Brian Betz (left) and Behn Gillece (far right) at Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia. The two will be at the township library on Dec. 9.
The Mullica Hill library will host a free holiday jazz concert at 7 p.m. on Monday featuring renowned jazz musicians Brian Betz and Behn Gillece.
Betz is a guitarist from the Philadelphia area who has performed around the country for more than 20 years, according to his website. He is a composer and educator in the Paulsboro public schools and holds two degrees from Rowan University.
Betz is also a two-time winner – for 2004 and 2007 – of the Betty Carty International Jazz Residency at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C., as well as a runner-up for the 2006 Henry Mancini Jazz Competition.
Betz’s website notes that he currently has six CD releases available on the Dreambox Media Label, including “Up and Running (2001),” “Without A Doubt” (2003) and “Dichotomy (2005).”
Gillece is a vibraphonist from New Jersey who performs jazz in New York City and Philadelphia, something he’s done for almost two decades. He is also a professor at Rowan University. With a style inspired by jazz greats like Milt Jackson, Gary Burton and Bobby Hutcherson, Gillece has performed at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Lincoln Center in New York and the Fat Cat Jazz Club in New York. He’s also played at jazz fests in Montreal, Toronto and Rotterdam.
“Behn Gillece has built a distinguished reputation as both a virtuosic vibraphonist and a prolific composer,” said Andrew Brenza, the library’s head of Adult Services. “He has solidified his status as a sought-after sideman, as well as a formidable bandleader and recording artist.”
“Brian Betz is a guitarist, composer, and educator who … performs throughout the United States with a vast array of musical artists,” Brenza added.
The library encourages but does not require online registration at the GCLS website before the event. Registration will also be open on show day at 6 p.m.
