New Haven's Firehouse 12 To Present David Berkman Quartet October 6th

David Berkman, piano/composer; Jimmy Greene, saxophones; Thomas Morgan, bass; Ted Poor, drums

New York pianist/composer David Berkman will bring his quartet to New Haven for a two-set October 6th performance at Firehouse 12. Berkman is known to critics as “a scintillating composer and improviser" (Steve Futterman, Entertainment Weekly) who makes music that is “sophisticated but unpretentious" (Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes). This latest configuration of his working group features saxophonist Jimmy Greene (Horace Silver, Harry Connick, Jr., Freddie Hubbard), bassist Thomas Morgan (Kenny Werner, Dave Binney, Josh Roseman) and drummer Ted Poor (Cuong Vu, Chris Potter, Ben Monder).

In a 2002 critic's pick feature, the Chicago Reader's Neil Tesser wrote, “His compositions are cerebral, certainly: their splendidly crafted harmonies and form reveal subtly original thinking on his part and invite the same from his soloists. But Berkman goes way beyond theoretical constructs, turning his ideas into lyrical melodies and eminently likable tunes that should please even those who don't know a diminished chord from a turnaround. And, like such spiritual forebears as Elmo Hope and Horace Silver, Berkman knows as a pianist how to best exploit his compositions: he uses rich solos sometimes to explore a song's theme, sometimes to limn the harmonic potential, and sometimes to link the work of the other soloists into a unified performance."

“Berkman is reclaiming ground that seemed lost to jazz posterity," declared The Guardian's Bob Flynn after a quartet performance in Glasgow, “he has an Ellingtonian sense of grace combined with driving rhythms and abstract surprises. More an inventor than radical reformer, he keeps his compositions concise but leaves his experimental options open." An established bandleader with a frequently noted background as an award-winning fiction writer, Berkman has performed all around the world and recorded four CDs for Palmetto Records. He is also an award-winning clinician and veteran sideman/arranger who has collaborated with many of the most prominent names in jazz, including Dave Douglas, Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Cecil McBee, and Jane Monheit.

About Firehouse 12:

Firehouse 12 is an award winning full-service bar, state-of-the-art recording studio and unusually intimate performance space located in New Haven's historic Ninth Square District. Painstakingly renovated over the course of four years by owner/producer/ engineer Nick Lloyd and Gray Organschi Architecture, this once-abandoned firehouse building has become a major part of New Haven's cultural renaissance since opening its doors in April 2005. It has also quickly gained a reputation as one of the premier recording studios and creative music venues on the East Coast.

A 2006 Best Studio Design Project nominee for the prestigious Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards, the recording studio features world-class acoustic design by renowned acoustician John Storyk of Walters-Storyk Design Group. The striking 1200- square foot space features a Steinway concert grand piano, and doubles as an 80-seat public venue with unparalleled technical possibilities for some of the most respected names in creative music. Past performers include Han Bennink, Tim Berne, Dave Douglas, Susie Ibarra, Joe McPhee, Joe Morris, William Parker and Mario Pavone among many others.

In a June 2005 feature, New Haven Independent's Regina DeAngelo called Firehouse 12 “a north star in the jazz firmament that might well guide music lovers to New Haven from far away." She went on to write, “fabric-covered walls are angled to urge music to flow, not bounce, through a womb-like space. It's almost like sitting in the hull of an instrument. Luckily, the Firehouse attracts people who bring near-religious reverence to the music, producing an exchange of energy that often fires great performances."

James Keepnews of the New Haven Advocate echoed DeAngelo's praise, calling the venue a “remarkable new cultural outpost" and “a resounding success." Yale University's Associate Vice President of New Haven and State Affairs Michael Morand recently called the space “a wonderful addition to New Haven's role as the cultural capital of Connecticut."

Complete Fall 2006 Concert Season:

09/22 :: Matthew Shipp
09/29 :: Carla Marciano 4tet
10/06 :: David Berkman Quartet
10/13 :: Nate Wooley and Blue Collar
10/20 :: Andrew Cyrille/Greg Osby Duo
10/27 :: Pete Robbins and Centric
11/04 :: Dave Allen Quartet
11/10 :: Stephen Haynes and Bugaboo
11/17 :: Dominique Eade/Jed Wilson Duo
12/01 :: Ben Allison Quartet
12/08 :: Wayne Escoffery Quartet
12/15 :: Gerald Cleaver & Violet Hour