First things first: The world-class local pianist KEITH DAVIS is coming to the SIGAL MUSIC MUSEUM THIS THURSDAY at 7:30pm with drummer JUSTIN WATT and bassist RON BRENDLE. This is going to be a spectacular evening of piano-trio jazz that you don’t want to miss!
Get your tickets HERE.
Keith Davis lives in Greenville, SC, where he performs regularly and serves as Adjunct Instructor of Jazz Piano at Furman University. He has toured with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Matt “Guitar” Murphy. He has also performed with many notable figures from the jazz world, including David “Fathead” Newman, Pat LaBarbera, Mike Mainieri, Ben Riley, Wycliffe Gordon, Conrad Herwig, Ronnie Cuber, Byron Stripling and Frank Foster.
In 1985, Keith attended the Banff Summer Jazz Workshop, where he studied and played with Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, and Dave Holland. During his stay at Berklee, he also studied with Jerry Bergonzi. Keith also hosts a fascinating podcast called “Notes On Jazz.”
Justin Watt resides in Asheville, N.C. In addition to playing in the Keith Davis Trio, he is the drummer for the Bill Gerhardt Trio and Like Mind Trio. Justin is also the drummer for the Greenville Jazz Collective, a quintet that features original compositions by the members of the group.
Justin is also active with several regional theatre groups, and co-curates the “Asheville Original Music Series”, a weekly session held at the Altamont Theatre that features regional composers and their music. In addition, Justin teaches percussion at the Asheville Music School, and is adjunct percussion instructor at the University of North Carolina Asheville and teaches drum-set at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
Ron Brendle, a freelance bassist in the Charlotte area since 1981, was recently recognized by Charlotte Magazine as “Best Bassist.”
His innovative compositions and improvisational style have also earned seven awards as “Jazz Artist of the Year” by Creative Loafing Magazine. Ron was the recipient of two North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Composer Fellowship Grants, which helped to produce his CDs Hypermobility and Photograph.
Ron has performed and recorded with many notable jazz artists of international stature, including Nneena Freelon, Clark Terry, Andrew Hill, Charlie Byrd, Charlie Rouse, and Mose Allison. Some recent recordings include projects with Loonis McGlohon, Mike Campbell, and Frank Kimbrough.
The short version of all this is: Do NOT miss this trio at the Sigal Music Museum THIS THURSDAY!