This evening’s performance will showcase the talents of special guest Jason Picker on piano. Currently based in the United States, Jason is a recent graduate of the prestigious jazz program at the University of Southern California, where he studied under internationally recognized artists such as Russell Ferrante and Bob Mintzer of the Yellowjackets.
Jason met Justin Yeo (Tenor Saxophone) while on exchange at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and the pair played extensively together for a year before Jason returned to the States. This group will perform arrangements of standards from the Great American Songbook, as well as compositions by jazz legends like Cedar Walton and Wayne Shorter.
Kevin Hunt described the Justin Yeo Quartet with Jason Picker:
“The music of the Justin Yeo Quartet has a strong sense of adventure. The interaction between Jason Picker (piano, US) and Justin Yeo’s saxophone is exciting to listen to and observe. These young players are developing a strong musical bond while playing a lot of jazz tradition. I was thrilled with their opening of ‘Yes or No’ by the great Wayne Shorter. The rhythm section of Cairn Peterson (bass) and Elliott Carter (drums) is also an exciting pairing. Both players generate a lot of very tasteful energy. This will be a great night of music.”