September 29th, 38-Year Anniversary SZALON!

1.    Akkordeonduo con:trust (Marius Staible & Daniel Roth) perform two works for accordion duo, con:trust: Rayo de Sol and Gorka Hermosa: Anantang, from their home studio in Weimar, Germany

2.    Pianist Michael Noble performs the “Menuet & Rigaudon” from Maurice Ravel’s neoclassical masterpiece, Le Tombeau de Couperin, from the Szalon

3.    Vocalist Hailey Brinnel and trumpet player Andrew Carson, presenting from the Szalon in Philadelphia, perform jazz music through traditional and reimagined repertoire

4.    Kuf Knotz (Producer/MC) and Christine Elise (Harpist/Vocalist) perform their mix of 90’s inspired hip hop with classical harp and soul, from the Szalon 

5.    DUO Stephanie & Saar perform Lux, Lumen, Splendor! by Juri Seo, from the Szalon

6.    EK Duo (Rachael Elliott, bassoon; Thomas Kozumplik, percussion) with Tom Burnett (piano/words) perform original music that features spoken word and instrumental improvisation, from the Szalon

7.    V. Shayne Frederick performs an intimate jazz vocal and piano performance, from the Szalon

8.    Pianist/Composer/Producer, Kayla Waters performs a beautiful tapestry of contemporary jazz, crossover classical and worship-inspired compositions, from the Szalon

9.    Gabriel Feldt (tenor) and Sirapat Jittapirom (piano) perform “Johanna” from Sweeney Todd and  “Being Alive” from Company by Stephen Sondheim, from the Szalon

10.  Bill Koutsouros & members of ANIMUS perform Middle Eastern fusion music, from the Szalon

11.  KUTUMBA (Pavit Maharjan, Raju Maharjan, Siddhartha Maharjan, Rubin Kumar Shrestha, Kiran Nepali and Arun Manandhar) perform traditional folk and fusion music from their studio in Kathmandu, Nepal

Akkordeonduo con:trust

con:trust consists of the award-winning accordionists, composers and teachers Marius Staible and Daniel Roth. Since their founding in 2016, the Duo’s musical ambition has been rewarded through prizes in classical music competitions such as the “International Accordion Competition Klingenthal” and “Val Tidone Anguissola Scotti” and concerts all around Germany and Europe. Interdisciplinary work is an essential aspect of their musical pathway. Combining the highly versatile instrument accordion with other art forms such as architecture, dance, literature, and audiovisual media, they are able to set nearly any genre into music. The corona pandemic forced the duo to start thinking outside the box. They started producing their own music and sharing it on different social media platforms. With cooperating with other artists, they were able to expand their online reach impressively. With standing for modernity, versatility and openness, con:trust’s thinking without borders is not only an abstract principle of their work, but is also to be meant literally by participating in international projects as the Caravan Orchestra and other future projects - the duo also released a CD with premieres of lost compositions by the Loheland gymnastics. con:trust received the "Franz Liszt Prize" 2022 for their special musical achievements at the Franz Liszt University of Music.

Website: www.contrustmusic.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@contrustmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contrustmusic/

Videos:

Michael Noble

Michael Noble, DMA, is a pianist, composer, and festival director known for his ambitious initiatives and engaging programming. After his debut at the age of six, he has captivated audiences worldwide, winning numerous awards, including the Grand Prize at the Carmel Music Society Competition (CA) and the Gold Medal at the Crescendo Music Awards (OK). Praised as “exceptional” (New York Concert Review) and “poetic and powerful,” (Het Nieuwsblad) he has performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall (MN), and the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. He has also appeared as soloist with the Monterey and Tulsa Symphonies and the Idyllwild Arts Academy Alumni Orchestra among others. Holding advanced degrees from Yale and Eastman, and having also studied at the Paris Conservatoire, Michael released his debut album, “American Dissident,” in 2022, followed by “Ascension” in 2023. He teaches at the Levine School and the International School of Music in Washington, DC, having previously taught at NYU, Rutgers, and Yale as a graduate student.

