Wednesday, February 28, 2024

7:30 PM

The series concludes Wednesday, February 28, with another local debut by the Berlin-based ECM Records artist, pianist Benjamin Lackner, with fellow ECM artist Oded Tzur on sax, Darek Oleszkiewicz on bass, and Mark Ferber on drums. Born in Berlin to an American father and a German mother, Lackner moved to California at age 13. He received a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts under the direction of Charlie Haden and David Roitstein, and from 1997 to 1998 he studied privately with his mentor, pianist Brad Mehldau. He has performed at numerous jazz festivals including North Sea, Montreux, and Monterey.

Thomas Conrad wrote in Stereophile, “ECM’s overarching identity encompasses distilled lyricism and an atmosphere of inwardness. What is noteworthy about Lackner is how his iteration of the aesthetic sounds so natural and instinctive. ECM released some fine albums in 2022 but few are more beautiful.” All About Jazz called Lackner’s music “spacious and deliberative, brimming with patiently articulated ruminations played out without flash or pretense as they explore the depths of time-stopping, enchanting loveliness.” Of his ECM label mate, Oded Tzur, All About Jazz wrote, “A thrilling new saxophone colossus … Exquisite, tender lyricism, composed and improvised, is punctuated by precisely articulated detonations of full-throated vocalized passion.”

The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.

Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.