Danny Green; Photo Credit: Sasha Israel
Peter Sprague
Mack Leighton
Monday, February 19, 2024
12 PM
Danny Green
Over the past decade, jazz pianist and Origin Records recording artist Danny Green has earned recognition as a bandleader and as a composer with a gift for spinning supple, absorbing narratives. Green’s growing portfolio of vibrant sounds—an enchanting mix of jazz, classical, and Brazilian rhythms—has captured the attention of critics around the world, including DownBeat Magazine, Jazziz, San Diego Union Tribune, the Boston Globe, and Public Radio International. It’s no small wonder that Green has earned two San Diego Music awards for Best Jazz Album and an additional award for Best Jazz Artist. Green takes listeners on a journey that is equal parts introspective and exuberant, and always compelling.
According to JazzReview.com, “Danny Green is what evolution in jazz is all about, expressing the traits of those that came before him, with a style and panache that is all his own…an individual who expresses what is inside of him.”
Peter Sprague
Peter Sprague was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1955 into a musical family. They moved to Del Mar in 1963. He started playing guitar when he was 12 and attended a year of study at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. In 1976 he moved to Boston, where he studied with Pat Metheny and classical guitarist Albin Zak. Returning to California in 1978, he formed a group called The Dance of the Universe Orchestra, featuring vocalist Kevyn Lettau.
Peter has recorded over 30 of his own albums and has been part of over 300 others. In addition to performing and recording, he recorded 4 albums with Charles McPherson and later established a long-standing performing and recording relationship with Chick Corea. He organized Corea’s music in book form for publishing and published a book of his own transcriptions of Corea’s piano solos.
In 1985 he accepted teaching positions at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and at CalArts in Los Angeles and has published several books of his pedagogy and compositions. Peter has a recording studio where he records, produces, and composes.
Mack Leighton
Bassist Mackenzie Leighton is a bass player specializing in jazz and theater. He has worked with jazz legends Donald Brown and Geoffrey Keezer, as well as San Diego jazz heroes Peter Sprague and Gilbert Castellanos. Mack has also worked at many local theaters, including The Old Globe. In his career, he has performed in a wide range of styles and settings ranging from a one-off concert with tango master Raul Jaurena to a 6-week cruise ship residency with Grammy-winning bluesman Sugar Blue.
Free concerts at noon every Monday from fall through spring . . . no wonder the Mini-Concerts are the longest-running and one of the most popular classical music series at the library! This series was founded by Glenna Hazleton in 1970 at the Athenaeum, and has been going strong ever since. The concerts feature both local and touring musicians, prize-winning students, university music faculty members, local chamber ensembles. . . and the repertoire also includes jazz, folk and world music. There are no reservations, no tickets . . . just line up at the side door of the Athenaeum before noon. (Donations are always welcome!) Mini-Concerts take place every Monday at noon and last about an hour.
The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Doors open at 11:50 a.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.