Thursday, March 28, 2024

Slater Mill Jazz

Robillard, Garzone headline Slater Mill Jazz this fall

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(Pawtucket, RI) ??Following up a successful fall series, Slater Mill brings live jazz back to downtown Pawtucket for three Sunday evening performances this fall, with featured artists Debra Mann, Duke Robillard, and George Garzone.

???Patrons of the last series really loved it and wanted more,??? said Lori Urso, executive director of Slater Mill, ???and we are eager to use our beautiful, historic space to enrich the community with outstanding cultural events.???

Slater Mill???s intimate and acoustically-superior second floor hall, once a productive cotton spinning factory at the center of America???s early textile industry, is a fine performance space. On October 23, November 13, and December 4, audiences of not more than 100 people will enjoy some of New England???s most accomplished artists presenting three unique approaches to the genre.??

Pianist, vocalist and composer Debra Mann opens the season with a nod to Antonio Carlos Jobim, whose Brazilian songbook has become her forte. Mann has also spent the last several years interpreting the music of Joni Mitchell, and will incorporate this study into her October 23 performance as well. She spent this summer recording her fourth CD devoted to this pursuit.

On November 13, internationally-famous, and multiple-award-winning guitarist and producer Duke Robillard will entertain his home city. Born in Woonsocket, Robillard and his wife Laureen have called Pawtucket home for many years. Most known for his work in the Blues genre, and as founder of the Rhode Island-based ensemble Roomful of Blues, Robillard has enjoyed an equally successful career as a jazz guitarist, with a penchant for swing and the styles of the 40s and 50s.?? ??

???Duke attended one of the spring series performances earlier this year, and expressed to us that he would like to be included,??? said Urso. ???That let us know we had something special here, and of course we all love the Duke.???

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Saxophone virtuoso George Garzone performs with his trio on December 4. Garzone, whose storied jazz career spans four decades, will showcase his Coltrane-inspired chops frequently recognized by Downbeat magazine writers and reviewers. Garzone is a pioneer of the free jazz movement in the Northeast. As one of the founders of the legendary ensemble The Fringe ??? which recently celebrated an incredible legacy of 40 consecutive years performing in Boston ??? Garzone has inspired thousands of emerging artists with his exceptional improvisational skills.

Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com, keyword search ???Slater Mill.??? To avoid the convenience fee, call 401-725-8638 to purchase by phone with a credit card. Tickets are also available at the door, subject to availability.??

Slater Mill is located at 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. ??Doors open at 7:00.