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| Darren Johnston — Photo by Peter Varshavsky | Sam Boshnack Quintet — Photo by Bruce Tom |
Darren Johnston Trio +1
Darren Johnston – trumpet
Matt Szemela – violin
Doug Stuart – acoustic bass
Kanoko Nishi – koto, piano
The Darren Johnston Trio includes violin virtuoso Matt Szemela (Quartet San Francisco), bass powerhouse Doug Stuart (Bell’s Atlas) and Darren Johnston on trumpet. As part of an ongoing residency with the Oakland Freedom Jazz Society, the trio has presented many concerts featuring guest improvisers in the “plus one” format, including William Winant, Steven Lugener, and Jordan Glenn. For this evening’s concert, the trio reunites with one of their favorite guests, pianist and koto player Kanoko Nishi. The music can move from sparse and textural to dense and driving, from intricate melodies to static sonic clouds.
Sam Boshnack Quintet
Seattle trumpeter and bandleader Samantha Boshnack synthesizes a dazzling array of musical influences in her sophisticated yet fun, highly original compositions – from intricate chamber writing to lush jazz panoramas and funky brass band-inspired grooves. Her quintet features some of Seattle’s most accomplished improvisers, and makes its Bay Area debut hot on the heels of an acclaimed new CD.
“Boshnack and her quintet are phenomenally innovative musicians with a unique signature sound that owes as much to their on the spot ingenuity as to Boshnack’s original writing.” – All About Jazz
Samantha Boshnack – trumpets
Beth Fleenor – clarinet, bass clarinet, voice
Alex Chadsey – piano, keyboards
Isaac Castillo – acoustic bass
Max Wood – drums, percussion
Composer/trumpeter Samantha Boshnack is based in Seattle, where she leads three ensembles of her own music, as well as performs and composes with countless other bands, projects, and recordings. Her music can be heard with the B’shnorkestra – a 14-piece alternative chamber orchestra, and the Sam Boshnack Quintet. She was a featured artist in the Frye Art Museum’s Moment Magnitude exhibit, one of only 16 artists selected for an Artist Trust Fellowship, and was named Emerging Artist by Earshot Jazz.
Since 2004, Boshnack has co-led the modern jazz group Reptet, releasing three records primarily comprised of her originals. Boshnack has toured Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada, and extensively in the US. Boshnack also composes for the Cuban-inspired band, Picoso. She is a contributing composer to two leading modern big bands – WACO (Washington Composers Orchestra, formally the New York Composers Orchestra featuring Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, and Tom Varner) and Seattle Jazz Composer Ensemble, appearing on their 2012 release Composers Vol. 1. In 2013 she was commissioned by the Seattle Rock Orchestra to appear on a concert of new works. She has receive support and commissioning funds from New Music USA, Meet The Composer, 4Culture, Artist Trust, Jack Straw Productions, ASCAPlus, Seattle Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, New York Foundation of the Arts, and Earshot Jazz.