Frick Art & Historical Center
September 5
7 p.m.
The back-to-school season may be upon us but live outdoor music will provide your late summer soundtrack until the leaves change, with concerts animating green spaces and urban playgrounds around the city.
The Frick Art & Historical Center closes its 2014 summer concert season with a particularly special appearance by world-renowned trumpeter, quartet leader and longtime Pittsburgher, Sean Jones. His concert in town for the third and final installment of First Niagara Presents First Fridays at the Frick, is particularly not to be missed, as Jones was recently appointed Chair of the Brass Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Also featured in the quartet are Orrin Evans (piano), Mark Whitfield (drums) and Alex Claffy (bass).
Featured on Nancy Wilson’s 2007 Grammy Award-winning album, Turned to Blue, Jones is widely considered to be among the most expressive, versatile and gifted players and composers of his generation. As a bandleader, Jones has released seven albums on the Harper Woods, MI-based label, Mack Avenue Records. In addition to being a lead trumpeter for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jones has performed with his own groups in the US and abroad at high profile venues and festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Detroit International Jazz Festival and Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Born 1978 in Warren, OH, Jones received his M.A. from Rutgers University (where he studied under renowned Professor William Fielder, who also taught Wynton Marsalis), and has also served as associate professor of Jazz Trumpet at Oberlin Conservatory. A highly respected and in-demand musician, Jones has played as a session musician with numerous notable ensembles and musicians, including Charles Fambrough, the Fort Apache Band, Joe Lovano, Chico O’Farrill, Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson and Marcus Miller.
For countless urban dwellers, securing a coveted spot on the Great Lawn at the Frick Art & Historical Center has become a tradition during the highly popular First Fridays series, which transforms the site’s serene grounds into a lively plein air concert venue. The series features a varied selection of musical and vocal performances, while inviting the public to spend summer evenings under the stars, enjoying music, socializing and fresh fare in one of the city’s favorite outdoor settings. For its 2014 installment, the Frick has curated a lineup of top local talents representing a diverse range of musical styles and genres. This summer, the Point Breeze-based series also marks the event’s 20th anniversary season.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $5 per adult. Guests are invited to create a gourmet picnic featuring selections from The Café at the Frick, which begins serving at 5:30 p.m. The Frick Art Museum and Museum Shop will remain open during the concert. Free parking is available in the Frick’s lot, and along adjacent neighborhood streets.
