An evening of jazz webcast live from the Alphabet City stage as part of the Off Minor Jazz Series. This septet ensemble will showcase their musical tribute to Benny Carter’s Further Definitions with a four-piece sax section. 

Streamed only on The Show Must Go On(line) Pittsburgh channel.

Sans a live audience, you can still give the band your energy by clicking the free registration button!

FEATURED MUSICIANS:

Lynn Speakman – alto saxophone; Chris Coles – alto saxophone; Paul Cosentino – tenor saxophone; Joseph Seman – tenor Saxophone; Alton Merrell – piano; Tony DePaolis – bass; Thomas Wendt – drums

Benny Carter’s 1961 recording, Further Definitions, stands as one of the great intergenerational and interracial documents in Jazz. Featuring four saxophonists: Charlie Rouse (from Thelonious Monk’s band), studio veteran Phil Woods, the Father of the tenor saxophone, Coleman Hawkins, and Carter.

It was revisiting a concept Carter came up with for an April 1937 recording in Paris that also featured four saxophonists (Hawkins was on this date, as well). The rhythm section on Further Definitions was also incredibly diverse: mainstream pianist Dick Katz, John Collins (of the late Swing Era) on guitar, bassist Jimmy Garrison (from John Coltrane’s group) and the father of modern Jazz drumming, Jo Jones. Carter’s writing for the saxophone section is unparalleled and is still revered and studied today. Benny Carter’s nickname was  “King” and Further Definitions is one of the reasons why!

The Off Minor Jazz Series highlights the music of legendary jazz composers and players. The series has been curated by drummer Thomas Wendt, who puts together specialized musicians for each concert. 

The Show Must Go On(line) is made possible thanks to generous support from the Benter Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation, the Opportunity Fund, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Buncher Foundation, and an Anonymous Foundation.