Steve Blum's Molecular Organ Trio Comes to The Palace Theater

On Friday March 29th, the brilliant guitarist Steve Blum and his Molecular Organ Trio will open the Jazz at the Poli Spring Series at the Palace Theater Poli Club (100 E. Main St, Waterbury, CT). A pioneering fusion guitarist, a lifelong admirer of Wes Montgomery, and a very versatile player who has been a major asset on a countless number of sessions since the early 1970s, Blum heads a group that also features organist Akiko and drummer McClenty Hunter.

The program in the Poli Spring Series will include special Wes Montgomery arrangements, a special nod to the veteran guitarist (and Waterbury resident) Joe Diorio, classic gems, and many musical surprises. The guitarist will draw upon a lifetime of rewarding musical experiences while stretching himself, always swinging, and coming up with consistently creative solos in his own voice.

Steve Blum was born to play the guitar. He discovered and fell in love with jazz at an early age after hearing the work of Herb Ellis and Bill Harris. At age fifteen, after he heard Wes Montgomery both on record and live, he was so moved by his playing that he decided to pursue jazz full time. He studied with guitarist Lawrence Lucie while attending the New York School of Jazz- one of New Yorks first jazz education programs for talented high school students started by Mercer Ellington. As a teenager he had rare opportunities to play at several of New York's finest jazz clubs; The Village Vanguard, and Birdland. At age 18, while attending The University of Miami, he was called to play for Ms. Peggy Lee -this turned into a five-year association with Ms. Lee, playing guitar on the road as well as concerts, such as her famous Central Park Concert in NYC. `Blum recorded a pioneering fusion album with Tom Hensley's Electric Jazz Band & Synthetic Symphonette, worked with such notables as Louie Bellson, Joe Williams, Morgana King, Ira Sullivan, Cecil McBee, Jack McDuff and Dr. Lonnie Smith, and uplifted a countless number of record sessions. He has played everything from straight ahead jazz to reggae, blues, and Latin and has appeared at most of New York's top jazz venues. Some of the guitarist's most rewarding playing on records can be heard on his album Gottschalk's Last Dance and Ms. Peggy Lee's Two Shows Nightly Live at the Copa.

Steve Blum has led the Molecular Organ Trio for several years. Akiko, who is from Osaka, Japan, has been playing the organ since she was three and has been part of the New York jazz scene since 2001, most recently leading the album So Cute, So Bad. Akiko has played with legendary drummer Grady Tate, saxophonist, Lou Donaldson and Jeff Hamilton. McClenty Hunter has worked with such greats as Kenny Garrett, Lou Donaldson, Eric Reed, and Dave Stryker, recently heading an album whose name could describe the drummer: The Groove Hunter.

Steve Blum, a living legend who now lives in Connecticut, sounds at his best with the Molecular Organ Trio, displaying energy, dexterity, his vast harmonic knowledge, swing, creativity, and honesty on the guitar. It promises to be a night to remember at the Palace Theater Poli Jazz Club.

For more information about the Steve Blum concert (show times are 7 & 9 p.m.), contact the box office (203-346-2000) or visit www.palacetheaterct.org. More information on the guitarist can be found at http://artistecard.com/stephenblum.

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