Chick’s Hometown Show: “An Amazing Feeling”

Week 3 of the Trilogy trio’s standout North American tour began north of the border with a couple dates in Canada. First was a night at the beautiful Maison Symphonique in Montreal, where the trio brought some much needed warmth in the midst of a creeping coldspell. The setlist, much like the city itself, was a triumphant mix of the old and the new–classical composers and contemporary stalwarts, and those attending showed their appreciation throughout the night.

Montreal, QC

October 16, 2019

Then in Toronto at the Royal Conservatory of Music, the group once again took the crowd on a layered musical journey. From the undeniable romanticism of Duke Elligton’s “In a Sentimental Mood”, during which could be witnessed a couple up in the crowd embrace and rest their heads on each other, to the downright catchiness of Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream”, where a sea of heads in the sold-out house bobbed along from start to finish; this performance was definitely one for the books.

Toronto, ON

October 18, 2019

As for the next two shows, in Ann Arbor, MI and Chick’s hometown of Boston, MA, there’s no one better to describe the experience than Chick himself:

Hill Auditorium at Ann Arbor is a familiar old venue. I was thrilled to see it full of smiling people for the Trio. I dedicated “Alice In Wonderland” to Bill Evans and my sweet Michigan wife of 47 years, Gayle. We had a great time with the Ann Arbor crowd – a great singing group. After the show I got to see my Brother-in-law Marv and family.

Ann Arbor, MI

October 19, 2019

Boston Symphony Hall was thrilling and also special. Playing at this old venerable hall in my hometown was an amazing feeling. This is the stage where one of my favorite pieces of music was premiered by Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the mid 40’s – – Bartok’s “Concerto For Orchestra”.

Attending were my long time friends and classmates Minna Karas-Marino (we all sang to her for her birthday) and Butch Bradley. We 3 were actually in 1st grade Williams School together and friends all the way through graduating Chelsea High School Class of ’59. My lifelong buddy and the great Boston drummer, Lenny Nelson was there also. Lenny was the drummer in the 1st band I ever put together.

My dear friends, the amazing clarinetist Richard Stoltzman and his creative marimba playing wife Mika, were also there. Dick popped up and jammed with us from the audience on our Monk blues encore just before the audience sang some blues with us as well!