Tribute to a music legend

This month, Concordia music professor and guitarist Gary Schwartz will present Lettingo: The Music and Influence of Ornette Coleman for the second time in a year. The performance is a tribute to the saxophonist, trumpeter and composer who is regarded as a founding father of the free jazz movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Surrounded by musicians of his choice, music professor Gary Schwartz (centre) plays Lettingo: The Music and Influence of Ornette Coleman during its first performance to a sold-out house at Montreal’s Théâtre Lachapelle in January 2010. | Photo courtesy of Gary Schwartz.

Schwartz will bring together 11 prolific musicians in the Montreal jazz community of music inspired by Coleman to interpret the often-complicated musical style of the legendary musician, and produce two evenings of music that will be accessible to any music lover.

“These are arranged pieces of Coleman’s tunes performed by incredible musicians. It’s not a whole night of playing freely,” says Schwartz. Lettingo first played to sold-out houses at Théâtre Lachapelle in January 2010.

Joining Schwartz will be his former students Josh Zubot (violin) and Claude Lavergne (drums/percussion), along with Ron Di Lauro (trumpet/flugelhorn), Alexandre Côté (tenor/soprano saxophones), Eric Hove (alto saxophone), Frank Lozano (tenor saxophone/bass clarinet), David Ryshpan (keyboard), Jonathan Cayer (keyboard), Nicolas Caloia (bass), and Isaiah Ceccarelli (drums/ percussion).

Lettingo will be performed January 17 and 18 at La Sala Rossa (4848 St. Laurent Blvd). Tickets are $20, or $15 for artists, students and seniors. For more info, call 514-284-0122.


Related Links:
•    Ornette Coleman Tribute, Lettingo. Montreal’s Théatre Lachapelle, January 15, 2010
•    Gary Schwartz on MySpace
•    Ornette Coleman