Peggy Stern Duo with Peter Barshay


Photo by Frank Hanny


Peggy Stern began playing Classical piano at an early age, continuing her studies at the Eastman School of Music, and finishing a Masters Degree at the New England Conservatory. And then she began to improvise.

While living in San Francisco, she played in salsa bands, notably Azteca and Supercombo with Benny Vallarde. She did a stint in an R&B band (called Cat's Cradle) with singer Linda Tillery, and was "instructed" by Paul Jackson (bass) and Mike Clark (drums) of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. Subsequently, Peggy moved to New York, absorbing the piano stylings of greats such as Jimmy Rowles and Tommy Flanagan.

At Stan Getz's memorial service, Peggy was introduced to Lee Konitz, who had heard Peggy with Marian McPartland on "Piano Jazz" the previous week. Their subsequent collaboration led to their first CD, "Lunasea", on the Soul Note label. The following year, Philology Records released "The Jobim Collection", a duo recording with Mr. Konitz.

Peggy's next album was a trio CD on Philology as well, entitled "Pleiades", featuring Ben Allison on bass, and Jeff Williams on drums.

In 1995, Peggy collaborated with the late saxophonist Thomas Chapin, yielding the CD, "The Fuchsia" on the Koch label, followed in 1997 by "Room Enough" with Harvie S on bass and Jeff Williams on drums, and "Actual Size" featuring drum legend Bernard Purdie in 2000.

Peggy has toured throughout Europe, the US, Canada, and Japan. In addition, Peggy has worked as an educator for the past 20 years, at colleges in the US. She has given workshops throughout Europe (Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy), and the US.

Peggy has worked and toured with many wonderful musicians: Lee Konitz, Diane Schuur, Jay Clayton, Gary Peacock, Gene Bertoncini, Bud Shank, Red Holloway, Billy Drewes, Machito, Bobby Shew, Gerry Mulligan, Eddie Henderson, Emily Remler, to name a few.

This performance will be the West Coast CD release party for Peggy's latest recording, "Estrella Trio".

http://www.peggystern.com/


Peter Barshay is a veteran bassist who has established a strong reputation over the years from his sideman work on both the New York City and Bay Area jazz scenes. He has performed with such jazz luminaries as Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Woody Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Blue Mitchell, Tony Williams, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Johnny Griffin, Bobby McFerrin, Jimmy Rowles, Tommy Flanagan, the Mingus Big Band, Victor Lewis, Lou Donaldson, Lew Tabackin and Joe Chambers.

Barshay began cello lessons at age nine. During his year at the San Francisco Conservatory Peter was able to add one particularly impressive name to his resume. "I actually got to play under Igor Stravinksy," he explains. "It was for the official opening of Zellerbach Auditorium in 1968 and they commissioned Stravinsky to come here and conduct four concerts.”

Peter has appeared at Chez Hanny with Larry Schneider, Michael O'Neill, and Dave Scott.

http://peterbarshay.com/


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