Steve Grover, Maine drummer and composer, is an adjunct Bowdoin faculty member who has been writing and performing his own compositions since the 1970s. Tonight, he will perform with three other talented and experienced jazz musicians as part of the Steve Grover New York Quartet.
"The New York String Quartet had performed at Bowdoin before, giving workshops," said Lecturer of Music Frank Mauceri. "Since the group was coming up for a show in Portland, we thought it might be fun to have them come to Bowdoin."
Mauceri explained that Grover's music repeatedly breaks down barriers, a distinguishing characteristic.
"One thing that is unusual about Steve Grover's jazz music is that it is inspired by modern poetry," said Mauceri. "His best known piece is based on a cycle of Wallace Stevens poems, in addition to poems such as those by Jack Kerouac and other modern American poets."
Grover has performed with other celebrated jazz artists such as Eddie Gomez, Marvin Stamm, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Potter, Herb Pomeroy, Mick Goodrick, Hal Crook, Tony Malaby and many others.
"Grover has an excellent group, the four of them are very strong, well-regarded players from the New York jazz scene," said Mauceri.
Grover's Quartet is made up of fellow renowned musicians: Andrew Rathbun, (saxophone), Frank Carlberg (piano) and Chris Van Voorst Van Beest (bass).
Tonight's performance will feature some of these compositions, premiering music all written by Grover himself, in addition to familiar jazz tunes.
"[Grover] is a very strong, talented jazz composer and player, really a top-notch performer," said Mauceri.
A gifted musician, Grover attended Berklee College of Music and the University of Maine before getting a gig with guitar professional Lenny Breau. Since then, Grover has played in several different bands, learning from a variety of jazz artists.
Grover has also served as an adjunct professor at Bates and the University of Maine-Augusta. In the '80s and early '90s, Grover taught as a Gifted/Talented instructor at many Maine high schools.
Grover's educational career has also taken him abroad, where he served as a faculty member for the International Summer Jazz Academy in Krakow, Poland and the New England Percussion School.
In addition to performing with noted artists, reviews of Grover's materials have appeared in respected jazz publications, including 'Downbeat,' 'JazzTimes' and 'Cadence.'
Grover has not only performed and toured with famous composers, but he has also released several albums, including "Blackboard Suite" (1985), "Splitting the World in Half" (1986), "Consideration" (1999), "Remember" (2000) and "Breath" (2003), among others.
The Quartet will perform tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Studzinski Recital Hall in Kanbar Auditorium. It is free and open to the public.