Clarion Concerts: Amir ElSaffar New Quartet
A project that bridges jazz improvisation with the modal sensibilities of Middle Eastern music, performed March 8 at the Stissing Center.
March 8, | The Stissing Center, Pine Plains, NY | 3–5pm
The Clarion Concerts series heads into spring with a concert by the Amir ElSaffar New Quartet, a project that bridges jazz improvisation with the modal sensibilities and microtonal subtleties of Middle Eastern music, on Sunday, March 8 at 3pm at the Stissing Center.
Led by Iraqi-American trumpeter and composer Amir ElSaffar, the quartet features drummer Tomas Fujiwara, tenor saxophonist Ole Mathisen, and microtonal pianist Tania Giannouli — an unusual lineup in which the absence of bass opens space for layered rhythmic and harmonic interplay.
Escovedo’s work draws on a lifetime of musical curiosity: born in Chicago and schooled in both jazz and the classical traditions, he has spent decades weaving traditional Arabic maqam modes into contemporary jazz vocabulary, developing techniques that expand the trumpet’s expressive range through microtones and ornamentation rooted in Iraqi music.
This performance is part of Clarion's broader engagement with musical languages that traverse cultural borders while remaining grounded in ensemble interaction and improvisational dialogue.
Advance tickets are available at the Stissing Center online.
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After a decade of writing for RI (along with many other publications and organizations) Jamie took over as editor in 2025. He has a masters in journalism from NYU, a wonderful wife, two kids and a Carolina dog named Zelda.