Links: 

michaelnoble.net
michaelnoble.hearnow/ascension

Videos:

Hailey Brinnel and Andrew Carson

Hailey Brinnel is a trombonist, vocalist, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. She has shared the stage with artists including Ingrid Jensen, Anat Cohen, Terell Stafford, and The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Brinnel was a finalist in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, was featured on Spotify's 2022 and 2023 'Best Vocal Jazz' editorial playlists, and named one of GRAMMY.com's "10 Emerging Jazz Artists to Watch".  In the words of Terell Stafford: “Hailey has a voice of an angel…I can’t stop listening!” Hailey Brinnel's performance highlights include prestigious venues such as Dizzy’s Club, The Kennedy Center, The North Sea Jazz Festival, The Kimmel Center, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The XPoNential Music Festival, The Lake George Jazz Festival, and World Cafe Live. Her critically acclaimed sophomore album Beautiful Tomorrow was released in March of 2023 and received a 4-star review from DownBeat Magazine. A passionate Jazz educator, Brinnel has taught at The University of the Arts and The Kimmel Center and works as a guest clinician to bring jazz education to classrooms throughout the city. She was also a featured clinician in the 2020 National Jazz Conference with her workshop A Melodic Approach to Scat Singing.

https://www.haileybrinnel.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/haileybrinnel
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HaileyBrinnel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haileybrinnel

Andrew Carson is a freelance trumpet player, bassist, singer, and producer from Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in Doylestown, he assumed an identity as a musician from the age of 10 and began a career as a professional musician at 15. Since then, he has become an on-call performer for many artists, venues, and in a wide variety of genres. Within the jazz world, he has performed with Steve Fidyk, Tim Warfield, Hailey Brinnel, Joshua Lee, and many others. Outside of the jazz idiom, Andrew has also played alongside Cory Henry, Victor Wooten, and electronic producer Louis Futon.  At age 29, he has already performed at The Electric Factory, World Café Live, Rockwood Music Hall, B.B. King Blues Club, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, SXSW Music Festival, Camp Bisco, Chris’ Jazz Café, The Kimmel Center, and the Keep an Eye Jazz Festival, where he was a finalist in Temple University's group. Andrew is also a prolific arranger, having written small- and large-group pieces for some of Philadelphia’s most demanding musicians. His latest work can be heard on Steve Fidyk’s Red Beats, where he is a featured performer and arranger on the tracks “Untimely” and “Food Court Drifter.”

Videos:

Küf Knotz & Christine Elise

Named Philadelphia Magazine Best Rapper of 2022 and 1 of 10 New Jersey Artists to watch, Küf Knotz (Producer/MC) and Christine Elise (Harpist/Vocalist) have brought their unique blend of hip-hop, soul and classical traditions to various communities. The unlikely pair connected and built a similar bond to creating positive, forward thinking music fusing hip-hop with the boom bap era and lo-fi inspired beats supported by the harp. Their performance takes you on an era fusing, genre bending journey. And, you can dance to it. The duo has been featured on NPR Music and WHYY.

Website: https://www.kufknotz.com/ 
EPK: https://www.kufknotz.com/epk
FB: https://www.facebook.com/kufknotzchristineelise
IG: https://www.instagram.com/kufknotz/ |  https://www.instagram.com/christineeliseharp/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8zpO-BHUW1lcPxG1O8xGdg 

Video:

