de Blasiis Chamber Series Presents: Alyssa Verheyn, jazz percussion, with the David Restivo, Piano, Luke Sellick, Bass and Special Guest Christine Jensen, Saxophone

$25 / $10 students

The Glens Falls Symphony’s Alyssa Verheyn, jazz percussionist, performs with world-renowned composer David Restivo (piano), Luke Sellick (bass), and special guest Christine Jensen (saxophone) as they usher in Springtime with Jazz!

David Restivo & Christine Jensen — Bio:

As a Downbeat Critic’s Poll winner for Rising Star Big Band, Arranger, and Soprano Saxophonist, Vancouver Island-born Christine Jensen is constantly in motion leading her own jazz orchestra and small ensemble. Her jazz orchestra recordings have gone on to win Juno awards, including Habitat (2014) and Treelines (2011). She is a two-time recipient of SOCAN’s Hagood Hardy Jazz Composer Award. Habitat received the coveted 5 stars in Downbeat, along with being included at the top of several international critic’s polls, including Jazz Album of the Year in 2014.

Christine has received numerous commissions, performance and conducting opportunities in Canada, the US and Europe, and has performed with Jeremy Pelt, Phil Dwyer, Ben Monder, Gary Smuylan, Geoffrey Keezer, Lenny Pickett, and Donny McCaslin, as well as directing Terence Blanchard with the Orchestre National Jazz de Montreal. She is founding artistic director and conductor of the Canadian National Jazz Orchestra, as well as the past artistic director of Orchestre National Jazz de Montreal. She also collaborates frequently with her sister, the acclaimed trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.

Christine joined the Eastman School of Music as professor of jazz studies in 2022, where she teaches jazz composition and arranging courses as well as directing the award-winning Eastman Jazz Ensemble.

Born in Lansing, Michigan, molded by the mountains and coasts of New England, and based primarily in Toronto, Canada since 1982, award-winning pianist and composer David Restivo has been a sought-after and influential figure in Canada’s jazz community since the late 1980s. He recently relocated to Nelson, BC after accepting an offer to join the full-time music faculty at Selkirk College.

Well-known for his work with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, the Mike Murley Quintet, and legendary songwriter Marc Jordan, David has performed and recorded with such renowned artists as Dave Holland, Curtis Fuller, Mel Tormé, Kenny Wheeler, Jon Hendricks, and David Clayton-Thomas. A dedicated music educator for over 20 years, he has previously taught at Humber College, the Banff Centre for the Arts, and the University of Toronto.

David’s own teachers have included Muhal Richard Abrams, Jim McNeely, and Kenny Werner. His most recent trio recording, Arancina, was released to critical acclaim and was nominated for a JUNO Award in 2022. "...simply one of the most exceptional jazz pianists of his generation that Canada can boast of..." (Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal).

Dave and Christine have a long history of friendship and musical collaboration that stretches back to the 1990s, and they are looking forward to rekindling their creative partnership for this special performance. Rounding out the group will be Dave’s regular trio mates, the prolific Canadian bassist Jim Vivian and brilliant Upstate New York drummer Alyssa Falk Verheyn.

Alyssa Falk Verheyn — Bio:

Alyssa Falk Verheyn is a JUNO-nominated drummer, percussionist, educator, and clinician based in the capital district. Her talents and unique style have led her around the world to perform in a variety of settings. Alyssa holds degrees in both classical/jazz performance and education, receiving degrees from the Crane School of Music (2004) and Manhattan School of Music (2006).

In the United States, Alyssa has performed and recorded with a variety of traditional and experimental jazz groups including artists such as Steve Wilson, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman and Bret Zvacek, among countless others. In Canada, she has shared the stage with acclaimed artists Alex Dean, Pat LaBarbera, Dave Restivo, John Geggie, Sienna Dahlen, Jim Vivian and Christine Jensen. She has recorded as a sideman on numerous projects throughout the years and continues to record actively with new up-and-coming projects in the area. Alyssa was the recipient of the IAJE Sisters in Jazz Award honoring women in jazz at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival.

She has toured as the drummer with the American Wind Symphony and is currently a tenured percussionist in the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra as well as the drummer for the Adirondack Theater Festival. Internationally, Alyssa has mentored jazz students as part of many different festivals. She is currently the Conductor of the Repertory Jazz Orchestra at the Empire State Youth Orchestra. With a passion for teaching, she maintains an active career in music education working in both the public school and college settings year round. She is currently a band/orchestra teacher in the Queensbury School District where she lives with her husband and two children.

Luke Sellick — Bio:

Luke Sellick is a bassist, composer and teacher from Winnipeg, Canada. Now a mainstay on the NYC scene, Luke has been the bassist-of-choice for many jazz artists including Monty Alexander, Russell Malone, Benny Golson and others.

Luke’s musical education began in Canada where he was home-schooled and attended the University of Manitoba’s jazz program. In 2012 he moved to New York to pursue his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School, where he was mentored by legendary bassist Ron Carter. Luke received his ‘on-the-job’ training as a member of the Johnny O’Neal Trio, with whom he performed weekly at classic NYC jazz clubs Smoke, Smalls and Mezzrow for several years.

Luke has several albums out under his name including his most recent quintet recording DISCOVERY. Other current projects include his duo records SMALL VACATION and ABERDEEN BLUES with guitarist Andrew Renfroe, a praise and worship album HERE COMES HEAVEN with Kate Chong and Monty Alexander’s recent jazz chart-topping release “D-DAY”. He is currently based in Washington Heights, NYC, and has performed worldwide with many preeminent jazz artists including George Coleman, Houston Person, Kenny Barron, Jimmy Greene, Renee Rosnes, Ron Blake, Lewis Nash, Carl Allen, Peter Bernstein, Donald Vega, and a great many others.

Luke currently travels and performs extensively as the bassist in the Monty Alexander Trio. In addition to his busy touring schedule, Luke can often be heard at his church in NYC, CityLight. Luke’s musical philosophy is epitomized in the words of J. S. Bach, that the end of all music is none other than glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit.