JAZZBIRD NIGHTS: Jazz Piano Celebration, featuring George W. Russell, Jr. and Miki Yamanaka

As part of a weekend-long celebration of all things jazz piano, Ravenscroft is delighted to present trio sets by two of the esteemed adjudicators for the 2022 Bob Ravenscroft International Jazz Piano Competition: George W. Russell, Jr. and Miki Yamanaka.

The opening set (7:00 p.m.) features George W. Russell, Jr. at the piano, supported by bassist Chris Finet and drummer Rob Moore. George comes to Ravenscroft from Boston, where he is the Chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department at the Berklee College of Music. Long influenced by Jazz, Gospel, and Church Music (as well as Classical Music studies), his playing is filled with passion, fire, soul and, most of all, spirit. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, George often refers to himself as a “drummer who happens to play the piano” and is also a long-time practitioner of free improvisation, which is an important component to the Bob Ravenscroft International Jazz Piano Competition.

After the intermission, the closing set (8:30 p.m.) will be led by Japanese-born pianist Miki Yamanaka, once again supported by Messrs. Finet and Moore. Miki has called New York City home for the past decade. During that time she has established herself as one of the leading personalities of her generation on the piano. Miki has gained international recognition from her albums as a leader; her most recent and most intimate release, Stairway to the Stars (Outside In Music), features Jazz masters Mark Turner and Orlando le Fleming. Also active as a sideman, she currently performs with the Philip Harper Quintet and the Roxy Coss Quintet, and has also worked with Jazz luminary Antonio Hart.

The next day (Saturday, October 8), George and Miki will be joined by University of Arizona Director of Jazz Studies Angelo Versace as adjudicators for the Finals of the inaugural Bob Ravenscroft International Jazz Piano Competition. This event, which features solo piano sessions in Ravenscroft Hall in the morning and early afternoon, includes six Finalists from the United States, France, and Hungary. Also, Nicole Pesce will be on hand to play a solo piano set in Jazzbird during the break in Competition. The whole day will be a wonderful celebration of jazz piano. To learn more about Ravenscroft Competition activities, please click HERE.

Enjoy some great jazz and choose from a fine selection of wine, craft beers, and catered dinner options for purchase. Doors open at 6:00pm; $10 cover charge at the door, reservations are not required. For a more detailed dining menu, please visit us on Facebook, where the most current menu will be posted on the Thursday before the event.