Thursday Night Jazz: “Off Minor” & Antonio Hart Celebrate Johnny Hodges & Billy Strayhorn

Thomas Wendt’s “Off Minor” Series continues as alto saxophone master Antonio Hart pays homage to one of his musical influences, Johnny Hodges, as well as Pittsburgh icon Billy Strayhorn. Hodges and Strayhorn shared a special musical connection through their mutual employer, Duke Ellington. Master Hart has had an illustrious career in Jazz, entering the national scene in the early 1990s with trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s quintet and Master Nat Adderley’s quintet. He has since become one of the world’s leading voices on his instrument, as well as an important Jazz educator.

William Thomas Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967) was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include “Take the ‘A’ Train”, “Chelsea Bridge”, “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing”, and “Lush Life.” 

Johnny Hodges (July 25, 1907—May 11, 1970) was an American jazz saxophonist who was a featured soloist in Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Renowned for the beauty of his tone and his mastery of ballads, Hodges was among the most influential sax players in the history of jazz.

Save the date! Tom Wendt’s “Off Minor” will be back again this fall on Thursday, December 12th.

Featured Musicians:

Antonio Hart: alto saxophone

Alton Merrell: piano

Dwayne Dolphin: bass

Thomas Wendt: drums

About the Musicians:

Antonio Hart has been passionate about music since he was a boy. After the music and art programs were cut out of his public school in ninth grade, Antonio was able to audition for the Baltimore School for the Performing Arts. He considers his acceptance into that institution the beginning of his life as a young man and musician. Antonio’s official study of Jazz began at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he studied with Bill Pierce, Andy McGhee, and Joe Viola, who gave him the foundation he needed to develop into a professional musician. He made many friends at Berklee, but the most important was Roy Hargrove, whom he considers to be his brother in life and music. They spent three years touring the world and recording Hargrove’s first three records. During those first few years on the road, Antonio also worked on a Masters Degree at Queens College. There he had the opportunity to learn from the great Jimmy Heath and Donald Byrd. Antonio felt blessed and honored when Mr. Heath produced his second recording, ‘Don’t You Know I Care.’ His 1997 release, ‘Here I Stand’ (Impulse Records) earned him a 1997 Grammy nomination for ‘Best Jazz Instrumental Solo.’ Since then, Antonio has recorded eight CDs as a leader. He balances his time as a full-time tenured Professor at The Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, as well as traveling on the road with his bands, The Dave Holland Big band and The Dizzy Gillespie Big band. In his off time, he likes to practice martial arts and listen to other styles of music for inspiration. He is constantly trying to get to higher levels on his horn and in his writing.

Thomas Wendt is a graduate of the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and has been a professional musician since the age of 14. Based in Pittsburgh, Thomas is an active member of the current Jazz scene playing with groups led by Joe Negri, Dwayne Dolphin, Mark Strickland, Kenia, and the latin Jazz group Salsamba, in addition to leading his own groups including the sextet, Firm Roots. He is also a member of the newly reformed Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. Thomas has played with many visiting international Jazz greats including Clark Terry, Donald Byrd, David “Fathead” Newman, Benny Golson, Monty Alexander, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Curtis Lundy and Geri Allen. Recently Thomas has played with NEA Jazz Master Hubert Laws at several major Jazz festivals and with pianist Alan Broadbent for the Nyack, NY library Jazz series, as well as traveling with alto saxophonist Jim Snidero. He has recorded with Gene Ludwig, Sandy Staley, Maureen Budway, Steve Davis and Jay Ashby, Joe Negri, David Budway, Ron Affif, Freddy Cole and Sean Jones (w/ the Pgh Jazz Orch.), Gloria Reuben and Brazilian vocalist Kenia. Thomas has been on the faculty of The Afro-American Music Institute since 1998 and Duquesne University since 2015 where he teaches drums, chamber Jazz ensemble and Jazz history.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant Cucina Alfabeto is open for dinner from 5-9pm. Please visit Open Table or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.