The Armen Donelian Trio Performs for Sold-Out Crowd:
Concert Concludes West Stockbridge Historical Society’s 2021 Jazz Series
By Jeff Nestel-Patt
“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” Those words from the 1927 Irving Berlin song of the same name capture the feeling of the masked and sold-out crowd at the end of the Armen Donelian Trio jazz concert on Saturday, November 13, at The Foundry in West Stockbridge. Sponsored by the West Stockbridge Historical Society, and graciously hosted by Amy Brentano in The Foundry’s black box theater, the audience was treated to a beautifully curated 75-minute set of songs ranging from familiar jazz standards to originals from Donelian’s oeuvre.
The trio, consisting of Donelian on piano, David Clark on bass, and George Schuller on drums, played with the ease and familiarity gained from numerous past performances together. Joining them was special guest jazz vocalist Dominique Eade, who added her richly textured voice as a fourth instrument to the ensemble.
The set began with a beautiful rendition of Joe Henderson’s “Recorda Me” (Remember Me). The melody of this 1963 standard came to life on Donelian’s piano, supported by Clark’s bass, and Schuller’s drums. It felt as if the musicians were finishing each other’s melodic sentences, as the solos passed among these trusted old friends. Next up was a beautiful rendition of Victor Young’s “Stella by Starlight” that showcased Eade’s silky vocal range.
Two other songs from the set, both Donelian originals, stood out: “Mexico,” a hauntingly beautiful solo piano that evokes the stark beauty of the landscape of the Southwest, and “King of Cathay,” a song from Donelian’s brilliantly written and produced double-CD album, Sayat-Nova: Songs of My Ancestors, on which Clark and Schuller played for the original 2014 recording sessions. The songs on the album bring to life the original melodies of Sayat Nova, an 18th-century Armenian poet, and highlight Donelian’s interpretative creativity in fusing these ancient melodies with modern jazz sensibilities to deliver powerful and compelling music.
“Tonight’s concert is a great example of putting our mission into action,” said Bob Salerno, president of the West Stockbridge Historical Society. “In addition to the ongoing renovation of the Old Town Hall, we are committed to producing events such as tonight’s concert that add to the richness and vibrance of the region’s cultural heritage for the benefit of our community and the surrounding area.”
The concert concluded the 2021 season for the West Stockbridge Historical Society’s Jazz Program. Planning for the 2022 season has already begun with the first concert scheduled for the spring. Look for details about the upcoming season on the society’s website early next year: www.weststockbridgehistory.org.
Photos by David Finck:
The trio, consisting of Donelian on piano, David Clark on bass, and George Schuller on drums, played with the ease and familiarity gained from numerous past performances together. Joining them was special guest jazz vocalist Dominique Eade, who added her richly textured voice as a fourth instrument to the ensemble.
The set began with a beautiful rendition of Joe Henderson’s “Recorda Me” (Remember Me). The melody of this 1963 standard came to life on Donelian’s piano, supported by Clark’s bass, and Schuller’s drums. It felt as if the musicians were finishing each other’s melodic sentences, as the solos passed among these trusted old friends. Next up was a beautiful rendition of Victor Young’s “Stella by Starlight” that showcased Eade’s silky vocal range.
Two other songs from the set, both Donelian originals, stood out: “Mexico,” a hauntingly beautiful solo piano that evokes the stark beauty of the landscape of the Southwest, and “King of Cathay,” a song from Donelian’s brilliantly written and produced double-CD album, Sayat-Nova: Songs of My Ancestors, on which Clark and Schuller played for the original 2014 recording sessions. The songs on the album bring to life the original melodies of Sayat Nova, an 18th-century Armenian poet, and highlight Donelian’s interpretative creativity in fusing these ancient melodies with modern jazz sensibilities to deliver powerful and compelling music.
“Tonight’s concert is a great example of putting our mission into action,” said Bob Salerno, president of the West Stockbridge Historical Society. “In addition to the ongoing renovation of the Old Town Hall, we are committed to producing events such as tonight’s concert that add to the richness and vibrance of the region’s cultural heritage for the benefit of our community and the surrounding area.”
The concert concluded the 2021 season for the West Stockbridge Historical Society’s Jazz Program. Planning for the 2022 season has already begun with the first concert scheduled for the spring. Look for details about the upcoming season on the society’s website early next year: www.weststockbridgehistory.org.
Photos by David Finck:
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