About this Event
Join us for a powerful evening of music fusing the creative energy of Boston’s jazz scene with influences ranging from icons like Pat Metheny, Keith Jarrett and Miles Davis to classical music.
Evoluion is the first entirely Jazz project of guitarist Mitch Livstone, who started as a classical musician and completed the cross over into Jazz in 2019. The album features 4 of Mitch's original compositions and 3 newly arranged standards, and the concert will include some more originals as well as arrangements that didn't make it onto this album but will probably be on the next one.
Mitch describes the sound of this record as being most similar to the Pat Metheny group with Lyle Mays on piano, but a bit more structured. When Mitch takes on jazz standards alongside his own originals, he works hard to use new and distinctive meters and arrangement to give the familiar pieces a distinctive sound.
Musicians (detailed bios below)
Mitch Livstone – Guitar
Ehud Ettun – Bass
Gary Fieldman - Drums
Tim Ray – Piano
NOTA BENES:
Doors Open at 7:00. Concert begins at 7:30.
All seating except FRONT ROW is unassigned.
Tickets cannot be refunded but can be transferred to a different attendee.
We recommend buying tickets online whenever possible. Tickets will be available at the door with payment in cash or check only, for $35.
CONGREGATION KEHILLATH ISRAEL is a traditional inclusive synagogue that actively embraces individuals, its community, and the world. An innovative and prominent voice in North American Jewish life since 1917, it is one of Brookline's oldest synagogues.
is a guitarist and composer who courts interactivity with fellow artists, creating stirring melodies from subtle phrases, and transforming trio gigs into headlining events. He has worked with Tim Ray, John Lockwood, Bruce Gertz, Ehud Ettun, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, Steve Langone, Bertram Lehman, Ángela Varo, Ivanna Cuesta Gonzalez and Gary Fieldman, among other artists. Leading his own trio, ML Jazz Collaborative, and supporting others, Livstone has performed at Festivals around the country and has been a fixture around the Boston area at The Beehive, The Lilypad, Mad Monkfish, Zuzu, Latina Kitchen & other popular live music outlets. Praised by Boston critic Jon Garelick as an artist who “really shines” on the bandstand, he plays with thoughtful lyricism and brilliant tone colors. Evolution is Mitch's first album as a composer and leader.
Born and raised in Belarus, Livstone began earning critical accolades as a guitarist and composer by age 8, placing ahead of adult conservatory students in formal competitions. When his family emigrated to the U.S., Livstone put aside musical aspirations to pursue a sustainable career. He earned his Ph.D. in engineering from MIT, formally returning to music years later when he began studying with Peter Bernstein and Jonathan Kreisberg. It should also be noted that Livstone is a member of Congregation Kehillath Israel.
Israeli bassist has made a significant mark on the international jazz landscape, performing alongside esteemed artists including George Garzone, Fred Hersch, Danilo Perez, Donny McCaslin, Anat Cohen, and others. Ettun is recognized for his distinctive and melodic approach to the upright bass. Ettun has performed on stages such as the Blue Note (New York), the Kennedy Center (Washington DC), and numerous concerts and festivals throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Ehud is founder and artistic director of the Jazz on the Edge festival in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel.
GARY FIELDMAN is a fixture in the Massachusetts music scene, with a career defined by versatility, precision, and an infectious rhythmic energy. More than just a timekeeper, he is a musical architect who builds the foundation for every ensemble he joins, from intimate jazz trios to high-energy funk and rock outfits.Gary’s playing is characterized by a rare blend of technical mastery and deep-seated soul. Known for his "pocket-heavy" grooves and nuanced dynamic control, he has spent decades honing a sound that is as adaptable as it is distinct.
A regular performer in the prestigious clubs of Boston and the vibrant arts communities of the North Shore and Pioneer Valley, Gary has shared the stage with a diverse roster of regional legends and touring professionals. His reputation for professionalism and creative collaboration has made him a "first-call" session musician and a staple of the festival circuit. Beyond the stage, Gary is deeply committed to the evolution of the craft. His influence extends into the classroom, where he mentors the next generation of percussionists, emphasizing that drumming is as much about listening as it is about playing. "Gary Fieldman doesn't just play the drums; he speaks through them. His ability to anticipate a musical moment before it happens is what sets him apart."
Whether he is anchoring a recording session in a hidden-gem studio or performing under the lights of a historic Massachusetts theater, Gary Fieldman remains dedicated to the pursuit of the perfect groove
TIM RAY is a wide-ranging soloist and accompanist who has played with legendary performers across diverse styles of music, perhaps best known as Tony Bennett’s most recent pianist and musical director, appearing in concerts until Tony's retirement from singing in 2020. Featured on over 100 recordings to date, Tim has performed in concert with an extensive list of pop music icons, notably Aretha Franklin, Lyle Lovett, Jane Siberry and Soul Asylum. He regularly performs with leading figures in the jazz world, among them Kurt Elling, Gary Burton, Esperanza Spalding, Phil Woods, Terri Lyne Carrington, Scott Hamilton, Dave Douglas, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Lewis Nash and Rufus Reid; and his classical credits include solo performances and concerts with the Boston Pops, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Glens Falls (NY) Symphony.
Tim has toured extensively throughout the Americas, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the White House, the Kennedy Center and the 1992 Presidential Inauguration. Tim has also performed repeatedly on “The Tonight Show” (Johnny Carson, Jay Leno), “Late Night with David Letterman,” “The Conan O’Brien Show,” “Austin City Limits” and various other national TV and radio broadcasts. His most recent CD as a leader - Fire & Rain - featuring John Lockwood on bass and Mark Walker on drums, was released on the Whaling City Sounds record label in 2023. He released his first CD as a leader in 1997 - Ideas & Opinions - on Gunther Schuller’s GM Recordings label, which included drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Rufus Reid. Among his many recording projects, Tim also has a solo piano CD: On My Own, vol. 1 – New Works, a collection of original compositions and improvisations. A sought-after arranger and composer, Tim has penned numerous original works for his trio Tre Corda, for solo piano, big band, string orchestra, and an extensive body of writing for jazz trio and quartet. He is a grant recipient from the National Endowment for the Arts, and is a longtime Professor on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music. Tim also teaches jazz piano at Philips Exeter Academy, and conducts workshops and clinics at colleges and high schools throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Congregation Kehillath Israel, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 44.52
