DATE: January 14, 2009

CONTACT: Lillian Harder, 864-656-3043
harderl@clemson.edu

WRITER: Glenn Hare, 864-656-1478
ghare@clemson.edu

Brooks Center concert teams chamber musicians with jazz pianist

CLEMSON — The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts will present a special jazz event that teams the two-time Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet with jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3.

“The quartet is a leader in blending the classical music genre with other contemporary American musical styles, such as bluegrass, blues and jazz,” said Lillian Harder, director of the Brooks Center. 

The quartet received a 2006 Grammy for Best Classical Crossover Album with “4 + Four,” a recording made with the Ying Quartet, and again in 2008 with “A Love Supreme: The Legacy of John Coltrane,” a CD featuring the music of the jazz saxophonist.

Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut has appeared on nearly 25 recordings either as a leader or sideman. He has shared the stage with many of today’s most legendary jazz musicians, among them Betty Carter, Joe Williams, Chick Corea and Bradford and Wynton Marsalis. Chestnut’s repertoire ranges from interpretations of Elvis Presley tunes and gospel hymns to blues originals. 

"Cyrus Chestnut’s piano style is deeply rooted in the African-American tradition,” said Rick Goodstein, a jazz historian at Clemson. “His major influences include many important African-American jazz pianists. Art Tatum, Hank Jones, Red Garland and Tommy Flanagan are among them. The sounds of these legendary performers are evident in Chestnut’s playing.”

The Turtle Island Quartet is composed of founder and violinist David Balakrishnan, violinist Mads Tollings, violist Jeremy Kittel and cellist Mark Summer.

“The combination of Turtle Island and Cyrus Chestnut is sure to present unique interpretations of classical, jazz and blues compositions that music fans and novices will enjoy,” said Harder.

Tickets to the Turtle Island Quartet concert with guest artist Cyrus Chestnut are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets and information are available at www.clemson.edu/Brooks or by calling the box office at 864-656-7787 from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

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