JEREMY PELT QUINTET / SUNDAY, MAY 17 / Cape May Convention Hall / 12:30-1:45PM
The Story
One of the preeminent trumpeter-composers around today, Jeremy Pelt has performed in such notable ensembles as the Roy Hargrove Big Band, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Big Band, Lewis Nash Septet, The Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band featuring Louis Hayes and the Mingus Big Band. As a bandleader in his own right, he has toured globally and recorded 26 albums as a leader, including 2024’s Tomorrow’s Another Day, 2025’s Woven and the recently released Our Community Will Not Be Erased. Approaching age 50 later this year, Pelt is too young for revered elder status but he’s gained the admiration of his colleagues after 28 years on the New York City jazz scene. He will be joined in his return engagement to the Exit Zero Jazz Festival by his young charges Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Misha Mendelenko on guitar, Leighton Hurrell on acoustic and electric bass, and Jared Spears on drums.
The Sound
Pelt’s group is strictly acoustic but incredibly versatile, able to go from uptempo burners like “Labyrinth” and “13/14” to gorgeous ballads like his “For Whom I Love So Much,” the Barbra Streisand signature tune “People” and the Anthony Newley-Leslie Bricusse chestnut “Who Can I Turn To,” and on to more fusion-tinged fare like “Dreamcatcher” and “Fathers and Sons.”
