David Davies Shines at The Buttonwood Tree - Warren Byrd and Saskia Laroo Saturday Night

You never know who will walk through the door at The Buttonwood Tree - and today was no exception. The lovely Jaqueline Watford rented the space at TBT this afternoon for a birthday party and guests were treated to some delightful sax playing by the one and only David Davies. A grand time was had by all and Davies' music got the space tuned up for the jazz to come this evening.

The red hot duo of Warren Byrd and Saskia Laroo return to TBT at 8 pm tonight for what will undoubtedly by a fine concert, maybe reminiscent of their recent performance for over 300 people at the Hartford Public Library. The duo travels the world bringing a unique mix of piano and trumpet and alto sax. Read more below and pop in for some terrific music.

Arrive early for a seat tonight and be prepared for anything!
TBT is at 605 Main Street - next to It's Only Natural market (plenty of parking available)

Saskia Laroo- trumpet, alto sax, vocals
Warren Byrd – piano, vocals, percussion

World-renowned trumpeter Saskia Laroo and international pianist/vocalist Warren Byrd together create a smorgasbord of music for a wide palette of occasions from the grand gala-fest to the intimate hang. Whether performing dance classics, the American songbook, hot afro-Latin grooves, or their own catchy, poignant originals this unique two can manifest as a soothing background pad, a party-rousing tandem, or a grand showpiece. Laroo and Byrd can unleash their potent charm anywhere anytime. At an opportune request, Saskia and Warren can transmute from state of the art duo into full band.

Byrd and Laroo first collaborated in the USA in 2001 after which she enlisted him as her keyboardist of choice for her many tours. As a duo they’ve toured to Chicago, Los Angeles, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, India, Russia, Indonesia, and the Netherlands and many other places. With the full band they‘ve also toured to many places such as China, Chile, Senegal, Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, Nicaragua, Ukraine, and of course the USA, just to name a few.

Native of Amsterdam, the Netherlands Saskia Laroo is a premiere figure in music and one of finest female trumpet players in the world. Began age eight playing trumpet and as a teen picked-up cello and guitar. Though first enrolling as Mathematics major in college, she switched to music, eventually graduating from the Muziekacademie of Hilversum. Versatility has propelled her illustrious career, from barnstorming with latin, jazz and pop bands, to collaborations with legends such as Hans Dulfer and Teddy Edwards. She released her first CD, “It’s Like Jazz” in 1994 under her own label Laroo Records. Since, she has produced six CD’s varying from classic jazz to Club-influenced acid jazz fusion. She has performed worldwide in hundreds of venues with her own groups in more than twenty countries throughout six continents.

Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Warren Byrd is a pianist/vocalist with a long list of international credits, tours, and celebrated work. From first croonings in the gospel choir at age four to high school’s end he’d performed extensively as an amateur actor, singer, and pianist. Though earning a full scholarship for a voice major at Hartt College of music he’d choose to focus on jazz piano and composition emerging primarily self-taught. His deeds are a testament to his gifts: freelancing with such notables as Archie Shepp and Eddie Henderson to leading Gospel choirs to composing for theatre and dance. He finished in the top twenty-five in the 1999 Monk International Competition for Piano and soon released his CD “Truth Raised Twice”.

He, with David Chevan, is a co-founder of the Afro-Semitic Experience, a celebrated Jazz ensemble united toward spirituality and diversity.
Image Miles and Monk trying out a collaborative project in a small village pub in the City (ya' know, Gotham?); Dutch trumpet Diva, Saskia Laroo and the gentle mad man of jazz piano Warren Byrd will portray this with 21st century progressions thru originals, standards, free improvisation, and Electronica, never forsaking the groove spirit of jazz music...

"Because they so obviously love the duo format and thrive on collaborating with each other, they generate an upbeat feeling with their playing that flows, never flags.
--Owen McNally, Hartford Courant
100% Organic Jazz

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