Homefield Credit Union Jazz Series at Sorrento Milford
We’ve got an EXCITING line-up of AWESOME musicians for this season’s Homefield Credit Union Jazz Series at Sorrento Milford.
Tickets on sale September 16th.
Thank you to Homefield Credit Union for sponsoring
Claflin Hill’s Jazz Series at Caffe Sorrento.
V.S.O.P (Very Special One-Time Performance)
V.S.O.P. Jazz: A Special Tribute to the Legends
Join us for an unforgettable evening of jazz as the Milford Home Grown Jazz Trio takes the stage at the Sorrento Milford on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. As part of the Homefield Credit Union Jazz Series, this performance honors the legacy of Miles Davis and the iconic V.S.O.P. ensemble.
Inspired by the groundbreaking collaboration that brought together Davis's second great quintet with jazz legend Freddy Hubbard, the Home Grown Jazz Trio will be joined by the talented Bill Jones on saxophone for a “very special one-time performance.” Much like the original V.S.O.P., this event promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, blending timeless jazz with the creative energy of today’s finest musicians.
Don’t miss this chance to witness a dynamic celebration of jazz history and innovation! Tickets are limited—reserve yours today for an evening of thrilling music and legendary vibes.
Remembering the 1990s
Milford’s Home-Grown Jazz Trio with Mark Zaleski on Alto and Soprano Saxophones
Have you ever heard Radiohead or Nirvana songs played at a jazz concert? If your answer is “no,” you likely have a problem – you don’t get out enough to hear Mark Zaleski play live.
In March of 2024, Zaleski took the stage at the Regattabar, the famed Boston jazz club in the Charles Hotel outside of Harvard Square. He was joined by a host of jazz titans, including his brother, Brooklyn-based pianist Glenn Zaleski, and New York City-based drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr. (former bandmate of Stephen and Greg Chaplin who is now seen appearing with the likes of jazz legends Kenny Garrett, Terrance Blanchard, and others). If you hadn’t read the subheadings on the advertisements for Zaleski’s concert, you would have thought you were in for an aesthetic befitting of a Dave Brubeck appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival (especially with two of the band members having completed undergraduate coursework at the famed Brubeck Institute). But the eighth notes were quickly straightened, “Poinciana” was traded in for Pearl Jam, and the ensemble “let it rip” nearly from the word “go” to the proverbial “finish line.”
March of 2025 will present a jazz show with a similar level of novelty. This time Zaleski will come to Milford and team up with Milford’s Home-Grown Jazz Trio to fondly remember the music of the 1990s. Zaleski will remind us there was great pop and rock music born of the 1990s, as well as great jazz records, some “straight down the pike,” and some borrowing from or even taking a detour into the more avant-guard side of the art form. The evening thus promises to be a diverse array of music, both jazz as your parents may have remembered, as well as musical fusions the likes of Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, and Radiohead may never themselves have imagined.
White Christmas Reprieve
Milford’s Home-Grown Jazz Trio with Mark White on Guitar
Visit Mark White’s website and you will see a glowing endorsement from international pop sensation Imagine Dragons’ guitarist, who plays guitar to stadiums full of screaming fans, and describes White’s knowledge of the instrument as “unparalleled.” Listen to White’s playing and you will almost certainly agree.
In the jazz idiom, one does not always find piano and guitar cohabitating in a small ensemble. Both instruments play chords, and so the theory goes, they will get in each other’s way. But a closer look at the recording literature suggests otherwise. Doubtless, a certain attention to detail is required to sidestep the potential “clash” that leads many to avoid the guitar-piano combination altogether. Yet that never stopped Oscar Peterson and Herb Ellis, or Bill Evans and Jim Hall, or a guitarist like Russell Malone from recording with a great many pianists, such as Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Diana Krall, and Harry Connick, Jr., to name a few.
Collaborating during a recording session for local legend Jerry Seeco, White and 2/3 of the Milford Home-Grown Jazz Trio recognized obvious chemistry. White was thus asked to partake in the Homefield Credit Union Jazz at Sorrento Series in February of 2024. The audience’s endorsement all but required a second invitation. The collaboration thus continues.
Russo Brothers meet Chaplin Brothers
Milford’s Home-Grown Jazz Trio with Jim Russo on Tenor Saxophone and John Russo on Trumpet
The American jazz tradition is no stranger to brothers taking the stage together. New Orleans boasts pianist Ellis Marsalis’s three sons: trumpeter Wynton, tenor saxophonist Brandford, and trombonist Delfeayo. New Jersey produced guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and his sons, guitarist John and bassist Martin. Philadelphia hatched the Brecker brothers Michael and Randy, on tenor saxophone and trumpet. Tampa produced the Adderly brothers, Julian (“Cannonball”) and Nat, on alto saxophone and trumpet. Mississippi produced the Jones brothers: trumpeter Thad, pianist Hank, and drummer Elvin. The list goes on.
In keeping with this tradition, central Massachusetts has yielded no shortage of jazz brothers. In fact, the region may have punched above its weight. Mark Zaleski – West Boylston native and featured artist in this year’s season finale – often shares the stage with his brother Glenn, a world-renowned pianist now based in Brooklyn. Last year’s season finale featured Jim Odgren on alto saxophone, brother of pianist Dick Odgren, longtime musical collaborator of the legendary Worcester-based trumpeter Emil Haddad, and former pianist for trumpeter Mike Metheny (brother of famed guitarist Pat Metheny). At the risk of stating the obvious, Milford’s Home-Grown Jazz Trio features Milford-grown jazz brothers Stephen and Greg Chaplin.
Then there are the Worcester-based Russo Brothers. Their approach is true to the roots of jazz and to the humble intimacy that defines this region’s tradition. Their music is unapologetically fun, engaging, whimsical, witty, approachable, sophisticated, and introspective – all at the same time. The Homefield Credit Union Jazz at the Sorrento’s season opener thus promises to be a refreshing, fun, and entertaining celebration of the American jazz tradition – two sets of brothers taking the stage together, tied together by their common thread – local legend Bob Tamagni behind the drum set. As to novelty, uniqueness, and the like, we will let others be the judge, but we will take the liberty of saying this performance should not be missed.