JAZZ BRUNCH WITH THE GEORGE SCHULLER QUARTET
George Schuller is a native of New York City, moved to Boston in 1967 where he was raised and educated, and later received a bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982. Schuller was a fixture on the Boston area jazz scene performing with Herb Pomeroy, Jaki Byard, Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Mick Goodrick, John Lockwood, Ran Blake, Lisa Thorson, Billy Pierce, Bruce Gertz, Mili Bermejo, John LaPorta, Dominique Eade and Hal Crook. In addition to his performance, composition and production work in Jazz, George also has produced the Music Inn Documentary Film, which focuses on the epic Jazz Era of the storied Lenox MA music venue.
Enjoy a delicious brunch at The Stagecoach Tavern prepared by chef Laurel Barkan.
Brunch Served 11am-2
Live Music 12-3pm on the porch
$5 cover for music
No cover for brunch in the tavern
Brunch Menus Below
George will be performing with guitarist Michael Musillami and bass player Rich Syracuse.
About Guitarist Michael Musillami:
Born and raised in California, Musillami studied with renowned guitarist Joe Diorio before moving permanently to the East coast in the early 1980's. He soon found work primarily in organ trios led by Richard "Groove" Holmes and Bobby Buster, but also as a sideman with musicians such as Junior Cook, Dewey Redman and Curtis Fuller. He has since led and co-led a variety of ensembles, releasing 15 CDs as a leader and touring in the United States, Canada and Europe. Along with his long-standing flagship trio with bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller, he has earned critical notice as the leader of groups ranging from duo to octet featuring such prominent collaborators as Cameron Brown, Thomas Chapin, Drew Gress, Mario Pavone, Rich Syracuse, Michael Sarin and Matt Wilson.
In 1999, Musillami founded the Playscape Recordings label to give himself more control over his recording career, and to provide other musicians with a supportive environment for creative music. Built around a cadre of frequent collaborators, the label has garnered extensive critical praise and a catalog of more than 40 diverse releases. In addition to his work as a performer and as a label owner, Musillami is also the longtime Director of Jazz Studies at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT.
Rich Syracuse (bassist, composer, teacher) has been a mainstay on the New York area scene for more than three decades. While performing at an early age in New York City he was the winner of the prestigious Congress of Strings Award. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Rich performed with The Group for Contemporary Music under the Conductor Charles Wournin and Harvey Solberger, The Hartford Ballet and the New Jersey Lyric Opera Co. During the early part of his career he performed in Jazz groups featuring pianists John Mehegan, Joey Calderazzo and Ted Rosenthal. After moving to New York State’s Hudson Valley in the mid 1980s he began a long-standing stint in the Nick Brignola Quartet playing clubs, festivals, and recording sessions. Besides his years with Brignola, he has performed with Mose Allison, Kurt Elling, Dave Liebman, Brubeck Brothers, Warren Bernhardt, Bernard Purdie, Vic Juris, Dave Stryker, Dena DeRose, John Medeski, Michael Musilliami and legendary pianist Lee Shaw who he performed with for over 25 years until her recent passing.
Saxophonist and Composer Kris Allen, was a protege of the late great Jackie Mclean. Kris has performed and/or recorded with Illinois Jacquet, Gerald Wilson, Mario Pavone, Winard Harper, Helen Sung, Kendrick Oliver, the Curtis Brothers and the Mingus Dynasty, among many others. He has toured nation and world-wide as a sideman, as the leader of his own quartet and as a part of several ongoing collaborative projects. Kris is a member of the Truth Revolutions Recording Collective and has released two records (Circle House in 2012 and Beloved in 2016) to widespread critical acclaim. A longtime educator, Kris is presently the Lyell B. Clay Artist-In-Residence in Jazz at Williams College, and he has been a Senior Teaching Artist for Litchfield Performing Arts Inc. since 2001. He is the recipient of numerous awards and commissions for his work as a composer, and is a 2018 Macdowell Artist Colony Fellow in Music Composition. Kris is a Vandoren Artist and plays Vandoren reeds, mouthpieces and ligatures exclusively.
George Schuller (drummer, composer, arranger, producer) has released several albums as a leader including Listen Both Ways (Playscape), Life’s Little Dramas (Fresh Sound) and JigSaw (482 Music). He leads several groups including Circle Wide and George Schuller Trio and co-leads Yard Byard: The Jaki Byard Project. Schuller appears on Joe Lovano's Rush Hour (Blue Note) and has also recorded and/or produced CD's with Armen Donelian, Jason Robinson, Michael Musillami, Yard Byard, Russ Johnson, Mike Baggetta, Katie Bull, Bruce Gertz, Orange Then Blue, Ran Blake, Luciana Souza, Burton Greene, Conference Call, Peter Yarrow and Gunther Schuller. Currently, Schuller has been touring with Lee Konitz (legendary alto saxophonist) appearing at festivals, concert halls and clubs all over the US, Europe and the Far East. Since graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982, he has performed with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nnenna Freelon, Jaki Byard, Dave Douglas, George Adams, Fred Hersch, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mose Allison, J Geils, among many others. He was also co-producer for the 2007 film documentary Music Inn, which was screened at the Tribeca, Berkshire, Galway, Munich and Prague Film Festivals.
This Week's Brunch Menu:
CALL US AT 413.229.8585 OR RESERVE A TABLE ONLINE BELOW:
The Stagecoach Tavern at Race Brook Lodge offers a seasonal menu with a focus on local ingredients from Chef Laurel Barkan. The candlelit Tavern boasts hand-hewn beams and wide-plank floors spanning multiple levels. It has been a warm and convivial gathering spot for friends, families, and lovers for over 200 years. Cozy up by our roaring fire in winter months or in the summer relax with a drink under the stars in our courtyard.
Race Brook Lodge is a rustic and unique getaway destination, perfect for weekend getaways, workshops, weddings, hiking, biking and more, in the natural beauty of the southern Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. Race Brook hosts musical performances and other cultural events in the Down County Social Club speakeasy, Barnspace and the Pine Grove Porch. Click here to see a schedule of upcoming events.
Here's the menu for Jazz Brunch at The Stagecoach Tavern!