Artcore: Jay Reed Trio at First Presbyterian Church

Woody Shaw (Dec. 24th, 1944 � May 10th, 1989) may be the jazz trumpet’s least appreciated giant. Often described as the last great innovator, Shaw was a virtuoso who reinvented the way trumpeters play, and created his own harmonic and melodic language based partly on the innovations of Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. Although primarily known for his soloing virtuosity and imagination, Shaw’s compositions offer a fascinating look into his musical process and harmonic approach. This performance represents my personal journey of discovering Woody’s music; I’m excited and humbled to be accompanied by Ben Markley on Hammond organ and Ron Coulter on drums.
Jay Reed’s style and range in guitar has no limit but one; it’s got to be authentic. Reed’s journey as a musician has been influenced by the classic rock sounds of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, the technical brilliance and inimitable swing of Oscar Peterson, and the more modern sounds of John Scofield and Wayne Krantz, to name just a few.
Pianist Ben Markley is an active performer in the Denver area and can be seen regularly at in Ft. Collins as part of the Subterranean jazz trio. He serves as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wyoming and director of the UW Jazz Festival. Ben is active as a composer and arranger with many big band and vocal jazz charts published through UNC Jazz Press. Recent arranging commissions include the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia and Wyoming Jazz Educators All-State Jazz Band.
Ron Coulter is Instructor of Percussion and World Music at Casper College and has presented at more than 90 colleges and universities internationally. He has toured in 49 U.S. states, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan with artists such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Four Aces, Laptop Orchestra, and Wyoming Symphony. He is co-founder of the Percussion Art Ensemble, and founder of the Southern Illinois Improvisation Series. Ron’s compositions number 300 for various media.