Michael Adkins East End Key Quartet (Monkfish Concert Series)

Michael Adkins joins Roberta Piket, John Lockwood & Billy Mintz for an adventurous night of modern jazz at The Mad Monkfish.
About this Event

Michael Adkins East End Key Quartet (Monkfish Concert Series)

Overview

The East End Key Quartet brings together four master storytellers to link the boundary-pushing energy of New York's loft and club history with the rooted, exploratory spirit of Boston jazz. Alongside the saxophonist are: New York born, Boston-educated Roberta Piket on piano; the Boston music scene’s inimitable John Lockwood on bass; and the legendary NY and LA drummer, Billy Mintz, veteran of every conceivable jazz genre, and then some.

Michael Adkins + East End Key Quartet

Personnel:

• Michael Adkins – Tenor Saxophone

• Roberta Piket – Piano

• John Lockwood – Bass

• Billy Mintz – Drums

NOTE:

Immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of the Jazz Baroness Room at The Mad Monkfish, where you can sip your favorite drink, savor sushi or Thai cuisine, and enjoy the mesmerizing sounds of a remarkable jazz ensemble. Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or simply seeking a delightful night out, this event promises to be a treat for your senses. To keep this vibrant jazz scene alive, we require a minimum spend of $25 per person, since all ticket proceeds go directly to the musicians. If a guest spends less than $25, the difference will be added to the check—this small gesture helps us keep the restaurant running and the music flowing. We’re grateful for your support—it’s what keeps the spirit of live jazz alive here at The Mad Monkfish. Our full bar and food menus are available to complement the musical experience, so indulge in our renowned cuisine while supporting live jazz at The Mad Monkfish. Together, we can keep the music playing!

BIOS:

Michael Adkins’ distinct musical ethos combines listening, space, and fearless group interaction. He grew up near Detroit’s burgeoning music scene and quickly gravitated toward the rich artistry of New York City. His original leader releases have earned international acclaim; jazz authority Nat Hentoff called his debut release, Infotation, "real music." His follow-up recordings on HatHut records, which featured drum legend Paul Motian, earned accolades: The Wire’s Jazz Album of the Year (Rotator) and Cadence Magazine’s Top-Ten Critic’s Poll (Flaneur). Praised by All About Jazz and The Free Jazz Collective for his full, warm, and eloquent tenor tone recalling 1950s giants like Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins, Adkins continues to raise the stakes of tone and intention through a remarkably bold sharing of musical space. UK’s JAZZWISE magazine described the saxophonist saying: "Adkins has an exceptional, magisterial tone." Jazz Review’s Glenn Astarita notes that the saxophonist’s "deep and penetrating tenor lines provide a near flawless vehicle for group-centric improvisation."

Roberta Piket effortlessly bridges standard songcraft with modern harmonic exploration, leading international tours and recording widely as one of New York’s leading jazz pianists. She began studying piano from her father, composer Frederick Piket, and learned lyrics from her mother, a classic American songbook singer. Her discovery of a flea-market LP of the Walter Bishop Jr. Trio sparked a lifelong devotion to jazz piano, with critics noting her warmth, guts at the keyboard, and inner compass. From the New Yorker: “An exceptional modern-jazz pianist hovering just outside the radar, Piket looks beyond the tradition while tipping her hat to its verities.” And JazzTimes chimes in on Piket’s appearance at Earshot Jazz: “The revelation of this year’s festival was Roberta Piket.” Hear her for yourself...

John Lockwood learned jazz "on the bandstand" in Capetown before becoming one of the most in-demand bassists on national and international stages. After a little classical piano, rock guitar, a mandatory year in the Navy, and a construction job, “Something made me buy a bass, I mean, I don’t know what really it was...” And then: “I basically learned on the bandstand. I got called for these gigs that I shouldn't have taken, I suppose, looking back. People just proceeded to shout and scream at me, and that's how I learned. Piecing things together.” That “piecing” has made Lockwood one of the most in-demand musicians on national and international jazz stages, as well as one of Boston’s most dedicated contributors to creative jazz. Lockwood brings a vast, selfless musical authority and unwavering commitment to every performance, embodying the music’s creative, improvisational and masterful spirit.

Billy Mintz, born in Queens, came up through the dynamic NYC scene of the 1970s, playing with the Lee Konitz Nonet, Harold Danko, Hal Galper, Steve Grossman, Bob Stenson, and Eddie Daniels, alongside stints in roots-rock and cabaret. Following an extensive West Coast career performing with Mose Allison, Mark Murphy, Charles Lloyd, and the Stanley Clarke/Mike Garson Trio, Mintz returned to the East Coast. Time Out New York states, “Mintz advances a compositional language that’s romantic and classy yet schmaltz-free.” Mintz says he is fortunate to have played in millions of gigs, but we are fortunate he is returning to Boston to bring his nuanced playing to Monkfish audiences.

Read more here:

https://robertajazz.com/

https://michaeladkinsjazz.com/

https://billymintz.com/

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/john-lockwood/