Our Jazz Heroes

Our Jazz Heroes is part of a larger Festival event titled, 'Grigoryan Brothers & Friends', bringing together an ensemble like no other. The musical relationships run deep and wide, spanning years, countries, repertoire, and instrumentation. What makes this weekend special isn't just the repertoire (spanning Bach to Piazzolla, jazz inspirations to ambient atmospheres) or the rare mix of instruments (think classical and electric guitars, piano, bass, tabla, cello and voice). It's the chemistry. These artists have toured together, written together, risked together, lived and loved together over many years, countries and genres. They are both blood and chosen family. Expect moments of high-wire virtuosity and, just as often, the kind of stillness that transcends time.

Opening the weekend with glowing harmonies, flexible grooves and improvisatory spark, Our Jazz Heroes celebrates the artistry of composers who blurred the boundaries between jazz and classical form. Lenny and Slava give the world premieres of Ralph Towner's Strait of Messina and Aeolus and are joined by tabla master Bobby Singh for a trio version of Tammuriata. Sharon Grigoryan joins for a work from the Jan Garbarek/Zakir Hussain catalogue, while pianist Luke Howard performs a solo piece inspired by Lyle Mays. The evening culminates with the music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, blending improvisation, lyricism, and effortless ensemble synergy.