Thursday April 5, 8pm – All Ages – $5 Cover – Jazz
Aaron Irwin and Tony Miceli will be performing music from the American song book as well as other lesser known composers.
Aaron Irwin: saxophone/woodwinds/composer – Critically acclaimed saxophonist, multi-woodwind player, and composer, Aaron Irwin has emerged as an important new voice of his generation. His debut album Into the Light was hailed by the New Yorker magazine as being one of the ten best jazz recordings of 2006 alongside such artists such as Ornette Coleman, Joe Lovano, and Paul Motian. His playing has been described by Jazz Times as “generat[ing] thoughtful dialogs, crunchy little grooves, and moments of great emotive power.”
In 2002 Aaron moved to New York and quickly established himself as a much in demand musician in the thriving New York music scene having performed and/or recorded with many of New York’s finest musicians and bands. Along with his work as a sideman, he also recorded two CDs of his own for the Fresh Sound/New Talent record label based out of Barcelona, Spain. The highly lauded debut recording Into the Light featuring saxophonist Rich Perry (Maria Schneider Orchestra, Village Vanguard Orchestra) was released in 2006 and in 2008, his second CD, Blood and Thunder was released, featuring both well renowned saxophonist Chris Cheek (Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell) and guitarist Ben Monder (Maria Schneider, Paul Motian). More recently, Aaron splits his time between Philadelphia and New York performing and teaching. He can be heard on concert stages, jazz clubs, dive bars, and Broadway pit orchestras. He is on faculty teaching woodwind classes at the British International School in Manhattan and is a proud teaching artist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also was recently featured in jazz author Cicily Janus’ new 2010 book The New Face of Jazz.
Vibraphonist Tony Miceli, whose playing has been compared with the legendary Milt Jackson and Gary Burton, grew up in New Jersey, currently resides in Philadelphia, and has been working steadily on the jazz scene since 1980. As a group leader, sideman, and recording artist, he has performed with numerous top musicians including David Liebman, Jimmy Bruno, Ken Peplowski, John Blake, Diane Monroe, John Swana, and many others. In addition to his work with the group Monkadelphia, which he co-founded in 1990, Miceli is a member of the PhilOrch Jazz Ensemble and the Adam Unsworth Ensemble. His recordings include Looking East with the Philly 5; On a Sweet Note, with Gerald Veasley and the Electric Mingus Project; Band Shapes with French pianist Olivier Hutman; Crepuscule (featuring Monkadelphia); Music From the Inside Out and ……
Of his playing and musicianship, reviewers have praise: “Miceli’s vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal, as he moves effortlessly from fiery virtuoso runs to gentle, pianissimo, legato improvisations on the ballads.” “Micel’s playing had a transcendent glow. He was no longer playing notes, but rather developing ideas that seemed to come from a source beyond himself.” “His runs were so rapid and well executed that it was as if he had a couple of rogue virtual mallets helping him out.” “Miceli’s solos were done with agility and subtlety, stunning the audience with their virtuosity.” Miceli is a consummate versatile musician who is involved in diverse musical currents and projects. His CD Hippie Jazz with vocalist Meg Clifton recapitulated the rock music of the 1960s-70s in a jazz format. In a concert called “Mozart Reloaded” at the Kimmel Center, he played vibe improvisations behind singer Joanna Pascal’s rendition of a Mozart opera aria. With crossover violinist, Diane Monroe, he is now working on a project using jazz, folk, and classical influences
