JOHNBERN THOMAS with Special Guests: A night of Haitian-infused Jazz · 4/5/25
Schedule
Sat Apr 05 2025 at 07:00 pm to 10:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center | Lexington, KY
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GreenRoom Exchange and Origins Jazz Series present:Johnbern Thomas with Special Guests: A night of Haitian-infused jazz 🇭🇹
Esteemed drummer Johnbern Thomas brings a universe of rhythm transcending genres. He grew up in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, and learned drums from his father. His emotionally uplifting approach includes a mélange of neo-soul, swing, and Haitian tradition. His music opens horizons where exploring and creating bring harmony and build community. His focus is to bring my music to those supporters who have shown interest in supporting Jazz music in a spirit of sharing, fraternity and therefore continue to put his strengths together for harmonious development with others. Today’s top musicians, including Aaron Goldberg, Godwin Louis, grammy winning Miguel Zenon, Don Braden, Julie Michel, have joined Johnbern on stage many times indicating the level of respect and musicianship he brings to stage.
Aaron Goldberg - piano
“For over 20 years, pianist Aaron Goldberg has set himself apart as one of the most scintillating performers in jazz,” hails JazzTimes. Goldberg is widely heralded as one of the art form’s most compelling pianists, both leading his own trio and collaborating with such brilliant icons as Joshua Redman, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Guillermo Klein and many more. Simultaneously swinging and embracing risk, his stylistically fluid, singular voice reveals that jazz is a tradition of innovation.
Jacques Schwarz-Bart - saxophone
Since the release of Jazz Racine Haiti, Jacques Schwarz-Bart has become an ambassador for a school of modern jazz rooted in Voodoo music. Jacques’ impressionistic writing, powerful tone, and wide-ranging language – both lyrical and angular – have fueled a growing presence on the world stage. His vision has inspired an entire generation of young Jazzmen, infusing their jazz expression with their native influences. Late 2016, Jacques became associate professor @ Berklee College of Music.
Zack Brock-Violin
Lexington's own Zach Brock is a sought-after soloist, sideman, and educator, as well as a multi Grammy Award-winning member of the contemporary jazz band Snarky Puppy. Born to a musical family, Zach is a passionate educator. His latest collaborative album with fellow Snarky Puppy bandmates Bob Lanzetti and Keita Ogawa, Drawing Songs, was released in November 2023.
Dion Kerr - Bass
Dion can be seen at some of the most renowned festivals, venues, studios, and galleries with many great young and upcoming artists of all art forms. Kerr has shared the stage with Ignacio Berroa, Nicholas Payton, Marcus Strickland, Etienne Charles, Lillias White, Godwin Louis, Jean Caze, Immanuel Wilkins, Justin Brown, and Tivon Pennicott. Dion is the co-founder of the band ‘The Smoogies’ who released their debut album ‘Planet Smoogies’ with trumpeter Nicholas Payton
The respect these all-stars give Johnbern comes as no surprise. He has a reputation for bringing out the best in others both on stage and in the jazz community, and in 2018 he received the world-renowned Port-Au-Prince Jazz Festival honored him for services to jazz in Haiti.
Johnbern released his album Mesi, Merci, Thank You, Gracias in 2017 which is available on all platforms, and is currently working on his next double album.
Personnel:
Johnbern Thomas, Drums
Aaron Golberg, Piano
Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Tenor Sax
Dion Kerr, Bass
Zack Brock, Violin
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Where is it happening?
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 141 E Main St,Lexington, Kentucky, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
