Open to the public through RSVP
Home Concerts at Kenilworth
Hosted by David and Jan Sapp
$30 includes food,drink and music
RSVP David and Jan Sapp 828-318-7849
Call for entry when you arrive
Kenilworth Inn
60 Caledonia Rd #109
Asheville, NC 28803
Sharon LaMotte Quartet Exit 109
Sharon LaMotte, vocals
John Valerio, piano
Ian Brachitta, bass
Sonny Thornton, drums
with Special Guests
Scroll down for m ore information:
Sonny Thornton has played with these fine musicians for over thirty years ; I look forward to making music with them for the first time. Email Sharon for more information [email protected]
Sonny Thornton Greenville,SC
One of the south's most creative, intuitive musicians, Sonny Thornton is a master drummer. Born in the District of Columbia, he was exposed to music at a very young age. Living in New York City while his mother furthered her education, Sonny heard the music at one of it's sources. After moving to New Orleans, he learned from the players and atmosphere in the Crescent City, widely acknowledged as the birthplace of jazz. While living there, he developed a friendship with Ed Blackwell, one of the most influential drummers of Twentieth Century. Ed's influence on Sonny's concept of music is undeniable. Thornton is extremely sensitive to the needs of the music and can be understated in his approach just as Blackwell was. Sonny's sense of freedom and his melodic style of soloing also sets him apart from most drummers performing today. Upon relocating to South Carolina, Sonny embarked on his long career of making music in the purist sense. He has performed with innumerable artists, both regionally and nationally known. Groups of most every format from organ trios to big bands to recent drum and keyboard duets with Bill Gerhardt have crossed Sonny's path. When you experience one of his performances, you will hear one of the world's truly gifted musicians,
John Valerio, Columbia, SC
John Valerio is a pianist, composer, author, and music educator, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who currently resides in Columbia South Carolina, He holds a doctorate in Music Composition from Temple University and currently teaches at the University of South Carolina and Newberry College. Dr. Valerio has written eight books on jazz piano published by Hal Leonard Corporation. He has played with many outstanding jazz artists including: Lee Konitz, Jon Faddis, Stanley Clarke, Chris Vadala, John Swana, Gerald Veasley, Winard Harper, Ralph Bowen, Steve Gilmore, and Jan Metzger. His first album as a leader, The Altoona Sessions, was released in 2006 and is available at itunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and other online sources. Dr Valerio is also an active composer in jazz, classical, and other diverse idioms. For more information and examples of his work visit johnvaleriomusic.com.
Ian Brachitta, Greenville, SC
A native of Westchester County in New York, Ian Bracchitta performs as a bassist in the classical, jazz and popular idioms. He is the assistant principal bassist of the Greenville Symphony and principal bassist of the Spartanburg Philharmonic. Ian performs frequently in the bass section of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and has performed as a jazz bassist in their Pop’s programs. Performances with the Charleston (SC) Symphony. Jazz performances with Dianne Schuur, Kevin Mahogany, Pat Harbison, George Mesterhazy, Hod O’Brien, Chris Vadalla, John Stowell, The Nelson Riddle and Cab Calloway Orchestras among many others. Ian’s jazz trio has performed in the southeast featuring his arrangements. Ian performs with the New York based chamber ensemble Synchronicity whose debut recording was released in 2000. The ensemble made its New York City debut at the Merkin Concert Hall in November 2001. He has performed with the national Broadway tours of A Chorus Line, Annie get Your Gun, West Side Story, Grease, Victor Victoria, Chicago, The Sound Of Music, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Ragtime, Fiddler on the Roof, The Producers, The Boyfriend, Annie, Camelot, Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady, The Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blond, Wicked, 9 To 5, White Christmas, Young Frankenstein, Mary Poppins and Billy Elliot. Appearances with Burt Bacharach, The Fifth Dimension, Martin Short, Shirley Jones and Carol Channing among many others. Ian has performed on numerous regional commercials and industrial soundtracks. Recording credits include Synthetic Dances: Music for oboe on the Centaur label, Canadian Jazz guitarist Mark Guest's Happy Together. Synchronicity Like Minds, Joe Burke Simply Romantic on Revere records, Oracle Evasive Actions and Peggy Haden I’m Glad There Is You. Ian was Visiting Lecturer of Double Bass at the University of South Carolina’s School of Music from 2002-2006. He is on the adjunct faculties of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, University of North Carolina-Asheville, Clemson University and Furman University . He received a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from the University of Massachusetts- Amherst, studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and attended the Westchester Conservatory during High School. Ian has studied with Jack Budrow, Donald Palma, Orin O’Brien, Salvatore Macchia, Michael Moore and William Blossom.
Sharon LaMotte, Greenville, SC
This Woman is into the song. All that exists for her is the raw emotion captured in lyrics and melody. Experiencing one of LaMotte's live performances close up is like diving into a dose of honesty. Low-key, almost shy, LaMotte sings with a guileless disdain for embellishment. And with her softly swaying brunette hair, she resembles an earth goddess holding reverence for the natural simplicity of the song."
~ Toni Monetta- Rapid River
Sharon LaMotte
Call That Jazz~Listen to the Music
828-280-3770
[email protected]
"Sharon LaMotte is great lady who is totally dedicated to keeping jazz music alive by teaching jazz, singing jazz and supporting jazz in general. What more can one ask for when it comes to a deep love of jazz music" ~ Sheila Jordan
"I am so grateful for Sharon LaMotte , besides being a wonderful singer, she is a great host of workshops and singer showcases and also promotes jazz.....a real asset to the jazz community!" ~ jay clayton
"Sharon LaMotte moves me with her refreshingly pure honesty, beautiful heart, and her connection to a song's emotional core." ~ Kendra Shank
show less
