Buffalo jazz lovers will have another chance to catch the Chicago-based Joe Policastro Trio, thanks to giant success of the group’s stopover to Buffalo last year, when they played a gig as part of the JazzBuffalo Hotel Henry Concert Series. According to bassist and bandleader Joe Policastro, the response from Buffalo jazz fans was so impressive that they decided to put Buffalo on their radar for future shows. One of those shows is coming up on Sunday, November 11 at Pausa Art House.
“When we were on tour last year, my trio closed out the JazzBuffalo Hotel Henry Concert Series to a packed house of over 200 people,” said Policastro. “Due to the success of that concert and the series in general, we’re looking to deepen our connection to audiences in the region especially given how regularly we come through the area.”
The overwhelming response from Buffalo jazz fans who attended the Hotel Henry show was a big surprise for bandmembers, who were familiar with the history of the jazz scene in Buffalo, but were not aware that there was such a renewed appreciation for the sound.
“My group, the Joe Policastro Trio, is an alternative jazz trio that performs original music, select jazz compositions, and re-workings of non-jazz music (rock, pop, soul, R&B, Brazilian, movie/TV),” continued Policastro. “The trio has released three albums to date and has been steadily touring. We have a two-week tour coming up in November, and we’re performing for a JazzBuffalo sponsored event at PAUSA art house on Sunday, November 11. These shows are our final tour dates in support of an album we released in August of 2017 titled Screen Sounds featuring music from film and TV re-imagined by the band (Yojimbo, The Kids In The Hall, Blade Runner, Twin Peaks, The Godfather, etc.). We’ve been extensively touring throughout the US and Canada the past few years, and we’re particularly excited to make it back to Buffalo to play PAUSA. PAUSA is specifically opening on a Sunday to accommodate our touring schedule and this JazzBuffalo sponsored event.”
“Policastro…is a melody-minded bassist who prioritizes group cohesion over individual displays of virtuosity.” (Brian Zimmerman, Downbeat)
“The trio have refined their layered blend of the familiar and faintly far out, playing three nights a week at Chicago’s Pops For Champagne and through extensive roadwork. Their deep understanding of each other and deft analysis of choice repertoire repays repeat and close listening.” (Michael Jackson, Downbeat)
The Joe Policastro Trio is a band that can turn “pop tart into Jazz art” (Travis Rogers, Jazz Owl) and one that “should have wide appeal among both jazz fans and listeners of other genres.” (Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine)
“The group’s terrific new album, Screen Sounds, applies a diversity of approaches to all kinds of source material, consistently retaining the essence of the original works while boldly imprinting the trio’s personality.” (Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader)
“…putting alternately gritty and focused touches on songs we’ve come to love….Policastro and company have found their niche tapping into different breeds of treasured songs.” (Dan Billawsky, All About Jazz)
JazzBuffalo presents the Joe Policastro Trio at PAUSA Art House
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Pausa Art House | 19 Wadsworth Street | Buffalo, NY 14201 | (716) 697-9075
Doors at 6 PM | Concert at 7 PM
$15 cover