Called “a force on the rise” by JazzTimes magazine, Alison Shearer’s explosive career hits refresh on what it means to be a jazz saxophonist today. She leads a new generation of performers, inhabiting her individuality as a member of an international artistic community, and reconfiguring the identity of “jazz fusion” for our current moment. 

Alison gathered her eponymous Quartet, with Kevin Bernstein, keys, Marty Kenney, bass, and Horace Phillips, drums, in 2015. She writes most of the group’s music, and their soulful, groovy, melodic take on fusion found immediate acclaim in New York City, where they got their start. 

In 2010, Alison co-founded PitchBlak Brass Band along with an interdisciplinary cohort of fellow MSM students. Raved about by NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and others, PitchBlak combined traditional southern brass with blues, jazz, and hip hop, revealing new sound worlds via cross-cultural undercurrents. Most recently Alison has collaborated with indie-folk singer-songwriter Anna Egge, and drummer Sunny Jain, whose psychedelic bhangra band Red Baraat NPR called “the best party band in years.” 

Alison released her debut solo album, ‘View From Above,’ to fanfare in 2022. A JazzTimes Editor’s Choice, and one of NPR’s Jazz Night in America’s Top Ten Albums of 2022, ‘View From Above’ blends jazz, funk, and soul, with a dash of pop exuberance. Yet this ecstatic expression of individuality was born from tragedy: Alison lost her father, John Shearer, pioneering civil rights-era photojournalist, to cancer in 2019. The album, ultimately redemptive, stands as a testament to the learning and love that change makes possible. 

Featuring: ALISON SHEARER: saxophone / KEVIN BERNSTIEN: keys / MARTY KENNEY: bass / HORACE PHILLIPS: drums

Doors 6:30pm / Sets at 7:30pm & 9pm / Your 7:30pm ticket ($15-$25) guarantees your seat for both sets, seating for the 9pm set is based upon availability. There is a $25 food and beverage minimum per person/per set.