POAC celebrates classic jazz
(Courtesy photo) Pend Oreille Arts Council presents Rob Verdi’s Take 5 a night of classic jazz at the Panida on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. featuring vocalist Shirley Paepeghem (center); and from left, Mike Seifrit, bass; Rob Verdi, Saxophone; Quinn Van Paepeghem, guitar and Patrick Kurdy, drums.
Jazz. Urban Dictionary describes it as “the only truth left in music.” And the truth is that Pend Oreille Arts Council is bringing Rob Verdi’s Take 5 to the Panida stage for a night of improvisation, syncopation and rhythm. On Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. the lights will go up on this quintet who will be exploring over a half-century of jazz classics.
The well-known saxophonist Rob Verdi will be accompanied by Quinn Van Paepeghem on guitar, Shirley Van Paepeghem on vocals, Mike Seifrit on bass, and Patrick Kurdy on drums. These very talented performers have enthralled audiences all around the country and with their regular performances at Disneyland.
“Renowned as a Vaudeville jazz player, Verdi will be exploring over a half-century of jazz classics,” POAC’s Arts Administrator Hannah Combs said. “He will recognize the musical contributions of such artists as Stan Getz, Sidney Bechet, Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan, John Coltrane, Frankie Trambauer, Rudy Weideoft and others.”
Each POAC performance has an educational component. Typically entertainers perform or conduct a workshop for our local school children. This performance will take a slightly different direction as the Sandpoint High School choir and band, under the direction of Jon Brownell, will take the stage with Take 5.
“Two select SHS ensembles will be performing with Take 5 in the second half of the show,” Combs said. “We’re looking forward to this unique opportunity for our local students. It will give them a rare chance to play with professional musicians in this uniquely American genre.”
Combs said POAC is partnering with the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s Dinner Hour Jazz performance at Trinity at City Beach that same evening. MCS’ Jazz Quartet will be playing from 5 to 7 p.m. and the first 20 people to make dinner reservations will receive a free ticket to Take 5’s performance.
Tickets can be purchased at artinsandpoint.org, the POAC Office, Eve’s Leaves, Eichardt’s, Winter Ridge and the Panida a half hour before curtain.
Cost is $20 for adults, $13 POAC supporters and $10 for children 18 years and younger. For more information call POAC office at 263-6139. This performance is sponsored by Architecture 311.5 and the Daily Bee.