PUTNEY, Vt. – Next Stage Arts presents Tone Forest, an inventive contemporary jazz trio featuring pianist Miro Sprague, guitarist Jason Ennis, and bassist Marty Jaffe, on Saturday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m., at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
Comprised of three acclaimed musicians with deep roots in Western Massachusetts, Tone Forest creates music that transcends genre boundaries, blending jazz, world music traditions, and spontaneous improvisation into a sound that is at once sophisticated, accessible, and deeply expressive.
Longtime friends and collaborators, Sprague, Ennis, and Jaffe approach the trio as a true collective, embracing an improvisational spirit that ensures no two performances are ever the same. Their music draws inspiration from the natural world, unfolding like a cinematic journey through shifting landscapes of melody, rhythm, texture, and emotion.
From intimate, lyrical passages to infectious grooves, Tone Forest incorporates influences from across the globe, weaving together elements of swing, samba, baião, New Orleans street rhythms, and other folk traditions. The result is a rich musical tapestry that balances adventurous exploration with warmth, beauty, and an irresistible sense of movement.
Each member of the trio brings a wealth of experience as a performer, composer, and educator, creating a dynamic musical conversation rooted in trust, curiosity, and shared artistic vision. Together, they craft performances that invite listeners into the creative process, revealing the joy and spontaneity at the heart of improvised music.
Tickets are discounted in advance. Advance tickets and additional information are available at www.nextstagearts.org.