Jazz musicians Matthew Fries and Emily Braden became friends through the New York jazz scene and through singer Curtis Stigers, a mentor for both. They’ll reunite onstage at 7:30 pm on Friday, May 26 at the Crawlspace Theatre in the KNAC Center’s Crawlspace Theatre along with Fries’ fellow WMU faculty musicians Carlo de Rosa and Keith Hall on bass and drums.
In a conversation with Cara Lieurance, Emily Braden introduces music from her new album Cannon and Sparrowas she and Fries share stories about their musical journeys. Braden was raised in Boise, Idaho — Stigers’ hometown — and made her voice match the greats she loved, like Ella Fitzgerald. That talent brought her to New York City, where she began a deeper exploration of her own style and contemporary influences.
Tickets and more information are available here. The Crawlspace Theatre features cabaret-style seating and a new drink menu.