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09/12 Saturday

8:00 PM Melissa Kassel & Tom Zicarelli Group

Melissa Kassel vocals
Tom Zicarelli piano
Allan Chase - Saxophones
Bruno Raberg Bass

Here is the beautiful mysterious side of improvised jazz. From the very first notes that Melissa Kassel sings, the audience is emotionally drawn to the music. There is a direct line from her heart to her voice. If you’ve ever heard her sing you will never forget it. The songs are simple, unusual, and dreamlike. The telepathy between the musicians on stage is as fascinating as the sound. There is space, suspense, and surprise. You won’t find a more lyrical Saxophonist than Allan Chase. His tone is effortless. Notes hang in the air and dissolve. Bruno Raberg is the engine of rhythm that propels the music forward in any direction at any moment. The sound of the bass is big and round and warm. You think you hear a drummer. There is no drummer. Tom Zicarelli coaxes the piano from a whisper to a roar. He’s receiving signals from an invisible antenna. The keys are a palette of question marks. Just when you think you're drifting into orbit, the music comes right back home. If you're searching for inspiration and a transcendent musical experience, look no further.