Spring Lecture Series
Join Seacoast Jazz Society as we welcome the following guest speakers to share their expertise and good vibes on a variety of informative subjects. All lectures are free and open to the public. Some lectures have been recorded. For a copy of the recording and additional information, please contact [email protected].
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March 28 | 7-8:30 pm | Zoom
The Intersection of Improvisation, Composition & Global Rhythms Speaker: Brian Shankar Adler Percussionist, Composer, Educator 
During this presentation, Brian Shankar Adler, will share his perspective and various secrets about the intersection between improvisation, composition and global rhythms. Adler will spotlight some key players and examples from the jazz drummer lineage, breaking down practices that can inspire new rhythmic possibilities.
About the Guest Speaker Brian Shankar Adler is a multidisciplinary drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator, with an expertise in jazz and global rhythms. He has performed in caves, forests and adjacent glacial ice fields as well as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard, Roulette, Rubin Museum and The Stone. He has been recorded on over 40 albums including his solo works, "For a Gallery on the Moon" (Chant Records, 2020) and "Fourth Dimension" (Chant Records, 2019). His music video, “Mantra” won best music video at Transcinema International Film Festival in Peru and an official selection at Quiet City Film Festival in New York City. Adler has also been featured in Jason Bivin’s book Spirits Rejoice, Newsweek, NPR, Downbeat and Modern Drummer Magazine. He has worked with La Bomba De Tiempo, Sheila Jordan, Guillermo Klein, Michael Leonhart, Frank London, Kate McGarry, Kamala Sankaram, Elizabeth Swados among others. He is currently on faculties at: Bates College, University of Maine, and Vermont Jazz Center. Adler has been described as “a polyrhythmic force… New York City gritty yet still somehow capable of evoking the delicacy of a summer breeze…” by Brad Cohan, JazzTimes. To view a recording of this lecture, click here to visit our YouTube channel. Free and Open to the Public |
April 30 | 2-3:30 pm | Portsmouth Library
How to Promote Your Band (and Get Better Gigs) Speaker: Matthew Becker Guitarist, YellowHouse Blues Band 
Useful for bands of all genres: Hear Matt Becker speak about his experience in the community as he shares his thoughts on promoting your band and finding better gigs!
About the Guest Speaker Matthew Becker is most well-known in the Seacoast community for combining his passion of both music and fundraising to produce Benefit Concerts for the non-profits that he is dedicated to serving. In addition to being a Board Member of Seacoast Jazz Society, Matt is a volunteer at Continuum Arts Collective, and a Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire (since 2008). The benefit concerts that he’s produced and played in (since 2018) have raised more than $130,000 for BBBSNH and Continuum Arts Collective combined. Despite learning guitar later in life, Matt has shared the stage with a range of musicians from local to national acts and has sold out venues including Jimmy’s, The Music Hall, The Press Room, BLUE, The Stone Church and The Word Barn. He is currently a founding member and rhythm/slide guitar player for the YellowHouse Blues Band. Prior to that, he was a founding member and rhythm guitar player for The Wildflowers. Additional Lecture Information: Portsmouth Public Library, Levenson Room 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth NH 03801 Plenty of free parking available Free and Open to the Public |