Wednesday, December 13th and December 20th at 3 p.m.
First Congregational Church Sanctuary
Free
First Congregational Church of Stratford presents one-hour Advent concerts, featuring pianist and organist Dr. Joe Utterback. The concerts are held in the church sanctuary, 2301 Main Street, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13th and 20th. There is no admission fee. Come and enjoy the wonderful music of the season!
Celebrated American jazz pianist, composer, and recording artist “Dr. Joe” Utterback is a featured performer throughout the United States. From the Tony Awards dinners in New York City to music festivals across the country, his high-energy piano jazz delights audiences. Joe infuses familiar blues, ballads, Broadway, and jazz classics with a captivating, dynamic style.
Utterback has been a compelling artist on the American jazz scene for more than fifty years, which have included European and American tours, as well as long-term gigs in the jazz centers of Kansas City, St. Louis, San Francisco, and currently New York City. Recent annual engagements include Tony Awards Galas and the Empire State Building Christmas entertainment. His piano style has been greatly influenced by Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, and Art Tatum. “Utterback brings…what might best be described as a composite of the greatest American and jazz piano styles of the century . . . a technique that makes light of every hurdle . . . married to contemplation and to colour and to phrasing and shaping of ideas.” – Pianoforte, London.
