World Premiere, commissioned by Hudson Hall

“A brilliant, visionary talent” – JazzTimes

Featuring Meshell Ndegeocello, JK Kim and Milena Casado

Forward-thinking pianist Aaron Parks is an artist whose sound has evoked everything from indie-rock and hip-hop to the tradition that threads back through Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, and Nat Cole. He came to the public’s attention during his time with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, with whom he has recorded three albums and appeared on his soundtracks to the Spike Lee films Inside Man, She Hate Me, and When the Levees Broke.

In this special Hudson Jazz Festival commission, Parks premieres a new composition for an acoustic quartet of piano, bass, drums, and trumpet, interwoven with storytelling, questionings, and other vocal contributions from Philadelphia-based artist, activist, and community organizer Samantha Rise.

The lineup:
Aaron Parks – piano
Samantha Rise – vocals
Meshell Ndegeocello – bass
JK Kim – drums
Milena Casado – flugelhorn and trumpet

View the full 2023 Hudson Jazz Festival lineup here.

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• Hudson Hall’s programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Governor and the New York Legislature.