Bijon Watson, trumpet & artistic director | Steven Feifke, piano | Sean Farias, bass | Austin McMahon, drums + strings section
Join critically-acclaimed saxophonists Dino Govoni (replacing Mike Tucker) and Tucker Antell for an evening of music celebrating saxophone icons Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt. The ensemble will include a distinguished rhythm section as well as some of New England’s finest string players. This evening will explore and reimagine the music of two exceptional musicians who helped shape jazz history.
Widely recognized as one of the most influential jazz musicians to ever live, Sonny Rollins has recorded more than 60 albums as a leader and earned numerous accolades, such as the Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and five GRAMMY awards, including the legendary Lifetime Achievement Award.
Late bebop/hard bop icon Sonny Stitt was one of jazz’s most prolific saxophonists, recording more than 100 records in his lifetime. He developed a signature style highlighted by a warm tone, which heavily influenced other jazz legends such as John Coltrane.
DINO GOVONI, tenor saxophone (replacing Mike Tucker)
One of today’s most versatile contemporary saxophonists is undoubtedly Dino Govoni. Govoni learned from two tenor saxophone greats—Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone—and furthered his studies by attending the Berklee College of Music. Govoni hit the road right after college with a variety of musical outfits, playing and/or recording with such diverse artists as Grover Washington Jr., Randy Brecker, Terence Trent D’Arby, Robben Ford, Mel Tormé, The Manhattan Transfer, Boston Pops Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Frankie Valli and Engelbert Humperdinck, among others.
In 2000 Govoni participated in Arista Records’ star-studded 25th Anniversary Celebration, playing with Aretha Franklin in New York City. A year later, he issued his debut album, Breakin’ Out, on the Whaling City Sound label, which was followed up by In the Library in 2002. Govoni’s recording Chance Meeting, featuring drum great Adam Nussbaum, guitarist Jay Azzolina and bassist Dave Zinno, was released in 2016 on the Whaling City Sound label.
Govoni is on faculty at the Berklee College of Music and is a Yamaha Performing Artist playing Yamaha saxophones and flutes exclusively.
Tucker Antell, tenor saxophone
A highly sought-after saxophonist in New England, Tucker Antell has performed with musical heavy hitters such as Larry Goldings, Anthony Wilson, Hal Crook, Chris Cheek, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez and John Lockwood, among others. In 2018, Tucker released his debut album “Grime Scene” on OriginArts records. The album features Tucker’s hard-hitting blues-infused compositions, as well as thoughtful introspections that draw from his deep love of blues and jazz. AllaboutJazz.com reviewed the album, observing that “Tucker Antell knows how to make an entrance.”
While keeping a busy performance schedule, Tucker also teaches saxophone, clarinet, flute and improvisation at various private institutions in the Boston area, including the NEC Preparatory Program, Milton Academy, Merrimack College and others. In addition, he regularly conducts music clinics at local colleges and in public school systems.
ABOUT THE ICONIC JAZZ LEGACIES SERIES
Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Bijon Watson introduces audiences to a series entitled Iconic Jazz Legacies that offers a new look at some of jazz’s greatest legends and musical relationships. The programs feature some of today’s most respected and dynamic performers re-imagining musical conversations from the genre’s storied past. The series acts as both a loving homage and a fresh musical odyssey.
