The Mattatuck Museum is proud to host “Street Songs: The Accordion Project”, led by avant-garde bassist, bandleader, and composer Mario Pavone on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. “Street Songs” is a jazz nonet (nine-piece) ensemble inspired by Pavone’s early memories growing up on lower Baldwin Street in post-WWII Waterbury and will include music released in his latest groundbreaking CD, “Street Songs.” Musicians joining Pavone on bass and compositions include: Dave Ballou (trumpet, flugelhorn, and arrangements), Leise Ballou (French horn), Gary Buttery (tuba), Adam Matlock (accordion), Michael Sarin (drums), Julian Shore (piano), Peter McEachern (trombone) and Carl Testa (second bass.)

   According to Pavone, a Waterbury native, “I always wanted to do something with accordion, a reflection of my growing up in post-WWII industrial Waterbury, Connecticut.  I can still recall the sound of those Italian, Portuguese and Polish accordions – that front stoop music. After performing the suite at festivals in New York and Connecticut, I am especially looking forward to playing this music at the Mattatuck Museum, just a mile or two from the where I spent my boyhood, hearing the sounds which inspired the writing of the music for the Accordion Project.” For the past 50 years Pavone has collaborated with both legendary innovators and today’s most respected young musicians to consistently define the cutting edge of jazz. He has anchored the trios of Paul Bley (1968-72), Bill Dixon (1980s), and the late Thomas Chapin (1990-1997) and co-led a variety of notable ensembles with Anthony Braxton, Wadada Leo Smith, Marty Ehrlich, and Michael Musillami.  Pavone is an educator and board member for the Litchfield Performing Arts and has been a resident artist with the Litchfield Jazz Camp since 1998. Pavone is also a painter and photographer and his work has graced the covers of numerous jazz recordings since the mid-1990s. 

   At the beginning of the performance, attendees will be invited to a pre-concert conversation with Mario Pavone. Museum Members are $15 and Non-members are $20. This program is generously supported in part by the CT. Community Foundation. To register call (203) 753 – 0381, ext. 130 or email informationdesk@mattatuckmuseum.org.
Mattatuck Museum

   Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district, the Mattatuck Museum is a vibrant destination known locally and regionally as a community-centered institution of American art and history. The Mattatuck Museum hosts numerous changing exhibitions each year as well as a permanent collection, which features 300 years of work by American artists. Explore the region’s history through interactive displays in the history exhibit and examine the intriguing Button Gallery featuring 10,000 buttons from all over the world.