Calendar of Events

Interstellar Space: Concert and Discussion of John Coltrane’s Universal Music and Spirituality

Percussionist, composer, ethnomusicologist and educator Dr. Anthony Brown is a seminal figure in the contemporary California creative music scene, directing the Asian American Orchestra in addition to performing with some of the foremost musicians in jazz today. In this special combination of performance and panel discussion, Dr. Brown leads an exploration of John Coltrane’s music and spirituality.

Performers: Dr. Anthony Brown, percussion; Dr. Leonard Brown, saxophone; and Richard Greig, bagpipes.

Panel of Contributors to “John Coltrane and Black America’s Quest for Freedom: Spirituality and the Music” (Oxford University Press, 2010):

Dr. Anthony Brown — Director, Asian American Orchestra, Smithsonian Associate Scholar
Dr. Leonard Brown — Professor of Music and African American Studies, Northeastern University
Dr. Herman Gray — Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Cruz
Dr. Tommy Lott — Professor of Philosophy and African American Studies, San Jose State University

Pianist Hal Galper reunites with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop. Galper disbanded the trio in 2000 after ten years of touring internationally, and spent the following six years “in the shed” studying, practicing and developing his uniquely original style of playing. Often episodic, the trio’s spontaneity and intuitive interaction spans the lexicon of jazz history.

“…the high level of integration and communication the trio displays is rare and quite thrilling to experience…” – Downbeat Magazine, on The Hal Galper Trio’s latest, “Airegin Revisited”

Hal Galper
With over 90 recordings to his credit, 30 as a leader in his own right, pianist, composer, publisher, educator, author and touring artist Hal Galper is best known for his work with Chet Baker, Cannonball Adderley, John Scofield and the Phil Woods Quintet. His recordings as a leader with Mike and Randy Brecker are considered among the best. Graduating from the Berklee College of Music at the height of the bebop era, his reputation grew steadily in the changing environment of jazz. He anchored such bands as The Slide Hampton Quartet, The Lee Konitz Duo, The Stan Getz Quartet and many others. His biography is listed in the National Encyclopedia of Jazz and he has 100 original compositions recorded and published. He has won a Grammy nomination and a Grammy for his recordings with the award-winning Phil Woods Quartet and Quintet.

John Bishop
One of the primary voices in Northwest Jazz for over 25 years, John Bishop’s drumming has complemented the performances of jazz greats Bobby McFerrin, Slide Hampton, Benny Golson, George Cables, Kenny Werner, Eddie Daniels, Joanne Brackeen, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Kenny Rankin and countless others. He’s appeared on over 75 albums & videos with projects including: CD sessions with Rudy Van Gelder, Ernie Watts, Don Sickler & Teo Macero; a Grammy nominated CD with Mark Murphy for RCA.

Jeff Johnson
Born In Minneapolis, Jeff Johnson (“Free” to some of his colleagues) left at age 20, spending time in Philadelphia and New York, and has worked with a veritable who’s who of great jazz musicians such as Philly Joe Jones, Charlie Rouse, Barney Kessel, Chet Baker, Lew Tabackin, Eddie Daniels, Mark Murphy, Joanne Brackeen, Julian Priester, Jay Clayton, Marlena Shaw, Billy Hart, Annie Ross, George Cables, Bud Shank, Claudio Roditti, Ernestine Anderson, and Michael Wolfe, to name just a few. Since 1993, on the International scene, Jeff has worked in pianist Hal Galper’s trios with drummers Steve Ellington and John Bishop.