Exeter, NH (July 9, 2008)—On Wednesday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m., the Friends of the Academy Library of Phillips Exeter Academy will host the Paul Broadnax Quartet in its annual series of “Summer Concerts in the Library,” held in Rockefeller Hall in the Class of 1945 Library. Pianist Paul Broadnax will perform with saxophonist Charlie Jennison, bassist Marty Ballou and drummer Les Harris, Jr. The library is located on Front Street. The event is free and open to the public.

Broadnax is the child of Boston-based classical musicians. He began arranging music and performing on tenor saxophone with the Tom Kennedy and Buster Daniels Bands during the 1950s. His musical associations with bassist Champ Jones and drummer Tony Sarni evolved into The Paul Champ Three during the 1970s. In the 1980s, Broadnax formed a trio with bassist Dave Trefethen and drummer Les Harris, Jr., and performed throughout New England. Presently, he performs in a trio with Peter Kontrimas on bass and Trefethen on guitar.

New Hampshire-based, multi-instrumentalist Jennison began playing jazz in junior high school. While attending the University of New Hampshire, he formed a jazz combo. After studying with major jazz figures Jerry Bergonzi and Charlie Mariano, Jennison met and began performing with pianist Tom Gallant, an alumnus of Woody Herman’s Band. Jennison and Gallant performed together for more than 30 years.

Ballou began his career as a bass player performing with the jazz vocal group, The Ritz. In 1992, he became a member of Duke Robillard’s Band, traveling around the world for five years. Since 1998, he has been a sought-after session musician in New England.

Harris graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music and studied with Alan Dawson. From 1983 to 1995, he was the drummer for The Ritz, performing at clubs and jazz festivals worldwide. Harris has also performed with The Artie Shaw Orchestra, Clark Terry, Diana Krall and Scott Hamilton. Currently, he teaches percussion at Phillips Exeter Academy, the University of New Hampshire and the University of Southern Maine.

Read more about the Summer Concert Series...