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LVanHart Artist Productions and Stella May Productions Present

Jazz @ Stella May Gallery Theatre

Saturday, August 27, 2011

The John Esposito Quartet

Featuring Stacey Dillard, Saxophone

Otto Gardner, Bass and Peter O’Brien, Drums

Meet the Artists at 8pm ~ Music at 8:30pm

Music for ALL Ages!

101 Greenkill Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401

For Reservations: 845-331-7955 /events

Tickets: $15 General Admission/$12 Senior Citizen/$8 Students with valid ID

www.lvanhart.comKingston, NY – LVanHart Artist Productions concludes its’ Summer Series of Jazz @ Stella May Gallery Theatre on Saturday, August 27, 2011, featuring pianist John Esposito and his quartet. The evening will begin with a Meet the Artist at 8:00pm, the music kicks off at 8:30pm. Reservations are strongly recommended by calling Stella May Productions at 845-331-7955. Tickets are available at the door, are $15 general admission $12 for senior citizens and $8 with a valid student ID. Credit cards are accepted. This show is all ages. There is ample parking on both sides of Sterling at Greenkill Ave.

Joining Esposito are friends that he’s played many times with, but not all together. Saxophonist Stacey Dillard and John performed together many times with Greg Glassman. Bassist Otto Gardner and John have performed in many situations over many years, and always have a great time together. Drummer Peter O’Brien is in John’s trio with Ira Coleman, and they have a special chemistry. “Stacey is a real improviser, a post-bop, post-Coltrane player who is a fresh, exciting player. Having him with the rhythm section of my older friends is going to make for a very energetic evening of music. We’ll be playing mostly originals, and I’ve been working on new material which we will premiere at Stella May for this occasion.”

Pianist/Composer John Esposito has been a source of unbridled creativity for the last thirty plus years playing a broad range of improvisational music. His jazz playing ranges throughout the tradition from early styles like stride piano and swing through the mainstream and avant-garde movements. He has performed and recorded with artists including Nick Brignola, Dave Douglas, Dave Holland, Carter Jefferson, Bobby Johnson, Franklin Kiermyer, Joe Lovano, J.R. Monterose, David “Fathead” Newman, Eric Person, Arthur Rhames, Sam Rivers, Roswell Rudd, Pharaoh Sanders and John Stubblefield. He has composed music and performed for theater, dance, TV, and performance art. John currently is a music faculty member at Bard College. “John Esposito is one of the few pianists who, at the drop of a hat, can play a standard in the style of Willie “The Lion” Smith, Bud Powell, Chick Corea or Herbie Hancock.” (Jazz Podium)

“A young saxophonist of serious promise” (New York Times), Stacy Dillard has caught the attention of many with his large and rich tone, developed ideas, accurate technique, work ethic, and patience, leading to a number of working opportunities. Dillard has played with Winard Harper, Cindy Blackman, Lenny White, Norman Simmons, Frank Lacy, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Reed, Roy Hargrove, Stephon Harris, Ernestine Anderson, Terrell Stafford, Herlin Riley, John Hicks, Frank Wess, Mulgrew Miller, Clark Terry, Victor Lewis, Steve Wilson, Johnny O’Neal, Antonio Hart, Russell Malone, Lewis Nash, Mark Whitfield, the Mingus Big Band, and a host of others in different genres of music, including Shirley Caesar, Alex Bugnon, Stephanie Mills, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, and more. Dillard is a perfect example of the fusing of tradition and innovation, the combination which keeps everything fresh, exciting, energetic, therapeutic and real.

Otto Gardner has played the Bass in and around the Capital District for over thirty years, with scores of fine local and regional musicians. He is a fifteen-year founding member of Schenectady’s Empire Jazz Orchestra. He has also played with James Spalding, J. R. Montrose, Arthur Rhames, Hal Galper, Randy Brecker, Nick Brignola, and Lincoln Mayorga.

Peter O’Brien was born in Flushing, Queens, and moved to Woodstock, NY in 1988. Another local favorite, it’s always a treat when Peter’s in the house! In 1989, Peter became a member of John Hall's band Orleans (Still The One, Dance With Me), and has appeared on seven cd's (four with Orleans, three with Hall), three tours of Japan (two with Orleans, one with Hall), and countless US tours and dates, including Woodstock 94.

Peter has performed and/or recorded Mose Allison, Hubert Laws, Warren Bernhardt, Pete Levin, Walter Bishop Jr., Mike Manieri, Rory Block, Brother Jack McDuff, Nick Brignola, J. R. Montrose, Brubeck Brothers, Jonell Mosser, Roy Buchanan, Tracy Nelson, Murali Coryell, Orleans, Jack DeJohnette, Eric Person, Kenny Drew Jr., Dr. Lonnie Smith, John Hall, Edgar Winter Band, Dave Kikoski, and Pete Yellin. He is currently of member of John Esposito’s Trio along with bassist Ira Coleman.

NEXT UP FOR JAZZ @ STELLA MAY GALLERY THEATRE

FALL SERIES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

Our first concert will be Sept 13. More information coming soon!

The series will focus on education and mentoring.