Born and raised in Atlanta, Pfelton Sutton's love for music blossomed at a young age. He embarked on his musical journey at Beecher Hills Elementary School, receiving formal training and honing his skills. Recognizing his exceptional talent and dedication, Pfelton continued to nurture his passion at the renowned Boston University School for the Arts, where he graduated in 1995.
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Michael Hunter has been drawn to music since he was a child. He started playing the trumpet at age 11 and quickly rose through the ranks of his school band. He was bullied for being a “band geek,” but his talent eventually won out. After high school, Hunter began touring the country and recording with some of the biggest names in music, including James Brown, Rick James, Tina Marie, Chicago, Tom Jones, Stanley Clarke, Bill Summers, and Lenny Kravitz.
He also opened for major artists such as The Rolling Stones and U2. One of the highlights of Hunter’s career was playing with Lenny Kravitz for 17 years. This gave him the opportunity to travel the world and record on four of Kravitz’s albums. Hunter is now working on his own album, which he hopes will be a fusion of swing music, bebop, funk, and Latin sounds. He plans to take a variety of rhythms and blend them together to create a cool, groovy, and relaxing sound. The album is expected to be released in late 2024.
Yuval Sorkin is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and entrepreneur. Starting his career in Israel, Yuval played with and recorded for some of the leading artists in the Israeli scene. After completing his army service in 2014, he went to get his undergrad in Jazz performance in Rimon School of Music. During his time in Rimon, he got to perform and study with world renowned jazz musicians like Mark Whitfield, Cyrus Chestnut, Avishai Cohen(Trumpet), Ronen Shmueli and more.
Also, Yuval is a recipient of the prestigious “Keren Bracha” foundation scholarship, in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, and recieved a full scholarship to finish his degree at Berklee. In Boston, Yuval studied saxophone with Frank Tiberi and Dino Govoni, and Jazz composition with Greg Hopkins(arr. for Buddy Rich). He was an active musician in the jazz scene, performing around town with different groups in multiple genres, and also putting together his own groups for private events. In 2018, Yuval moved to LA, and since then he is continuously collaborating with bands and singer songwriters both as a writer/arranger, and as a performer.
Ian Martin, an accomplished bassist, writer, and producer, was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. His musical journey began in his father’s church, where he was immersed in a unique blend of traditional and contemporary American gospel, worship songs, reggae-infused hymns, and more. He started on piano at 8, switched to drums at 11, and finally found his calling on bass at 16.
In 1990, he attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he fell in love with jazz and, under the guidance of professors Dave Clark and Bill Pierce, began playing acoustic bass. In 1992, he returned to Toronto to continue his studies and launch his professional career. He played in local clubs with some of the city’s finest musicians, including Canadian jazz/blues legend Salome Bey. Ian quickly gained recognition as a versatile and talented bassist.
Pfelton Sutton graduated from Boston University School of Fine Arts with degrees in both music performance and philosophy. His first jazz quintet, PSQ (Pfelton Sutton Quintet), performed throughout the United States and Europe. Pfelton moved to Paris in 2001 where he was part of the jazz scene for several years.
He has written and produced two albums, released: In Pursuit (1998) and The Equation (2012) and third, a big band album, is being mixed currently. In 2005, he formed an eight-piece band which debuted at the prestigious Elysee Monmarte in Paris. Since then, he’s been performing and recording with a new Los Angeles-based quintet called Modern Jazz Syndicate. The group features a fundamental trio core plus a variety of very talented horn players.
Beyond Baroque offers a wide variety of workshops, readings, performances, art exhibits, and community events and meetings. Click on one of the calendar links below to find something to enjoy.
Poets on the Beat: A Conversation on Politically Engaged Poetry Thursday, October 12, 7:00 PM PDT In person at Beyond Baroque
The panel discussion features California poets commissioned to write short essays that link poetry to contemporary social and political themes. Each article harnesses the poetry of the past and present to provide new perspectives on topics such as climate change, growing inequality, the immigrant experience and police violence. The series, which launched in June and runs through November, is available at Capital & Main..
In a harmonious fusion of captivating melodies, intricate rhythms, and soulful improvisation, the new jazz big band album, "Permeating Factor," takes listeners on an enchanting musical odyssey. Created by a collective of exceptionally talented musicians and led by a visionary bandleader, this album is a testament to the timeless allure of jazz.
From the very first note, "Permeating Factor" envelops audiences in an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional jazz. The album exudes a rich tapestry of expressive compositions, each brimming with its own unique character and sonic landscape. The intricate interplay between the various instruments, such as the bold trumpet sections, vibrant saxophones, and dynamic rhythm section, gives birth to a sound that is both powerful and refined.
Drawing inspiration from the great jazz masters of the past while pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, "Permeating Factor" showcases a repertoire that seamlessly blends traditional elements with fresh and innovative ideas. The album intertwines vibrant swing rhythms, seductive Latin grooves, and the occasional touch of blues, encapsulating the diverse and ever-evolving nature of jazz itself.
The Modern Jazz Syndicate is an exceptional quintet band with a mission to keep the jazz genre alive. This outstanding jazz band plays with passion and knowledge of the musical genre. Not only do they present classic tunes to the public, but they also compose their own original music in order to keep the genre alive and evolving. By incorporating both traditional and modern jazz, this eclectic band has been known as a perfect representation of the future of jazz. Beyond creating original pieces, they put forth an effort to promote jazz culture and keep the music enjoyed by so many living. With contagious enthusiasm and dedication, the Modern Jazz Syndicate is sure to keep jazz alive and appreciated by many.
The Modern Jazz Syndicate is an exceptional quintet band with a mission to keep the jazz genre alive. This outstanding jazz band plays with passion and knowledge of the musical genre. Not only do they present classic tunes to the public, but they also compose their own original music in order to keep the genre alive and evolving. By incorporating both traditional and modern jazz, this eclectic band has been known as a perfect representation of the future of jazz. Beyond creating original pieces, they put forth an effort to promote jazz culture and keep the music enjoyed by so many living. With contagious enthusiasm and dedication, the Modern Jazz Syndicate is sure to keep jazz alive and appreciated by many.
