Johnstown native, quartet to perform for Johnstown Concert Series

Sep. 28—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A jazzy evening of music will kick off a new concert series season.

The Johnstown Concert Series will showcase the Jason Kush Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 309 Lincoln St., downtown Johnstown.

Kush, a Johnstown native, will present a concert of jazz with his Pittsburgh-based quartet.

The quartet is composed of Alton Merrell, piano; Jeff Grubbs, bass; David Glover, drums; and guest vocalist Tania Grubbs.

"Jason has performed before with the concert series. We always try to do at least one jazz performance in the series each year, and he's a good fit," said Michael Bodolosky, a board member with the Johnstown Concert Series. "We all thought it would be good to bring a native Johnstowner back."

The group will perform Kush's original compositions and songs from the classic American songbook.

The program also will feature songs written by Pittsburgh natives Billy Strayhorn, Stanley Turrentine and Erroll Garner.

"People can expect world-class jazz," Bodolosky said.

"Looking at the bios of everyone, they all have performed with some major performers, so these folks are the real deal."

Kush's recent album "Finally Friday" has received worldwide radio play and top 100 status on national jazz charts.

"It's a really great album, and it's received worldwide radio play," Bodolosky said.

Kush has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, is a member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra and has performed with Hugh Jackman, Andrea Bocelli, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis and Arturo Sandoval.

In addition, Kush is currently performing in the orchestra for the world premiere of "Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For" in Pittsburgh.

He is a professor of music at Slippery Rock University and an artist lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University.

Bodolosky said the concert will appeal to jazz aficionados, but it's also a great opportunity for students.

"Students of music, both young and old, will have the same musical experience as you would going to a rock or popular music concert," he said. "For a student of music, you're not going to get an opportunity to hear live this kind of talent."

Tickets are $15 each or $25 for two adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students, and can be bought in advance or at the door.

For more information, visit www.johnstownmusic.org.