Congratulations to all the recent award winners with connections to Purchase College! This month, we continue to shine a spotlight on their achievements.
Nicole Zuraitis, Lecturer of Jazz Studies, Voice. Grammy winner for the Best Jazz Vocal Album for How Love Begins
Listen to “Reverie” (Claude Debussy) on You Tube
Arranged with original lyrics by Nicole Zuraitis, featuring Christian McBride, bass; Gilad Hekselman, guitar; Billy Kilson, drums; and Nicole Zuraitis, voice/piano.
For a look behind the curtain, watch the Nicole Zuraitis documentary “How Love Begins, Began”.
The New York Public Library:
Christian McBride with Nelson George: The Movement Revisited | LIVE from NYPL
In the 2/26 livestream, the Grammy-winning bassist and composer spoke about his work at the intersection of art and advocacy. Listen for the mention of Purchase’s own Grammy winner Samara Joy right before the 50-minute mark.
Watch “Christian McBride with Nelson George: The Movement Revisited” on YouTube
Eddie Palmieri was at The Purchase PAC last month for the Purchase College Latin Jazz Festival and A Tribute to Eddie Palmieri featuring the Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra. Hear why he’s one of the greats: Eddie Palmieri Unplugged: Exclusive Interview & Live Performance
Eddie Palmieri: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Different Tiny Desk performers pop up in NPR Music’s workspace just about every week, and frequently more often than that. While every artist is special, it’s rare to have a true legend come through. Eddie Palmieri is that once-in-a-lifetime musician, bandleader, composer, and arranger. An icon for modern and Latin jazz, he continues to break tradition and innovate within many musical styles, including salsa, fusion, Latin funk, and more.
Watch a recording of the Eddie Palmieri Tiny Desk Concert on YouTube
Coming this month to The Purchase PAC
Doug Varone and Dancers
Saturday, March 16, 8pm
Choreographer and Purchase alumnus Doug Varone brings his company, Doug Varone and Dancers, to The Purchase PAC this month to present a brand-new work to the Purchase community, one week before the premiere in NYC. Say you saw it here first!
Visit The Purchase PAC website to learn more and get tickets to see Doug Varone and Dancers “To My Arms/Restore” on March 16.
PAC-TV presents Doug Varone: Work-in-Progress (March 2020)
In early 2020, choreographer Doug Varone spent two weeks on campus, creating a new work that was to premiere at The Purchase PAC on March 28, 2020. It was to feature students from the Conservatory of Dance as well as members of his own company, Doug Varone and Dancers. In March, the COVID-19 pandemic forced The Purchase PAC to close its doors, and the premiere could not take place. Fortunately, some of the rehearsals were recorded and have been edited into a short “behind the scenes” feature for PAC-TV.
Watch the PAC-TV episode featuring Doug Varone
Sing & Swing: A Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS Production
Sunday March 24, 5pm
Celebrate the Great American Songbook in all of its playful and sophisticated glory brought to life by Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III, two of New York’s brightest young jazz artists. Featuring songs by Gershwin, Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and many more, this will be an “unforgettable” evening of singin’ and swingin’!
Get tickets for Sing & Swing at The Purchase PAC
Listen to “In a Mellow Tone” with Benny Benack III, featuring Bria Skonberg, on You Tube
Finally, in keeping with this month’s jazzy mood, here’s a jazzy composition celebrating its centennial in 2024:
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center:
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue for Piano, Four Hands (1924)
Artists: Alessio Bax, Wu Han, piano
Watch CMS of Lincoln Center perform George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue on You Tube
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Culture Picks celebrates the performing arts. In each post, PAC staff member Coni Guhl shines the spotlight on work by artists that you know and love from their appearances at The Purchase PAC, and offers recommendations about other performing arts events that you really should not miss. Experience them all!
All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.
Pictured: Nicole Zuraitis accepts her Grammy Award (c) Rich Polk / Billboard / Getty
