Contemporary Jazz in Stamford -- Enjoy the Sounds of The Bill Harris Quartet

The Bill Harris Quartet will perform an evening of original contemporary jazz in an intimate jazz club setting on Friday evening Dec. 5, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20 Forest St., Stamford, starting at 8 p.m.

Admission is $20, including a wine and cheese reception.

The Bill Harris Quartet is sponsored by Art & Soul Productions, a monthly series of musical explorations in the historic sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation creating a casual setting for live music in downtown Stamford. The Bill Harris Quartet brings talented local jazz musicians who performed to acclaim in New York City, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to a jazz club experience at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in downtown Stamford.

Bill Harris and his wife Patti Preiss bring 30 years of musical excellence to the Stamford audience. Bill Harris has worked with pop and rock giants like Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Dr. John and Natalie Merchant. After college, he moved to New York City to study with Bob Mintzer of the Yellow Jackets. For years, Harris made living playing for Off-Broadway shows and making music for commercials. More recently, he has extended his solo career with his first CD “The Extra Mile” and written contemporary jazz with Patti Preiss for the Bill Harris Quarter.

Patti Preiss has played many of the great jazz clubs of New York, Los Angeles and Europe. She has performed with jazz greats including Jimmy Giuffre, Ed Blackwell, Karl Berger and jazz composer Carla Brey. Priess recorded her original jazz improvisation “Jamaica’s Album in the 1980s. Priess currently plays contemporary jazz at many local venues including the Greenwich Hyatt.

Saxophonist Bill Harris describes the Quartet “as a group of old friends exploring the traditional jazz quartet format with a more contemporary concept. Their music consists primarily of original material composed by Bill and his wife Patti Preiss. From blues to gospel and swing to latin this group covers it all in a modern and accessible way.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation is located in downtown Stamford, 20 Forest Street, at the corner of Forest and Prospect Streets. Parking is available in the Bedford Street garage. For more information contact the UUC office by phone (203) 348-0708, email admin@uustamford.org or the new UUC website. www.uustamford.org.

Advance ticket may be purchased: bill-harris-quartet-tickets