The Press Room presents: Jonathan Lorentz Quartet

Description

Jonathan Lorentz is a passionate performer who has pursued music on the saxophone for the last 30 years. Lorentz believes strongly in the interactive and collaborative "human element" of music making, and enthusiastically connects with other musicians and listeners. He currently leads the Jonathan Lorentz Quartet, the Soul Revival, and plays with the experimental improvising band 7oddSeven. Jon also stays active with his 18 piece big band, a 10 piece little big band, as well as the very novel Dueling Pianos of NH where he has been seen doubling as a pianist, vocalist, and accordionist.

Jon’s album Borderlands (his first for the United Kingdom's Métier Jazz label) was released to critical acclaim, and has received airplay on radio stations throughout the world. In March of 2011 Fanfare Magazine's Lynn René Bayley remarked that "Jonathan Lorentz has really got it: a great style, an explorative mind, and a concept that goes beyond the usual fare you hear from jazz groups." Berklee College of Music Professor John Funkhouser celebrates Jonathan for having an "unbelievable sense of time- all the time." And recently, NEA Jazz Master and legendary saxophonist Dave Liebman simply said that Jonathan has that "real big sound on tenor sax!" In recent years Jon performed and recorded with New Orleans’ own Delfeayo Marsalis, Jerry Sabatini’s Sonic Explorers, and jazz vocalist Teri Roiger.

Dr. Lorentz, who holds a PhD in Jazz Studies from New York University, dedicates himself to keeping music a part of everyday life and integral to celebrations and social events. Jon has grown the live music scene in New Hampshire since his arrival in 2011 and has started concert series in nine separate locations, garnering praise from the legendary Downbeat Magazine, as well as NH Magazine, the Hippo Press & New Hampshire Public Radio. Jon’s company Lorentz Music Services regularly provides live musicians, disc jockeys, consulting, and officiating services for clients throughout NH.

The Jonathan Lorentz Quartet is comprised of long-standing musical cohorts who have performed together in various scenarios for 20 years. The piano chair is held by Tom Robinson, a jazz stalwart who also performs on soprano saxophone. Mr. Robinson tours frequently throughout New England as a leader and sideman, and has been a featured artist at the Catamount Arts Center and Mountaintop Music Center. Bass guru John Hunter holds down bass lines for the Seacoast Big Band and Charlie Jennison group, and has accompanied Dizzy Gillespie, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, and Jimmy Heath. Drum set specialist Tim Gilmore is known far and wide for performances with Tiger Okoshi, Giacomo Gates, and Tower of Power, and is an active clinician with Harry Skoler’s Adventures with Jazz.