Fri, Jul 24, 7:30 PM
MUSICIANS
Kasey Knudsen, saxophone. Harvey Wainapel, saxophone. John Wiitala, bass. Jon Arkin, drums. $20 cover charge (cash, please); byob. Students $10; kids free. Saxophonists Kasey Knudsen and Harvey Wainapel join forces in this new quartet setting, along with bassist John Wiitala and drummer Jon Arkin. All four have been mutual admirers and have played in various combinations for years, but tonight will be the debut for this particular group! Kasey Knudsen is a San Francisco-based saxophonist, composer, and educator. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music in 2002. Knudsen has been described as “one of the region’s most esteemed saxophonists” by Andrew Gilbert in San Francisco Classical Voice and was included in Paste Magazine’s list of “10 Female Instrumentalists Who Redefine Jazz” in 2016. As a composer, Knudsen has received commissions and grants from San Jose Jazz’s New Works Festival, InterMusic SF, Intersection for the Arts, de Young Museum, and the California Jazz Conservatory Emerging Artist Series. In addition to leading several of her own projects, Knudsen co-leads groups including the Schimscheimer Family Trio, the Holly Martins, and the Klaxon Mutant Allstars. She has collaborated extensively with many of the Bay Area’s most distinctive musical voices, including performances throughout the United States and Europe with Tune-Yards; international tours and festivals with Fred Frith; and performances with Charlie Hunter, Scott Amendola, Erik Jekabson, Circus Bella, Ben Goldberg, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Ian Carey, Beth Schenck, and many others. kaseyknudsenmusic.com ***** “Harvey Wainapel can be judged by the company he keeps.” —Los Angeles Times A few examples: Wainapel toured the world for a year as a member of Ray Charles’ group. Two of Brazilian jazz’s brightest stars, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, kept him traveling with their group on and off for six years. And sax master Joe Lovano has utilized Harvey’s talents for tours in Europe and North America. San Francisco area resident Harvey Wainapel (pronounced “Wine-apple”) has also performed and/or recorded with pianists Kenny Barron, Dave Brubeck, and McCoy Tyner, drummers Billy Hart and Mike Clark, the hr-Bigband (German Radio Big Band in Frankfurt), and Holland’s Metropole Orchestra. Wainapel has also presented his OWN work in clubs, festivals, workshops, and studios in 17 countries. Harvey’s love affair with the music of Brazil has led him to 20 long-term visits there, researching, performing, and recording with many of that country’s most highly-respected musicians. (A Wainapel concert will always include some Brazilian spice!) Japan’s JazzLife calls Wainapel “a musician with his own unique and deep sound.” “It’s a pleasure to listen to Harvey’s soulful interpretations.” —Joe Lovano “Harvey understands Brazilian music in a way that’s very unusual; he’s got the spirit, he’s a great musician!” —Ivan Lins