(TEANECK, NJ) -- On Sunday October 15th at 8:00pm, New York guitarist Joshua Breakstone and his Cello Quartet swings by Teaneck’s Puffin Cultural Forum for the debut performance of music from their new CD, “88”, by Capri Records. Breakstone pays tribute to some of his favorite pianist-composers with a smoking set of pieces penned by some of the greatest keyboard practitioners by the likes of Mal Waldron, Barry Harris, Cedar Walton and Elmo Hope.
“I feel like pianists and guitarists are related, in a way,” Breakstone says. “Supplying harmony as well as being a soloist, I'm called on to fill the same interactive role as my brothers on the piano – so I have a lot of appreciation and love for the instrument and those who play it.”
Despite the theme of the album and the row of ivories prominently featured on its cover, 88 doesn’t actually include a single note played on the piano. Instead, the recording is the third outing for Breakstone’s unique Cello Quartet, with cellist Mike Richmond, bassist Lisle Atkinson and drummer Andy Watson. That singular instrumentation provides a different perspective on the music itself, which is precisely what Breakstone intended to celebrate.
“There’s so much great music by pianists that I’ve played over the years,” he explains. “These aren't necessarily my favorite tunes by pianists or the greatest songs ever by piano players, nothing like that. It’s just a nice set of nine songs that offer my take on the different conceptions of these piano players and composers and what they mean to me.”
Exploring new ground with guitar, bass, drums, and cello, the group’s harmonization between all the strings combine for a unique jazz sound that has been receiving wide acclaim. Fresh from their tour in Japan, Joshua Breakstone and the Cello Quartet was filmed for their upcoming PBS documentary “Joshua Breakstone, Soft Hands: Jazz Ethereal” by Emmy-award-winning PBS documentary producer Joshua Hassel.
While in recent years he’s played most often with the Cello Quartet or in a trio setting, Breakstone has a long history with some legendary piano players. His 1983 debut release as a leader, “Wonderful! featured Barry Harris”, who’s represented on “88” by the simmering piece, “Lolita.” The guitarist’s follow-up, “4/4=1”, was the first of several recordings he made alongside Kenny Barron. Over the course of his career he’s also worked with Tommy Flanagan, Sid Simmons, Joanne Brackeen and organ great Jack McDuff, and led tributes to Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell.
"Fire in velvet. A fitting description of Joshua Breakstone's jazz guitar." Paul Weidman, The Santa Fe New Mexican
"Breakstone produces guitar lines that flow through smooth, mellow-toned, bop-based phrasing… There is depth and thoughtfulness in his playing, a sense of graceful development even when he is swirling along with jumping intensity." John S. Wilson, The New York Times
There is a $10 Suggested Donation. Reservations are recommended and may be made via email at tix@puffinfoundation.org or by calling 201-836-3499. The Puffin Cultural Forum is located at 20 Puffin Way (off Teaneck Rd.) in Teaneck, New Jersey.
