The Pentland/Bergonzi Quartet is an intersection of generations and singular voices, where saxophone legend Jerry Bergonzi joins forces with bassist/composer Sean Pentland, pianist Julian Shore, and drummer, Richie Barshay. Pentland's intricate and vivid writing is animated by the eminently individual sounds of the tenor master and younger stars, each prolific composers themselves. This project was spurred by the tragic and unexpected death of a friend and colleague, Sebastian Nay, with whom Jerry and Sean were meant to reunite on a German tour.

The new release from the Pentland/Bergonzi Quartet is titled Windward and is dedicated to him and features music that would have been played on that tour.

Jerry Bergonzi has performed throughout the world at all the major jazz festivals and jazz venues, with his own ensembles as well as with numerous jazz greats. His music is renowned for its innovation, mastery, and integrity. His discography includes more than 60 recordings, notably Standard Gonz with the Jerry Bergonzi Quartet on the Blue Note label; he also has 60 recorded song titles registered with ASCAP. He deeply loves the saxophone and enjoys practicing, excited at the thought of being able to do something musically that he could not previously do. He reharmonizes standards by stretching chord progressions beyond their furthest reaches because he wants to challenge himself as a soloist. For Bergonzi, it is all about the music. Accolades and glory are far from his mind. In a world that rarely recognizes such dedication, he has carved out a life in Boston, where he can compose music, play a weekly gig with his quintet and teach at New England Conservatory with no curriculum restrictions. He travels about 130 days a year performing. All this he balances with a rich family life: He and his wife, the accomplished pianist Jeri DiMarco Bergonzi, have two children.

Sean Pentland has been making his mark as composer, arranger, and leader, not only in his work with the Pentland/Bergonzi Quartet, but also with his contemporary septet, Ensemble Caduceus, formed in early 2021. They were selected to perform at the 2023 Seoul Arts Center Summer Festival, the 2021 Naju Contemporary Music Festival, and have made regular appearances at Seoul Arts Center and other notable venues around Korea. Their first album, Transmutation is due to come out in 2026. Intertwined, impartial counterpoint, vivid, imaginative harmonies, and intricate, polyrhythmic grooves characterize his music, which maintains an organic spirit complementing the underlying complexity. Honing his string-writing skills since 2016, Sean takes inspiration studying, re-imagining, and incorporating textures and harmonies from great works by composers such as Schönberg, Bartók, Schubert, Mahler, Wagner, and Fauré. Shaped by his years in Great Britain, Germany, and South Korea, Sean's worldly musical voice has led him to perform and tour with masters such as Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Don Braden, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jim Snidero, Luciana Souza, Bobby Wellins, Tina May, Damon Brown, Noah Preminger, and Johannes Enders at venues and festivals around the world. He is currently based in Seoul, where he teaches bass and composition at Hanyang University and performs regularly with Ensemble Caduceus, Danny Koo, Yoonseung Cho, John Nam, and many others of Korea's great musicians.

Julian Shore is known for his "deep maturity as a composer and bandleader" (DownBeat), and his work as both a versatile sideman, and experienced bandleader has JazzTimes calling him one of the “leaders of the young jazz piano scene.” Bandcamp glows “his melodies are fueled by a powerful blend of contemplation and exploration. It’s just as easy to immerse yourself in any single moment as it is to be swept away by the entire epic journey.” Based in New York, Shore has become one of the city’s most sought-after pianists. He has performed domestically and abroad with artists as varied as John Patitucci, George Garzone, Dayna Stephens, Gretchen Parlato, Theo Bleckman, Toninho Horta, Caroline Davis, Noah Preminger, Don Braden, among many others. He’s appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center and major venues and festivals worldwide.

Richie Barshay began drumming inside kitchen cabinets at an early age, and continues banging on things worldwide to this day. From his multi-percussion work with Herbie Hancock in the 2000s, to tours and recordings with Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, The Klezmatics, Fred Hersch, and Kenny Werner, he's been dubbed "a major rhythm voice on the rise" by Downbeat magazine, and “a major innovator who also knows how to have fun” by The Guardian (UK). He’s also performed with Natalie Merchant, Bobby McFerrin, Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Donald Harrison, Lionel Loueke, Julian Lage, the Curtis Brothers, Joey Weisenberg, Gabriel Kahane, Pete Seeger, and the Tony Award winning musical The Band’s Visit on Broadway and national tour. Since 2004 he’s traveled across 5 continents teaching and performing as an American Musical Envoy with the U.S. State Department, and can be heard on over 100 recordings including two self-produced albums: Sanctuary, featuring Chick Corea (2014) and Homework, featuring Herbie Hancock (2004). Based in Northampton, Massachusetts and New York City, he is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher helping performing artists and others regain more body-mind coordination and ease of movement.

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This Weekend · Saturday, February 7

PENTLAND / BERGONZI QUARTET