Tickets
Non-Members: $25
Members: $15
“I think the main thing a musician would like to do is give a picture to the listener of the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe,” says John Coltrane, one of Mercer Shavelson’s many musical influences. Join us for an intimate performance with Mercer Quintet, a collaborative modern jazz ensemble comprised of Mercer Shavelson, Adam Cordero, Gary Jones III, Nick Panoutsos and Alexandra Ridout.
Drawing from a multitude of influences including Hip-hop, Avant-garde Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, and Folk music from around the globe, Mercer Quintet invites the audience to enjoy a preview of newly developed pieces inspired by known experiences and curiosity of the unknown.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM & ARTISTS
MERCER SHAVELSON
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Mercer Shavelson is an up-and-coming Keyboardist/Composer based in Queens. Shavelson grew up in Sea Cliff, NY, a small town in Long Island, and has been around music all his life. This has led him to a flourishing music career, which so far has been characterized by unique explorations into instrumentation, groove, and harmony. The son of a jazz singer, Mercer attributes much of his musical inspiration to jazz icons such as Bill Evans and John Coltrane, though he has also been influenced by a wide array of different musical traditions and artists, ranging from the Armenian Folk-Infused music of Tigran Hamasyan to Hip-hop groups such as The Roots.
ADAM CORDERO
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New York native Adam Cordero is a saxophonist, clarinetist, bassoonist, composer, and educator, based in Queens, New York. His dedication to music has led him to play at the most established jazz venues in the NYC area such as The Jazz Gallery, Smalls Jazz Club, Roulette Intermedium, and Williamsburg Music Center. In 2022, Adam’s career as a bassoonist led him to collaborate with avant-garde jazz legend & Pulitzer Prize winner, Henry Threadgill for his multimedia project “The Other One” which was performed live at Roulette Intermedium and released as an album in 2023. Adam teaches his own studio of students privately and is an adjunct faculty member at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. As well as establishing a career as an artist & educator, Adam is invested in bringing the modern Jazz Community together – He is a leading founder of the music venue Julian’s NYC & the record label, Tidebloom Records.
GARY JONES III
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Gary Jones III is a 23-year-old percussionist and composer based in Manhattan, New York. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Gary has drawn a tremendous influence from Gospel and Hip Hop music growing up. Over the past few years, while attending the New School College of the Performing Arts, Gary has been studying traditional, avant-garde, and contemporary jazz with a notable list of artists, including Buster Williams, Dave Glasser, and Matt Wilson. Gary has worked and performed with many prestigious artists such as Terence Blanchard, Reggie Workman, Dominick Farinacci, and Cisco Swank among others. Gary has a deep passion for art and cherishes every moment serving as a creative vessel. His mission is to bring the community together through his music.
NICK PANOUTSOS
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Bassist Nick Panoutsos has become an increasingly prominent voice in the New York City jazz community since moving from the Sang Francisco Bay Area in 2016. HE has earned a reputation as a versatile collaborartor and leader on both upright and electric bass. His debut album, Monos, features solo bass arrangements of his own compositions and Greek Folk songs.
ALEXANDRA RIDOUT
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Awards ‘Rising Star’ (2018), ‘London’s Most Influential People’ under 25 (2019), Parliamentary Jazz Awards nominee (2020), Laurie Frink Career Grant winner (2022), ‘Best Soloist’ at ‘Keep an Eye International Jazz Award 2023’, 2nd Place at the Prestigious Caruso International Jazz Trumpet competition (2023). Alexandra’s recent worldwide touring highlights include: Renee Rosnes’ Blue Note signed Artemis, Orlando Le Fleming’s ‘Romantic Funk,’ Dayna Stephen’s ‘Customer Deluxe,’ Jochen Rueckert quartet, Arturo O’Farril’s Grammy-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and was a featured artist with Pablo Held.
She appeared twice in the 2018 BBC Proms and was a featured performer/composer in the International Festival of New Trumpet Music in New York in 2022. Recently, she brought her new sextet to Jazz Gallery in NYC.