Saxofonist

This tribute concert honors the life and legacy of the great jazz innovator, composer, bandleader, and saxophonist Wayne Shorter who passed away in March 2023. These performances feature five longtime Shorter collaborators in their BSO debuts, including the Grammy Award-winning bassist and vocalist esperanza spalding. spalding wrote the libretto for Shorter’s 2022 opera …(Iphigenia), which was premiered in Boston in 2021 and is based on the ancient Greek tragedy by Euripides.

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Celebrating the Symphonic Legacy of Wayne Shorter

Boston Symphony Hall

Pianist Myra Melford and drummer Allison Miller draw on their shared passion for nature and the life-giving power of light in their Lux Quartet. Saxophonist Dayna Stephens and bassist Scott Colley amplify the two bandleader’s innovative compositions to craft an intense, glowing sonic experience. The combination of artists is, according to Melford, “like throwing a spark at tinder—everything immediately bursts into flames.”

Allison Miller and Myra Melford’s Lux Quartet

Kennedy Center

Known worldwide for his 15-year membership in Kenny Barron’s working trio and sideman duty with Pharoah Sanders, Chris Potter, and Tom Harrell among others, one of the most accomplished and in-demand drummers in modern jazz makes his West Coast debut as a leader with these four nights, joined by his dynamic quintet Pentad. Featuring Bay Area raised saxophone great Dayna Stephens and piano phenom Fabian Almazan along with young vibraphone virtuoso Jalen Baker and Blake’s longtime collaborator, bassist Dezron Douglas, the group performs material from Blake’s fourth album and 2021 Blue Note debut Homeward Bound.



Johnathan Blake's Pentad

SFJAZZ Center

Expanding his stellar working trio to a quintet with the addition of SFJAZZ Collective trumpeter Mike Rodriguez and Bay Area-raised saxophone great Dayna Stephens, Kenny Barron explores new sonorities and textures in a program of originals and fresh takes on standards documented on his 2018 Blue Note album Concentric Circles.

Kenny Barron Quintet

A favorite SJW faculty member and legendary alumnus, Dayna Stephens expands his exploration of electric music with drummer Anthony Fung, guitar star Charles Altura, and bassist Billy Mohler in this eclectic and energetic band. Layering grooves exquisitely performed by Anthony, Dayna weaves soaring synth lines on his Electronic Wind Instrument and keyboards. Futuristic yet familiar, the music of this powerful quartet is stimulating and exciting

Pluto Juice ft. Dayna Stephens & Anthony Fung

Braun Music Center

A special evening with Dean of MSM Jazz Arts Ingrid Jensen, considered to be one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. The concert also showcases several exceptionally talented members of the MSM Jazz Arts faculty:

WATCH! MSM Jazz Faculty Recital: Ingrid Jensen, Trumpet

Manhattan School of Music

A DownBeat Rising Star and hometown hero who practically grew up in SJW’s Jazz Camp, New York-based Dayna Stephens has a sound of singular warmth and beauty that has him recognized and requested by artists such as Eric Harland, Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, Kenny Barron, Roy Hargrove, Wayne Shorter, and many others. In this intimate show, he shares some of his most recent compositions, performed by this extraordinary quartet.

The Dayna Stephens Quartet, Featuring James Francies

Stanford University

For years, Josh Thurston-Milgrom has been the backbone of countless jazz concerts all over the Bay Area, keeping perfect time with his pure tone and gorgeous melodic bass lines. His keen interest in all aspects of music has made his ears receptive to anything that happens on the bandstand. Here at the Stanford Jazz Festival, Josh is practically the house bassist, relied upon for numerous performances each season. Tonight, he steps out from behind the curtain to perform original compositions from his most recent recording project with an amazingly talented band.

Dayna Stephens

Saxofonist

Events

21 - 23 Mar, 2024

Celebrating the Symphonic Legacy of Wayne Shorter · Boston Symphony Orchestra

Feb 22, 2024

Allison Miller and Myra Melford’s Lux Quartet · Kennedy Center

8 - 11 Feb, 2024

Johnathan Blake's Pentad · San Francisco Jazz

Feb 2, 2024

Kenny Barron Quintet · San Francisco Jazz

Jul 17, 2023

Pluto Juice ft. Dayna Stephens & Anthony Fung · Stanford University Department of Music

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