The Quartet

 

Jack Furlong

“Jack Furlong, a baritone saxophonist, [is] a classic entertainer. His dry wit and laid back demeanor made for what felt like a relaxing evening with a friend. Accompanied by Sean Gough on keys, Pat Kelley on the upright bass, and John O’Keefe laying down some pretty mean beats, Jack and his quartet played through a variety of songs and styles, mixing standard jazz tunes with some interesting originals. It made for a truly modern set, getting a Miles Davis tune followed by a song inspired by The Colbert Report. Jack plays his sax wi th style, allowing the full baritone sound to sit just right between Kelley and Gough.” –Garrett Smith, 9/23/08, www.uwishunu.com

Jack’s quartet can vary from time to time, but the core stays the same (unless a particular drummer decides to have twins…).  The group consists of Sean Gough on piano, Pat Kelley on bass, and John O’Keefe on drums.

Sean Gough

Sean Gough has studied classical and jazz piano since 1995. A graduate of Lafayette College (BA music and history), he has also been actively involved as a student of music history, theory, and composition; as a solo pianist, a freelancing jazz musician, and a founding member of several jazz groups; and as accompanist for a variety of recital soloists and ensembles. Sean will continue this work as he undertakes an MA in Jazz History and Research at Rutgers University.

Pat Kelley

With a broad knowledge of popular and classical music, and an acute interest in new music of all kinds, Pat Kelley has quickly developed into a dynamic and intuitive jazz bassist. His study with Tom DiCarlo and Paul Rostock, and his admiration for late giants like Paul Chambers and Charles Mingus, and living luminaries Charlie Haden, Eddie Gomez, and Reid Anderson, have no doubt propelled his rapid development as well. When he’s not checking out more bands and composers, or composing a new string quartet of his own, Kelley can be found writing/performing music with his original rock group, The HANS, and with another jazz trio, Orange Claude (featuring pianist Tom DiGiovanni). He has also recently founded an independent record company, Stumparumper Records, which released five limited edition, handcrafted vinyl albums in 2009.

John O’Keefe

John O’Keefe has been playing jazz drums for over 15 years, and has worked with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Ray Charles, Wycliffe Gordon, and Nat Reeves, to name a few. A studio musician, composer, drummer and percussionist, he’s played in NYC clubs like Smalls, Carpo’s, Zinc, and the Village Vanguard, as well as Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus and Chris’s Jazz Café in Philadelphia. Heavily influenced by the complex drumming of Elvin Jones and David King as well as the rock-solid approach of Art Blakey and Philly Joe Jones, he brings a steady rhythmic engine to any group, driving the music forward while adding interesting polyrhythm. O’Keefe’s expertise as a sound engineer has also led to many projects recording local jazz musicians.