Titus Abbott, PCM director of jazz studies, presents a concert of original jazz compositions in collaboration with percussionist Michael Sarin and bassist Sean Conly. The term jazz composition may seem like a misnomer when bringing together this collective of skilled improvisors who are highly capable of what is often termed instant composition. The task of the jazz composer, however, is to create vehicles and road maps that suggest a journey while leaving a great deal of latitude to the individual instrumentalists. So please join the Titus Abbott Collective on this journey.

Titus Abbott

Over the past 25 years Titus has presented music that although steeped in the history of jazz pushes the limits and finds a place of unique expression. Titus was born in Canada in 1960 studying jazz saxophone and jazz and classical composition in Ottawa, Toronto and London, UK. His groups Delawareness, The Titus Abbott Collective and the Happenstance Quintet have performed at venues and festivals in the US, Canada and Europe. Notable collaborations include performing with pianists Frank Carlberg, Curtis Clark, Mary Anne Driscoll, Mike Effenberger – drummers Luther Gray, Noel Brennan, RJ Miller, Michael Sarin – bassists George Koller, Jim Lyden, Pascal Niggenkemper, Ross Gallagher and the late Oud master Al Gardner. Titus teaches saxophone at Bates, Bowdoin and the Portland Conservatory of Music where he is also Director of the Jazz Studies program.

Michael Sarin

Drummer Michael Sarin has been at the center of New York City’s genre bending jazz and improvisation community. His versatility and musical wit helped forge long associations with forward-looking artists Thomas Chapin, Dave Douglas, Myra Melford, Ben Allison, and David Krakauer. Since moving to New York in 1989, Michael’s unique style and approach to the drum set has been highly sought after by NYC and European musicians looking to expand the definitions of jazz and improvised music. He has contributed to recordings by the aforementioned artists as well as those of Frank Carlberg, Anthony Coleman, Mark Dresser, Marty Ehrlich, Mark Helias, Denman Maroney, Simon Nabatov, Mario Pavone, Ned Rothenberg, and Fred Wesley–recordings found on numerous music critics’ Top Ten CD year-end lists.

Sean Conly

Sean Conly is a bassist (electric/contrabass) and composer whose love and affection for a huge spectrum of the world’s music have made him an extremely versatile performer. As a player and a writer, Sean is constantly looking for ways to mix the traditional with the new, in a never ending journey to mix melody, harmony, rhythm and sound into a unique artistic voice. As a band leader or co/ leader Sean has performed with several stellar groups over the years starting with The Invisibles featuring Ben Monder, Tony Malaby, John O’Gallagher and Tony Moreno, Re:Action with Michael Attias Tony Malaby and Pheeroan Aklaff, Grassroots with Darius Jones, Chad Taylor and Alex Harding, High Low Brow with Mike Pride and Mary Halvorson, Think Shadow with Michael Attias and also as a solo performer. Recently he has unveiled a new piano trio , The True North Project, featuring Tom Rainey and Kris Davis. In 2018 Cleanfeed released a new trio recording ”Hard Knocks” featuring saxophonist Michaël Attias and Satoshi Takeishi on drums.

Doors open at 7:30 pm | Show starts at 8:00 pm.

Tickets: $5 students, $15 Seniors, $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Facemasks and proof of vaccination (or negative test result within 48hrs) are required for all public events at PCM.