The Global Harmony Jazz Sextet, a group created specifically for this event, features stellar Bay Area musician/composers Erik Jekabson, trumpet/flugelhorn; Tommy Kesecker, vibes/marimba; Colin Hogan, piano/accordian; Pierre Archain, acoustic bass; Hamir Atwal, percussion, and Israel’s Yami Schwartz on guitar, returning this year by popular demand.

The evening’s elegant and varied program of both originals and standards will feature the premier performance of “The Global Harmony Suite”. This significant four-part suite has been composed exclusively for this concert by the sextet’s co-leaders Jekabson and Kesecker, and will be proudly showcased.

Tommy Kesecker
Both of these coveted, Bay-area instrumental virtuosos are well known for their unique and atmospheric original compositions. Eric Jekabson is currently director of the Young Musicians Program at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley.

Tessa Schwartz
The 2019 Festival Youth Discovery will be the 15-year-old violinist, Tessa Schwartz of Berkeley (no relation to Yami).

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to create another memorable Whale and Jazz Festival Main Event, in dynamic combination with the Arts Center’s important Global Harmony Series. These vital musician/composers represent northern California’s creative best. Last year’s exceptional Festival Youth Discovery, Yami Schwartz, returns as an integral part of the full sextet. This year’s Festival Youth Discovery, Tessa Schwartz, should fascinate on violin. Watch for additional special moments too!”

Fred Adler, Festival Music Coordinator