Mark Patterson is excited to return to Dazzle with two New York compatriots, saxophonist Dick Oatts and pianist Adam Birnbaum, and the stellar rhythm duo of bassist Ken Walker and drummer Paul Romaine, for a program called Bebop and Beyond!
This special program will re-investigate some great music by Bird and Diz (early inspirations for Mark), and present music by Mark and friends that springs from that great tradition of melodicism, rhythmic freedom, joy, and humor.
Oatts’ deep improvisation and transcendent sound is a favorite of Mark’s, and the heart of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra since Thad Jones hired him in 1977 (Brookmeyer’s feature for him on “Skylark” soon to follow). Adam is one of the new members of that band, and also plays with Cecile McLorin Salvant and Al Foster. One of the many associations we note of Ken and Paul is their long association with the great saxophonist Billy Tolles. Underlying all is a thread of freedom and modernity that Bird and Diz brought to their music, and Mark’s group takes joy in that inspiration.
Mark Patterson, trombone
Dick Oatts, alto saxophone
Adam Birnbaum, piano
Ken Walker, bass
Paul Romaine, drums