Quarteto Nuevo brings genre-busting music to The Myrna Loy Nov. 17 and Hamilton Performing Arts Center Nov. 19.
Award-winning world chamber music ensemble Quarteto Nuevo returns to Montana, following a much-lauded tour in Fall 2021, performing 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at The Myrna Loy, and Nov. 19 at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center.
They’ll perform “Jazz Road Suite,” which they composed on that tour, including its “Big Sky” movement, inspired by Montana’s landscapes.
“Besides some of our original work, we’ll do some classical chamber music, particularly some tangos by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla,” says Damon Zick, who plays soprano saxophone and alto flute with the quartet, of the Myrna performance.
“We’ll also be doing some works by great jazz composer and pianist Chick Corea, also a beautiful piece that comes out of the American fiddle tradition by Mark O’Connor called ‘Appalachia Waltz.’”
And they’ll share original works from their second CD, “2,” which will be officially released this spring but will be available at the concert.
The band members are all freelance musicians in Los Angeles who play for everything from symphony orchestras, to jazz gigs and movie recordings.
“We were all looking to play all the music we love, but in one setting,” says Zick. “We want to be able to play in the classical style, and we want to be able to play in the jazz style, and to combine them all.”
Joining Zick is Jacob Szekely on cello, Kenton Youngstrom, guitar, and Felipe Fraga, hand percussion.
They’ve been widely praised by music critics and arts venues alike.
“Quarteto Nuevo’s incredible musicianship shines on record, but they must truly be seen to be appreciated to the fullest. Deftly weaving between jazzy improvisation and syncopations that surprise and delight, these four musicians are truly a symphony unto themselves,” writes John Arvish, program host for Montana Public Radio.
And All About Jazz raves, “They effectively meld the music of ancient worlds and faraway places with a contemporary groove that packs a wallop!”
Helena: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at The Myrna. Tickets are $25 and available at 15 N. Ewing St. and online. For more information, call 406-443-0287.
Hamilton: 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center; tickets are $42-$45. Call 406-363-7946 or order online.