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Event
Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Series presents Courageous Endeavors
Nelson Devereaux - tenor sax, alto sax, soprano sax
Joe Strachan - piano
Brian Courage - bass
Miguel Hurtado - drums
Courageous Endeavors is the Twin Cities' answer to the question of the relevance of jazz in the 21st century. The group brings together four of Minneapolis's most prominent young professionals who share an interest in exploring new original music. All four members have contributed compositions that draw from a wide range of stylistic sources, but have been unified through a collective musical vision. Since the group's inception in the fall of 2012, they have performed at several prominent jazz venues in the Twin Cities, including the Artists' Quarter, the Dakota, and Studio Z. In early 2014, Courageous Endeavors recorded their debut album, slated for release on Tuesday, May 6th.
This performance at Merrimans' Playhouse will be a part of the group's week long CD release tour. The album, 'Prototype,' consists of all original material, showcasing the diverse compositional styles of the different members of the quartet. The group's set at Merrimans' Playhouse will draw its material from these pieces in addition to the group's larger book of new original music. Some familiar standards may appear, but any that do will have been deconstructed and recast in exciting new ways.
Nelson Devereaux is a saxophonist/woodwind specialist, composer and educator originally from Milwaukee, WI. Since joining the scene in Minneapolis in 2007 as a teenager, Nelson has attempted to push the boundaries and contexts for the application of instrumental music with relation to the saxophone.
Joe Strachan works as a freelance pianist, improviser, and composer in the Twin Cities. An MN native, Joe was a member of the Dakota Combo, MN All State Jazz Band, MN Youth jazz band, and was the two time scholarship winner in the Schubert Club Jazz Piano competition. Recent performances include appearances at the Icehouse Jazz Series with Adam Linz's Percheron, the Dakota, 89.3 the Current Studios, and the Artists Quarter. A former student of Bryan Nichols, Joe graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2013.
Brian Courage has quickly established a reputation as a prominent young voice on the Twin Cities jazz scene. Originally from Long Island, NY, Brian moved to Minneapolis in the summer of 2012 after finishing his studies at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI. A frequent performer at the Artists' Quarter during its final year, Brian played there with nationally acclaimed artists including Lew Tabackin, David Hazeltine, J.D. Allen and Walter Smith III. As a composer and arranger, Brian's two main groups are Courageous Endeavors, a quartet devoted to new original music, and Mountain King, a trio consisting of three upright bassists.
Miguel Hurtado, drums. Born in Minneapolis, MN, on May 9, 1988. He began playing drums at age 11 while attending Ramsey International Fine Arts Center. From the age of 14, he has been performing regularly at local venues and festivals including the Dakota Jazz Club, Artists' Quarter, and the Twin Cities Hot Summer Jazz Festival with youth bands and with well known local musicians. Upon graduating from high school, he moved to New York City where he studied at the Manhattan School of Music under scholarship and gigged around the city. In May 2010 he earned his Bachelor's of Fine Arts from the Manhattan School of Music and is currently living in the Twin Cities.
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LocationMerrimans' Playhouse
1215 Mishawaka Ave.
South Bend, IN 46615
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
Attendees
Name Withheld
United States
May 13, 2014 9:10 AM |
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