Beth Schenck Quartet

Alto saxophonist and composer Beth Schenck leads a quartet of Bay Area creative jazz heavyweights in music that blends "lush harmonies with fierce propulsiveness and surprising rhythmic twists and turns." Her compositions have been praised as "frank and beautiful" and "reliably enthralling" by critics, showcasing what the Hammer Museum calls her "wildly creative and original musical voice."

Schenck has been a cornerstone of the Bay Area's jazz and improvised music scenes for over a decade, recently releasing her acclaimed quintet album Dahlia on Queen Bee Records in 2025. Her versatile compositional approach spans solo saxophone works to chamber ensembles, including her saxophone quartet Social Stutter and collaborative projects with violinist Jenny Scheinman.

Joining her are three of the region's most adventurous improvisers. Guitarist Matt Wrobel brings his CalArts-trained sensibilities to the ensemble, having collaborated extensively with Schenck in various projects including their Guthrie Project duo. Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa, called "one of the most imaginative figures on the Bay Area creative jazz scene" by The Mercury News, contributes her expertise in avant-garde jazz and electro-acoustic works. Drummer Jordan Glenn rounds out the rhythm section with his background in experimental music, having worked with avant-garde luminaries like Fred Frith and Roscoe Mitchell.

The quartet's sound draws from contemporary jazz, chamber music, and free improvisation, with Schenck's compositions providing structured frameworks for generous improvisation shared among all members. Expect music that moves seamlessly between different registers and textures, reflecting the interplay of the group's diverse musical voices in an intimate setting.