Evento

Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Series presents Twin Talk

Chicago-based TWIN TALK is the collective brainchild of tenor saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi, bassist/vocalist Katie Ernst, and drummer Andrew Green. The band combines modern classical minimalism with earthy folk melodies and uninhibited improvisation. TWIN TALK was recently featured at the 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival and the 2014 Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and tours frequently throughout the US.

"...three imaginative and gifted artistsseamless and intuitive camaraderie"
- All About Jazz

"...introspective and ever-tasteful..."
- NextBop

Since the group's inception in early 2012, "TWIN TALK", formerly, "Laurenzi/Ernst/Green", have established themselves as an important new facet of Chicago's creative music scene. Featuring tenor saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi, bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst, and drummer Andrew Green, the group's aesthetic blends jazz, folk, and improvised music, yielding an honest and refreshing take on the saxophone/bass/drums trio. The band has maintained a busy schedule, regularly performing at many of Chicago's most loved venues for creative music.

Since relocating to Chicago from his native Kenosha, WI in early 2012, saxophonist and composer Dustin Laurenzi has already quickly gained recognition as a unique new voice in the city's creative music community. Dustin attended Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music from 2007 until his graduation in 2011, during which time he co-founded the saxophone-fronted, genre-defying ensemble, Snaarj, whose latest release, "Levels", was praised as "a substantial work full of deep textures, deft musicianship and expertly crafted compositions" (Kyle Long, NUVO). Currently, Dustin performs actively around Chicago, both with the collaboratively-led trio Twin Talk and as a sideman in various projects.

Originally from Naperville, IL, bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst has been gaining recognition as both a performer and composer. Last month, Katie was one of 24 young artist/composers selected to participate in the 2013 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. As a vocalist, she was a finalist in the 2012 Union League Civic & Arts Foundation's Jazz Improvisation Competition and she received a student Downbeat award in 2007. Katie graduated in 2011 from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY with a BM in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media. She happily performs as a sidewoman, bandleader, vocalist, and bassist in the Chicago area.

A versatile drummer and percussionist, Andrew Green is a highly sought-after sideman in many of Chicago's creative music projects. Originally from Washington, DC, Andrew moved to the Midwest to study Music Performance at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. In addition to Laurenzi/Ernst/Green, Andrew also performs with Paul Dietrich Group, Corbin Andrick Sextet, the Jamie Brewick Quintet, and Brazilian samba group Bloco Maximo.