02/27 Saturday :: Aaron Parks Quartet

Web Site: Aaron Parks

Aaron Parks is a jazz pianist from Seattle, Washington. An early achiever, he started a double honours degree in computer science and music when he was just 14 years old. At the age of 15, Parks was selected to take part in the Grammy High School Jazz Ensembles, an experience which he says inspired his eventual move to New York. And so it was, at the age of 16, Parks enrolled at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music to study the piano.

Having released four albums in four years between over the Millenium, Parks signed to the respected Blue Note record label. "Somebody asked me to find two words that describe the music I make, and the words I picked were "spontaneous" and "cinematic", says the pianist. Having clarified the defining characteristics of his music, the pianist set about crafting his debut album for the label - 'Invisible Cinema', released in 2008 - with them in mind. With its virtuosity and complexity, the album epitomises Parks' obsession with jazz, despite drawing on a wide range of influences.

Parks first came to the attention of the Blue Note label during a five-year tenure as a backing pianist with Terence Blanchard, during which he appeared on three of the trumpeter's acclaimed albums: 'Bounce', 'Flow' and 'A Tale of God's Will'. Parks is now delighted to follow in the footsteps of another Blanchard alumnus, Lionel Loueke, who debuted on Blue Note with the evocative album 'Karibu' in March 2008. "I'm thrilled to be a part not only of the classic Blue Note legacy, but also the new legacy, which includes Terence, Lionel, Robert Glasper, Jason Moran, Cassandra Wilson and so many great artists," Parks enthuses. We are proud to present Aaron Parks in his Falcon debut performing with Mike Moreno on Guitar, Doug Weiss on Bass & Tommy Crane on Drums

Web Site: Jen Clapp

Jen Clapp began writing her own songs in 1996 and formed a band, Michelle Eats Fire, with husband Dan on drums, Mark Bartlett on guitar and Matt Delaney on bass. Jen has been writing and recording music and performing in and around New York City and the Hudson Valley. Much of her inspiration for songwriting comes from her deep relationships with family and friends, and an intense observation of the details of the world around her.