JAZZ AT THE DANCE HALL FEATURES THE KLAXTON/O’DONNELL QUARTET

Kittery, Maine-Trumpeter and keyboardist Chris Klaxton and vocalist Taylor O’Donnell return to The Dance Hall on Friday, May 18 with new and old friends, featuring bassist Rob Gerry, and drummer and vocalist Alex Ouellette. 

Having studied from masters such as Clark Terry, Terrance Blanchard, Fred Hersch, and Peter Eldridge, both Klaxton and O'Donnell are firmly rooted in the jazz tradition yet share a wide ranging and eclectic repertoire; swinging the standards of yesterday while maintaining a firm grasp on the music of today. O’Donnell has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show with producer David Foster, sung background for singer songwriter Ben Folds, and has performed alongside Janis Siegel, The Real Group, New York Voices, and choral group Seraphic Fire. Klaxton has made a reputation as being a gifted multi-instrumentalist and composer, focusing heavily on jazz trumpet, yet contributing horn, keyboards, guitar and percussion to a variety of award-winning hip-hop, rock, and indie projects. 

The quartet frames a handful of their favorite songs in their own personal and lyrical style, focusing heavily on the work of Paul Simon. Drummer Alex Ouellette, who possesses uncanny vocal ability, will share the spotlight with O'Donnell in delivering these beloved melodies. 

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. To purchase tickets go to www.thedancehallkittery.org.