06/18-Friday :: Dave Liebman Group "Standards"

Web Site: Dave Liebman

The quintessential contemporary jazzman, saxophonist David Liebman "offers thanks to Trane, Miles and Ornette". He spent his whole career playing with some of the best in the business. He spent extensive periods as a member of the Miles Davis and Elvin Jones groups. Since 1970 he as been associated as a leader with a succession of extraordinary groups from Open Sky Trio to Lookout Farm to Quest each of which has framed a distinct phase of his musical evolution. Dave Liebman's band pursues a very eclectic contemporary style where each member brings forth a wide range of talents, enabling the music to move in many exciting directions.

Web Site: Rafiq Bhatia

"A contemporary mind with the true potential of the future, Rafiq Bhatia is definitely an artist to look forward to hearing." —Billy Hart, legendary jazz drummer

Rafiq Bhatia (pronounced rah-FEEK BAH-tia) is a composer, guitarist, bandleader, and arts entrepreneur. A first-generation American born to immigrants of East-African Indian descent, Bhatia refracts the music of his transmigratory heritage into a singular sonic language for creative improvisation. His ensemble, The Rafiq Bhatia Collective, has toured extensively across the eastern and midwestern United States, and was recently featured as a Critic’s Pick by The Boston Globe. Bhatia’s debut album—featuring The Rafiq Bhatia Collective alongside legendary drummer Billy Hart, groundbreaking pianist and composer Vijay Iyer, and International Contemporary Ensemble members Claire Chase and Peter Evans—will be released this fall.

Bhatia graduates this year from Oberlin College, where his concept quickly caught the attention of renowned jazz drummer Billy Hart, who decided to include Bhatia in his new project, The Billy Hart Laboratory. Additionally, Bhatia co-leads the New York-based ensemble Chrysalis, is a member of The Nina Moffitt Quintet, and has performed in ensembles led by percussionist Jamey Haddad and drummer Paul Samuels.