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APRIL 2, 2009 ISSUE

Blowing Rock Jazz Society Hosts Page Brothers at Meadowbrook Sunday

Story by David Brewer

This Sunday, April 5, the Blowing Rock Jazz Society will host guitarist Andy Page for an evening of eclectic jazz, including several of his original compositions. Joining Page will be his brother, bassist Zack Page, pianist Ryan Weaver and drummer Ocie Davis.

This Sunday, April 5, brothers Andy and Zack Page will team up with pianist Ryan Weaver and drummer Ocie Davis for an eclectic night of jazz for the Blowing Rock Jazz Society’s monthly concert. The show will take place at the Meadowbrook Inn and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday’s performance will include original jazz compositions by Andy Page along with seldom heard music by Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Ray Brown and Antonio Carlos Jobim. The band will also tackle tunes by Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and others and hopes to work in a mini gypsy-jazz set with some special guests.

For the last several years, High County native Andy Page has been a ubiquitous presence on the local music scene. In addition to his regular performances with saxophonist Todd Wright, Page has also taken the stage with an array of bands and performers including Bafoodus, the Swing Guitars, Melissa Reaves and others.

"I don't get a chance to play my own tunes that often, so they sound fresh whenever I hear new players interpret them,” Andy said.

Currently based in Asheville, Zack spent several years living and working in New York City. The bassist is currently working on a new solo album slated for release in the coming months that includes some of Andy’s compositions. While the twin brothers logged untold hours playing music together as teens, Andy and Zack only recently began collaborating again with increased regularity.

“It's great having Zack back down in NC after his time in New York,” said Andy. “We're trying to play more together and take advantage of living closer to one another.”

Andy is also thrilled to be working with both Weaver and Davis. Sunday’s show will be the first collaboration between the quartet.

“I first worked with Ryan's Hammond organ trio about 10 years ago in Charlotte and he blew me away from the first note,” Andy said. “He could play the gut-bucket blues style of Jimmy Smith, as well as taking it way outside and stretching out. On piano, he’s assimilated the sounds of Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Kelly and Chick Corea and put his own stamp on it. I'm really excited to play with him again.

“This will be my first time meeting and playing with Ocie. Based on his experience playing with some of New Orleans’ finest players (including Nicholas Payton, Donald Harrison, and Ellis Marsalis), I can't wait to hear him.”

While working on the fly with unrehearsed material can be nerve-wracking for some, Andy relishes the chance to interact on stage in an untested group.

“I kind of like keeping things as spontaneous as possible,” Andy said. “Playing with new people is one way to do that.”

Tickets to the show are $15 for nonmembers, $5 for students and free for Blowing Rock Jazz Society members. For more information call 828-295-4300 or click to www.brjazzsociety.com.