Hot & Cool Jazz at Wilton Library on Sunday, June 18: Venus & Mars featuring Roxy Coss and Lucas Pino

Please join us as husband-and-wife tenor-sax power-couple Lucas Pino and Roxy Coss make their debut as co-band leaders. The duo first met at a jam session in New York City in 2012, joined as spouses in 2014, became parents in 2021, and now come together for the first time publicly in 2023 to present a set of music representing that journey. Venus & Mars is a modern jazz project and a counter-response to the old trope that “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” How do two woodwind players live together, let alone perform together? Come find out with us.

 

The band will explore diverse arrangements from both musicians, from the history of jazz from the 1930s all the way through today, including some of their original compositions written for one another. The rhythm section joining this duo will feature some of the scene’s top rising stars: Mike King on piano; Liany Mateo on bass; and Dan Pugach on drums.

 

Hot & Cool Jazz is brought to you by the generosity of the Estate of James (Tom) and Alice Brown.

 

No charge. Suggested donation: $10. Advance registration strongly recommended. Register online or call 203-762-6334. Each registration is for one name only; please remember to separately register each member of your party. Pre-registrants should arrive by 3:50pm to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted after 3:50 pm if space is available. There will be a reception following the concert with CDs available for sale and signing.

 

GRAMMY Award-winning musician, composer, bandleader, recording artist, educator, and activist Roxy Coss has become one of the most innovative saxophonists on the scene. Winner of the 2022 Downbeat Critics’ Poll "Rising Star" category in soprano saxophone and an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, Jazziz Magazine listed her an “Artist to Watch," and she received the Hothouse Magazine & Jazzmobile “Tenor Saxophone” Award.

 

Award-winning musician and composer Lucas Pino has performed at some of the world’s most esteemed festivals and venues. As a tenor saxophonist and multi-woodwind player, his unique and lyrical approach make him one of the most in-demand side musicians across generations. Lucas has notably performed with Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride, Takuya Kuroda, Darcy James Argue, Alan Ferber, Samora Pinderhughes, Nick Finzer, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Songs We Love”, among others.