About: Brent Birckhead is an award-winning saxophonist, whose aesthetic is defined by an amalgam of traditional and popular styles. Unbound by genre, Birckhead’s approach to woodwind artistry is driven by his compulsion for creative risk and deep respect for legacy. His place in the continuum of a storied lineage begins with his surname, Birckhead, and extends to his extensive musical education and work ethic as a visionary approach to life as a rising leader.
Educated at Howard University (BME, MM), Birckhead was named best blues/pop/rock soloist and outstanding instrumental jazz soloist by Downbeat Magazine as part of the annual Student Music Awards. In 2011 Brent was named "Best Alto Saxophonist" by the Washington City Paper. He current serves as professor of saxophone at Morgan State University.
Presenting CACAO—an album that chronicles Birckhead’s journey of expansion and self-reclamation—serves as a testament to his evolution as both an artist and a person.
Born amidst the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the album's completion follows the global reemergence of society. The artist's creative process was refined by the period of forced isolation, effectively transforming him into a one-man band driven by a penchant for experimentation and dynamism reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's growth during the TONTO era. Armed with analog instruments, samplers, and an array of digital tools, Birckhead prioritized an ambitious approach to improvisation and solo arranging that required him to lean into discomfort to achieve measurable progress.
A studio overhaul provided him with a streamlined workflow, enabling him to become a more prolific composer and giving him the confidence to operate as both maestro and accompanist within a single record. Simultaneously, his physical relocation allowed for the deepening of personal relationships with immediate family members and the community that had supported him since childhood.
CACAO draws from the profound growth experienced during these endeavors. Opening with "There's Salt In The Honey," Birckhead references the bitterness that precedes life's sweetest moments. In this case, relinquishing his identity as a New Yorker playing on some of the city's grandest stages was a challenging pill to swallow. However, it paved the way for a reclamation of identity just a few hours down the turnpike.
Date & Time: Friday, August 30, 2024. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the concert starts at 7:00 PM.
Ticket Price: All tickets are general admission. $25 in advance until 3:00 PM on the day of the event. $30 at the door. Children 12 years and below are free when accompanied by an adult.
Ticket Information: Reserve tickets online or by calling the Barns of Rose Hill Box Office at 540-955-2004 (12:00 3:00 PM – Tuesday through Saturday). When our Box Office is closed, please leave a message. All ticket sales are final; no exceptions and no exchanges.