Hello dear listeners!
We have a somewhat last minute invite to a supremely lovely afternoon of music from a dear and special talent that is Becca Stevens! She will be joined by the wonderfully musical bassist, Chris Tordini.
Becca Stevens
GRAMMY-nominated, Brooklyn-based and North Carolina-bred Becca Stevens has established an outstanding career blending an effortless vocal talent with exquisite compositions that draw inspiration from pop, jazz, indie-rock, and Appalachian folk music. Her most recent album, WONDERBLOOM (GroundUP ’20) which she produced and engineered with Nic Hard, displays Stevens’ skill of layering profound and discerning lyrics with funky and dance-ready beats in a record that Jazz Magazine described as “sophisticated and sensual pop” and The Mail on Sunday said is “Glamorous…semi-electric pop Prince might approve of.” The track “Slow Burn” from WONDERBLOOM was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals in 2020.
Becca continues to stretch the boundaries of convention with songs that weave together her classical and Appalachian folk music upbringing and her love of the rich rhythms and harmonies of jazz and world music, enhanced by her skill on multiple string instruments. Along with her solo output, Becca is a highly respected collaborator who has worked with the likes of David Crosby as an active member of his Lighthouse Band, Jacob Collier, Michael League (Snarky Puppy), Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, Chris Thile, Laura Mvula, José James, Antonio Sánchez, Cory Wong, Vince Mendoza, Metropole Orkest, Timo Andres, and Attacca Quartet, among many. She defies labeling and continues to challenge the notion of what a singer-songwriter should be. Instead, she dictates to the rest of us what we should (and should not) expect from artistry such as hers.
Chris Tordini
Christopher Tordini is a much-loved bassist on the New York music scene, where he performs with established jazz icons as well as a diverse range of emerging musicians. He has toured and recorded with Andy Milne’s Dapp Theory and has also played and recorded in bands led by artists such as Greg Osby, Jeremy Pelt, Jean Rohe, Ari Hoening, Steve Lehman, Jim Black, Andrew D’Angelo, and the Becca Stevens Band. Tordini is also a collaborator in projects led by drummer/composer Tyshawn Sorey and trombonist/composer Michael Dessen. “Tordini is comfortable in any possible musical situation, from pop to the avant garde, he seems to be connected to everybody in the New York scene, regardless of style. While he has primarily worked as a sideman, he recently step out as a leader for a couple of sets at The Jazz Gallery.” He’s also the author of Killer Technique: Upright Bass, a book “designed to help open up technique, and encourage an approach that will make a bassist think and work hard in the practice room, but relax while performing… [This] technique is a means to an end: creating beautiful music.”
Becca Stevens with Chris Tordini
Becca Stevens – voice. guitar, ukulele, charango
Chris Tordini – bass
Becca Stevens with Chris Tordini, Sunday 6 November,
Doors at 1:30 pm, concert begins at 2:00 pm sharp.
Tickets are only available via Eventbrite. Seating is limited.
Proof of vaccination and mask wearing are required for admission.
Coming Up:
Sunday, December 4, Michael Blake’s Chroma Nova
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