Sunday Music Series | Sonoro

The NBMAA’s longstanding monthly concert series features local & regional performances from a variety of musical genres.

SONORO

SONORO’s music is often referred to as Third Stream, a genre of music that emerged in the mid-20th century as an attempt to fuse the classical music tradition with that of jazz. The ensemble’s impeccable technique and profound sensitivity shine through in their performances. This is especially evident in their thoughtful interpretations of classical pieces, where they manage to bring out a jazz-like freedom and Latin emotion, making well-trodden works feel new and unexpected. In SONORO’s hands, jazz does not lose its freedom, nor does classical music its dignity, and Latin music its passion. Instead, they augment one another in a symphony of the coexistence of styles, bound together by an underlying commonality.

The ensemble does not just play music; they are true artists who paint on a canvas of silence with colors drawn from a musical palette of endless variety. Their blend of styles offers an escape from the monoculture of formulaic musical genre boundaries, thrusting the listener into a world where there are no rules, only exploration and innovation.

At the helm is composer and pianist, Sharon Ruchman, who received a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music from Yale School of Music. Her myriad accomplishments include the production of six albums, including original classical music for solo instrumentation and chamber ensembles, and slow tango compositions. Since forming SONORO in 2019, she has produced original compositions for the group’s five albums, which can be heard on Spotify and other music streaming platforms. She takes inspiration from the ensemble’s highly skilled musicians, playing saxophone, electric and upright bass, and percussion. Playing saxophone is Bill Holloman, who in 25-year career, has recorded and/or performed with Bruce Springsteen, Nile Rodgers (Chic), Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Elton John, among others. On the bass, Frank Brocklehurst, has been a staple of the New England and UK music scene for more than 20 years, performing with a host of professional musicians and producers. And Ryan Dunne, percussionist, performs in the Connecticut wedding band, No Big Deal, and he’s a sideman for many jazz groups. He is excited to lend his percussion expertise and fuse his background in jazz with SONORO’s mix of styles.