Join us at the historic Kentucky Theatre for a special pay what you can holiday show featuring the Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet playing holiday classics from Vince Guaraldi and the OJS All-Stars Big Band playing the Duke Ellington Nutcracker Suite.

The first half of the concert will feature Isaiah J. Thompson, winner of the 2023 American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz of the American Pianists Association. Isaiah has performed with major artists, including Ron Carter, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Steve Turre and Buster Williams. For this show, his quartet will be playing from his album A Guaraldi Holiday, which features tunes from Vince Guaraldi's famous A Charlie Brown Christmas.

After that, Thompson's quartet will join with Origins Jazz Series veterans from around the region to play the classic Ellington/Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.

Why is this concert pay what you can? It's the holiday season! While all Origins concerts cost money to put on, including this one, we're hoping that the capacity of the Kentucky Theatre will help us bring in enough ticket revenue across all pay what you can tiers to make it work! This concert will cost about $7,000 to put on after we pay the artists, venue fees, sound technicians, and more, and we hope everyone's ticket fees and donations will cover all of that. 

The Emmet Cohen Trio is a powerhouse jazz ensemble led by pioneer pianist, composer, and viral musical sensation Emmet Cohen, known for his virtuosic technique and deep understanding of jazz traditions. Joining him on stage are Joey Ranieri on bass and Kyle Poole on drums. 

Possessing a fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette, and an extensive repertoire, this trio performs with the command and passion of an artist fully devoted to the medium. Cohen blends classic pieces with dynamic original work, believing that jazz "is enriched immeasurably by connecting and studying with jazz masters, forging backward to the very creation of the art form.” 

Presented in partnership with the Singletary Center for the Arts

TICKETS: 
$34 Adults / $18 Students (additional fees may apply online)
Recital Hall | Reserved Seating

ABOUT EMMET COHEN:

Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation's pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio and creator of the Masters Legacy Series, he is an internationally acclaimed jazz artist, a dedicated educator, the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards, and a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. Cohen headlines regularly at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard, and Birdland, and has appeared at the Newport, Monterey, and North Sea jazz festivals. His artistry has taken him to venues and festivals in over 30 countries. Cohen's entrepreneurial energies led to his developing "Live From Emmet's Place," a live-streamed "Harlem rent party" that unites a worldwide audience via tens of millions of internet views. Cohen has released over ten albums as leader and has performed or recorded with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, and Kurt Elling. Emmet Cohen is a Yamaha Artist.

Join Origins Jazz Series for our next "Live from WUKY Studios" show. This edition will feature NYC-based pianist Dave Meder, bassist Marty Jaffe, and percussionist Michael Piolet. There will be two sets - one at 7:00pm, and one at 9:00pm.

Will you be into it: Dave Meder's music is layers intricate harmonies, dynamic rhythms, and a keen sense of storytelling that evokes a wide range of emotions. Building on elements of classical music, modern jazz, gospel, and folk, Dave Meder's approach to ensemble playing reminds one of Vijay Iyer or Brad Mehldau's trio albums. you don't want to miss this chance to catch Dave's music in as intimate a venue as you can find.

You can check out some of his music here.

About the artist:

Dave Meder, acclaimed pianist and composer, presents creative interpretations of standards and original music from his latest project New American Hymnal. He brings his working trio featuring NYC-based first call bassist Marty Jaffe, and versatile drummer and current percussionist for Hamilton on Broadway, Michael Piolet. New American Hymnal is a set of metaphorical hymns, each dealing with a theme or issue in modern American life. The album was featured in the NYC Jazz Record and made Editor’s Choice in Jazziz Magazine. From the uplifting Americana overture “Modern Gothic”, to reflective musical settings of an RFK speech and an Emily Dickinson poem, Meder and his quartet take the audience through the whirlwind of the American experience.

Origins is excited to bring two-time Grammy winner and renowned Brazilian percussionist Edu Ribiero to Lexington for a very special trio performance at The Apiary with bassist Noah Garabedian, and guitarist Vincius Gomes.

