What JazzWise Magazine calls “One of the most creative and adventurous saxophonists on the NYC scene,” will bring his otherworldly talents to Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House in Hudson, NY, this coming June. On the weekend of June 5, Hudson Hall will present two performances of the Marcus Strickland Quartet, led by the eponymous GRAMMY-nominated jazz saxophonist and producer. Strickland has blazed his musical trail for 20 years as a charter member of the 21st century jazz vanguard. He’s shared album credits with the likes of Robert Glasper, Bilal, Mos Def, Roy Haynes and Dave Douglas, and is as at home in the world of classic post-bop as he is in neo-soul Afro-futurism. Strickland comes by his genre-mashing approach to jazz honestly being born to a drummer father, raised in Miami, and becoming devoted to a wide range of artists and styles around Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
Strickland has a consciousness-forward “social music” approach to music. His compositions are rooted in tradition and define a new direction in contemporary music, demonstrated on two acclaimed Blue Note releases with his Twi-Life group, “People of the Sun” and “Nihil Novi.” For his debut at Hudson Hall, Strickland presents new arrangements of the Twi-Life repertoire, alongside songs born of the musical intimacy of his quartet ensemble, anchored by brother drummer E.J. Strickland, bassist Ben Williams, and Julius Rodriguez, on keyboards.
Hudson Hall is a cultural beacon in the Hudson Valley, offering a dynamic year-round schedule of music, theater, dance, literature, workshops for youth and adults, as well as family programs and large-scale community events such as Winter Walk. Located in a historic landmark that houses New York State’s oldest surviving theater, Hudson Hall underwent a full restoration and reopened to the public in April 2017 for the first time in over 55 years. In 2019, through an extensive program encompassing live performance, art exhibitions, city-wide festivals, free community events and workshops, Hudson Hall served an audience of 50,000 and employed over 400 artists and skilled technicians, making it a valuable contributor to Columbia County’s creative economy. Approximately 70% of Hudson Hall’s programs are free of charge or subsidized to ensure equitable access to the arts.
The Marcus Strickland Quartet performs on Saturday, June 5 at 7pm and on Sunday, June 6 at 5pm. Free live-stream of the Sunday concert.
For tickets or information, visit hudsonhall.org or call (518) 822-1438.
Marcus Strickland; photo: Petra Richterova