Tue Jun 10
Willie Jones III feat. Peter Beets and David Wong -"Oscar Peterson Tribute"
9:30PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
Willie Jones III
With an unparalleled style of rhythmic expression, drummer Willie Jones III is one of the world's leading jazz drummers. In addition to honoring his monumental influences the late greats Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey and Billy Higgins Jones' bold articulation and constantly innovative sense of swing are results of his lifelong musical experience.
Born in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 1968, Jones' earliest exposure to music was through his father, Willie Jones II, an accomplished and notable jazz pianist, who offered guidance and inspiration to his gifted son. Dedicated to the further development of his skills, the younger Jones spent the next few years working diligently with acclaimed drummers and music instructors and began performing with distinguished musicians by the time he was in his teens. He completed his academic training after receiving a full scholarship to the California Institute of the Arts where he studied under the tutelage of the legendary Albert "Tootie" Heath. Before he was a semifinalist in the 1992 Thelonious Monk Jazz Drum Competition, Jones cofounded jazz band Black Note. Influenced by the rich soulful energy of the West Coast bop movement, Black Note's hardswing sound propelled them to first place in the prestigious John Coltrane Young Artist Competition in 1991. Near the end of 1994, he gained the privilege of playing sideman to the renowned vibist Milt Jackson, where Jones learned the importance of pacing and sensitivity. From 1995 through 1998, he was a member of Arturo Sandoval's band and is featured on Sandoval's GRAMMY® award winning release Hot House (N2K). Subsequently, Jones recorded with Horace Silver on Jazz Has a Sense of Humor (Impulse!).
As one of the most sought-after jazz artists of our time, Peter Beets has attracted a devoted international audience, performing regularly at major jazz festivals and venues throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. He has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Toots Thielemans and Benny Golson. In 2010 Peter was awarded an Edison (Dutch equivalent of the Grammy) for the album Blues for the Date, with his original compositions, accompanied by The Jazz orchestra of the Concertgebouw. In 2013, Peter recorded his long-awaited tribute album to one of his biggest idols, Oscar Peterson and in 2015 he made a recording out of a live performance of his Chopin arrangements. His 2018 live recording of Django Reinhardt compositions with a gypsy jazz trio including Stochelo Rosenberg is seen by many as a historical performance. A year later world class record producer Ruud Jacobs brought about Peter’s new trio recording called ‘Our Love Is Here to Stay – Gershwin Reimagined.’ During his yearly visit to the East Coast of America, in 2023 Peter decided it was time to record again. This time his great love of classical music is again subject to his touch of jazz. This album, titled Tchaikovsky Rachmaninov and All That Jazz! features works by Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev in addition to pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov.
Bassist David Wong was born and raised in New York City. In 2004, he graduated from the Juilliard School in classical music. He studied with Orin O’Brien (New York Philharmonic) and Ron Carter. He is currently a member of Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth band, the Charles McPherson Quintet, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Cécile Mclorin Salvant’s Ogresse. He was the last bass player in the Heath Brother’s Quartet led by Jimmy Heath and Albert “Tootie” Heath as well as Hank Jones' Great Jazz Trio and is featured on the piano master's last recording. He was a member of the Benny Green Trio and regularly performs with Bill Charlap, Terell Stafford, Aaron Diehl and Helen Sung. Appearing on over 80 recordings, he received a Grammy Award with Best New Artist Samara Joy.
9:30PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively.
4. Photography or Recording of any kind is prohibited during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.