Marco Pignataro
“Dream Alliance” feat. Kenny Werner & Marco Pignataro presents "Awakening". (Full Concert)
GBH Music and JazzBoston present JazzNOW "Awakening": an evening featuring renowned American jazz pianist Kenny Werner and Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro as they collaborate in their new project “Dream Alliance,” which includes vocalist/guitarist Nadia Washington, and Devon Gates on double bass and voice. “Dream Alliance” aims to promote and inspire intergenerational dialogues through music and art, blending jazz, vocal music and poetry as a cultural message for restoration, hope and collective dreams.
“Awakening” is a combination of original poetry and these musical selections:
Because – Lennon/McCartney, arr. Morrin
Inspiration – Werner
Farfallina – Pignataro, arr. Morrin
Alone Again Naturally – O’Sullivan, arr. Morrin
I Caught a Reflection of Me – Pignataro
Send One Your Love – Wonder, arr. Pignataro & Washington
Moon Threads – Pignataro, arr Morrin
Stand By Me – King, arr. Gates
All poems and concert script written by Marco Pignataro
The “Dream Alliance” ensemble includes:
Kenny Werner is an award-winning pianist, composer and Grammy-nominated artist. Werner has released more than 30 CDs as a leader and has composed for many major jazz ensembles and symphony orchestras worldwide. His album of original compositions called No Beginning No End—a meditation on loss, death and renewal—resulted in his being awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2010. For more information, visit kennywerner.com.
Marco Pignataro is a multitalented Italian saxophone player, composer, and educator. Together with Danilo Perez, Marco currently leads the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI), the world premiere jazz center of musical creativity at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has shared stages with artists such as Eddie Gomez, Joanne Brackeen, Danilo Pérez, George Garzone, John Patitucci, Rufus Reid, Adam Cruz, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ben Street, Brian Lynch, Billy Drummond, Billy Hart, Victor Lewis, Clark Terry, and Jon Faddis, among others. Pignataro’s latest virtual project, called “Passione-Canto Italiano,” was recorded in December 2020 at the GBH Studios in Boston with John Patitucci, Alan Pasqua, Adam Cruz and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Marco Pignataro is a D'addario Woodwind Recording Artist and Endorser for Mauriat & Lupifaro Saxophones.More information, visit marcopignataro.com.
Nadia Washington is a songwriter, producer, educator and vocalist. Her music—a blend of jazz, soul, R&B and world music—has been performed in Russia, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. She is a faculty member in the Ear Training and Voice Department at Berklee College of Music and the Berklee Global Jazz Institute.
Devon Gates is a bassist and vocalist. She released the album Playing the Music of Roy Hargrove in 2019 and is pursuing a dual degree with Harvard University and Berklee College of Music. Gates performs and arranges for the Harvard Opportunes a capella ensemble. She recently composed an original work for the Harvard Choruses and will be featured in Berklee Press’s New Standards book of compositions by 101 female jazz composers, curated by Terri Lyne Carrington.
Eric Jackson, host of GBH’s Eric in the Evening, will be the event moderator and will host a conversation with the musicians following the 8pm performance.
The free tickets for JazzNOW: Awakening, with “Dream Alliance,” featuring Kenny Werner and Marco Pignataro were provided through the generosity of GBH Music, with support from the Mass Cultural Council and BioMed Realty, but event registration is required. Secure your seats today.
Please note that by registering for this event your name and email will be shared with GBH Music and JazzBoston.
About Jazz Boston: JazzBoston connects, promotes and advocates for the musicians, audiences and venues of Greater Boston’s dynamic and diverse jazz community. The nonprofit organization spreads the music and message of jazz and celebrates Boston as one of the world’s great jazz cities. Find more information at jazzboston.org.