Brubeck’s Son Chris Brings ‘Triple Play’ Here
ONEONTA – Oneonta Concert Association presents Chris Brubeck’s “Triple Play” at 7:30 Friday, March 20, in SUNY Oneonta’s Hunt Union.
Brubeck (son of Dave Brubeck, at right) will perform on on trombone and piano; Joel Brown, folk and classical guitar, and Peter “Madcat” Ruth, harmonica and guitar. All three sing.
Triple Play’s musical roots go way back. Chris and Madcat have toured and recorded together since 1969, first as young rock musicians, then playing jazz touring the world with Dave Brubeck.
LISTEN TO ‘TRIPLE PLAY’ PERFORM ‘NEW STEW, OPUS 2’
Chris formed the group Crofut & Brubeck with the great banjo player Bill Crofut, and Joel on guitar. Their critically acclaimed CD, “Across Your Dreams”, featured mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade singing songs written by Chris, Dave, & Iola Brubeck. Next came “Bach to Brubeck” with the London Symphony Orchestra, which was also highly praised.
Bill Crofut died in 1999, and Madcat joined Chris and Joel to form the group “Triple Play.” Their first CD, “Triple Play Live”, was recorded at one of their college concerts. Of their second CD, “Watching the World,” All Music Guide wrote: “It’s great to hear a group that combines top-notch musicianship, potent originals, and a touch of humor.”
The Trio continues to play in concert halls, clubs, and festivals, including performing many of Chris’ symphonic arrangements with U.S. orchestras. Recently they played at the Monterey Jazz Festival and that evening were featured in the premiere of Dave Brubeck’s Cannery Row Suite.
Paul deBarros, writer for the Seattle Times and Downbeat, commented: “Triple Play is what jazz always was and always should be about: good-time rhythm, unbridled joy and the sweet release but bittersweet aftertaste of the blues. If there’s a better old-time blues and jazz harmonica player out there than Madcat Ruth, I’d sure love to know where he lives.” It’s truly kick back, bob your head, tap your feet music!
The “Triple Play” concert sponsor is SUNY College at Oneonta.
Opening the “Triple Play” concert will be OCA Young Artists
Dan Ainspan, a SUNY Oneonta senior who plays marimba and percussion, and Owen Nied, a Schoharie County high schooler. Owen is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, pianica, and percussion.) Owen will be playing guitar, Dan the marimba.
The “Triple Play” concert is free to Oneonta Concert Association subscribers, $25 for single tickets, $6 for students. Tickets are available at The Eighth Note Music Store, 10 S. Main St., The Green Toad Bookstore, 198 Main St., both in Oneonta, and at the door before the performance. For more information, go to www.oneontaconcertassociation.org or call 433-7252.