Carr Bakriges Duo / Altus

Vocalist/tenor saxophonist Jesse Carr began childhood musical studies with iconic bassist/lutenist Joseph Iadone, continuing with recorder virtuoso Bernard Krainis, and later majoring in 20h century composition. As guitarist, vocalist, and wind instrumentalist, he has performed in, written for, and arranged tracks for eight Ken Burns films--“Brooklyn Bridge”, the Grammy winning “Civil War”, and “Baseball” among them.

He has composed, arranged, and led Jazz combos most recently, and is currently recording an album of originals, which will be explored by this Carr Bakriges Duo collaboration, along with originals penned by accomplished composer/pianist Chris Bakriges.

"Jesse sings in a laconic style and he chooses his repertoire carefully, presenting meaningful versions of tunes that evoke Chet Baker. His own compositions as well as his re-harmonizations of Beatles tunes are especially wonderful.” —Eugene Uman, Director of Vermont Jazz Center and Jazz Piano Instruction at Amherst College.

“No matter how small, musicians create a movement over time that connects the world through music," Chris Bakriges notes. “It’s through music that we can understand our differences and create a better world.” Bakriges, pianist, composer, and ethnomusicologist of Greek American decent, has not only performed in musical meccas such as London, Toronto, New York, Istanbul, Prague, and Paris; but relishes playing in places where one wouldn’t think global-inspired jazz would have much currency—like India, Pakistan, and the People’s Republic of China.

Chris was Music Director for Jazz Alive on Northeast Public Radio, and has performed with Bobby McFerrin, David Darling, Kenny Burrell, Bernard Purdie, and the fusion group Elements. Having studied with Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Giuffre, Billy Taylor, Nadi Qamar, Harold Danko and Anthony Braxton, Bakriges, with a doctorate in Music, is Visiting Lecturer at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston; he resides in Vermont. Chris says, “Improvisation is the basis for our understanding, trust, and ultimate friendship,” and adds, “Creative music is the weapon of the future to conquer mistrust, poverty, and hate.”

Altus, a fusion of five gifted musicians—Dave Adewumi, Isaac Levien, Neta Raanan, Nathan Reising, and Ryan Sands—embarks on sonic journeys rooted in a decade-long musical bond. Inspired by Black American improvisational techniques, Altus creates narratives that blur the line between immediate experience and timeless mythologies.

Their performances, marked by playfulness and narrative focus, promise a unique exploration into the unknown, fueled by a shared love for improvisation. Dave Adewumi, 2019 Carmine Caruso Trumpet Competition winner, joins forces with tenor saxophonist Neta Raanan, 2023 Next Jazz Legacy Awardee, and alto saxophone phenom Nathan Reising, while bassist and composer Isaac Levien, and drummer Ryan Sands, endorsed by Canopus Drums and Paiste Cymbals provides the backbone of the ensemble.

Individually, they've shared stages with luminaries like Jason Moran, Dave Douglas, Nasheet Waits, Tyshawn Sorey, and Christian Sands.

Currently, Altus performs regularly around New York City and prepares for the 2024 release of their first album, Mythos on Biophilia Records. The love for improvisation is palpable, and it is this embrace of the unpredictable that guarantees no two Altus performances are alike. This show will be a trio performance.

Doors are at 7pm and we’ll be getting music going around 730pm. Seating is first come first served and the show is all ages.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Nova Arts Block/Brewbakers Cafe, 48 Emerald Street, Keene, United States