The Fringe to Play at Press Room

The Seacoast Jazz Appreciation Project—an initiative of the Seacoast Jazz Society—will present the world-renowned free jazz trio, The Fringe, at its next session, Sunday, April 1st, beginning 4:30 p.m. at The Press Room in Portsmouth.

The session will feature a performance by the improvisational jazz group and, importantly, an open dialog between its members and the attending audience. This is a free event.

The Fringe is widely regarded as one of the genuine living treasures of the Boston jazz scene, with an appreciate audience worldwide. Its members are George Garzone, tenor saxophone; John Lockwood, bass; and Bob Gullotti. Now 40 years old and counting, the trio was formed originally back in 1971, with Richard Appleman in the role of bassist.

In 1985, Appleman left the band to become Chairman of the Bass Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Lockwood moved comfortably into the position he has occupied ever since.

In addition to their collaborations as The Fringe, the three jazz musicians are all in great demand as session players and have played with many of the greats of contemporary jazz. Along with keeping up with a busy performance schedule, each player is a well-respected educator, helping to inspire the jazz musicians of tomorrow.

Following the free performance-and-discussion session, The Fringe will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The latter performance is subject to The Press Room’s normal cover charge.

The Seacoast Jazz Appreciation Project was launched in 2009 with an objective of enhancing the appreciation of jazz for listeners at all levels of musical sophistication, while de-mystifying the uniquely American musical genre for its newest listeners. It's a chance to “hang” with some outstanding jazz musicians, to hear their music, and about their music, in a casual environment.

Submitted by Terry MacDonald, Seacoast Jazz Society, Portsmouth