Event Calendar
Ryan Devlin & Steve Kortyka Quintet
Friday, August 19, 2022, 7:30 pm
JAZZ IS BACK UPSTAIRS!
Ryan Devlin, leader/saxophone
Steve Kortyka, saxophone
Mike Bond, piano
Gene Perla, bass
Adam Nussbaum, drums
Emerging New England saxophonist sensation Ryan Devlin (Jerry Bergonzi/Dick Oatts) and NYC/Ohio Native Saxophonist Steve Kortyka (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga) perform with an All-Star Jazz Quintet for what is sure to be a night of memorable and inspiring music.
The band features a powerhouse rhythm section of burning post-bop pianist Mike Bond on Piano (Conrad Herwig/Savion Glover), Gene Perla on Bass (Sarah Vaughn, Elvin Jones), and Adam Nussbaum on Drums (Michael Brecker, Steve Swallow).
The group will be featuring music off their recently recorded album, ‘A Series of Circumstances’ which was released on July 1st. The album is comprised of original compositions by each band member designed to honor the creative and free-blowing spirit of the ‘Live at the Light House Sessions’ recorded by the great Elvin Jones. Not coincidentally, bassist Gene Perla was on that original live recording session in 1972 which featured tenor sax legends, Steve Grossman and Dave Leibman.
Their music is strong, sweet, and recognizable as they play songs from the American Songbook, jazz standards, and self-composed melodies. Their wide range of sounds span from the gentleness of Stan Getz to the ferocity of John Coltrane. Each of the group members have the capacity to stretch their music in multiple directions all the while keeping an internal communication on the front burner.
The titles of their original songs are a window into their music: “A Series Of Circumstances,” “Days Of Old,” “Here They Come,” “Tree’s Breeze,” and “Tomorrow’s Surprise.”
Their new album, A Series Of Circumstances can be reviewed here:
Click here
RYAN DEVLIN BIOGRAPHY
Ryan Devlin is a 25 year old saxophonist and private woodwind instructor living in Boston, MA. Devlin started his musical journey with his father Scott Devlin who was the leader of the Walt Disney World Sax Quartet. Music was always in the house when Ryan was a child. Scott was always teaching lessons or practicing for his next gig. Ryan was immediately interested and asked his Dad to teach him saxophone around age 9, after playing piano for 3 years. Since then Ryan has been practicing, gigging and teaching everyday!
Ryan has been a member and featured soloist in ensembles such as The Florida All State Jazz band, The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, The Orlando Jazz Orchestra, The Seaworld Saxophone Quartet and the UCF Flying Horse Big Band just to name a few. Ryan is also the 2017 winner of the Central Florida Jazz Society and was runner up in 2017 Bob Washington Jazz scholarship competition.
Ryan is currently attending the New England Conservatory where he is completing his masters degree under the direction of saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi. Ryan also has also taken lessons with world class musicians Chad Lefkowitz Brown, Alain Bradette, Lucas Pino and Airmen of Note saxophonist Tedd Baker. Ryan has also performed with world class musicians like trumpeter Terell Stafford and Sean Jones. Noted saxophonists Dick Oatts, David Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, Chad Lefkowitz Brown, Jerry Weldon and drummer Adam Nussbaum just to name a few!