$20, call 518-832-3484 for reservations. Limited seating, wear masks, socially distance
LIVE RECORDING SESSION with Stacy Dillard / sax, Davis Whitfield / piano, James Robbins / bass, Joe Barna/ drums & compositions
As the son of two musicians, Davis Whitfield's early years were filled with music. He began playing the guitar at age 5, and moved to Jersey City, New Jersey at 8 where he began studying the piano. While attending high school, Whitfield was accepted by the Jersey City University Visual and Performing Arts Program and served as the principal pianist in its jazz ensemble for four years. In 2008, Whitfield became the assistant director for the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra, writing arrangements and performing weekly at the Jazz Standard in New York City. Whitfield received full scholarships to attend the Berklee Summer Jazz Workshop in 2009 and 2010. He also received a scholarship from the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts in 2011. As a member of the Inna Dudukina Quartet, Whitfield performed in the 2013 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival in Nancy, France and in the Summer of 2014 he received his Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from Berklee College Of Music on a Presidential Scholarship.
Stacy Dillard, raised in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, started playing the saxophone at a rather late age. In his hometown, there isn't much music happening, but only Robert Moore, Stacy's band instructor, and a host of close friends. Athletics was a big part of his life, leading to the late start on the instrument. Stacy attended college at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio to study with Dr. William Denza, Jim Smith, Chris Berg, and Lenard Moses. Very quickly, Dillard acquired the necessary knowledge that would soon put his name out on the local scene. It was a run-in with Wynton Marsalis in Dayton, Ohio that would turn his attention to the New York Scene. After graduation, Stacy took the act to Cincinnati, where he stayed for a short time and made his first recording appearance with Mike Wade on trumpet, drummer Melvin Broach and pianist William Menefield. Maturation was very rapid, finally leading the way to New York.“Stacy is a one-of-a-kind musician. Seriously.” —Roy Hargrove“A young saxophonist of serious promise” (Ben Ratliff, The New York Times), Stacy has caught the attention of many with his large and rich tone, developed ideas, accurate technique, work ethic, and patience, leading to a number of working opportunities. Dillard has played with Winard Harper, Cindy Blackmon, Lenny White, Norman Simmons, Frank Lacy, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Reed, Roy Hargrove, Stephon Harris, Ernestine Anderson, Terrell Stafford, Herlin Riley, John Hicks, Frank Wess, Mulgrew Miller, Clark Terry, Victor Lewis, Steve Wilson, Johnny O'neal, Antonio Hart, Russell Malone, Lewis Nash, Mark Whitfield, the Mingus Big Band, and a host of others in different genres of music, including Shirley Ceasar, Alex Bugnon, Stephanie Mills, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, and more.“Hey man, this (censored) can play. This MF can PLAY!” Wynton Marsalis
Bassist, James Robbins is an international bassist and composer currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. He has played with jazz giants past and present such as: Clark Terry, billy Taylor, George benson, James moody, freddie hubbard, Eric Lewis, johnny o'niel, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan fortner, nikolas anadolis, stephane tremble, Joel fram, and many many more. He also played Columbian electro group Delsonido, and rock band Thank You Scientist. James teaches part time at the American School of Modern Music in Paris.