The Brubeck Brothers Quartet opened PC's "Sounds of September" series with a performance on Friday, September 5, in the Smith Center for the Arts. This jazz group is led by two sons of the legendary jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, Dave Brubeck. Dan Brubeck plays the drums, while Chris Brubeck plays the bass and trombone. They were joined by guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb.

The band's three-hour long concert focused on original compositions with introductions and reflections by bassist Chris Brubeck. Not surprisingly, the group played a few of Dave Brubeck's standards including "In Your Own Sweet Way," and "Take Five," and even called upon Dr. Chris Kelton, PC jazz professor and former roommate of Chris Brubeck, to play saxophone during their rendition of "Invitation."

BBQ has performed at concert series, colleges, and festivals across the U.S., including the Newport (R.I.) Jazz Festival. While noted for its "straight-ahead" jazz, BBQ's concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues, and world music.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet headlined a "Sounds of September" concert series at Providence College this month. Sponsored by the Department of Music, all four concerts are free and will be held in the Ryan Concert Hall of the Smith Center for the Arts.

"We are committed to offering concerts throughout the year that represent every conceivable kind of musical tradition, from women's music, to Bach, to jazz, to music of the world," Gordon-Seifert said. "The concert series includes not only artists who teach at Providence College and in the community, but also artists from across the country."

The remainder of the series is as follows:

• Libana, a women's world music ensemble, will perform on Friday, September 19, at 8:00 p.m. This group illuminates the creativity, vision, and spirit of the world's women through the performance of traditional and contemporary music and dance. Libana's performances aim to raise appreciation for diverse cultural expressions and inspire intercultural understanding, healing, and peace building.
• PC music department faculty members will showcase their talent at a faculty concert on Sunday, September 21, at 2:00 p.m. Musical selections for this performance will include Bach's Sonata in B Minor for Baroque Flute and Harpsichord, Chopin's Etudes, a Bach's cello suites, and Mendelssohn's piano works. The concert will feature new department faculty member, Dr. Sang Woo Kang, an internationally heralded pianist. 
• The Bohemian Quartet will perform on Sunday, September 28, at 2:00 p.m. The music of this four-piece string band, which is based in Providence, revolves around traditional "Gypsy" or "Romany" music, as well as traditional Eastern-European folk music. Formed in 2005 by violinist Stan Regard, the quartet is composed of a violin, cello, guitar, and upright bass.