UMass Fine Arts Center, Craig Taborn Trio

About this event

“In performances and recordings as a soloist, bandleader and sideman, Taborn brings a fearless and sophisticated approach to music making.” — The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Craig Taborn, piano Thomas Morgan, bass Tim Angulo, drums Personnel other than Craig Taborn subject to change. The last few years have been pretty good ones for jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer Craig Taborn. In 2025, Taborn added a MacArthur Foundation fellowship to an already formidable collection of awards and honors. The same year also brought critical raves for the album Trio of Bloom, made in collaboration with guitarist Nels Cline and drummer Marcus Gilmore. And 2026 found critics swooning over Dream Archives, an ambitious, imaginative collaboration with cellist Tomeka Reid and percussionist/vibraphonist Ches Smith. Of course, turning heads is nothing new for Taborn. He’s been doing that for more than thirty years, in which time he’s cut nineteen albums as a bandleader or co-leader; served as a sideman with such notable artists as James Carter, Susie Ibarra, and Wadada Leo Smith; and collaborated with a fascinating array of artists ranging from fellow jazz pianists Kris Davis and Vijay Iyer to Hüsker Dü bassist Greg Norton. Taborn’s great love as a musician and bandleader alike is live improvisation. A performance by the Craig Taborn Trio is an evening-length conversation between musicians at the top of their art form, in which the only thing audience members can predict is that they’ll be swept away. Bowker Auditorium Total price starts at: $37.00. Total price for youth 17 and under and Five College students starts at: $20.00.

Description from explorewesternmass.com