Hailed as “an impressive soloist and an immaculate accompanist”
(Richard Kamins) who is "particularly inventive" (Scott Yanow),
Brooklyn-based pianist, composer, and bandleader Jarrett Cherner
has
captivated listeners with his lyricism, technical facility and
consistently evolving musical vision.
Originally from San Francisco, where he garnered praise as “one of the
most exciting young pianist-composers on the Bay Area scene” (Andrew
Gilbert, San Jose Mercury News), Cherner debuted on his own BaldHill
Music label in 2006 with the compelling trio release Burgeoning, which
earned recognition from the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards.
As a
driving force behind the collective jazz quintet Sketches
(sketchesmusic.com), Cherner released two albums, both critically
acclaimed: Sketches Volume One (BaldHill, 2013) and Volume Two
(Brooklyn Jazz Underground, 2014). Cherner’s 2016 trio release
Expanding Heart (BaldHill, October 2016) features bassist Jorge Roeder
and drummer Jason Burger in a set that reflects personal growth,
combining original material with covers of wildly disparate songs by
Vincent Rose, Otis Redding and Ornette Coleman.
Cherner began his professional rise in Boston while earning concurrent
degrees at Tufts (B.S., Mathematics) and New England Conservatory (Jazz
Piano Performance). He studied with master teachers Danilo Pérez, Jerry
Bergonzi, Frank Carlberg and Michael Cain, among others. Returning to
San Francisco for a time, Cherner then moved to New York in 2008 to
pursue graduate studies at Manhattan School of Music, studying with
Jason Moran, Garry Dial and Dr. J. Mark Stambaugh.
He has since toured throughout the U.S. as well as South America,
Canada, Mexico and Europe, as both a leader and sideman.
Kasey Knudsen is a San Francisco-based saxophonist, composer & educator.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music in 2002.
As a composer, Knudsen has been commissioned by the San Jose Jazz 'New
Works Festival' to write a piece and create an accompanying film in
response to the global pandemic (2021). In 2020, she was the recipient
of InterMusic SF's Small Chamber Music Grant, funding the debut album
of the Kasey Knudsen Sextet. In 2013, Knudsen was commissioned by
Intersection For the Arts to compose and perform an evening of new work
featuring her original music. In 2008, Knudsen was featured in a series
presented by the De Young Museum, showcasing her composition inspired
by visual artist Deborah Oropallo. In 2005, she was commissioned by the
California Jazz Conservatory's Emerging Artist Series to present an
evening of original music.
In addition to leading a number of her own projects, as a co-leader,
she is involved in several groups including the Schimscheimer Family
Trio, the Holly Martins, and the Klaxon Mutant Allstars. Knudsen
collaborates frequently with many of the most unique musical voices in
the Bay Area including multiple performances across the US and Europe
with Tune-Yards, Fred Frith and the Gravity Band, the Charlie Hunter
Quartet, Erik Jekabson, the Ian Carey Quintet + 1, Ben Goldberg, the
Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, and Beth Schenck.
She appeared here previously with Ian Carey, Evan Francis, Erik
Jekabson, and Darren Johnston.
Bass player Josh Thurston-Milgrom lived for twelve
years in Chicago and three in Berlin before returning to his native Bay
Area, performing along the way with luminaries such as Von Freeman,
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Taylor Eigsti, and Yosvany Terry.
He's a 17-year veteran of the Stanford Jazz Workshop faculty, and
teaches at the Harker School in San Jose.
He performed previously at Chez Hanny with Jacknife, and Alon
Nechushtan.
Drummer and Oakland native Isaac Schwartz has been making music
for the last 20 years. He has played at SF Jazz, Yoshi's, and The Sound
Room.
Isaac leads his own projects, featuring musicians such as Tony Peebles,
Dillon Vado, Lyle Link, Adam Shulman, Tom Catanzaro, Ian McArdle, and
Kai Lyons.
Isaac also performs with such artists as Christelle Durandy, Mia
Pixley, Amy Dabalos, Erik Jekabson, Kasey Knudsen, Paul Branin, Fred
Randolph, Kalil Wilson, Chase
Jackson, Giulio Cetto, Terrence Brewer, and Steve Heckman.
He is an accomplished teacher and teaches workshops at the California
Jazz Conservatory.
He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Negative Press Project, and
the Isaac Schwartztet.