The Jazz Gallery Presents: Jazz Composers Showcase, vol. 16

Stephen Philip Harvey, Courtney Wright, and Rafael Piccolotto de Lima. Photos courtesy of the artists.

This week, The Jazz Gallery brings back the long-running Jazz Composers Showcase, featuring new works for big band that aren’t heard often in New York. The sixteenth edition of this showcase will feature works from composers Stephen Philip Harvey, Courtney Wright, and Rafael Piccolotto de Lima.

Harvey is a saxophonist, composer, and educator, living and teaching on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He released his debut album Suite Childhood in 2016, and has just released Smash! with his full big band. Check out the skronky and assertive piece “Mechanical Men” below.

A native of northern Virginia, baritone saxophonist Courtney Wright has studied at the University of North Texas and the Manhattan School of Music, honing a voice that is deeply invested in classic post-bop. She’ll perform original music at the likes of Bar Bayeux and Williamsburg Music Center, or explore the music of the great Pepper Adams at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Check out her hard-swinging composition “Joey in the Pocket,” performed by Gary Smulyan and the North Texas One O’Clock Band.

Brazilian composer/arranger Rafael Piccolotto de Lima began his musical studies in São Paulo, before heading to the University of Miami for graduate school. Piccolott is adept at synthesizing contrasting instruments and idioms, particularly on his new album with guitarist Romero Lubambo.

Don’t miss the chance to hear these three composers present their big band works on The Jazz Gallery stage for the first time.

The Jazz Gallery presents the Jazz Composers Showcase, vol. 16, on Thursday, June 23, 2022. The evening will feature works by Stephen Philip Harvey, Courtney Wright, and Rafael Piccolotto de Lima. The band features Jay Rattman, Ethan Helm, Quinsin Nachoff, Jasper Dutz, and Courtney Wright on woodwinds; Roger Garcia Jr., Jonathan Challoner, David Adawumi, and Andrew Wagner on trumpets; Nick Grinder, Nick Vayenas, Evan Amoroso, and Jennifer Wharton on trombones; Olli Hirvonen on guitar; Martha Kato on piano; Evan Gregor on bass; and Ronen Itzik on drums. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. E.D.T. $15 general admission (FREE for members), $25 reserved cabaret seating ($10 for members) for each set. Purchase tickets here.