Evento

Ralph Alessi's Baida *** TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ***

Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Gary Versace (piano), Drew Gress (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums)

Ralph Alessi's Baida project his ECM debut as a bandleader is breathtaking in its atmospheric depth and melodic allure. On the album, Alessi's steely quartet with pianist Jason Moran, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Nasheet Waits performs with extraordinary strength, clarity and finesse, an enthralling and captivating album experience at-length. Pianist Gary Versace subs on tour for Moran. These are four fearless improvisers dancing on Alessi's scaffolding.

Alessi was born in San Francisco, the son of classical trumpeter Joe Alessi and opera singer Maria Leone. He studied with legendary bassist Charlie Haden at the California Institute for the Arts, moved to New York City, and soon became a ubiquitous presence on the downtown and Brooklyn scenes. Alessi has been a member of the faculty of the Eastman School of Music and is the founder and director of the Center and School for Improvisational Music, improvisational music workshops non-profit in Brooklyn. Since 2002, he has been on the jazz faculty at New York University. Alessi has excelled as an improviser in groups led by Steve Coleman, Uri Caine, Ravi Coltrane, Fred Hersch and Don Byron, as well as leading his own bands. Alessi's Cognitive Dissonance (2010) and This Against That (2002) also feature Moran, Gress and Waits.

Alessi has been playing with Drew Gress since the late 1990s. "What I love about Drew's playing are the choices he makes as a bass player. His ears are amazing, and he's a great composer himself, so he brings that sensibility to the music," Alessi says.

Nasheet Waits one of New York's most creative drummers, deeply musical provides the sound of surprise as well as groove in the group.

The quartet conducts a free masterclass at the Cornish College, February 6, noon.

Tickets to the concert are $22 general, $20 seniors and Earshot Jazz members, $11 students.

Photo of Ralph Alessi by John Rogers, ECM Records