CHAMBER @ RAVENSCROFT: American Intersection

CHAMBER @ RAVENSCROFT: AMERICAN INTERSECTION

The 2024/25 Chamber @ Ravenscroft season continues with our annual “Jazz meets Classical” event, but this time around…it’s an American Intersection! 

This unique, crossover concert once again features selections from both genres of art music. But this year, there’s a special focus: Dvořák’s “American Quartet” (String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96) is partnered with selections from one of our nation’s greatest musical innovators, Charlie Parker. We are privileged by the return of Chicago legend John Wojciechowski to the Ravenscroft Hall stage, as he fills Bird’s role in the performance of selections from Charlie Parker with Strings.

American Intersection features

Dian D’Avanzo, violin

Tessa Gotman Bock, violin

Nancy Buck, viola

Mike D’Avanzo, cello

John Wojciechowski, alto saxophone

Siobhan Plouffe, soprano & tenor saxophones

Russell Schmidt, piano

Benjamin Hedquist, bass

Ryan Anthony, drums

Program

Palo Alto, Lee Konitz

String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 (“American Quartet”), Antonin Dvořák

     Intermission

Selections from Charlie Parker with Strings TBA (var. composers/arrangers)

About the artists

Dian D’Avonzo is the Assistant Concertmaster of the Phoenix Symphony and has performed with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and the Utah Opera Festival. Tessa Gotman Bock is also a member of the Phoenix Symphony violin section and previously served as the Concertmaster of the Scottsdale Arts Orchestra. Violist Nancy Buck is Co-Artistic Director of the Chamber @ Ravenscroft series and recently soloed with the West Valley Symphony in a performance of the Walton Viola Concerto. Cellist Mike D’Avonzo has been a member of the Phoenix Symphony for more than three decades and is also an acclaimed bowmaker whose bows are played by musicians across the country. 

Saxophonist John Wojciechowski, of whom the Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich wrote: “…technically accomplished, musically profound and harmonically daring,” has performed or recorded with The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Clark Terry, Charlie Haden, and Kurt Elling, among many others. Siobhan Plouffe is a founding member of Kodachrome, a multi award-winning saxophone quartet that received the Gold Medal (Senior Wind Division) at the 50th Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. In addition to his various appearances as a jazz pianist, Russell Schmidt has served as a guest keyboardist with more than 30 orchestras across North America, including the National Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Bassist Benjamin Hedquist has performed with an impressive list of jazz notables, including Peter Bernstein, George Garzone, John Hollenbeck, Lewis Nash, Ben Wendel, and Miguel Zenon. A creative and versatile drummer, Ryan Anthony has worked with such esteemed jazz artists as Wayne Bergeron, Nazim Rashid, and Joey Sellers, and is a founding member of Running From Bears.

Lobby doors open at 2:00 pm and Ravenscroft Hall doors open at 2:30 pm. Choose from a fine selection of wine and craft beers in Jazzbird before the show. No food or drink is permitted inside Ravenscroft Hall. Please note that parking is free and abundant on-site at Ravenscroft.

Cost for this matinee event is $35.00 (adults) and $10.00 (for students). Purchase your tickets today to enjoy this very special American Intersection!