Will you be into this show: This is going to be one for the books. We’re excited to return to the stunning Apiary for an intimate evening featuring one of the most sought after percussionists in Latin America. Ribiero will be joined by the Brazilian guitarist Vincius Gomes, and Noah Garabedian, who played the Origins stage in 2022.

Check out some of their music here.

About the artist:
As a leader, Edu Ribeiro has released the albums “Já Tô Te Esperando”, “Na Calada do Dia” and “Folia de tReis” (Latin Grammy nominated for the Best Instrumental Album category).

As a member of Trio Corrente and Vento Em Madeira, Edu has released more than ten albums, including the two times Grammy Award Winner “Song for Maura” album, recorded with Trio Corrente & Paquito D’Rivera. As a co-leader, Edu has recorded the albums "Varanda" with the Reunion Project and "At Play" with Romero Lubambo, Helio Alves and Reuben Rogers. Edu has also recorded albums with numerous artists such as Chico Pinheiro, Eliane Elias, Randy Brecker, Hamilton de Holanda, Amilton Godoy, and many others.

As an educator, Edu teaches drums at Faculdade Santa Marcelina since 2006 and is the Popular Music Coordinator at Escola de Música do Estado de São Paulo (EMESP) since 2014. Edu has recorded a series of online lessons that can be found at Edu Ribeiro Music Workshop.

We’re excited to partner with the Kentucky Theatre to bring saxophonist Amanda Gardier back to the Origins stage with her new quartet project Auteur, Music Inspired by the Films of Wes Anderson.

Will you be into it: Amanda’s songwriting pulls from a wide set of influences, including past Origins features Miguel Zenon and the Bad Plus, and pop artists like Bjork. This show will be supporting her new release Aueteur, where the interplay between guitarist Charlie Ballentine, drummer Dave King, bassist Jesse Wittman, and Gardier herself are evocative of the poise, whimsy, and repetition that are so key to filmmaker Wes Anderson’s style.

You can check out her album Aueteur here.

About the Artist:
Saxophonist, composer, and educator Amanda Gardier has been described as “a uniquely talented jazz composer and soloist” (Nuvo). Gardier is an alto saxophonist who juxtaposes the calmness of lush harmonies and cyclical melodies with the intensity of complex rhythms and fiery improvisation. Her first release with Green Mind Records, Empathy, was “a debut with a lot of something for everyone” (All About Jazz). With her second release, Flyover Country, Gardier “claim[ed] a space among rising saxophonists” (Downbeat). Her new project, Auteur: Music Inspired by the Films of Wes Anderson, "is a high point of her discography - she comes across as a seasoned leader, accomplished composer and masterful saxophonist." The project features original compositions inspired by the characters and imagery from Wes Anderson films, including The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, The Royal Tenenbaums, The French Dispatch, and more. 

As a side musician, Gardier has performed with Ingrid Jensen, Dave Stryker, Leni Stern, Wayne Wallace, Wes "Warmdaddy" Anderson, Jamie Baum, Sal Lozano, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a featured performer on releases by the Charlie Ballantine Group, Tucker Brothers Group, Jared Thompson & Premium Blend, and the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra. In addition to her work as a bandleader and side-musician, Amanda is a current member of the US Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble in Washington DC, where she is regularly featured as a soloist and woodwind doubler.

The lineup includes Charlie Ballantine on guitar, Cassius Goens III on drums, and Jesse Wittman on bass.

Origins is excited to bring back Lexington native Zach Brock, in his new trio Brock, Lanzetti, Ogawa, whose members are widely known through their association with the jazz-funk group Snarky Puppy. Zach Brock (4 and 6 string violins), Bob Lanzetti (acoustic and electric guitars), and Keita Ogawa (percussion) create in the spaces between jazz, folk, experimental, ambient, groove, and world music. Their debut album entitled Drawing Songs was released on November 10, 2023 by GroundUp Music.

Will you be into this? 
Brock, Lanzetti, Ogawa brings all of the same energy and joy that frequent listeners of Snarky Puppy will know, but with a pared back instrumentation that reveals even more connections between the players. There's something for all jazz listeners in their music, whether you are into avant-garde percussion instrumentation/techniques, intense harmonic and melodic interplay, or just a fun, groovy tune.

