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  • WDCH
  • LA PHIL PRESENTS THE MCCOY TYNER QUARTET FEATURING DAVE HOLLAND, JOE LOVANO AND LEWIS NASH AT WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
  • May. 4, 2007
  • 2006/07 Jazz Series Concludes with Charles Mingus' Epitaph Orchestra

    FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2007, AT 8 PM

    Sponsored by Acura - All Acura vehicles park for free

    A titan of the jazz piano, Grammy-winner McCoy Tyner heads a quartet of luminaries for a Jazz Series performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, May 4, 2007, at 8 p.m. This performance marks Tyner's debut appearance at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Known for his work with John Coltrane in the 1960s, Tyner is joined by Dave Holland, bass; Joe Lovano, saxophone; and Lewis Nash, drums.

    McCoy Tyner's harmonic contributions and dramatic rhythmic devices have influenced the vocabulary of a majority of jazz pianists. During the mid 1950s, Tyner began a career-changing relationship with John Coltrane and later remained at the core of one of the most seminal groups in jazz history, the John Coltrane Quartet. He developed a new manner of playing that transcended the piano styles of the time, providing a unique harmonic underpinning and rhythmic charge essential to the group's sound. Tyner broke out as a composer and bandleader in the mid 1960s and has continued to prevail as a soloist and sideman.

    Multi award- and poll-winning bassist Dave Holland leads two of the most vibrant groups in jazz: the Dave Holland Quintet and the Dave Holland Big Band. A onetime sideman with two titans of jazz, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis, Holland made his debut as a leader in the early 1970s. Holland leads his bands with a bass pulse that displays a flawless balance of form and freedom.

    Tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano is renowned for his dynamic and innovative style. Influenced by the free jazz of Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane, Lovano absorbed these styles to create his own distinct sound.

    Lewis Nash is the drummer of choice for a wide array of artists, from jazz masters to rising stars. Demonstrating his stylistic diversity, Nash has appeared on over 300 recordings, from Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson to Diana Krall and Bette Midler. In 1989 he recorded the only CD under his own name, which says it all: Rhythm is My Business.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2006/07 Jazz Series at Walt Disney Concert Hall concludes on May 16 with Charles Mingus' Epitaph Orchestra.

    McCOY TYNER's blues-based piano style, replete with sophisticated chords and an explosively percussive left hand, has become one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised music. Tyner became a part of the fertile jazz and R&B scene of the early '50s. He played with numerous natives of the thriving Philadephia jazz scene, including trumpeter Lee Morgan and the Heath Brothers. At 17 he began a career-changing relationship with Miles Davis' sideman saxophonist John Coltrane, joining him for the classic album My Favorite Things (1960), and remaining at the core of the John Coltrane Quartet. He performed on Coltrane's classic recordings such as Live at the Village Vanguard, Impressions and Coltrane's signature suite, A Love Supreme. Tyner left the group in 1965 to explore his destiny as a composer and bandleader. Among his major projects is a 1967 album entitled The Real McCoy, on which he was joined by saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Ron Carter and fellow Coltrane alumnus Elvin Jones. His 1972 Grammy-award nomination album Sahara, broke new ground by the sounds and rhythms of Africa. In the late 1980s, he mainly focused on his regular piano trio featuring Avery Sharpe on bass and Aarron Scott on drums. He returned to Impulse in 1995, with an album featuring Michael Brecker. In 1996 he recorded a special album with the music of Burt Bacharach. Aside from his prodigious career as a leader, Tyner has lent his talents to a who's who of modern jazz artists including Art Blakey, Michael Brecker, Eric Dolphy, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Elvin Jones, Hank Mobley, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Turrentine, and many others. Today, Tyner has released nearly 80 albums under his name, earned four Grammys and was awarded Jazz Master from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2002.

