7/13/17:</br>Lawton | Monroe | Parrish
Tom Lawton, Diane Monroe, Matthew Parrish:
the elite Philadelphia Jazz Trio that never was—until now.
Each has played with the others over the last 30 years, but never the three together.
Tom Lawton has been this city’s go-to pianist for 40 years. Technically ferocious, harmonically advanced, endlessly creative. A prodigious composer, Tom has supported and propelled an endless stream of artists with their own books: Don Byron, Odean Pope, Jackie Ryan, Norman David, Bobby Zankel among them.
A Curtis graduate, violinist Diane Monroe first distinguished herself with the Max Roach Double Quartet and the Uptown String Quartet. Since then she’s worked both classical and jazz worlds as a celebrated performer, composer and educator. Diane’s many projects include recent dance collaborations and a sparkling duo with vibraphonist Tony Miceli.
Matthew Parrish began his bass career in Philadelphia under the gaze of Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker and Johnny Coles. He’s played with the likes of Clark Terry, Bill Charlap and Regina Carter. Toured with Al Grey, Freddy Cole, Houston Person. Recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Etta Jones, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison and Orrin Evans among others. The man gets around.
These three compelling virtuosos join us for a program of original music. Expect to be transported.
In truth, jazz from its inception has always been a hybrid of everything, from the African rhythms and melodies mixed with European harmonies that musicians took from hymns. I like what Abbey Lincoln says. She says "Jazz is a spirit." And I think of it as a spirit of creativity and improvisation. We hope to take the audience on a journey that acknowledges the universality of music and gives a nod to the entire history of jazz in an organic and not a self-conscious way.
—Tom Lawton
@exuberance parties at Matt’s are by invitation only to provide a dignified, comfortable and acoustically ideal setting for worthwhile art and ideas. Cellphones and other devices are to be holstered during the performances. Between sets, conviviality rules.