Sean Jefferson & Dreamworks at

Rochester, NY—To commemorate the release of his sprawling new album Dreamworks (out September 20th on Wycliffe Gordon’s Bluesback Records), visionary drummer/composer Sean Jefferson will play a very special hometown concert leading a powerhouse quartet that includes critically-acclaimed fellow rising stars Seamus Blake, Richie Goods, and Chris Ziemba (with special guest Mel Henderson). With its serpentine rhythms, deep-set grooves, soaring melodies, and roller-coaster blend of post-bop swing with epic classical structures, Dreamworks announces the arrival of Jefferson as a composer to watch out for...

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Rochester, NY—To commemorate the release of his sprawling new album Dreamworks (out September 20th on Wycliffe Gordon’s Bluesback Records), visionary drummer/composer Sean Jefferson will play a very special hometown concert leading a powerhouse quartet that includes critically-acclaimed fellow rising stars Seamus Blake, Richie Goods, and Chris Ziemba (with special guest Mel Henderson). With its serpentine rhythms, deep-set grooves, soaring melodies, and roller-coaster blend of post-bop swing with epic classical structures, Dreamworks announces the arrival of Jefferson as a composer to watch out for. Much like his predecessors in the lineage of drummers who left permanent marks on the genre, Jefferson is hardly content to just keep time. Instead, he strives to advance the mindset of his instrument every time he sits down at the kit. And, though Dreamworks (which documents searing performances by Jefferson and Goods alongside pianist Harold O’Neil and much sought-after saxman Marcus Strickland) is rooted in mind-bending metaphysical inquiry, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more grooving, listenable jazz release from this year. Local jazz fans will recall that Jefferson first debuted this material at his triumphant 2009 Rochester International Jazz Festival appearance. According to City Newspaper, that night Jefferson and his sidemen “very well could have been the greatest group in jazz.” So consider this a can’t-miss event if you’re looking for a taste of what the next generation of jazz greats has in store.

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