The Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association are presenting a free Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (and select Thursdays) through early September.
Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm: Housie Shakers in Persip Park (First Fridays at Five)
Saturday, September 7, 2 to 5 pm: Jazz in Persip Park with the Peggy Stern Trio
Peggy Stern has composed, played, recorded, and toured in a wide variety of situations: from solos to octets to jazz choruses. Her compositions range from highly original pieces to reharmonized jazz standards. “Everything she writes wants to dance,” says Ken Dais of Jazziz.
Peggy’s background would account for her varied musical tastes. She began playing classical piano at an early age, continuing her studies at the Eastman School of Music, and finishing a master’s degree, still in Classical music, at the New England Conservatory. And then she began to improvise. While living in San Francisco, she played in salsa bands, notably Azteca and Supercombo with Benny Vallarde. She did a stint in an R&B band (called Cat’s Cradle) with singer Linda Tillery and was “instructed” by Paul Jackson (bass) and Mike Clark (drums) of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunter band.
Subsequently, Peggy moved to New York, absorbing the piano stylings of the greats, such as Jimmy Rowles and Tommy Flanagan. Peggy has worked and toured with many wonderful musicians: Lee Konitz, Diane Schuur, David “Fathead” Newman, Jay Clayton, Gary Peacock, Gene Bertoncini, Bud Shank, Red Holloway, Thomas Chapin, Machito, Puck Fair, Bobby Shew, Stanley Turrentine, Gerry Mulligan, Eddie Henderson, and Emily Remler, to name a few.
Peggy has toured throughout Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan. In addition, Peggy has worked as an educator for the past 20 years, at colleges in the US. She has given workshops throughout Europe (Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy), and the US. peggystern.com
Sunday, September 8, 5 to 7 pm: Andres Ramirez from the Funk Box Dance Studio teaches hip-hop in Dunham Mall
Andres Ramirez is a professional Breakdancer, instructor, and owner of The Funk Box Dance Studio in Pittsfield. He travels and competes frequently as well as hosts his own Hip Hop festival in his hometown. Andres trains and coaches young athletes and dancers who compete at both national and world-level events. His biggest passion, besides being a dad to 2 boys, is passing down knowledge to his students and promoting the positive influence that Hip Hop culture can bring to communities. Andres also performs and choreographs many pieces for his studio which have been displayed in theaters and stages across the region including Jacob’s Pillow.
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