Streaming Concert_#441: Grant Izmirlian Group
Grant Izmirlian Group
Recording of their concert on 3/6/22
Grant Izmirlian, saxophones
Ricky Jefferson, piano
Jeron White, bass
Charlie Seda, drums
A saxophone/trumpet quintet similar in nature to the Shorter/Mogan group of the Blue Note era. Their focus is on standards from the Hard Bop era as well as originals. They have appeared at notable clubs in the DC and Baltimore area regularly over the past 10 years.
Grant Izmirlian is a saxophonist and composer based in the DC metro area. A native of St. Louis Missouri, Grant studied saxophone and jazz performance while working towards bachelors and doctoral degrees in Math. He’s been gigging at local clubs and private gigs at Embassies, The State Department, World Bank, MGM Casino and other venues with a variety of ensembles for the past 20 years. He owes his sound to his first teacher, Paul Demarinis, of Webster University, and his style to the many great players here in DC and all over the world that he has had the pleasure of playing with, including Butch Warren, Webster Young, Ted Curson and Willie Akins.
Ricky Jefferson is a musician born in the Chicago-land area and raised in DMV. His music is highly jazz based with roots from classic synth sounds, old school hip hop, and a dash of EDM.
“The young bassist Jeron White is among an exciting new generation of musicians from Baltimore, who—like their kissing cousins in D.C.—have deep roots in the jazz tradition, plus an urgent will to expand it. He plays straight-ahead jazz with a strong, loping swing pulse; he composes and performs grooving music influenced by hip-hop and soul; and he plays free music with command and sensitivity.”
—Giovanni Russonello
Charlie Seda started playing drums and percussion when he was 12. He recently graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Arts in jazz studies. He continues to perform as a pit musician and in several jazz groups throughout the DMV. Charlie is a band coach and teaches drum, guitar, bass, and piano lessons.
Streaming Cost: $15
and will remain active for one week
Donations welcome