Sunday, January 21, 6 p.m.
The Redstone Room, 129 Main Street, Davenport IA
A nationally celebrated artist kicks off the 2018 season of Polyrhythms' Third Sunday Jazz Series, with the Redstone Room's January 21 event boasting a rare area appearance by bassist and jazz vocalist Fr. Stan Fortuna, performing as part of the Kindred Spirits duo with acclaimed local drummer Manuel Lopez III.
A Roman Catholic priest ordained in 1990, Fr. Fortuna is one of the eight founding members of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal – an order established in the Archdiocese of New York under the jurisdiction of John Cardinal O’Connor. Prior to his conversion, however, Fr. Fortuna was a professional jazz musician who often played sessions in New York City, performing at Birdland, Lincoln Center, and Town Hall alongside the likes of Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, Sal Mosca, Connie Crothers, and Lennie Popkin.
While studying to enter the priesthood, Fr. Fortuna was working in Spanish Harlem when he encountered hip-hop firsthand in the street – a style he refers to as “rhythm and rhyme” – and the artist eventually learned how to integrate this phenomenon and technique into his jazz music. He has since independently released over 20 CDs, DVDs, and books, and his local performance with drummer Lopez will give audiences an introduction to the “live loop” approach to improvisation and creation, with music ranging from originals to standards that showcase Fr. Fortuna’s singular blend of jazz and hip-hop.
Polyrhythms' 6 p.m. concert will be preceded by a 3 p.m. “Jazz Demystifying” workshop; tickets are $10-15 for the evening performance, with the workshop $5 for adults and free for students. For tickets and information, contact Polyrhythms at (309)373-0790 or Polyrhythms.org, or the Redstone Room at (563)326-1333 or RiverMusicExperience.org.
