Jazz with Words

Sunday, August 7, 2022
7:30pm

ABOUT THIS EVENT


Great jazz, great words. This concert features jazz songs with poignant and evocative lyrics, including “Lady Day and John Coltrane,” “Is That Jazz”, and “Pieces of A Man,” by Gil Scott-Heron, “Lush Life” by Billy Strayhorn, and more. Poet Spencer Aubrey will add original poetry as an interlude between songs.

Featuring: Diana Tuffin, vocals; Spencer Aubrey, poetry; Matt Kendrick, bass; Kassem Williams, drums; Michael Kinchen, saxophone; Federico Pivetta, piano.

PROGRAM


The Days Of Wine and Roses
Is That Jazz?
Lush Life
Better Than Anything
Where Do You Start
What Is This Thing Called Love

I Remember You
Here’s To Life
A Night In Tunisia
Pieces of A Man
Lady Day and John Coltrane

TICKETS


$26 General Admission

LOCATION


Piedmont Music Center

212 N Broad St
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

ARTIST BIOS


Diana Tuffin is one of North Carolina’s most sought-after jazz vocalists. She is from Detroit, Michigan, where so many of the world's great jazz musicians are from. She stars in theatrical productions, solo shows, and concerts all around the area. Diana recently studied under pianist and vocal coach Norman Simmons, who has trained some of the world’s top jazz singers, including Anita O’Day, Betty Carter, and Sarah Vaughn. Diana has performed with both locally and internationally known musicians. Among these musical leaders are Nat Adderley Jr., Wynard Harper, Andrea Brachfeld, Akiko Tsuruga, and many others.

Spencer Aubrey thrives as a connector through words, actions, and music and find joy in relational depth. Spencer received his MA at Wilkes University, BM at Arizona State University, and an AA  from Scottsdale Community College.

Federico Pivetta is a versatile pianist with a unique mastery of both classical and jazz styles. As an active accompanist, chamber musician and teacher, Mr. Pivetta has made numerous recital appearances with his wife, flutist Debra Reuter- Pivetta. In 1995, they released their critically acclaimed CD, “Passion and Romance.” In February of 1999, they were winners of the Concert Artists Guild New York Competition, winning the Community Concerts Performance Prize. He has also accompanied renowned tenor saxophonist James Houlik in concerts across the United States, Caribbean and Europe. Other highlights include performances with jazz greats Ernie Watts and Arturo Sandoval. Mr. Pivetta is an active freelance musician and also maintains a private teaching studio. Federico Pivetta earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the UNC School of the Arts, where his teachers included Eric Larsen, Anne Epperson and Barbara Lister-Sink.

Matt Kendrick is an award-winning bassist, composer and recording artist from Winston-Salem. He studied European classical bass at the UNC School of the Arts and Jazz Improvisation with Jerry Coker at UT Knoxville. He teaches Jazz Improvisation as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University. Matt Kendrick has appeared on bass with: The Marian McPartland Trio, Ernie Watts, Gene Bertoncini, Archie Shepp, Jaki Byard, Amiri Baraka (aka Leroi Jones), Craig Harris, Dick Hyman, and JoAnne Brackeen, who was a guest star with the Matt Kendrick Unit at the Carrboro ArtsCenter. He also won the North Carolina Jazz Composers Fellowship twice. He has released four CDs on his own Suitcase Music label and one on the Ichiban label, which charted in the Gavin Top 50 for national airplay.

Kassem Williams, was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the very young age of 8, Kassem started learning how to read music. By the age of 12 Kassem knew for sure that drumming was his life. At the age of 13, Kassem and his father moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he auditioned and got accepted to the Northwest Performing Arts High School. Kassem is a graduate of The Miles Davis School of Jazz at UNC-Greensboro. He performs extensively all over the region.

Michael Kinchen is a lifelong resident of Winston-Salem. Coming from a musical family, music found him at an early age. He studied Jazz and Psychology at The University of North Carolina, Greensboro.  An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Mike is proficient on piano, bass, drums and sax. He is also a gifted composer.  Michael has a busy performance schedule around the state.