Paul-Eirik Melhus

About This Event

Paul-Eirik Melhus-tenor saxophone, Michael Kocour-piano, Vince Thiefain-bass, Anthony Fung-drums

Paul-Eirik Melhus returns home for a rare Phoenix appearance, playing a selection of jazz standards with some of his own arrangements. His band for this performance features the always incredible Michael Kocour on piano, Phoenix’s own Vincent Thiefain on bass, and an up-and-coming drummer based in L.A., Anthony Fung. Don’t miss this one – it’s sure to be smokin’!

Paul-Eirik Melhus is a saxophonist and composer currently residing in Princeton, NJ. His early childhood was spent in multiple places around the world: born in Chicago, then moved to Espa, Norway, and then Glendale, AZ. Music has always been a part of his life, due to his mother and Phoenix pianist/vocalist, Pamela Morita, who helped cultivate his interest in music. It was in Glendale where he grew and developed his talent with the help from tremendous educators such as Jill Mahoney, Liz-Carnes Wight, and Barb Catlin. He also studied briefly at the ASU Jazz program where he learned from esteemed professors such as Michael Kocour and Bryon Ruth.

Paul has studied and performed with multiple renowned musicians. Some of those artists include Danilo Perez, George Garzone, Joe Lovano, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Adam Cruz, Terri Lyne Carrington, Sean Jones, Alan Pasqua, Marco Pignataro, Ralph Peterson, Jim Odgren, David Santoro, Dave Liebman, Tiger Okoshi, Ben Street, Frank Tiberi, Dave Douglas, Allen Chase, David Gilmore, and Hal Crook.

Michael Kocour is a jazz pianist, organist and composer. He also serves as Director of Jazz Studies in the School of Music at Arizona State University. An active performer for more than three decades, Kocour has appeared at venues around the world and has been a guest on Marian McPartland’s internationally syndicated NPR program “Piano Jazz.” Among the many artists and ensembles with whom he has appeared with are Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Lovano, Eddie Harris, James Moody, Eddie Daniels, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Ira Sullivan, Carl Fontana, Dewey Redman, Lew Tabackin, and the Chicago Symphony.

Vincent Thiefain is a graduate of ASU’s jazz program.. He is a freelance bass player that is based out of Tempe and has played with some of the best local and national musicians and educators, including world class Jazz drummer Lewis Nash. While studying at ASU Vincent also had the opportunity to play with artists such as: Benny Golson, Lewis Nash, Cyrille Aimee.

Drummer, composer, producer and bandleader Anthony Fung was born in Richmond Hill, Canada and has been playing the drums since the age of ten. Currently based in Los Angeles, CA, Anthony has established himself as one of the foremost up-and-coming drummers of his generation. As a bandleader, Anthony released his debut album “Chronicles” (2014) and most recently released his sophomore album “Flashpoint” (2018) on October 1st, which received a raving 4- star review in Downbeat Magazine.

$21, $6 Students (25 & under w/ ID)
Plus processing costs