Roger Baird鈥檚 Black and White Trio is doing a Sunday afternoon concert at Studio Live, an intimate setting in Cumberland, on June 19 at 4 p.m.
The trio is a melding of three of Canada鈥檚 most creative musical minds. The musicians take inspiration from a multitude of influences and use their improvisatory skills to create a unique musical tapestry. The resulting acoustic music is original, passionate, involving, accessible, sensitive and beautiful. The trio has released one CD, Spirit Door, as well as 2 DVDs of other live performances.
Roger Baird has performed and recorded around the world in a career that spans 40 years. He was active in the '70s New York loft scene playing regularly with The Music Ensemble composed of William Parker, bass, Billy Bang, violin, Dewey Johnson, trumpet, Earl Freeman, bass, Daniel Carter, flutes and reeds, and in numerous projects involving many other great musicians.
During the late '80s and '90s he performed/recorded as sideman and bandleader with some of Canada鈥檚 most adventurous musicians as well as with U.S., European and Japanese artists, including Marilyn Crispell, Glenn Spearman, Walter Wierbos , Dr. Umezu and Lisle Ellis. His melodic style of drumming brings a fresh vision to the instrument.
Miles Black's playing has been compared to the likes of piano greats Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau. His performance is melodic, creative and spellbinding. The list of jazz greats he has played or recorded with is too long to list in entirety but includes Maynard Ferguson, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Slide Hampton, Dee Daniels, Oliver Gannon, The Paul Horn Band, Chuck Israels, Max Roach, Lew Tabackin, and Houston Person.
Now living in Berlin, Scott White left Canada to become the musical director, bandleader and bass player for Berlin's Cirque du Soleil. A gifted bassist, he now tours around Europe and North America collaborating with many renowned musicians.
White is a very entertaining player to hear and watch. His sound palette encompasses many unorthodox percussive and melodic effects. He is a virtuoso with an unmatched playing style.
What others have to say about the CD Spirit Door, recorded live at the Denman Hall:
鈥淩oger Baird shows how modern jazz can be edgy because of the silences and spaces in the music. Baird's trio is a basic piano trio, yet the combination of spontaneous composition with zen-like focus and communication leads to songs that transcend genres.鈥� Lester French, WMEB FM
鈥淪ubtle, cerebral music with its own spirit and sense of intimate group dialogue鈥� Stuart Broomer CODA magazine.
This is a rare opportunity to catch these three musicians together. Admission is $20, students and seniors, $15. Studio Live is located just around the corner from the Waverley Hotel at 2679 Beaufort Ave. in Cumberland.
