Athenaeum jazz at the Neurosciences Institute fall season announced

LA JOLLA— The Athenaeum’s jazz program returns to The Neurosciences Institute this fall with three performances by some standout jazz artists.
The series begins Oct. 7 with an evening of Brazilian bossa nova and contemporary jazz featuring vocalist Luciana Souza with guitarist Larry Koonse and bassist Larry Klein. Souza made her Neurosciences debut in September 2001 with Danilo Perez, and last appeared on the Athenaeum’s Jazz at the Studio series in March 2008. In 2008 she won a Grammy award for her contributions to the Album of the Year, Herbie Hancock’s “River—The Joni Letters,” produced by Souza’s husband and bassist, Larry Klein. Of her latest CD, “Tide,” Billboard magazine wrote, “Souza continues her journey as a uniquely talented vocalist who organically crosses genre borders. Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates.”
On Nov. 17, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Darek Oles, and Bob Mintzer will appear as a quartet. Erskine and Pasqua appear at the Athenaeum for the first time since their fall 2007 performance celebrating the release of their Grammy-nominated trio CD Standards. For this concert they are joined by bassist Darek Oles, whose many Athenaeum appearances have included concerts with Charles Lloyd, Lee Konitz, Billy Childs, Bennie Maupin and his own co-led Los Angeles Jazz Quartet. Tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer — well known as a longtime member of top jazz fusion band Yellowjackets, as well as leader of his own Grammy-winning big band — rounds out this group.
The series concludes Nov. 28, with a special performance by the Mike Wofford New York Trio, featuring famed San Diego-based pianist Wofford with two of his favorite New York-based musicians, drummer Alvester Garnett and bassist Gregory Ryan. Wofford’s last Neurosciences appearance as a leader, in fall 2003, produced the pianist’s critically acclaimed trio CD, Live at Athenaeum Jazz. DownBeat called him “one of the outstanding pianists of our time.” Raised in San Diego, Wofford’s first professional performances date to the 1960s. From the 1970s to the 1990s, Wofford toured internationally with artists such as Lee Konitz, Benny Carter, and Zoot Sims, and as pianist and music director for both Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Wofford has led a number of top-flight trios over the years, and for this concert, he is joined by two New York musicians.
These concerts are part of Performing Arts at The Neurosciences Institute, a series of events presented in the Institute’s auditorium for the benefit of the community. This series is supported in part by the city of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and the county of San Diego.
All concerts are at 8 p.m. at The Neurosciences Institute, 10460 John Jay Hopkins Drive. Cost for the series is $69 for Athenaeum members, $84 for nonmembers, or single concerts at $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Visit www.ljathenaeum.org for information.