Jazzbird Nights: VJC Senior Showcase featuring Jordan Pettay

WHAT TO EXPECT

The annual VJC Senior Showcase event features the creative gifts of outstanding high school seniors from MSW’s Valley Jazz Cooperative educational program. During the first set, select seniors will have the opportunity to perform jazz standards alongside guest artist Jordan Pettay, a NYC-based jazz saxophonist, backed by leading area jazz musicians. During the second set, Jordan will be featured in a quartet setting, putting the spotlight on her own musical language, fusing jazz with R&B, gospel, and other influences.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Instantly recognizable for her sophisticated and spiritual sound, saxophonist Jordan Pettay has been described by JazzTimes as “the sort of soloist that can translate a spiritual journey into musical terms.” She has performed with many of the world’s premiere jazz, R&B, and hip-hop artists including Christian McBride, Adrian Younge, Lizzo, and Grammy-nominated vocalist Nicole Zuraitis. She resides in New York City, where she appears regularly as a freelance artist, educator, and leader of The Jordan Pettay Quartet. Learn more at JordanPettay.com

Her debut album, First Fruit, was co-produced by Christian Sands and features a blend of jazz, R&B, and gospel influences. According to Downbeat Magazine, “One of the bandleader’s strengths is her obvious fluency in deep-fried Southern gospel, and her masterful ability to fuse a sanctified sound with other distinct styles—r&b and jazz, in particular. Pettay’s evocative musicality, at once refined and raw, makes 200-year-old Christian music standards, like ‘I Am Thine O Lord,’ feel fresh.”

Featured Performers:

Jordan Pettay – Saxophone
Russell Schmidt – Piano
Benjamin Hedquist – Bass
Rob Moore – Drum Set
Select VJC Seniors (first set only)

SELECT YOUR SEATS BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS

PRICES WILL RANGE FROM $25-$40/EACH.

JAZZBIRD INFORMATION