HIGH BRIDGE - Hunterdon County native Zachary Hann and his New York City–based jazz trio return at 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, for two sets at Scout’s Coffee Bar + Mercantile at 11 Main St.
Hann, an alto saxophonist, will be joined onstage by bassist Solomon Gottfried and drummer Jacob Patrone. All three live in New York City and graduated from New York-based conservatories. Gottfried and Patrone attended The New School. Hann, who grew up in Lebanon Township and graduated from Voorhees High School, attended The Juilliard School, where he studied classical clarinet.
Hann’s trio will play his original compositions, some of them never performed publicly, as well as interpretations of jazz standards.
“When we play original compositions, we are usually dealing with just a single, basic musical idea, often a short melody,” Hann said. “That way we can spin something unique and spontaneous out of that idea every time we perform the tune.
“When we play jazz standards, the goal is to spontaneously create a composition that draws from the aesthetic intentions of each band member. Each tune is a template on which we illustrate our collective musical approach.”
The trio’s Saturday sets will take place at The Parlor, a performance space inside Scout’s. The trio has become a favorite at Scout’s, where it performed several sold out shows in 2021.
“We love playing at Scout’s,” Hann said, “because the audience is so attentive, the food is always fantastic, and the space is beautiful.”
As is tradition for the jazz program at Scout’s, Saturday’s sets will feature a pop-up food component. Tickets include a custom pizza by Siblings, owned by High Bridge resident Jaimie Acosta. Siblings specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza consisting of special flour from Italy balanced by local ingredients, including Jersey Girl Cheese.
Scout’s owner Nicole Poko said Saturday’s music-and-pizza event reflects the coffee shop’s commitment to encouraging partnerships among local artists and artisans.
“The spirit of Scout’s has always been collaborative: coming together with chefs, artists and musicians to create events where we can connect,” Poko said. "I’m really looking forward to delicious food, great music and being around people sharing in a good time.”
Hann and his bandmates, along with a piano player, will return to Hunterdon County at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, as the featured performers in Flemington DIY’s summer jazz series, at DIY’s new home, at 26 Stangl Road in Flemington.
To order tickets online for the Scout's show, visit https://www.scoutscoffeebar.com/order-online.