DUO Stephanie and Saar

Pianists Stephanie Ho and Saar Ahuvia collaborate as DUO Stephanie and Saar in dazzling performances filled with visceral excitement, elegance and artistic vision. “Stephanie and Saar’s last night’s performance once again recalled all the epithets of elegant and innovative, that have been following them throughout their career.” ~ Radio Sarajevo DUO Stephanie & Saar’s recent appearances include the Gijón International Piano Festival (Spain), the American Cathedral in Paris (France), Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (NY), the Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation (Miami), Lewis & Clark College (Portland, OR) and as featured soloists in the Kozeluch piano four-hands concerto with the Regensdorf Chamber Orchestra (Switzerland). Stephanie & Saar have performed in all the major venues in New York City and throughout the United States, Canada, Israel, Germany, France, Spain, Bosnia, Czech Republic and Switzerland. As probing recording artists, the duo explores repertoire with concomitant classical and contemporary sensibilities. Their recording of György Kurtág’s four hand transcription of Bach’s Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (God’s Time is the Very Best of Times) was featured on the soundtrack of the documentary film Red Trees and the French feature film La Vénus d’argent. Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times praised their “beautifully understated performances” of Kurtág’s delicate and soulful Bach transcriptions at NYC’s (le) poisson rouge. The duo is currently embarking on a multi-year project to perform the entire Beethoven String Quartets in four hands setting. Stephanie and Saar, who are married to each other, reside in New York City.

 www.stephsaarduo.com

EK Duo (Rachael Elliott and Thomas Kozumplik)

Rachael Elliott (bassoon) and Thomas Kozumplik (percussion) are longtime collaborators and founding members of the alt-classical quartet, Clogs. They have performed on stages ranging from the Sydney Festival to BAM, from Big Ears to the Knitting Factory, from London Jazz Festival to Amoeba Music, and points between. Their shared passion for chamber music, improvisation, groove, and sound exploration led them to form EK Duo in 2022.

Tom Burnett is a writer, director, and multi-faceted performer based in NYC. He appeared recently with EK Duo at Brooklyn’s ShapeShifter Lab, and his trio with Kozumplik and Elliott Levin (sax, flute) has upcoming releases on MSFS Records. https://musicstartsfromsilence.bandcamp.com/album/yin-yang

EK Duo homepage: https://www.clogsmusic.com/ek-duo

Listen & Purchase Online:
Bandcamp - vinyl, CD's HD downloads
Apple 
iTunes
Spotify
Label -  vinyl, CD's HD downloads

Videos:

V. Shayne Frederick

V. Shayne Frederick has captivated audiences for nearly 20 years. DownBeat Magazinecalled him “soulful,” All About Jazz said he’s “a shining light,” and Philadelphia Inquirer hails his "silken baritone and elegant charm.” He’s electrified TEDx, NPR, national stages, and international airwaves. Shayne has produced five recordings, collaborated on Yolanda Wisher and The Afroeaters’ album Doublehanded Suite, and is the primary voice on projects from Ropeadope Records and Outside In Music. Shayne scores for film and other media, and tours with Ruth Naomi Floyd’s Frederick Douglass Jazz Works

Vshayne.com @vshaynef

https://www.vshayne.com/

Videos:

V. Shayne Frederick

Artistically poised pianist Kayla Waters is a chart-topping recording artist, composer, producer and film-scorer. After signing a new record deal with Shanachie Records, Kayla victoriously releases her brand new musical offering Presence, a life-giving creative work alluding to the beauty of the ocean and God's abundant love. Beautifully composed and eloquently written, Presence is a stunning addition to her repertoire following albums Coevolve and Apogee. As a five time Billboard and Mediabase number one artist {I Am, Zephyr, Full Bloom, Open Portals and Undulation}, Kayla made history by becoming the first female pianist to reign atop the charts for six consecutive weeks. Recently, Kayla’s musical achievements have been extolled on prestigious platforms, as she was honored with the Rising Star in Jazz Award {Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Foundation of Atlanta} and the Best Jazz Artist Award {The Wammies & The Musicianship} in Washington, DC where she is based. The spotlight has humbly created opportunities for Kayla to play and perform with music legends and prominent recording artists including Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Avery*Sunshine, Maysa Leak, Sheila E., and Dave Koz to name a few. Passionately alluring, Kayla gracefully flourishes on stage, having played exhilarating and exuberant concerts at intimate venues, illustrious theaters and acclaimed festivals worldwide. As the daughter of iconic jazz saxophonist Kim Waters, Kayla closely examined the inner workings of the music industry by studying and admiring his successful career. Kayla's musically plush observations naturally inspired her to pursue her calling and passion-purpose as a pianist. With aplomb, Kayla is elated to be an official Yamaha Artist and a voting member of the Grammy's Recording Academy. As a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Howard University where she earned her degree in Piano Performance, Kayla credits the institution for her pianistic success. Spiritually grounded, she revels in the opportunity to share her God-given gifts of music in ministry on each and every stage she graces. Firm in her faith and wholesomely aware of her unique purpose, Kayla never loses sight of God divinely orchestrating her every move. 

