Jazz at The Cherry is thrilled to welcome the New York-based Essiet Essiet Quartet on Sunday, July 9th at 2:oo pm.
Doors open at 1:30 pm for a reception featuring wine and light fare included in the $35 ticket price. Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.com or by calling 831-624-7491.
About the Quartet:
Essiet Okon Essiet, considered one of the top bassists in jazz today, first received critical acclaim over a decade ago in Bobby Watson’s group, Horizon. Born in Nebraska to Nigerian parents, he began studying violin at age 10 and switched to bass viol at 14. As a child, he traveled widely with his family, and that early exposure to many cultures, folk-ways, languages, and religions fostered his world view of strength through diversity. Essiet has performed and recorded with such notables as: Benny Golson, Johnny Griffin, James Moody, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Sam Rivers, George Adams, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan, Kenny Barron, Louis Hayes, Ben Riley, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Higgins, Billy Hart, Art Farmer, Abby Lincoln, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Cobham, Bennie Maupin, Al Foster, Eddie Henderson, Steve Turre, Jon Faddis, Bobby Watson, Victor Lewis, Kenny Garrett, Kenny Kirkland, Mulgrew Miller, Jeff “Tain ” Watts, Mike Stern, Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling, Fort Apache Band, Danilo Perez, Claudia Acuna, Geri Allen, and Ralph Peterson, to highlight only a partial list.
Sylvia Cuenca, a highly accomplished jazz performer and educator, is an active drummer on the New York jazz scene. She has had the honor of sharing the bandstand with saxophone legend Joe Henderson for 4 years, and trumpet legend Clark Terry for 17 years. She has performed with some of the biggest names in jazz, including: Al Grey, Red Holloway, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Marian McPartland, Dianne Reeves, Joe Williams, Lou Donaldson, John Handy, Mark Whitfield, John Clayton, Ernestine Anderson, Richie Cole, Dianne Schur, and many other jazz luminaries. In 2015, she performed at Dizzy’s Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Saxophonist Rico Jones is steadily becoming one of the top young saxophonists of his generation. A Colorado native, Rico has been deeply compelled by artistic expression since early childhood. Rico grew up in Denver performing under the guidance of local artists such as Paul Romaine, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, Art Lande, Brad Goode and Vlad Girshevich. As the years passed, Rico became enthralled by black American musical art forms, and Blues and Jazz became primary modes of expression for Jones and his ensembles. As he grew, his heritage as a Latino with indigenous roots became a focus for his artistic expressions. He has performed as a leader with notable artists such as: Dave Kikoski, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Matt Clohesy, Yasushi Makimura, Ari Hoenig, Lage Lund, Kush Abadav, Jope Mrtin, Colin Stranahan, Rick Rosato, Rich Perry, Steven Feifke, and many others.
Bruce Forman, a local favorite and internationally known guitarist, will be joining this stellar jazz quartet. As a sideman, Bruce’s recordings include works with the likes of Ray Brown, Bobby Hutcherson, and Roger Kellaway, as well as soundtrack performances on three of Clint Eastwood’s distinguished films—most notably Academy Award-winning “Million Dollar Baby.” Bruce has performed at The Cherry on several occasions, and we are pleased to have his amazing guitar work as a part of this outstanding line-up.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear some of the best contemporary jazz from these world-class artists!