Check out some of their music here.

About the Artists:

Zach Brock
Critically acclaimed as the "pre-eminent improvising violinist of his generation," Zach Brock is an American jazz violinist, GRAMMY Award-winning member of Snarky Puppy, and Lexington native. He has toured, recorded, and performed with artists such as Stanley Clarke, Aaron Goldberg, Wycliffe Gordon, Matt Ulery, Michelle Willis, Banda Magda, Bill Laurance, Sirintip, Phil Markowitz, Martha Redbone, and many more. Zach has also released eight solo albums and was named "Rising Star Violinist" of 2013 by Downbeat Magazine. A passionate educator, Zach has coached hundreds of musicians from workshops to conservatories worldwide. Zach remains a perennial coffee fanatic and skateboard enthusiast, and currently lives with his wife and daughters in the NYC area.

Bob Lanzetti 
Bob Lanzetti is a Charleston, SC based professional guitarist, composer, producer, and educator. Bob is an original member of the GRAMMY Award-winning jazz/funk collective, Snarky Puppy and has performed in over 40 countries and played on every recorded release to date. In addition to Snarky Puppy, Bob has performed and recorded with many artists including Tommy Sims, Jerry Granelli, Robben Ford, Bokanté, Michelle Willis, Becca Stevens, Cory Henry, Ghost-Note (Robert “Sput'' Searight/Nate Werth), Lucy Woodward, Banda Magda, and many more.

Keita Ogawa
Hailing originally from Sasebo city, Nagasaki, Japan, Keita Ogawa is a two-time GRAMMY nominee and Award-winner and one of the most versatile and sought-after percussionists and drummers in New York City. Since his 2005 arrival in America, Keita has worked with some of the biggest names in modern music including Yo Yo Ma, the Assad Brothers, Maria Schneider, Romero Lubambo, Clarice Assad, Jaques Morelenbaum, Osvaldo Golijov, Les Nubians, Charlie Hunter, Benny Green, Eric Harland, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and more. Currently he works in several projects including Snarky Puppy, Bokanté, Banda Magda, Bokantè, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Charlie Hunter, JSquad, Camila Meza and the Nectar Orchestra, Clarice Assad and more.

Origins is so excited to co-host 2023 Grammy winners Miguel Zenon & Luis Perdomo as part of First Presbyterian Church’s Music for Mission Series. This dynamic duo, renowned for their innovative contributions to contemporary jazz, will take the stage to explore the rich tapestry of Latin American music, blending intricate rhythms and melodies with the soulful depth of modern jazz improvisation.

This concert will be free, with a requested donation during the performance. Tickets will be available in April 2024.

Join Origins Jazz Series for our next "Live from WUKY Studios" show. This edition will feature the Chicago-based Chris Greene Quartet, which includes saxophonist Chris Greene,  pianist Damian Espinosa, bassist Marc Piane and drummer Steve Corley. There will be two sets - one at 6:30pm, and one at 8:30pm.

Will you be into it: In the Chris Greene Quartet, you'll find a band that has the flexibility to shift seemlessly between hard-edged intensity and reflective lyricism. Whether it's the quartet playing an engaging original composition or a cover of a Hank Williams country classic, this intimate show at WUKY Studios will bring you energy and excitement.

You can check out some of their music here.

About the artist:
Saxophonist and composer Chris Greene was born in Evanston, IL. He spent his formative years in the award-winning Evanston High School Wind and Jazz Ensembles. As a teenager he began to play professionally with many local pop/rock and jazz bands. Greene eventually went to Bloomington, IN to attend the prestigious Indiana University Jazz Studies program and studied with renowned professor and cellist David Baker. Greene returned to Chicago in 1994 and has since collaborated with some of the nation’s most creative and versatile musicians. As a performer, Greene can be seen with many different groups - in many different genres. He also leads his own critically-acclaimed group,the Chris Greene Quartet. He has also performed or recorded with the following artists: Common, The Temptations, Eric Roberson, Phonte, Ce Ce Peniston, Poi Dog Pondering, Ed Motta, Steve Coleman & Five Elements, Maysa Leak, Ten City, Sheena Easton, Steve Cole, Michael Manson, Andrew Bird, The J. Davis Trio, Chris Rob, Vic Lavender, Jesse De La Pena, Liquid Soul and The Mighty Blue Kings.

