Arts & Entertainment

Pianist McCoy Tyner Coming to the Arts Center

The five-time Grammy Award winner performs March 9.

 

Editor’s Note: The following announcement comes from the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Social hour with free appetizers and cash bar begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $36 at www.hopkinsartscenter.com or 952-979-1111

 

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Few have had more of an impact on modern jazz than five-time Grammy Award winner and NEA Jazz Master, pianist McCoy Tyner. He has one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised music and his harmonic and rhythmic devices form the vocabulary of the majority of contemporary jazz pianists. On March 9 at 8pm, he brings his fierce, sophisticated, blues-based piano stylings to the Hopkins Center for the Arts, appearing with bassist Gerald Cannon, drummer Francisco Mela and special guest artist, saxophonist Gary Bartz.

Born in 1938 in Philadelphia, Tyner’s love of music began at an early age. At 17 he began a career-changing relationship with Miles Davis’ sideman, saxophonist John Coltrane.  Tyner joined Coltrane in 1960 and spent five years at the core of what became one of the most seminal groups in jazz history, The John Coltrane Quartet. In 1965, Tyner left the group to forge his destiny as a composer and bandleader and has since released nearly 80 albums under his name.

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Guest artist and award-winning saxophonist, Gary Bartz, is considered by many to be the natural successor to John Coltrane and is known for his breadth of style and expression, from gentle lyricism to robust R&B. He has been a part of many great jazz ensembles including those of Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and Max Roach. He also fronts his own ensemble, the Ntu Troop.

The concert will be preceded by a talk at 7:15 by Kevin Barnes of KBEM Jazz88 radio and co-founder of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Barnes will discuss and explore the distinctive artistry and expression of McCoy Tyner and Gary Bartz. Barnes says, “From Blues to Bop to Big Band, McCoy Tyner and Gary Bartz have had a revolutionary impact on the evolution of jazz over the last 60+ years. Let's discuss why and some stylistic elements to enjoy during the night’s performance by these two jazz luminaries.”  Seating is limited and on a first-come, first served basis. This talk is part of a new program, Musical Notes, that seeks to provide context for key performances in the Center’s concert season.

The McCoy Tyner Trio are presented by the Twin Cities Jazz Society J-X concert series and the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Funding is provided in part by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund.  Tickets are on sale now.

This event is part of a concert series featuring national and regional touring artists presented by the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The Hopkins Center for the Arts welcomed over 210,000 visitors last year and is a focal point for arts, education, and entertainment in the center of downtown Hopkins.  The Arts Center builds community through the arts by fostering creative expression and providing artistic and educational opportunities for people of all ages. For more information, see www.HopkinsArtsCenter.com.

 


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