The Sam Blakeslee Quintet features some of NYC's most in demand jazz musicians including Jorn Swart (piano), Dan Pappalardo (bass), Dan Pugach (drums), as well as Cincinnati-based guitarist Brandon Coleman. In its short existence since February 2016, the group has done several tours of the Midwest and East Coast and performed at the 2016 Tri-C Jazz Festival. In September 2016, the quintet recorded at Systems Two Studios in Brooklyn to record Sam's debut album "Selective Coverage" which will be released in Spring 2017. The quintet features Blakeslee's original compositions, often times conveying a sensitive and emotive approach as well as serving as relevant social commentary. Come see this dynamic and exciting group as they come through Cleveland as part of their winter tour!

Featuring:

• Sam Blakeslee - trombone/compositions
• Brandon Coleman - guitar
• Jorn Swart - piano
• Dan Pappalardo - bass
• Dan Pugach - drums

SAM BLAKESLEE BIO

Sam Blakeslee is a trombonist/composer originally from Columbus, OH but now resides in Cleveland. Sam holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from Youngstown State as well as a Master of Music in Classical Performance from the University of Akron. From 2013-2014 Sam served as Instructor for Jazz at Youngstown State University. He currently is the Director of the Jazz Prep Program at Cuyahoga Community College and is the Instructor of Improvisation at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

During his time at the University of Akron, he was a member and composer for the Jazz Trombone Group, which won first place in the International Trombone Association’s Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition. In June of 2013, he traveled Columbus, GA to play his original music at the International Trombone Festival with the University of Akron Jazz Trombone Group. He is also well versed in classical music and was a 2013 recipient of a Tuesday Musical Scholarship in Brass.

Sam has performed at multiple jazz festivals across the world such as the Fano Jazz Festival, Mosciano San Angelo Jazz Festival, and Parma Jazz Festival in Italy as well as the Deutsche Musikfest in Chemnitz, Germany. While at Youngstown State, Sam was selected one of fifteen people nationwide to attend The Steans Institute for the Young Artist at Ravinia where he studied with Curtis Fuller, Rufus Reid, Dr. Nathan Davis, and Dr. David Baker. He also attended Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center which is a two week residency where his original music was broadcasted to worldwide audience. In May 2014, Sam attended the International Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Centre where he studied with Vjiay Iyer, Ambrose Akinmusire, Steve Lehman, Tyshawn Sorey, Nir Felder, Warren Wolf, among others.

Sam is also very busy freelancing in the Northeast Ohio area where he has played with artists Joe Lovano, Sean Jones, Jiggs Whigham, Aretha Franklin, Dominick Farinacci, Bernard Purdie, Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson, and Derrick Gardner. Sam appears regularly with local groups such as The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Selvaggio's Hendectet, Kevin Martinez' Reclamation Band, and numerous other ensembles. Sam has performed in many New York City venues including ShapeShifter Lab and the prestigious 55 Bar.

Sam also leads two main projects including his "Sam Blakeslee Large Group" which is a 17-piece contemporary jazz orchestra that features original compositions and arrangements in a variety of styles and moods. The Large Group is currently holding a monthly residency at Blu Jazz in Akron, OH, which was recently voted one of the "Worlds Best Jazz Clubs" by Downbeat Magazine. Through the Blu Jazz Masterclass Foundation, the group has featured many special guest artists including from NYC Dan Pugach, Nicole Zuraitis, Dave Smith, as well as pianist and composer Bill Dobbins. Special collaborations are in place to feature Akron-based guitarist Dan Wilson (who is a member of acclaimed organist Joey DeFrancesco's trio), as well as Akron-based Neo-Soul group Bluelight led by Philip Anderson. One of the artistic missions of the group is to constantly be expanding the repertoire of the music across many styles, leaving both the audience and band members guessing what each concert will hold. The Sam Blakeslee Quintet features some of NYC's most in demand jazz musicians including Jorn Swart (piano), Cory Todd (bass), Dan Pugach (drums), as well as Cincinnati-based guitarist Brandon Coleman. In its short existence since February 2016, the group has done several tours of the Midwest and East Coast. In September 2016, the quintet recorded at Systems Two Studios in Brooklyn to record Sam's debut album "Selective Coverage" which will be released in Spring 2017.

www.samblakesleemusic.com

Tickets: $12 adv/$15door