Nate Birkey Quartet Appearing at Doc’s Place, Phoenix, AZ | Friday, June 4, 2010, 8:00pm and 9:30pm
Nate Birkey arrives in Phoenix for a special evening of original and straight-ahead Jazz. The New York City based trumpeter, composer and vocalist will be making his first appearance in Phoenix and will perform at famed Jazz club, Doc’s Place on Friday, June 4 for one night only.
Joining him on stage will be some of Phoenix’s finest musicians, including bassist Ben Harris.
Nate currently lives in New York City and has been working with some of the city’s finest musicians, including saxophonists Dave Liebman and Phil Woods, Cuban drummer Ignacio Berroa, and pianist Gerald Clayton. His East Coast quintet includes pianist Jim Ridl; saxophonist Sal Giorgianni; drummer Marko Marcinko; and bassist Tony Marino.
Hot off of a successful opening performance for the famed Jazz chanteuse and pianist Diana Krall in Santa Barbara CA – a testament to his rising star on the jazz scene, Nate will perform music from his latest CD Almost Home (2008), mixing in warm and imaginative jazz standards. A fluid improviser and vocalist of understated grace, he brings a quiet yet commanding presence to the stage, engaging his audience and ushering them into a more romantic time and place.
Nate has toured the US, Canada, and Europe, earning him national and international praise. He will be included in a new book due out this summer titled “The New Face of Jazz” by Cicily Janus (Random House), - “an intimate look at today’s living Jazz legends and the artists of tomorrow”.
Critics have compared Birkey’s subtle vocal and trumpet approach to that of Chet Baker and Miles Davis respectively – a sound poised and assured, powerfully stark and spare, creating an atmosphere at once solitary and electric. Birkey shows that his passion and dedication to making music is both endearing and enduring.
“Too many jazz recordings today reflect attempts to squeeze the last drop of virtuosity and clever turns of phrase from the proud legacy of the idiom, mixing it with various flavors of classical and world music. This album is instead straightforwardly a man’s expression of who he is, and that is the true essence of jazz. Eminently listenable, Almost Home is also a valid musical expression of the human heart.” ~ Victor Schermer, All About Jazz
“Nate Birkey, he of mysterious charisma, subtle gossamer trumpet lines and understated voice, hunches over the microphone and leans into his phrases, shutting out the world.”
~Josef Woodard, Los Angeles Times
For info, photos, mp3s or to request an interview, please contact Nate Birkey at:
Links:
Nate Birkey Quartet
Friday, June 4, 2010
8:00pm and 9:30pm
Doc’s Place
40 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 277-5999
$25 General Admission and Dinner
