Saturday, May 30 at 8pm

Velvet and Brass at Then Watchung Art Center
The vocals of Pam Purvis with Bob Ackerman on Alto

If you closed your eyes you would guess the sound you were hearing was two horns, but open up and you’ll realize the perfect blend is Bob Ackerman’s adapted 1928 Cohn alto sax and the vocals of Pam Purvis who can blend and balance perfectly.

You’ve never heard selections like "Sophisticated Lady" and "Strolling’" sound like this before. Besides their sax-vocal duets, they will play a bossa nova with Bob on flute, Pam on keyboards and their special guests, Lenore Raphael on piano and Joe Cohn on guitar. This great mix of talent will be bringing you tunes from the great American song book, those well remembered but not often heard pieces like: Johnny Mercer’s ‘Namely You’, Gerswhin’s ‘I Was Doin All Right’, and Kurt Weil’s ‘It Never Was You.’

Pam Purvis has a voice that has three registers, a smoky contralto melding into a clear mezzo and a piping soprano. She moves from a sensuous whisper to a nasal parody of Fat Waller and then caresses you with her clearly. Pam has a distinctive style , a cool sound and pays strict attention to lyrics.

Bob Ackerman is a triple virtuoso on flute, clarinet and sax. He can elicit any tone and shift with purity of tone. He is a super improviser with technical control.

Al Cohn plays not only guitar but also classical piano, bass, trumpet and saxophone. He is a fabulous musician and adds to Pam and Bob with an allure.

Lenore Raphael will complete this foursome with a solid piano and light harmonies.

This wonderful quartet will bring their talents to the Watchung Arts Center on Saturday, May 30 at 8pm. For reserve seating call (908) 753-0190. Tickets are only $10 which includes light refreshments and art exhibits within the building. Our art exhibit this month is the Garden State Art Salon, an international photography show.