Cabaret and Special EventsCabaret
The Cabaret Programs provide a cultural outlet for the entire family to enjoy. From our special offerings, to the professionals who are clamoring to try out their new acts here in the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio, to the collaboration of artistic endeavors from neighboring towns, our beautiful black-box theatre has become a hotbed of musical activity with many performances SRO (standing room only)!
Conversations in Jazz with the Tod Hedrick Jazz Quartet
ONE NIGHT ONLY!! Saturday, April 24
8 p.m.
Buy Tickets Now!
ONE-NIGHT ONLY!
Reserved tickets
Cabaret style (no food allowed in the theatre)
$25 adults; $15 full-time students; $10 Darien Arts Center Music Students
ABOUT TOD HEDRICK:
A freelance double bassist in the New York City area, Tod Hedrick (at left)has amassed an extensive and varied list of performing experience. As an orchestral bassist, he plays with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Greenwich Symphony, and Gateway Classical Music Society in Connecticut and the St. Thomas Orchestra in Mamaroneck, New York, as well as the Bar Harbor (ME) Music Festival and numerous small orchestras, opera companies and chamber groups.
As a jazz bassist, Tod has played at many of New York's most important venues. For more than four years he worked with various jazz pianists at Birdland during their Saturday evening happy hour. He has also been featured with main billing groups there, including the David Epstein Trio when they opened for ''Little'' Jimmy Scott, and as well as for a Lee Morgan tribute. With other instrumental jazz groups Tod has performed at Small’s Jazz Club, Kavehaz, Bar 55, Cornelia Street Café, Louis Bar, Cleopatra's Needle, The Knitting Factory, Tagine, CB's Gallery, Bowery Poetry Club, Sofia's Restaurant, the jazz series at St. Peter's Church, and others. As a jazz composer, Tod writes for his quartet and also composed music to accompany Canadian poet Leanne Averbach. He has curated and performed for a ''Jazz at Noon'' series for the Greenwich Arts Council.
Tod's jazz septet has performed in the Atrium at Madison Square Garden before the NBA playoffs, and his quartet has appeared regularly at ''Sunday Afternoons Live'' at the First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich, CT, and at the Friday Night Jazz Series at SoundWaters, Stamford, CT. He has mounted a benefit for the Greenwich High School Band and was invited to perform at their annual benefit. The Tod Hedrick Quartet played a sold-out cabaret concert as part of the Music Series at the Bruce Museum, Greenwich. The evening featured notable jazz repertoire from 1930-1960 with commentary referencing the American art exhibit from the Smithsonian. He is also part of a trio that plays twice a year in the Hotel Therme in Vals, Switzerland.
An accomplished music theatre and cabaret bassist, Tod performed with West Side Story, in Macau, China; a musical revue in Iceland and Scotland with World Stage Concerts & Tours, and many school productions of musicals, such as Guys and Dolls, Hello Dolly, Cabaret and Urinetown. He has accompanied cabaret and jazz singers such as Daryl Sherman, Trudi Mann, and Cookie Thomas at Danny's, Don't Tell Mama's, Judy's of Chelsea, Mama Rose's, and Odette's in New Hope, PA.
Tod plays with rock groups as well, such as the folk/rock singer ''Jacob,'' performing at the Sidewalk Café and Arlene Grocery, and is a regular member of Erika Weander's group, Station 23, playing several times a year at The Bitter End, and who was featured at the annual Songwriters' Showcase at the Cutting Room in 2006.
Recording credits include the preliminary CD for a new musical, ''After All,'' and ''Process of Self Development'' with the heavy metal band, Candiria (Coma Productions). He also played on the 1999 and 2001 CD's of the NYU Concert Jazz Ensemble.
Tod is an Adjunct Professor of double bass at Fairfield University in Connecticut, teaching classical bass as well as jazz. He also has many students in Connecticut and New York through the Riverside School of Music. In addition, he has taught music theory courses to small groups of string students.
Tod received a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in jazz performance from New York University in May 2001. He was named Student of the Year in Music Theory Studies in April 1999 and received the Mike Richmond Bass Award in May 2001.
ENDORSEMENTS
Tod Hedrick has been performing, along with his pianist, at Birdland every Saturday night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for more than five years. The mood is mellow – his technique is sure. The enthusiastic applause from visitors at the bar or eating dinner is testimony to Tod’s talent and musicianship – the perfect warm-up before the later show.
