Jazz quintet to play Bear’s Place today

A multi-generational group slated to play at 5:30 p.m. today at Bear’s Place includes not only professional musicians and professors, but also someone quite a bit younger. \nJulian Bransby, a piano player for the Wide Open Jazz Quintet, is only a sophomore but has been playing with the group since he was in high school, group percussionist Danny Deckard said.\nThe group features Dennis Riggins on tenor sax, Joel Kelsey on bass, Deckard on drums and Jacobs School of Music associate professor of jazz studies Pat Harbison playing trumpet – as well as Bransby on piano. The group is playing as part of the Jazz Fables concert series and the cover charge is $6. Attendees must be 21 or older.\nDeckard describes each show as a one-of-a-kind experience.\n“Since it’s jazz, it’s kind of a living thing,” he said. “Once you leave ... it’s never going to be the same.”\nHe contrasted the show against the idea of going to a movie theater, which would be more expensive and is always the exact same experience. He also encouraged people to come for the atmosphere.\n“Just to check out the social scene; it’s pretty cool,” Deckard said.\nThursday at Bear’s Place has been Jazz Fables night for many years. Director and host David Miller began the series in 1989 with Tom Walsh and Luke Gillespie, both of whom are now professors in the Jacobs School of Music.\n“It’s a very eclectic series ... a lot of different styles,” Miller said, describing Jazz Fables as a \nshowcase venue for jazz groups. Miller said while the audiences are as varied as the music – in terms of age, lifestyle and profession – they have at least one thing in common. \n“The one thing they always tend to be is enthusiastic listeners,” he said. “The primary reason people come there is the music ... and I think that’s the best reason to come to Jazz Fables.”\nHowever, people don’t have to be avid jazz-lovers to enjoy the show.\n“(Experiencing) any music live is the best way to find out if it’s something you’d be interested in,” Miller said. “The Wide Open quintet is one of the best contemporary acoustic jazz groups (in town) ... It’s a good group to come check out if you’ve never seen live acoustic jazz before.”