By Tyler Amorando
Concordia Conservatory will conclude its 21st season of the celebrated Hoch Chamber Music Series with Music of Innovation, a genre-blending performance that brings together the worlds of classical chamber music and jazz. The concert takes place on Sunday, April 27th at 3:00 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Headlining the performance are Grammy-winning bassist John Patitucci and Grammy-winning violist Lawrence Dutton. They are joined by a stellar ensemble of musicians: violinists Elizabeth Lim-Dutton and Emanouil Manolov, cellist Andrew Janss, and guitarist Steve Cardenas. The program will feature Dvořák’s String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 77, as well as music by J.S. Bach, Reinhold Glière, and original compositions by Patitucci. It is a concert that promises not only musical virtuosity but also a rare fusion of genres that reflects the personal and professional chemistry between Patitucci and Dutton.
The title, Music of Innovation, captures the essence of what these longtime collaborators bring to the stage. “The innovation is really when John and I get together and try to mix things up,” said Dutton. “We try to be innovative in our ways.” The two musicians, who first met decades ago at a church they both attended, have found a deep connection through shared values—faith, family, and an unrelenting drive to grow as artists.
While the Hoch Series is rooted in chamber music, its mission has always been broader, welcoming different styles and voices into the fold. “It’s really about bringing to audiences different genres of music,” Dutton said. His partnership with Patitucci has enabled the series to stretch far beyond tradition, embracing jazz, cabaret, and commissioned works that sit comfortably alongside the classical norms.
Patitucci, whose career in jazz has spanned decades, brings a unique voice to chamber music. He describes jazz ensembles as inherently similar to chamber groups: “A jazz group, whether it’s a duo, trio, or quartet, is a lot like chamber music… It’s agile, light on its feet, and rhythmically exciting.” His compositions for the series reflect this hybrid sensibility, blending jazz harmonies and rhythms with the structural elegance of classical music.
The final concert of the season will also spotlight this spirit of musical novelty. Among the highlights is a performance of Monk’s Mood with a viola cadenza written for Dutton, as well as a collaboration with guitarist Steve Cardenas, who Patitucci described as “one of the foremost authorities on Monk’s music.”
Both artists emphasized the importance of mentorship and tradition. “We both feel the immense responsibility of passing down the knowledge we’ve gained,” Dutton said. “It’s really important now more than ever… the world is going away from a lot of great traditions, and you can lose the great music of the past if you don’t watch it and keep nurturing it.” Patitucci echoed the sentiment: “We’ve been blessed to be mentored by people responsible for innovation in music and we want to inspire younger musicians to be part of that tradition going forward.”
As artistic director of the Hoch Series, Dutton has carefully curated a season that not only celebrates tradition but also looks toward the future. This year’s programming included performances by quartets mentored by the Emerson String Quartet, a nod to Dutton’s legacy with the group. “The great joy for me is I get to invite these quartets and then I get to play with them,” he said. The upcoming concert, dubbed the “Emerson Legacy Concert,” closes out the season with the kind of collaborative energy that has defined Dutton’s work.
Looking ahead, Patitucci revealed he’s already composing a new work for the next season—an extended piece for string quartet and bass that, like many of his recent works, will blend genres and spotlight the strengths of his collaborators. “The beautiful thing is I know who I’m writing for,” he said. “I get to write for great people, and I get to mix the genres.”
That spirit of knowing and growing together—of adapting, listening, and innovating—sits at the heart of Music of Innovation. It’s not just a concert title. It’s a reflection of what this partnership has come to represent: reverence for the past, joy in the present, and an open hand to what music can become.
Tickets for Music of Innovation are $49 adult and $24.50 for senior/children and can be purchased at www.concordiaconservatory.org or by calling 914-395-4507.
