In honor of One Book, One Belmont, the Peter H. Bloom/Tim Ray Jazz Duo will celebrate with a live concert showcasing Poets of the Great American Songbook. In this interactive jazz concert, volunteer audience members will read lyrics and the musicians will respond with inventive musical interpretations – a fun, entertaining and engaging way to experience the power of music and literature combined.

The musicians will program a vibrant mix of up-tempo tunes and beguiling ballads, each piece notable for musical and literary panache.  Some examples include:  It’s Only a Paper Moon, Skylark, A Foggy Day in London Town, and Our Love Is Here To Stay.

Flutist Peter H. Bloom has shared the stage with Sheila Jordan, Charles Neville, Ricky Ford, Geri Allen, Jaki Byard and other jazz greats. He is a 45-year veteran with the illustrious Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, has led his own ensembles for decades, and is a founding member of The Modernistics. Praised for “amazing versatility” (Arts Fuse), “exquisite melody” (Jazz Improv), and “hip, jazzy flute work” (AllAboutJazz), Bloom performs in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, and appears on 48 CDs. He has given master classes and lectures across the globe, and is contributing editor for Noteworthy Sheet Music.

Pianist Tim Ray has performed with legendary musicians spanning many genres. He served as music director for Tony Bennett from 2016 until Bennett’s retirement in 2021. Tim spent 15 years in Lyle Lovett's touring band, and he’s performed with a long list of pop-music icons, notably Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Jane Siberry, and Soul Asylum. He plays regularly with leading jazz figures, among them Terri Lyne Carrington, Gary Burton, Esperanza Spalding, George Garzone, and Dave Douglas. His classical credits include concerts with the Boston Pops, Gunther Schuller, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Tim appears on more than 100 CDs, including six albums under his own name. Tim has been called “a highly intuitive musician with superb technical skills” (Times Colonist, Victoria BC), “a masterful pianist” (Tucson Weekly), and “a world class musician” (trumpet legend Herb Pomeroy).

Thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library and our community co-sponsors who make this amazing series of events possible.