Published: January 24, 2022
Ben Rosenblum Trio Returns to UT for Jan. 26 Performance
The University of Tampa welcomes back the Ben Rosenblum Trio — made up of award-winning jazz pianist, composer and accordionist Ben Rosenblum; bassist Marty Jaffe; and drummer Ben Zweig — for a concert on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Charlene A. Gordon Theater in the Ferman Center for the Arts on campus and is free and open to the public. The trio will also perform a new work by Bradford Blackburn, associate professor of music and director of music technology and composition. Masks are required indoors.
Born and raised in New York City, Ben Rosenblum studied with some of the most influential figures in jazz piano, including Frank Kimbrough, Bruce Barth, Ben Waltzer and Roy Assaf. Photo courtesy of Ben Rosenblum
Rosenblum was described by Downbeat Magazine as someone who “caresses the music with the reverence it merits.” He has been touring nationally and internationally while collaborating with artists around the world since the release of his debut album, Instead, in 2017. Instead has received very favorable reviews from a wide range of sources throughout the world, including Downbeat Magazine, All About Jazz, Drumset Magazine (Italy) and The Jazz Writer (Germany).
The trio’s second album, released in 2018, River City, was called “richly romantic” and “well-realized” by JAZZIZ Magazine, which featured the title track as part of their Best of Fall 2018 CD. Most recently, Rosenblum released his third album, Kites and Strings, which features him on both piano and accordion alongside his new sextet, the Nebula Project. In 2020, the Nebula Project was voted runner-up for Best New Artist in JazzTimes' Readers' Poll.
Born and raised in New York City, Rosenblum studied with some of the most influential figures in jazz piano, including Frank Kimbrough, Bruce Barth, Ben Waltzer and Roy Assaf. Rosenblum's musical interests also extend beyond jazz to include work in numerous world music scenes, including musical styles from Brazil, Peru, Croatia, Bulgaria, India, Ireland, Jewish traditions and more.
Blackburn’s latest piece that will premiere at the concert is a sonic meditation, through the jazz idiom, about humanity’s impact on the Earth’s ecosystems. It is part of a larger cycle by Blackburn of compositions with ecological themes that he is currently writing. Blackburn’s compositions have been presented in radio broadcasts, international festivals, performances by professional artists and ensembles, and CD recordings of experimental electronic music and contemporary chamber music.
For more information, contact Blackburn at bblackburn@ut.edu or (813) 257-3399.
