BETZ-GILLECE-PARRISH-LANDHAM / SATURDAY, TBD

The Story

Guitarist-educator Brian Betz, who resides in the Philadelphia Metro Area, joins forces with rising star vibraphonist-composer and New Jersey native and New York City resident Behn Gillece, first-call bassist Matt Parrish, and Philly-born drummer Byron Landham (a longtime sideman to the late B-3 king Joey DeFrancesco who also had stints with Betty Carter, George Coleman, Bobby Hutcherson, Frank Wes, Pat Martino, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Malone and Dave Sanborn) in their return to the Exit Zero Jazz Festival. 

With six recordings as a leader to his credit, including 2001’s Running, 2003’s Without A Doubt and 2005’s Dichotomy, and three more done in collaboration with baritone sax burner Denis Diblasio, Betz is a well established figured on the jazz scene. He is also currently on the faculty at Rowan University and Cumberland County College and teaches privately at the Friends School in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. Gillece, who was named a Downbeat Rising Star for 2018, has released ten albums on the Posi-Tone label, the most recent being 2023’s Stick Together featuring label mates Art Hirahara on piano Boris Kozlov on bass, Rudy Royston on drums. Gillece is also a member of the faculty at Rowan University and New Jersey City University, where he teaches vibraphone, jazz ensemble, music theory, and online courses.

The Sound

Given their collective backgrounds and total immersion into burning post-bop and bluesy soul-jazz, the watchword for this exciting new quartet is swing. Sparks will fly, mixed with stunning displays of lyricism, when these esteemed players hit the bandstand.