    Bassist, composer, arranger and bandleader DAVE HOLLAND leads the Dave Holland Quintet and the Dave Holland Big Band. A one-time sideman with two titans of jazz, Thelonious and Miles Davis, Holland broke in as a leader with Music for Two Basses (1971) and Conference of the Birds (1972). Holland recorded milestone albums with his quintet including, Extended Play: Live at Birdland (2003) and two Grammy-winning big band discs, What Goes Around (2002) and Overtime (2005). In 2006, Holland released a new quintet album, entitled Critical Mass. After leaving Miles Davis' employ in 1970, Holland formed Circle (with pianist Chick Corea, saxophonist Anthony Braxton and drummer Barry Altschul). He then joined saxophonist Stan Getz's band as the musical director from 1971-72. Holland held the bass seat in Joe Henderson's band on the tenor saxophonist's early '70s recordings (as well as on two albums in the '90s). He also toured with Anthony Braxton from 1974-76, working on several of his albums, including New York (Fall 1974), 1975's Five Pieces, 1976's Anthony Braxton Live, Dortmund (Quartet-1976) and Creative Music Orchestra (1976). Holland participated in the Gateway trio from 1975-77 documented by two ECM albums, Gateway and Gateway 2. Another key highlight of this period was Holland's work with vocalist Betty Carter from 1975-77. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Holland's quintet recorded Jumpin' In (1983),The Razor's Edge (1987), Triplicate (1988), Extensions (1989) and Dream of the Elders (1995). He also released three solo discs: 1977's Emerald Tears, 1982's Life Cycle and 1993's Ones All. Holland has garnered a slew of awards and has been nominated numerous times for Grammy Awards in the Best Jazz Instrumental Performance category with his quintet.

    JOSEPH SALVATORE LOVANO grew up in a very musical household. His dad, Tony, aka Big T, was a barber by day and a big-toned tenor player at night. Big T, along with his brothers Nick and Joe, other tenor players, and Carl, a bebop trumpeter, made sure Joe's exposure to Jazz and the saxophone were early and constant. Not surprisingly, Joe began playing the alto at five, switching to the tenor a few years later. He started playing club dates (sometimes subbing for his dad), and Motown cover bands, eventually saving enough money from these gigs to attend Berklee. Joe had been searching for a way to incorporate the fire and spirituality of late-period John Coltrane into more traditional settings, and at Berklee he found it, discovering modal harmony. During his Boston years, Joe was part of a vibrant scene, always jamming and meeting new musicians. To finance his education, he continued working club dates and other assorted gigs, including an organ trio engagement he shared with future Nonet member George Garzone. His Berklee instructors played a key role in his development, including Herb Pomeroy, who led the big band, Joe Viola, head of the saxophone department, Andy McGee, a saxophone teacher renown for his advanced improvisation concepts, the inspiring improvisation instructor John LaPorta, and Gary Burton. Joe was in Burton's number one ensemble during the vibist's first semester on the faculty at Berklee. Twenty years later, Joe Lovano was the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Berklee and an honorary doctorate in 1998. Berklee also awarded Joe its first endowed chair, The Gary Burton Chair for Jazz Performance in 2001.

    By the time he was 21, LEWIS NASH had become the "first call" jazz drummer in Phoenix, working with Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessell and Slide Hampton. In 1981, Nash moved to New York City and joined the trio of the great jazz vocalist Betty Carter. He is featured on three of her recordings, including the Grammy winning Look What I Got. World-renowned bassist Ron Carter hired Nash in 1984. They toured extensively and Nash is featured on several of the bassist´s recordings. In the fall of 1986, saxophonist Branford Marsalis asked Lewis to join his quartet. That association spanned two years and several continents, and is documented on Marsalis´ Grammy nominated recording Random Abstract, as well as two videos: Royal Garden Blues (directed by Spike Lee) and Branford Marsalis - Steep. In 1998, Trombone master J.J. Johnson frequently asked Lewis to provide rhythm duties for his band. That same year, Nash joined the Don Pullen/George Adams quartet, succeeding the late Dannie Richmond. In 1989 Lewis toured with legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins. He also performed with Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Clark Terry and Milt Jackson. From 1990 to 2000, Lewis was a member of the Tommy Flanagan Trio, and is featured on seven CD recordings with the late piano master. During this period, Nash also toured and recorded with both the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. While he continues to perform and record with a wide variety of artists, Nash leads several of his own exciting groups, from duo to septet.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music - Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association's involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2007, 8 PM

    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

    Jazz Series

    The McCoy Tyner Quartet

    McCoy Tyner, piano

    Dave Holland, bass

    Joe Lovano, saxophone

    Lewis Nash, drums

    Acura is the sponsor for the concert. Complimentary parking is being offered to all Acura vehicles entering Walt Disney Concert Hall for the concert.

    Tickets ($33 - $93) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. When available, choral bench seats ($15) will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Recital, and Baroque Variations performances beginning at noon on the Tuesday of the second week prior to the concert. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For all information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Adam Crane, 213.972.3422, acrane@laphil.org; Lisa Bellamore, 213.972.3689, lbellamore@laphil.org; Photos: 213.972.3034