The Laurence Hobgood Trio at the Sound Conservatory Music Academy & Shoppe -- May 28.
Sunday, May 28, 5 p.m.
Sound Conservatory Music Academy & Shoppe, 1600 Second Avenue, Rock Island IL
Performing in a rare Polyrhythms concert event held in addition to the organization's monthly Third Sunday Jazz Workshop & Matinée series, the acclaimed artists of the Laurence Hobgood Trio take the stage at Rock Island's Sound Conservatory Music Academy & Shoppe on May 28, the group lauded by the Chicago Tribune for delivering “power without noise, energy without haste, drama without overstatement.”
Contemporary pianist, composer, producer, educator, multiple Grammy Award nominee, and 2010 Grammy winner Laurence Hobgood has enjoyed a multi-faceted and dynamic career. Recognized for his dazzling piano technique and signature composing and arranging styles, he has been transporting audiences both at home and abroad for over 30 years. In 2003, Hobgood received ASCAP's Deems Taylor Award, given for outstanding music journalism, for his article “The Art of the Trio” in JazzTimes magazine, and Hobgood’s 2013 release Christmas was chosen by both the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune as one of the top holiday CDs of the year. In the Times, Nate Chinen called the release a “beautifully recorded album,” while the Tribune’s Howard Reich wrote, “Can overplayed holiday repertoire be transformed into art? It can when Hobgood is at work, the pianist turning in one of the most appealing recordings of an already distinguished career with Christmas."
Joining Hobgood in his trio is Australian bassist Matt Clohesy, who left his hometown of Melbourne for the United States in 2001, and has since gained recognition as an acoustic and electric bassist who has toured and recorded with such notable band leaders as Seamus Blake, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Geoffrey Keezer, Eric Reed, Kevin Hays, and Ingrid Jensen. And rounding out the ensemble is drummer, composer, and bandleader Jared Schonig, a Carnegie Hall veteran who has toured and/or recorded with Nicholas Payton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Donny McCaslin, and currently performs with the vocal super-group Duchess.
“We first met Laurence Hobgood when he appeared with Kurt Elling at our Third Sunday Jazz Workshop & Matinee Series in 2007 and helped us appreciate the quality of education and excellence,” said Polyrhythms founderNate Lawrence. “In 2013, he returned with the Laurence Hobgood Quintet, featuring the great Ernie Watts on sax and a young Marquis Hill on trumpet. In 2014, along with the acclaimed vocalist Tammy McCann, he helped us launch our inaugural Jazz & Heritage Festival. And in 2017, he helped Polyrhythms celebrate ‘the gift of the piano.’ His skills and his friendship have always been timely and genuine.”
Lawrence continued, "In rare company, the likes of Bill Bell and Willie Pickens, as performers who have been very instrumental in helping Polyrhythms keep the Quad Cities connected to the Jazz world, is Laurence Hobgood. A virtuoso pianist, his playing is way past anything I could say about it. We feel very fortunate to have had the pleasure of his performances at our programs as well as his friendship over these many years.”
The Laurence Hobgood Trio plays Rock Island's Sound Conservatory Music Academy & Shoppe on May 28, admission to the 5 p.m. concert is $25, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)373-0790 and visiting Polyrhythms.org,
