George Winstone Trio ft. Ben Monder

George Winstone (saxophone):

Born in London, the rising star saxophonist George Winstone relocated to New York City in March 2019, bolstered by the endorsements of music legends Chick Corea, Jacob Collier, Ben Monder, and Chris Potter.

An artist whose technical prowess serves a decidedly spiritual commitment, Winstone is a powerful player and composer whose ensembles have been featured at London hotspots Ronnie Scott’s, Jazz in the Round at the Cockpit Theatre, the Verdict, and the Vortex, as well as in New York at the esteemed ShapeShifter Lab and Ornithology Jazz Club. After releasing his first EP in 2018, Outer Spaces, Winstone’s work met critical acclaim, with All About Jazz calling him a “future star in the making” and Bebop Spoken Here praising his “floating, ephemeral sound that drifts like a cloud.”

The young saxophonist’s latest effort, Odysseus, is a striking duo improvisation with the iconic guitarist Ben Monder. Spontaneously composed from beginning to end, it juxtaposes an entire journey’s-worth of Winstone’s darting melodies against Monder’s haunting glacial soundscapes

Ben Monder (guitar):

A musician in the New York City area for over 30 years, Ben Monder has performed with a wide variety of artists, including Jack McDuff, Marc Johnson, Lee Konitz, Billy Childs, Andrew Cyrille, George Garzone, Paul Motian, Maria Schneider, and Marshall Crenshaw. He also contributed guitar parts to the last David Bowie album, "Blackstar". Ben conducts clinics and workshops around the world, and has served on the faculties of the New England Conservatory, NYU and the New School. He was the recipient of a Doris Duke Impact Award in 2014, and a Shifting Foundation grant in 2013. Ben continues to perform original music internationally in solo and trio settings, and in a long standing duo project with vocalist Theo Bleckmann. He has appeared on over 200 CDs as a sideman, and has released 6 as a leader: Amorphae (ECM, 2015), Hydra (Sunnyside, 2013), Oceana (Sunnyside, 2005), Excavation (Arabesque, 2000), Dust (Arabesque, 1997), and Flux (Songlines,1995).

Chris Carroll (drums):

Drummer/ Composer (BMI) Chris Carroll is a New York City based drummer and tabla player, specializing in improvisational music and sharing creativity with other musicians.  He is an honest, emotional, self-aware and adaptable person who has been captivated by music from other cultures.  His energetic life force comes from influences absorbed from all over the world, and as he points out, “I would not have it any other way.”  Mr. Carroll’s drumming blends curiosity for different cultures and musical genres transforming them into future music.