Bill McHenry (tenor saxophone),
Mike Pride (drums), Jamie Saft (bass)
www.myspace.com/whoopiepie

Bill McHenry: Tenor Saxophone
www.billmchenry.com
www.myspace.com/billmchenry

"...lyrical is probably the most overused word in jazz critisism, but if anyone deserves the word, Mr. McHenry is the one." -Ben Ratliff, New York Times

"Any musician who works so effectively against a common language, and uses cliché so little in the process, is worth listening to. There are tons of young jazz saxophonists out there pursuing ideas of harmony and structure and rhythm, but he has something rare going for him. He has a sound. Mr. McHenry is a fresh new voice: He can play with un-orthodox structure and get as free as you want, but he maintains a ripe, lovely tone straight out of the 1950's." -Ben Ratliff, New York Times

Bill McHenry was born in Maine in 1972. He started playing saxophone at age ten before going to Interlochen Arts Academy and then New England Conservatory. In 1992, Bill moved to New York, and eventually studied with Dewey Redman. Since then, he has performed with legends such as Charlie Haden, Andrew Cyrille, Henry Grimes, John Abercrombie, and Norah Jones.
Bill appears on more than 20 recordings, including several under his own name. His most recent, “Roses,” has been recognized as his strongest yet as he continues to write and develop music for other settings. McHenry performs regularly with Paul Motian at the Village Vanguard and other landmark clubs in NYC, and is respected around the globe as one of the most exciting and innovative saxophonists of his generation.


Jamie Saft (bass)
www.jamiesaft.com
www.myspace.com/jamiesaft

is a native of Queens, New York. Since 1993, Saft's stylistic versatility, multi-instrumentalist capabilities, and production skills have been featured with the Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, the B-52's, Laurie Anderson, Bobby Previte, John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Marc Ribot's Los Cubanos Postisos, Cuong Vu, Chris Speed Trio Iffy, and the Groove Collective. Saft is a mainstay of the New York downtown scene and a member of bands such as The Beta Popes, Whoopie Pie, Swami LatePlate, The Shakers and Bakers, Kalashnikov, Pramrod Sexena, and John Zorn's Electric Masada. Always spreading out in new musical directions, Saft has recently composed a number of original film scores and music for television. Recent films scored include the Oscar nominated film "Murderball", Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner "God Grew Tired Of Us", and currently airing HBO documentary "Dear Talula". Saft has also contributed score music for Nickelodeon, MTV, and A&E..

Mike Pride: Drums
www.mikepride.com
www.myspace.com/snugglestencil

"Drummer Mike Pride stokes the furnace with fire, while never stinting on finesse."
-Time Out NY

Percussionist/composer Mike Pride was born and raised in the Portland, Maine area. He has been playing & composing music since he was a child. While living in Maine, Mike studied with Les Harris, Jr., Bill Street and Matt Wilson, performed with legendary composer & jazz educator David Baker, & produced experimental, shock-rockers Ned Muffleburger & the DSL's. In 2000, Mike moved to New York City where he studied briefly with drum & bass master, Amir Ziv. Mike then began studying with the legendary percussionist/healer/teacher, Professor, Milford Graves. Since his move to NYC, Mike has performed and recorded throughout the U.S. and North America, Europe, Asia, & Australia with many wonderful musicians including: Anthony Braxton, Eugene Chadbourne, Nels Cline, Andrew d'Angelo, Milford Graves, Mark Helias, Fred Hess, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Frank Lowe, Mat Maneri, Tony Malaby, William Parker, Perry Robinson, Sonny Simmons, Chris Speed, Steve Swell & John Zorn. Pride has been featured on over 40 recordings, and has composed music for the MTV Production "Room Raiders," video games, radio jingles and independant film scores. He currently runs Funhole Live Recording in Brooklyn, NY, and is an active painter/visual artist/designer.

In case of rain, all outdoor events will be held at Carmen Verandah, right next to the Village Green.