A small venue with only 132 seats, the Arts Council’s Centre for the Arts is a dream for musicians and audiences alike. The stage has held such musical luminaries as Catfish Hodge, Dick Morgan, Stef Scaggiari, Sue Matthews,MaggieSansone,Vince Lewis and Steve Abshire.
On Saturday, March 17, 2012, jazz guitarist Abshire returns to the stage with bassist Tommy Cecil, and brothers Robert (vibraphone/drums) and Chuck Redd (piano) for a night of memorable jazz music and an occasional nod to St. Patrick’s Day.
Abshire studied with Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass and rhythm guitarist Steve Jordan. He has performed with jazz greats including, Charlie Byrd, Dick Morgan, Keter Betts, Frank Vignola, Marian McPartland. He has also played in concerts with the “Great Guitars” as a substitute for Barney Kessel and has performed twice in Europe at the famed “Jazz in Marciac” festival in France. He performs regularly at The Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Jazz Cafe, Blues Alley, and Peabody Conservatory.
Cecil has been active in the Washington, D.C. jazz scene since 1976. Originally from Baltimore, he has established himself as an in-demand player and has played with a number of greats including John Eaton, Charlie Byrd, Dick Morgan, Mose Allison, Shirley Horn, Brooks Tegler, and the Redd Brothers. Concert appearances have taken him throughout the U.S. and overseas. His recordings include two albums with pianist Louis Scherr, “The Song Is You” and “Warm Valley featuring Joe Henderson.”
An accomplished performer on drums and vibraphone Chuck Redd began performing and recording internationally at age 21 with the Charlie Byrd Trio. Like Abshire, he joined the Great Guitars and made 20 European tours and five tours of Japan. He served as Artist-in-Residence at The Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, D.C. and was vibraphonist for the Mel Torme All-Star Jazz Quintet in the 1990’s. With over 75 recordings, his career highlights include a concert with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, a recital at the White House, concerts at Carnegie Hall, and an appearance on The Tonight Show. In 2008, he was featured in the finale concert at The Lionel Hampton International Jazz festival with The Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
Robert Redd picked up the trumpet at 12 years old, performing professionally while still in high school. Along the way he developed his passion for the piano and decided to make the switch re-establishing himself as a renowned piano player. He was a member of the Keter Betts Trio for 13 years, performing in concerts and festivals and in venues like the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Blues Alley. He worked as pianist and musical director for singer and songwriter Kenny Rankinand has recorded with the Charlie Byrd Trio and for Summit Records.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. The concert is followed by an After Party featuring great food and a cash bar. Please call 410.758.2520 for tickets and information. This concert is presented by the Arts Council and sponsored by Neal Tilghman. The Arts Council is a non-profit organization supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
7pm
Queen Anne Centre for the Arts
206 S. Commerce St.
Centreville, MD 21617
410.758.2520
Larry Schroth says
Robert Redd plays piano, not drums.