This Valentine’s Day weekend Carnegie Hall proudly presents Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play, three outstanding and versatile musicians, Peter “Madcat” Ruth, Joel Brown, and Chris Brubeck – son of the legendary jazz and classical musician, Dave Brubeck. They have honed a vast and vivid repertoire encompassing Delta blues, Tin Pan Alley standards, New Orleans grooves, jazz gems and incisive originals. With all three contributing vocals, Triple Play delivers an epic sojourn through American music unlike any other band on the scene.
The concert will be held Friday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy food and beverage before the show in the Mainstage Lounge. The Lounge, hosted by The Livery Tavern, will be open from 6:45-7:25 p.m. and will reopen at intermission. Tickets for the Lounge may be purchased at the door or in advance.
Triple Play’s musical roots go way back (over 40 years!) in each member’s history. Chris and Madcat have toured and recorded together in different settings since 1969, first as young rock musicians in the group “New Heavenly Blue” (with albums on RCA and Atlantic Records), “Sky King” (on Columbia), and then as jazz musicians touring the world with Dave Brubeck. Madcat and Chris were audience favorites wherever the group played and were featured on two Atlantic Records released by Dave Brubeck.
Chris went on to become co-leader of the group Crofut & Brubeck with the uniquely talented banjo player and folk singer Bill Crofut and also featured Joel on guitar. A highly unusual and critically acclaimed CD, “Across Your Dreams,” featuring famous mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, was released by Telarc. Flicka sang in a more intimate style performing “art songs” written by Chris, Dave and Iola Brubeck. Their next project was the recording of “Bach to Brubeck” at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra, which was released on Koch International Classics.
After Bill Crofut passed away in 1999, Madcat joined Chris and Joel to form the group Triple Play. With an ever-expanding repertoire, the Trio continues to play in concert halls, clubs and festivals all over the country, including performing many of Chris’ symphonic arrangements with orchestras across the U.S. In September, 2006, they played a set at the Monterey Jazz Festival and later that evening were featured in the premiere of Dave Brubeck’s Cannery Row Suite. Paul deBarros, writer for the Seattle Times and Downbeat, commented: “Triple Play is what jazz always was and always should be about: good-time rhythm, unbridled joy and the sweet release but bittersweet aftertaste of the blues. If there’s a better old-time blues and jazz harmonica player out there than Madcat Ruth, I’d sure love to know where he lives.”
Their live performance is documented on their first cd, “Triple Play Live” recorded at one of their college concerts. In reviewing this disc, All Music Guide wrote: “This boundary stretching CD should be investigated by anyone who enjoys great American music.” Their second CD, “Watching the World” was recorded in studios across the country and according to All Music Guide: “It’s great to hear a group that combines top-notch musicianship, potent originals, and a touch of humor, this CD is truly a Triple Play in any fan’s score book.”
Their most recent CD, “Live at Arthur Zankel Music Center,” features two Triple Play patriarchs as special guests: piano legend Dave Brubeck and gifted jazz player Frank Brown on clarinet. AllAboutJazz called the CD: “A joyous romp with great playing from beginning to end, and the kind of crackling energy only a live performance can provide.”
To purchase tickets, call 304-645-7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org. Ticket prices for this performance range from $20-$30 with discounts available for members, seniors, students and military.
The engagement of Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play is made possible through the Jazz Touring Network program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment of the Arts.
