Event

Julian Gerstin Sextet + 3

Julian Gerstin, percussion, composer,
is a veteran of many African, Latin and jazz bands. A
well-known musician in the southern Vermont/
northwestern Massachusetts scene, Julian performs with
the salsa band Son de la Calle and Afrocuban folkloric
group Iroko Nuevo, and has appeared locally with
Samirah Evans, Charles Neville, Claire Arenius, and
numerous other groups. Much of the music of this
ensemble stems from Julians two-year experience living
in Martinique, studying and performing traditional
music. Julian is co-author of The Musicians Guide to
Rhythm and teaches music at the Vermont Jazz Center.
Anna Patton, clarinet, recently returned to Vermont after earning a Masters at New
England Conservatory. She is highly in demand as a contradance clarinetist, leading the popular
band Elixir, works extensively in Bulgarian music, and teaches workshops at contra and Balkan
clinics across the United States.
Don Anderson, trumpet, has performed lead roles with the Latin big band Creación,
Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, and many other ensembles. Don brings a daring improvisational
imagination to every tune.
Eugene Uman, piano, has performed with luminaries such as Sonny Fortune, Sheila
Jordan, Bobby Sanabria, and Bo Diddley. He is Executive/Artistic Director of the Vermont Jazz
Center and teaches piano at Amherst College. Eugene has lived extensively in Columbia, where
he co-founded the Medellín Festival of Jazz and initiated jazz studies at Universidad de EAFIT.
Wes Brown, bass, began his career with a two-year worldwide tour with the legendary Earl
Fatha Hines. He has worked extensively with Wadada Leo Smith and Fred Hos Afro-Asian
Ensemble, and performs locally with Black Rebels and Urban Family Band. Wes teaches music in
the University of Massachusetts system.
BeN JAMES, drumset, has worked with John Tchicai, Green Mountain Mambo, Nels Kline,
Camper van Beethoven, Green Mountain Mambo, and many others. His eclectic style and wideopen
imagination fit this sextet perfectly.