliquo Sr. on the MCG label. Don has performed in concerts and recordings with many world-class artists including Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Roger Humphries, Harold Danko, Adam Nussbaum, Donald Brown, Pete Christlieb, Scott Robinson, and Bobby Shew. Don is Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a Selmer and Vandoren artist.
Michael Jefry Stevens has been active for over 40 years with many New York jazz ensembles. With bassist Joe Fonda he led the Fonda-Stevens Group and recorded several highly regarded post-bop albums. A composer and "Steinway Artist", Michael Jefry Stevens performs extensively in Europe, Latin America and North America. He was voted “Best Composer of 2016” by readers of the Mountain Xpress in Asheville, NC and was a recipient of a 2017 Regional Project Grant through the North Carolina Arts Council.
He has composed over 360 works for both large and small ensembles. An active band-leader for over 40 years, his current working musical ensembles include the "Conference Call Quartet," the "Fonda/Stevens Group", the Hungarian "Eastern Boundary Quartet", “Don Aliquo/Michael Jefry Stevens duo", the "Mountain Chamber Jazz Ensemble" as well as his current trio, quartet and quintet. Michael has released over 100 Cds and has performed and/or recorded extensively with many of the top names in Jazz, including Dave Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave_Douglas_(trumpeter), Leo Smith, Matt Wilson, Han Bennink, Mark Feldman, Pheeroan AkLaff, Gerry Hemingway, Charles Moffett Sr., Billy Martin, and many others. Michael co-led the Brooklyn Jazz Composer's Orchestra with Jeff Raheb in the mid 1990s, and was a member of the BMI Jazz Composer's Institute during that time. His solo piano recordings include "The Survivor's Suite", "Portrait in Red" and most recently "Lazy Afternoon".
He was the “Margaret Lee Crofts Fellow” for 2000–2001 at the MacDowell Colony, and was a Centrum Arts composer fellow (2004). Stevens was an artist in residence for at EMU Conservatory in La Plata, Argentina between 2005 and 2010, and has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark, Sibelius Academy in Finland, University of Michigan, Indiana University, and many other educational institutions in Europe, Latin America and North America. He currently is on the music faculty of East Tennessee State University where he teaches jazz piano, theory, improvisation, jazz history and composition.

This show is 21 and over only. All sales are final and we unfortunately cannot offer any refunds. Additional tickets may be available at the door on the day of the show even if it is sold out online.

Please try to arrive 15 minutes prior to the show start time. If you do not arrive within 45 minutes after the show start time on your ticket your seat may be resold to other patrons at the door. If you arrive after 45 minutes from the start time of the show and your ticket has been resold, although we cannot guarantee it, we will try our best to make space for you to attend the show.

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