First Friday Jazz & Classical Concerts by Dedham School of Music and First Church presents its fifth concert of the 2024-2025 season featuring the Bill O’Connor Quartet at First Church and Parish Dedham 670 High Street, Dedham on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 7:30 pm in the Meetinghouse. There will be refreshments for purchase.  Tickets are $20 and are available online and at the door. Doors open at 7:00 pm.

 

The Bill O’Connor Quartet shines in its interpretation of jazz from Blue Note’s Modern era. From bop to bossa nova to ballads the quartet pays homage to the standards that comprise this truly American art form. The past twelve years have seen the Bill O’Connor Quartet hosting the Jazz at the Armory concert series in Somerville, performing at the Lilypad in Cambridge, or complementing events at the Gropius House in Lincoln. For this performance he is joined by Julianne Johnston on saxophone and flute, Barry Johnston on guitar, Jon Frederick on bass, and Kim Maria on piano and vocals.

 

Bill’s performance history includes rock, pop, and big-band genres. His first exposure to music was through his siblings’ Beatles records and his drumming influences include Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, and Ringo Starr. Bill has performed throughout the United States and has been fortunate to share the stage with talented musicians such as Jon Wheatley, Mark Earley, John Turner, Yoko Miwa, Russ Gershon, and Blake Newman. He considers himself lucky to have had the opportunity to study with inspirational teachers including Bill Flanagan and Bob Gullotti. Today Bill is the director for the Dedham High School Jazz Band and a local drum instructor. This concert is supported in part by grants from both the Massachusetts and Dedham Cultural Councils.

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Join the Bill O’Connor Quartet for a tour through Modern Jazz!

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First Church and Parish Dedham Unitarian Universalist was gathered in 1638 and is located in Dedham Center at 670 High Street. Its lively music program includes choir at Sunday services, the Parish Players theater troupe, Friday Folk Coffeehouse, as well as our First Friday Jazz & Classical Concerts in conjunction with Dedham School of Music founded in 2008 providing an environment for people of all ages, abilities, and means to learn, play, and enjoy music.