Links:

https://www.iamkaylawaters.com/

https://www.instagram.com/iamkaylawaters/?hl=en

Videos:

Gabriel Feldt and Sirapat Jittapirom

Gabriel Feldt is a singer and performer based in Philadelphia, PA. Gabriel has made appearances with Opera Philadelphia, Temple University, and the Curtis Institute of Music. Among his most memorable portrayals are Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, the titular role in Impressions de Pelléas, Gabriel von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw, and among his favorites, Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd.  Beyond the spotlight, Gabriel is a curator and producer, instrumental in birthing the Not So Opera recital series. Collaborating with soprano Megnot Toggia and pianist Sira Jittapirom, this series offers a fresh perspective on classical music, nestled within the larger Not So Latin (@notsolatin) initiative which has been described as “The Tiny Desk of South Philly.” 

Sirapat Jittapirom is a Thai-American pianist based in Philadelphia, PA. She is a collaborative pianist at Temple University, University of Delaware, and the Commonwealth Youthchoir. She also works with ArtSmart organization as a keyboard mentor.

Bill Koutsouros and Animus

Music has always been a part of Bill Koutsouros’ life. His father performed in several Greek and Middle Eastern Ensembles and his mother was one of the top belly dancers in the Philadelphia area. It was only natural that he would follow in their footsteps. Currently Bill works with Musicopia in the Spice Route Ensemble, conducts music residencies in Philadelphia Public schools with Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, provides private instruction for Bouzouki and traditional Middle Eastern percussion. Bill performs professionally with his world fusion band Animus, traditional Greek Ensemble Opera Band, Children’s World Music Express, Mid-East Ensemble, The Sally Mitlas Orchestra and various ensembles in the Philadelphia area. Animus was nominated for Best Roots/World Music Song: The Opus (Mediterranean Dreams) and Best World Music Album: The Movements by the 2009 JPF International Music Awards.

 “This vibrant band is a tree of life: rooted in Greek, Turkish, & Arabic traditions, spreading its Spanish, Latin, African and Indian branches, blossoming with rock, funk, jazz, and blues in bloom.” — Jean Stockdale

https://animusmusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/animusmusic1

Videos:

Kutumba

Kutumba is a folk instrumental ensemble committed to the research, preservation and celebration of the diversity that exists in indigenous Nepali music. The word ‘Kutumba’ holds a special meaning in the Nepali language. It stands for a unique bond amongst community members. As their name suggests, Kutumba is all about bringing together traditional folk tunes and instruments with new and improvised sounds and ideas. Kutumba is a folk instrumental ensemble, a group of six professionals from Kathmandu. Having come together for the preservation of their culture and art, Kutumba wishes to spread love and joy of Nepali folk music throughout the world. Self motivated and self driven, Kutumba is a group with their own unique sound and vision.The seven members have different roots and backgrounds in music. Kutumba is the harmony of traditional roots, culture and new sounds. Kutumba features Pavit Maharjan, Percussion; Raju Maharjan, Percussion; Siddhartha Maharjan, Metal Percussion; Rubin Kumar ShresthaFlute;  Kiran Nepali, Sarangi;  Arun Manandhar, Tungna/ Arbajo.

https://www.kutumba.com.np/ 
https://www.facebook.com/KutumbaNepal 
https://www.instagram.com/kutumba_nepal/ 

 Videos: