This month's feature: Tom Snow  live at the Press Room with Trent Austin and the Jim Howe trio
Thomas Snow

On Sunday, January 9th an enthusiastic crowd of seventy-five packed into the second floor of the Press Room in downtown Portsmouth, NH to listen to an evening of live jazz featuring two gifted young musicians, pianist Tom Snow and Boston-based trumpeter Trent Austin. And while Tom has been a frequent guest performer at this venue for some time, this was relative newcomer Trent's second appearance at the Press Room. No matter. Both players not only entertained an appreciative audience, but also amply demonstrated their fitness for performing in the company of some of New England's finest musicians. Trent AustinAmong the many musical highlights of the evening was a tasteful latin interpretation of "The Days of Wine and Roses" which featured an elegant muted solo from Trent as well as an explosive piano solo from Tom.
Jim Howe (left)and Ralph Norris (right)

Press Room house trio regulars, bassist Ralph Norris and guest Gerry Fuller (top) and drummer Les Harris, Jr (bottom)
Jim Howe and drummer Les Harris, Jr., along with Maine saxophone great Ralph Norris, certainly made their contributions to the evening's enjoyment. In sharing emcee duties throughout the evening both Jim and Ralph exhibited an easy-going (and frequently humorous) rapport with the audience that nicely complimented their tremendous playing. Les Harris, Jr., meanwhile, provided the dynamic yet musically sensitive and unfailingly solid rhythmic impetus which propelled the music through three generously long sets.
Josh Economy (top) and Jerry Fuller (bottom)

Also sitting in with the band that evening were friend of Trent Austin and fellow trumpeter Josh Economy, along with legendary clarinetist Jerry Fuller. Mr. Fuller was kind enough to let the crowd in on a little known secret, namely,  his considerable tenor saxophone skills. Josh,  making his first appearance at the Press Room, made a strong showing on the bop standard Ornithology, as well as on the classic ballad Body and Soul.

Needless to say, it was a memorable evening of music within the intimate and informal confines of the Press Room. We would highly recommend to any New England jazz fans that they make the trek to Portsmouth and take in the Press Room's fantastic live jazz. And be sure to check in periodically on the Upcoming Performances area of this website for Tom's next appearance at the Press Room. To inquire about other live Sunday jazz performances at the Press Room e-mail Jim Howe.
 

 

Featured Event Archives

Thomas Snow Quartet on Maine Public Radio Feb 28, 2004

Thomas Snow and Trent Austin in concert at the Center for Cultural Exchange

Thomas Snow Trio with Beth Nicholas Synnot
Thomas Snow Trio at Mast Cove Galleries

Thomas Snow in concert at the Chocolate Church

Thomas Snow Trio in concert with the Atlantic Chamber Orchestra

Thomas Snow in concert at the Center for Cultural Exchange and appearing with the Jim Howe Quartet at The Press Room