Andy Kaufman, Birdland, West 44th Street, New York, NY
Tod Hedrick curated a ''Jazz at Noon'' series at the Greenwich Arts Council, recruiting top talent from Jazz at Lincoln Center artists. Tod’s Quartet provided the third and final concert to an enthusiastic audience. He explained the history and forms and then provided musical examples. From all three programs, the attendees left newly enlightened about this uniquely American idiom.
Frank Juliano, Executive Director, Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT
As a Jazz Bassist, Tod Hedrick has provided excellent backup for my concerts as well as private affairs. A consummate professional, he has an excellent sense of timing as well as a genuine understanding of how to lay down a sound foundation for vocalists. Tod is well schooled in performing all the Jazz standard charts. What more can a vocalist ask for in a bassist?
Richard ''Cookie'' Thomas, jazz vocalist and recording artist, Stamford, CT
The Tod Hedrick Quartet has been appearing at the SoundWaters Jazz Series since its inception. These versatile and well-prepared musicians always insure a sell-out, and Tod provides enlightened commentary so the audience also learns jazz history. The group plays the standards that the audience loves, but Tod adds his own innovative style to his arrangements.
Dianne Selditch, SoundWaters, Stamford, CT
The Tod Hedrick Quartet played for the Museum’s spring cabaret concert, ''Some Like It Hot,'' which was sold out two weeks before the date. The musicians were superb, the energy high, and Tod’s knowledgeable commentary an added bonus. At the final note, the audience was on its feet for a standing ovation.
Suzanne Gimbrere, Chair, Music-at-the-Bruce, Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT
Tod and his lively musicians gave a memorable concert for our ''Sunday Afternoons Live'' series. The hall was full to capacity and the audience charmed as these versatile musicians performed a menu of different jazz styles, including Latin, Be-bop, Classic and Modern.
John Stansell, Director of Music, First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich, CT
As teacher, I have coached Tod Hedrick’s bass playing through the standard jazz repertoire and have heard him mature into a gifted musician. As a teacher of jazz, I know of no greater satisfaction than to hear a student struggle at first, then gain confidence, then find the courage to take risks and establish a career as an exceptional talent. Tod Hedrick is on his way!
Stuart Hemingway, jazz pianist, Riverside, CT
Reserved tickets
Cabaret style (no food allowed in the theatre)
$25 adults; $15 full-time students; $10 Darien Arts Center Music Students
ABOUT TOD HEDRICK:
A freelance double bassist in the New York City area, Tod Hedrick (at left)has amassed an extensive and varied list of performing experience. As an orchestral bassist, he plays with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Greenwich Symphony, and Gateway Classical Music Society in Connecticut and the St. Thomas Orchestra in Mamaroneck, New York, as well as the Bar Harbor (ME) Music Festival and numerous small orchestras, opera companies and chamber groups.
As a jazz bassist, Tod has played at many of New York's most important venues. For more than four years he worked with various jazz pianists at Birdland during their Saturday evening happy hour. He has also been featured with main billing groups there, including the David Epstein Trio when they opened for ''Little'' Jimmy Scott, and as well as for a Lee Morgan tribute. With other instrumental jazz groups Tod has performed at Small’s Jazz Club, Kavehaz, Bar 55, Cornelia Street Café, Louis Bar, Cleopatra's Needle, The Knitting Factory, Tagine, CB's Gallery, Bowery Poetry Club, Sofia's Restaurant, the jazz series at St. Peter's Church, and others. As a jazz composer, Tod writes for his quartet and also composed music to accompany Canadian poet Leanne Averbach. He has curated and performed for a ''Jazz at Noon'' series for the Greenwich Arts Council.
Tod's jazz septet has performed in the Atrium at Madison Square Garden before the NBA playoffs, and his quartet has appeared regularly at ''Sunday Afternoons Live'' at the First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich, CT, and at the Friday Night Jazz Series at SoundWaters, Stamford, CT. He has mounted a benefit for the Greenwich High School Band and was invited to perform at their annual benefit. The Tod Hedrick Quartet played a sold-out cabaret concert as part of the Music Series at the Bruce Museum, Greenwich. The evening featured notable jazz repertoire from 1930-1960 with commentary referencing the American art exhibit from the Smithsonian. He is also part of a trio that plays twice a year in the Hotel Therme in Vals, Switzerland.
