The Avram Theater recently hosted a concert as part of The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series, featuring the Dan Pugach Big Band with guest vocalist Allison Rumley. Held on May 29 at Stony Brook Southampton, the event was titled "The Art of New" and highlighted selections from drummer-composer Dan Pugach's Grammy Award-winning album, Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence, alongside other compositions.
"We’re here to play some original music by a living composer, if you can call me living, and some arrangements of different, Great American Songbook [selections] and some pop and folk songs," said Pugach. "It’s kind of an eclectic ensemble."
Pugach has received several accolades including a Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, the ASCAP Foundation Jazz Composer Award, the BMI Charlie Parker Composition Prize, and participation in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency Program at the Kennedy Center.
Allison Rumley is known for her roots in gospel and soul music. She co-leads the Big Beat Big Band, which features her vocals and compositions. On performing at Stony Brook Southampton, she commented: "It’s always really just a real treat to find places that are welcoming to big bands and want to continue that tradition... And just the opportunity to perform with this Grammy-winning band, the incredible arrangements, incredible music. Very excited about that."
Tom Manuel, Stony Brook University Jazz Department Endowed Artist in Residence Fellow, noted that the series brings performances typically seen at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook closer to residents of the Hamptons. “There’s plenty of great cultural opportunities out here," he stated. "And so even though we present 200 performances at The Jazz Loft and have wonderful programming at the Staller Center, it’s really wonderful for us to be able to take what we’re doing in Stony Brook and bring it a little bit closer for folks on the East End.”
The next concert in the series is scheduled for June 19 with a Juneteenth performance titled "Long Island Jazz Legends & Local Juke Joints," featuring Project 464.
Wendy Pearson from Stony Brook Southampton expressed gratitude for their collaboration with The Jazz Loft: “We are so blessed to have this collaboration with The Jazz Loft because they have all of these wonderful connections,” she said. “We hope people will come out and see what we’re doing here.”
Tickets for The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series can be purchased online.