  Boundless creativity in music
by Mahes Perera
Music lovers especially those
who enjoy their music in the 4/4 rhythm of jazz will be happy to hear
that through the auspices of the American Centre and The Rhythm Road
American Music Abroad, the acknowledged Charlie Porter Quarlet will
perform in Galle and Colombo at the end of May and early June. The
Quartet comprises the leader Charlie Porter - on trumpet, Adam Birnbaum
- piano, Scott Ritchie - bass and Jon Wikan drums.
The Quartet which was formed in 2005 is well known for its smooth
interpretation of standards as well as their original music which has
earned them the label of “boundless creativity and imagination”. The
group’s successful communication with their many global audiences has
resulted in glowing reviews for being true jazz ambassadors like Louis
Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. In their travels they have spread their
vibes to a variety of communities and have fostered cultural exchanges
with local musicians and audiences.
In keeping with this objective the Charlie Porter Quartet’s programme
in Sri Lanka includes a performance at the Galle Karapitiya Faculty on
May 31 at 6.00 p.m. and two workshops at Halle de Gaulle for students
and music teachers on June 1. In Colombo the Charlie Porter Quartet will
conduct a workshop on June 2 at the Visual and Performing Arts
University and also another one at a different location on May 30.
Trumpeter and composer Charlie Porter has worked with Paquito
D’Rivera, Peter Erskine and Joe Zawinul and has a wide approach to music
which incorporates many genres. His trumpet sound is warm and evocative
and recently he was commissioned by Chamber Music America to compose the
Buddy Bolder Suite for his jazz septet.
A student of the Julliard School be continued his studies as a
Fullbright Scholar at the Paris Conservatory and at the Manhattan school
of Music where he received his master’s of music.
Adam Birnbaum pianist has worked with Greg Osby, Al Foster and Wynton
Marsalis and has frequented Village Vanguard and the Blue Note. Bassist
Scott Ritchie has performed with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, Ebony
Ensemble and the Jazz Mandolin Project. Jon Wikan - drummer is an active
clinician/instructor who plays modern, mainstream jazz that is
energetic, dynamic and swinging.
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