An accomplished music theatre and cabaret bassist, Tod performed with West Side Story, in Macau, China; a musical revue in Iceland and Scotland with World Stage Concerts & Tours, and many school productions of musicals, such as Guys and Dolls, Hello Dolly, Cabaret and Urinetown. He has accompanied cabaret and jazz singers such as Daryl Sherman, Trudi Mann, and Cookie Thomas at Danny's, Don't Tell Mama's, Judy's of Chelsea, Mama Rose's, and Odette's in New Hope, PA.
Tod plays with rock groups as well, such as the folk/rock singer ''Jacob,'' performing at the Sidewalk Café and Arlene Grocery, and is a regular member of Erika Weander's group, Station 23, playing several times a year at The Bitter End, and who was featured at the annual Songwriters' Showcase at the Cutting Room in 2006.
Recording credits include the preliminary CD for a new musical, ''After All,'' and ''Process of Self Development'' with the heavy metal band, Candiria (Coma Productions). He also played on the 1999 and 2001 CD's of the NYU Concert Jazz Ensemble.
Tod is an Adjunct Professor of double bass at Fairfield University in Connecticut, teaching classical bass as well as jazz. He also has many students in Connecticut and New York through the Riverside School of Music. In addition, he has taught music theory courses to small groups of string students.
Tod received a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in jazz performance from New York University in May 2001. He was named Student of the Year in Music Theory Studies in April 1999 and received the Mike Richmond Bass Award in May 2001.
ENDORSEMENTS
Tod Hedrick has been performing, along with his pianist, at Birdland every Saturday night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for more than five years. The mood is mellow – his technique is sure. The enthusiastic applause from visitors at the bar or eating dinner is testimony to Tod’s talent and musicianship – the perfect warm-up before the later show.
Andy Kaufman, Birdland, West 44th Street, New York, NY
Tod Hedrick curated a ''Jazz at Noon'' series at the Greenwich Arts Council, recruiting top talent from Jazz at Lincoln Center artists. Tod’s Quartet provided the third and final concert to an enthusiastic audience. He explained the history and forms and then provided musical examples. From all three programs, the attendees left newly enlightened about this uniquely American idiom.
Frank Juliano, Executive Director, Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich, CT
As a Jazz Bassist, Tod Hedrick has provided excellent backup for my concerts as well as private affairs. A consummate professional, he has an excellent sense of timing as well as a genuine understanding of how to lay down a sound foundation for vocalists. Tod is well schooled in performing all the Jazz standard charts. What more can a vocalist ask for in a bassist?
Richard ''Cookie'' Thomas, jazz vocalist and recording artist, Stamford, CT
The Tod Hedrick Quartet has been appearing at the SoundWaters Jazz Series since its inception. These versatile and well-prepared musicians always insure a sell-out, and Tod provides enlightened commentary so the audience also learns jazz history. The group plays the standards that the audience loves, but Tod adds his own innovative style to his arrangements.
Dianne Selditch, SoundWaters, Stamford, CT
The Tod Hedrick Quartet played for the Museum’s spring cabaret concert, ''Some Like It Hot,'' which was sold out two weeks before the date. The musicians were superb, the energy high, and Tod’s knowledgeable commentary an added bonus. At the final note, the audience was on its feet for a standing ovation.
Suzanne Gimbrere, Chair, Music-at-the-Bruce, Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT
Tod and his lively musicians gave a memorable concert for our ''Sunday Afternoons Live'' series. The hall was full to capacity and the audience charmed as these versatile musicians performed a menu of different jazz styles, including Latin, Be-bop, Classic and Modern.
John Stansell, Director of Music, First Congregational Church, Old Greenwich, CT
As teacher, I have coached Tod Hedrick’s bass playing through the standard jazz repertoire and have heard him mature into a gifted musician. As a teacher of jazz, I know of no greater satisfaction than to hear a student struggle at first, then gain confidence, then find the courage to take risks and establish a career as an exceptional talent. Tod Hedrick is on his way!
Stuart Hemingway, jazz pianist, Riverside, CT
RESERVATIONS: 203-655-5414 (Cabaret)