The Nash to Celebrate 4th Anniversary with The Lewis Nash Big Apple Quintet

Phoenix, Arizona -- Celebrating its 4th Birthday, The Nash hosts an all-out weekend Birthday Bash with a quintet of heavy hitters, The Lewis Nash Big Apple Quintet. Comprised of musicians hand selected by The Nash's namesake, Lewis Nash, the Quintet arrives in Phoenix on Friday October 7th to kick off the celebrations.

The Quintet includes Steve Davis (trombone), Eric Alexander (sax), Larry Willis (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), and Lewis Nash (drums).

"These guys are a big part of what makes the New York jazz scene so electric, and are some of my dearest friends. I can't wait to get us all jamming together in one room." - Lewis Nash

The weekend includes a kick-off party on October 7 featuring The Lewis Nash Big Apple Trio of Larry Willis, Nat Reeves and Lewis Nash performing in a private home.

For the Saturday celebrations at The Nash, The Lewis Nash Big Apple Quintet will perform two shows: October 8 at 7:00 pm and 9:15 pm.

The weekend concludes with a special performance of saxophone great, George Garzone, joining the Scottsdale Community College Jazz Orchestra and Special Guest, Lewis Nash, on Sunday October 9 at 6 pm.

Tickets for the 4th Anniversary Concert range from $49 - $99 with limited $29 seats for students. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Order tickets for any of The Nash's 4th Anniversary events before September 15 and receive 10% off. Visit www.thenash.org to order. For information on front-row VIP Sponsorship Tables call Lorene at 602-686-7481.

"PATRON BADGE" TICKET PACKAGES "Patron Badge" Ticket Packages for the weekend are $250 and include premium seating for all three Anniversary Weekend Concerts, wine and hors d'oeuvres for the October 7th event and a "Meet and Greet" with Lewis Nash. The Patron Badge includes a $50 contribution to The Nash to support jazz programs. For more information, visit www.thenash.org or call 602-795-0464.

IF YOU GO:

Friday October 7 at 6:00 pm
Kick-Off Party
Private House Party with The Lewis Nash Big Apple Trio
Wine and hors d'oeurves.
Location: Private Home in North Central Phoenix
Tickets: $75 at www.thenash.org

The Nash 4th Anniversary celebrations kick off with a spectacular night in a private home. The evening will include a performance by The Lewis Nash Big Apple Trio, featuring Larry Willis, (piano), Nat Reeves (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums).

Saturday October 8 7:00 pm and 9:15 pm
The Lewis Nash Big Apple Quintet
Location: The Nash 110 E. Roosevelt St.
www.thenash.org
Steve Davis (trombone), Eric Alexander (sax), Larry Willis (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)

Jazz legends and heavy hitters from NYC come to Phoenix to celebrate The Nash's 4th Anniversary. The Quintet has been assembled by Lewis Nash himself, who has invited his long-time friends to perform for the celebrations. Nash brings some of the great jazz artists from the Big Apple including Jackie McClean's long-time collaborators: composer/pianist Larry Willis and the renowned bassist Nat Reeves. They will be joined by saxophonist Eric Alexander and Steve Davis on trombone, who are frequently heard performing in New York at the Blue Note and Smoke. This will be an unforgettable night as these life-long friends and spectacular musicians take the audience on a jazz journey to the Big Apple.

Tickets: $49, $69, $79, $89 and $99 Student Rush Special: Students 25 and under may purchase Gallery Seats for $29. Order online at www.thenash.org VIP Sponsorship Tables: $1000 (A portion is tax deductible.) Call 602-686-7481 for more information.

Sunday October 9 at 7:00 pm
George Garzone & Lewis Nash and The Scottsdale Community College Jazz Orchestra
Director: Eric Rasmussen
Location: The Nash 110 E. Roosevelt St.
Tickets: $25 at www.thenash.org

George Garzone is a member of the Fringe, a jazz trio founded in 1972 that includes bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti. A veteran jazzman, Garzone has performed with Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Jack DeJohnette, Rachel Z, and John Patitucci among others. He comes to The Nash to perform with the Scottsdale Community College Jazz Band, led by Eric Rasmussen, and known for its broad variety of styles and genres from Early Jazz to Contemporary and Fusion.

