Jeff Rupert & Richard Drexler: “The Music of Stan Getz” Join us as we explore the music & influence of "The Sound," legendary saxophonist, Stan Getz, in an intimate duo setting with an all-star lineup, featuring a masterclass (6PM, FREE) and concert event (8PM)! Presented by the BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation.
Concert + Masterclass

“Flawless technique, perfect time, melodic sense and more than enough harmonic expertise, fabulous memory, and great ears. Add a superb sense of dynamics, pacing, and format. Top this off with a sound of pure gold, and you have Stan Getz,” pianist Lou Levy once said of the legendary saxophonist. A versatile artist with a signature sound, Getz made his mark across multiple genres including early swing, bebop, cool jazz & bossa nova.
 
We are most excited to present acclaimed saxophonist, Jeff Rupert, and pianist, Richard Drexler, in an intimate duo setting as we explore the music & influence of “The Sound,” Stan Getz.
 

 
Rupert has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings with artists including Maynard Ferguson, Sam Rivers, Mel Tormé, Diane Schuur and Benny Carter. He played on Carter’s Harlem Renaissance which won a Grammy. He played and arranged for the New Jersey-based Blues band The Fins. He has also performed with Kevin Mahogany, Ernestine Anderson, Joe Farnsworth, Ray Drummond, Harry Allen, pianist Benny Green, Kenny Drew jr, trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman, and pianist and singer Judy Carmichael.
 

“We [Rupert & Drexler] share an appreciation of the lyrical melodies and fascinating harmonies of Ravel, Scriabin, Debussy, Jan Hammer, Coltrane, Joe Henderson and many other composers. Richard and the late Kenny Drew Jr. have been my closest cohorts regarding these artistic endeavors. We have also enjoyed the ferocity of swing in the music of Oscar Peterson and Stan Getz. Richard and I focus on these qualities on this album recorded in a duo setting…”
-Jeff Rupert

 
Multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger and producer Richard Drexler, an Illinois native, has been based in Florida since 1985 and is now on the road frequently with the Jeff Berlin Trio. A couple of long house pianist stints kept him busy for nine years in the Tampa Bay area, where he performed with many visiting artists. More recently he has done some touring with the Jeff Berlin Trio and with the Woody Herman Orchestra and trombonist John Allred, among others. He has been working as bassist in the Kenny Drew Jr. trio and regularly appearing as a bassist or pianist/vocalist in the jazz clubs of central Florida. Singers he has accompanied include Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Bob Dorough, Mose Allison, Roseanna Vitro, Vic Damone, Al Jarreau, Connie Francis, Dena DeRose and Karrin Allyson.
 
Get your tickets today for this very special live concert experience – one night only at BLU!
 

$15/$20, ($10 students w/ ID at door)