The Diana Mascari Jazz Quartet

The Diana Mascari Jazz Quartet has been performing together for the past two years. In addition to annual summer concerts at the Christa McAuliffe Library in Framingham, the quartet was one of the regular host ensembles at the Amazing Things Arts Center’s Tuesday night jazz jam series. The group has also with jazz vocalist Lori Zuroff at the Orange Door Kitchen in Acton, MA.

The quartet’s program will include a combination of selections from the Great American Song Book by composers such as Rodgers and Hart, Johnny Mercer and Jerome Kern along with well-known jazz standards by such greats as Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and Thelonious Monk. Rounding out the program will be couple of Diana Mascari’s jazz compositions. The groups upbeat and energetic musical style is guaranteed to keep your feet tapping and bring a smile to your face.

About the Performers:

Diana Mascari-piano has maintained a professional performing career for more than four decades. She has performed extensively as a solo pianist in addition to leading her own jazz ensembles most of which performed her jazz compositions. Since 1981, Diana has been the organist/pianist/choir director at the Hartford Street Presbyterian Church in Natick. Her classical compositions are published by Keiser Music and recorded on CD (Parma Records).

Diana Mascari has been teaching piano to adults and children for the past 40 years at the Mascari Piano Studios located in Natick and in Hudson, MA. www.mascaripianostudios.com

Rebecca Pagano-tenor & soprano saxophones currently performs with the jazz ensemble District 5 as well as guest appearances with the Diana Mascari Jazz Quartet with whom she worked extensively from 2013-2015.  Additionally, she has performed with the Chagall Performing Arts Collaborative, the CPAC Saxophone Quartet, The Boston Percussion Group, and has been featured as a soloist with the Bridgewater State University Wind Ensemble. Rebecca also directs the jazz and concert bands and teaches general music at Wayland Middle School.

Tal Shalom-Kobi-upright bass, a native of Israel, is a performer and a music educator who has been active in the world of music for the past 20 years. She has performed in Jazz Festivals overseas and locally in venues like Berklee Performance Center, Ryles Jazz Club, and Jordan Hall among others. Tal (who also plays accordion and piano) leads her own group Women in World Jazz, an international ensemble of all female performers showcasing music from around the world. 

Michelle Hirsch-drums, studied music privately and during college. While maintaining a full-time career as a mechanical engineer, she has managed to perform regularly with The Mood Swings All Women’s’ Jazz Orchestra. In addition, she has performed with jazz composer/pianist Carla Bley, bassist Steve Swallow, former Tonight Show drummer Ed Shaughnessy, the Eric Ostling Trio and the Ted Knowlton Ensemble.

For additional information, performance schedule and to sign up for Diana Mascari’s Conversations at the Piano blog visit: http://mascaripianostudios.com/piano-performance/