ABOUT THE QUINTET:

Larry Willis (piano) is a true Renaissance Man from Harlem. At the age of 19, Willis was discovered and recruited by saxophonist Jackie McLean, and made his jazz recording debut on McLean's Blue Note release, Right Now! From that auspicious start, Willis went on to play with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Shaw, Cannonball Adderley, Stan Getz, Carmen McRae, and Shirley Horn. From 1972 to '79, Willis was the keyboardist for the fusion group Blood Sweat and Tears. He's also been a crucial part of the Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban jazz group Fort Apache. In all, Willis has appeared on 300-plus albums, with more than 20 recordings as a leader.

Steve Davis (trombone) is long renowned for his rich sound of sumptuous lyricism, intonation and an impeccable sense of swing. Testimonials to Steve's luminous talent are filled with superlatives from virtually everyone with whom he's played. Freddie Hubbard ("one of the greatest trombone players in the world"), James Moody ("his solos never cease to amaze me') and Chick Corea ("some of the most melodic improvisations ever heard in jazz"), are just three of a veritable who's who of jazz giants like Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, who shared those opinions.

Nat Reeves (bass) has made a strong impact on the jazz world over the past three decades, both as a top musician and educator. Early in his career, Reeves performed with Jackie McLean, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Art Taylor, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Kirkland, Walter Davis, Walter Bishop, Larry Willis and Kenny Drew. He became a longtime member of Kenny Garrett's group in 1994; and in recent times has worked and recorded with many of the who's who of jazz, including Pharoah Sanders, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, Steve Davis, Harold Mabern, George Cables, David Hazeltine, Anthony Wonsey, Joe Farnsworth among many others.

Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone) has been characterized by critics as "one of the great treats in jazz." Boasting a warm, finely burnished tone and a robust melodic and harmonic imagination, Alexander is known for his sophisticated hard bop and post-bop style, reminiscent of Dexter Gordon and George Coleman, but clearly his own. He has appeared on scores of records as a leader, sideman, producer and composer. "The people I listened to in college are still the cats that are influencing me today," says Alexander. "Monk, Dizzy, Sonny Stitt, Clifford Brown, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson--the legacy left by Bird and all the bebop pioneers, that language and that feel, that's the bread and butter of everything I do."

Lewis Nash (drums), namesake of The Nash, was the "first call" jazz drummer in his native Phoenix at the age of 21, working with Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessell and Slide Hampton. In 1981, Nash moved to New York City and joined the trio of great jazz vocalist BetTy Carter. He finished out the decade playing with Ron Carter, Branford Marsalis, J.J. Johnson, Don Pullen and George Adams, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Clark Terry and Milt Jackson. For the next decade, Lewis was a member of the Tommy Flanagan Trio, and was featured on seven CD recordings. He also toured and recorded with both the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. His 500+ discography includes projects with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Benny Carter, Hank Jones and John Lewis, as well as new jazz stars Diana Krall, Joe Lovano and Roy Hargrove. Nash is also featured on recordings by Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rankin, Melissa Manchester and George Michael. In 2007, the Mayor presenTed Nash with the Key to the City of Phoenix, and the Governor proclaimed Lewis Nash Day in honor of his achievements as a musician and world ambassador for the American art form of jazz. In 2009, Modern Drummer Magazine proclaimed Nash as the most valuable player in jazz.

Located on the corner of 1st Street and Roosevelt on Roosevelt Row, The Nash is downtown Phoenix's popular jazz club featuring musicians and bands performing a variety of jazz concerts, events and jam sessions throughout the month. Named "One of The World's Top Jazz Venues" by Downbeat Magazine, the club has become a cornerstone in downtown Phoenix's music scene. The Nash is committed to the development of future jazz musicians and hosts a wide array of instrumental and vocal lessons, workshops, clinics and master classes to develop performance and improvisation skills. Visit www.thenash.org for more information and complete calendar of events.