Blackman-murray-russo Trio "sacred Places" at An Die Musik Live

Blackman Murray Russo
Alan Blackman, piano
Max Murray, bass
Frank Russo, drums

Sacred Spaces: As a trio, we have always considered the stage as a sacred space. Under ideal circumstances, it’s a place where you can fully be yourself and work collectively towards a shared output where the sum is better than the parts. So during the height of the pandemic, we reserved three days at an amazing modern synagogue (another sacred space!) to record new music and improvise in new directions. The results and even the process were a salve for our souls. So come and enter the sacred space with us today and allow the music to wash away the dust of every day living! — Alan, Max and Frank...

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Blackman Murray Russo
Alan Blackman, piano
Max Murray, bass
Frank Russo, drums

Sacred Spaces: As a trio, we have always considered the stage as a sacred space. Under ideal circumstances, it’s a place where you can fully be yourself and work collectively towards a shared output where the sum is better than the parts. So during the height of the pandemic, we reserved three days at an amazing modern synagogue (another sacred space!) to record new music and improvise in new directions. The results and even the process were a salve for our souls. So come and enter the sacred space with us today and allow the music to wash away the dust of every day living! — Alan, Max and Frank

After meeting on an Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet gig, rhythm section mates Alan Blackman, Max Murray and Frank Russo immediately knew that they possessed a rare chemistry. It wasn’t long before they teamed up with sax titan Donny McCaslin and recorded their first CD, Turning Point. With an atypical freedom this trio can move between the interpretations of Brahms, The Beatles and Peter Gabriel then into unique original compositions, penned mostly by pianist Blackman. Not limited to the traditional Broadway standards repertoire, Blackman Murray Russo endeavors to open up the popular songs of every era in Western Music to the explorations and freedom of the improvising model of jazz.

Chamber Music America recognized their music in awarding them the New Jazz Works Grant in 2011. They produced the multimedia work entitled The Coastal Suite, a programmatic long-form composition with improvised interludes which tells a musical story of a 24 hour tidal cycle. It is presented with projected images of renowned Shetland Island artist Ruth Brownlee. A live performance in Brooklyn was recently captured and aired on NPR’s JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. A studio recording, enhanced with promotional video, is also out now on CdBaby and iTunes. 2018 brought the release of Chapter Three which features guitarist Gilad Hekselman as guest artist and 9 original compositions by Blackman. They are currently working on new music with an eye toward a 2022 release entitled Sacred Space.

The future is bright for this innovative group with various bookings in Charleston, Seattle, New York, Washington D.C and a trip to JazzAhead in Germany to facilitate concerts in Europe.

Showtime: 5 pm ET/4 pm CT/3 pm MT/2 pm PT/8 pm GMT

Limited in-person seats: $20 / $10 full-time students with valid ID
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required at door
In -person attendees receive a link to the recording to view for one week. Advance ticket sales end 1 hr prior to show. Tickets may be purchased at the door, if any remain.

Streaming Cost is $15
The link will be revealed to live stream participants 15 minutes before the show
and will remain active thru Sept. 25

Donations welcome

.... lots of fresh post-bop compositions and twists on familiar pop-rock melodies . . . — Digstation

"...It's poetry in slow motion, words translated into sound..." — All About Jazz.com

"...there is something here, a beauty, that is captivating." — Joe Locke

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