Chris Greene was also featured in several episodes of the FOX-TV show, "Empire" and he also composed the score for the Chicago Childrens’ Theatre’s 2014 production of “Bud, Not Buddy."

Origins is excited to present Lexington vocalist Lydia Yates in a special show at ArtsPlace on Mill Street. Having grown up on the music of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, the great American songbook is the first love of Lexington native Lydia Yates. With career beginnings in the vibrant Birmingham jazz scene, Lydia has returned to her roots to share her singular voice. She combines playful technique and rich emotionality, making audiences feel right at home. Listeners have called Lydia a “dynamic and grounding force” as a performer, as showcased in her debut EP, “From Lydia With Love.” Audiences catch her infectious love for the music as she pours tenderness and warmth into every phrase. 

For this show, Lydia will be joined by Will Doty (piano), Eli Uttal-Veroff (bass), and Paul Deatherage (drums).

The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.

Now in their 21st year, The Bad Plus continues to push boundaries as founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) embark on a new piano-less incarnation of the band with Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone) – instigating a new wave of excitement and anticipation within the band that is re-energizing their sound and inspiration. The Bad Plus have constantly searched to bridge genres and techniques while exploring the infinite possibilities of exceptional musicians working in perfect sync. We're excited to present this electrifying quartet at The Kentucky Theatre! 

At its core, jazz is a social music. It thrives on the interactions between the band members and the audience, as well as the interconnectedness that happens within each group.

Base249 and Origins Jazz Series are bringing you a new collaboration designed to create a perfect environment to allow the communal nature of jazz to flourish.

Even folks unfamiliar with jazz will feel at home listening, hanging out, and enjoying the vibe of the space.

On the first Tuesday of every month, come enjoy a free show featuring top Lexington musicians selected by Origins Jazz Series.

Music always begins at 7pm but arrive at 6:30pm to grab a seat and a drink. We are happy to offer these gatherings without a cover charge. 249 East Main Street.

We are thrilled to present Julian Lage and his trio in a return to Lexington. In March 2020, we were joined by Mr. Lage for one of the most intimate and otherworldly experiences we've ever presented, and did so just days before the full onset of the CoVid19 pandemic in the U.S. This concert is the triumphant return of one of our musical heroes. 

About the Album: Guitarist Julian Lage expands his horizons on View With A Room, a collection of 10 compelling original compositions that marks his second release for Blue Note Records. Having established a home base with his brilliant and deeply attuned trio of bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King—most recently heard on the guitarist’s acclaimed 2021 Blue Note debut Squint—Lage casts his gaze outward to discover new orchestrational possibilities with the addition of six-string icon Bill Frisell, who adds his inimitable voice to this absolutely stunning album.

Hailed as one of the most prodigious guitarists of his generation and “highest category of improvising musicians" (New Yorker), Julian Lage has spent more than a decade searching through the myriad strains of American musical history via impeccable technique, free association and a spirit of infinite possibility. The California-born New York-based musician boasts a prolific resume on his own accord in addition to collaborating with Gary Burton and John Zorn, as well as duo projects with Nels Cline, Chris Eldridge and Fred Hersch, among others.

At its core, jazz is a social music. It thrives on the interactions between the band members and the audience, as well as the interconnectedness that happens within each group.

Base249 and Origins Jazz Series are bringing you a new collaboration designed to create a perfect environment to allow the communal nature of jazz to flourish.

Even folks unfamiliar with jazz will feel at home listening, hanging out, and enjoying the vibe of the space.

On the first Tuesday of every month, come enjoy a free show featuring top Lexington musicians selected by Origins Jazz Series.

Music always begins at 7pm but arrive at 6:30pm to grab a seat and a drink. We are happy to offer these gatherings without a cover charge. 249 East Main Street.