Michelle LeBlanc Jazz Quintet performs October 17th

Attention Jazz and Music lovers alike, on October 17, 2009 the Michelle LeBlanc Jazz Quintet will perform at the Croton Free Library located at 171 Cleveland Ave, Croton-On-The-Hudson at 7:30pm.  If you missed Michelle’s last performance at Arts On The Lake, be sure to mark your calendars for this Saturday night.

Below please find some info about Michelle and her Jazz Quintet – they are all accomplished musicians who make beautiful music together.  This is an event not to be missed:

MICHELLE LEBLANC, jazz vocalist, has been performing in Hudson Valley jazz clubs and concert stages since the early 1990’s.  Michelle hails from a musical family and studied several instruments and styles before making the switch to full time jazz after studying piano with Charlie Freeman of the “Bearcats”.  Since then, she has worked with many Hudson Valley jazz greats, including Bill Crow, David Amram, Joe Puma, Ed Xiques, Joel Martin, Calloway Brooks and Carmen Leggio. Michelle recently performed in New York City at the Rainbow Room with the Cab Calloway Orchestra and at Town Hall with the Mabel Mercer Cabaret Foundation. She recently received the “Talent” award from University of Massachusetts’ Jazz in July program which she attended in 2005.  

BILL CROW,is a legendary string bass player whose career has included performances and recordings with jazz greats like Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Marian McPartland, Mose Allison, Chet Baker, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, and Joe Beck. Bill has toured extensively through Europe and also in Japan and Russia. Bill also writes about jazz and has authored two books: “From Birdland to Broadway” and “Jazz Anecdotes.”

TOM KOHL, piano, has performed, recorded, and taught throughout the Northeast since 1982. At concerts, clubs and studios Tom has worked with many great artists including Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Richard Davis and Marc Johnson. Tom studied music at the University of Mass/Amherst graduating in 1985. His studies of performance and arranging with well-known saxophonist Archie Shepp and Dr. Horace Boyer instilled a deep sense of ensemble dynamics and harmonic adventure. Shortly after graduating, Tom returned to the New York area. In 1993 Tom released “Voice of Choice” on Mothlight Music featuring 7 original compositions along with 2 lesser played standards. This CD showcases Tom’s richly harmonic writing style as well as his ability to lead very interactive and creative jazz trios.

ED XIQUES,sax, currently tours with Liza Minnelli and has been part of her group since 1983. When not on tour, he freelances in the New York area and has most recently performed with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Tito Rodriguez Jr., to name a few.  His resume includes performances and recordings with:  Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Woody Herman, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Bill Watrous and Aerosmith.  Ed’s first solo album “Little Bear” was released in 1992 on EDEX Records, his own label.  His second album “Spacewalk” was released in 1994.  Ed is an active member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop where he has studied composition with Bobby Brookmeyer and Manny Albam.  Ed performs with the BMI Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble dedicated to new music.

 RON VINCENT, drums, was a member of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and the Re-Birth of the Cool Tentet. He recorded four CDs with Mr. Mulligan and has also recorded with Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Randy Brecker, Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Charlap, John Lewis and Slide Hampton. Ron has appeared with Art Farmer, Rob McConnell, Rufus Reid and Dr. Billy Taylor. His own trio and quartet are active in the New York City area and his quartet has toured the U.S. and Europe. In 1996 Ron received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for jazz performance. Ron also teaches percussion at Manhattanville College.

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