Purplecat's Harmonic Exploration
Purplecat, or Ellie Martens, is a Berkeley, California native who has garnered a reputation of being one of the most unique drummers to come from this new generation. Purplecat’s style is known for being extremely improvisational, listening and responding to every subtlety they hear. Purplecat returns to The Back Room for a third time this year to showcase all new compositions in contemporary, modal, and other jazz styles. Purplecat has notably played with musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Arturo O'farrill, Emmanuel Michael, Ambrose Akinmusre, and several others.
Tanvi Kumar is a jazz violinist and vocalist from Berkeley, California with a strong background in south Indian classical singing. In the past few years, she has been part of youth ensembles such as the Berkeley High Jazz program, the Monterey Jazz Festival combo, and the SFJazz High school all stars big band. Currently, Tanvi has been playing shows and sessions in the Bay Area and in Miami where she is studying with saxophonist Marcus Strickland.
Zack Shubert is a pianist and composer who has recently been welcomed to the NYC jazz scene where he is currently based. Originally from San Francisco, California he was a prodigy from an early age, and has been formally studying piano and music since the age of 5, developing a serious interest, deep passion, and profound reverence for jazz and Black American Music by the age of 8 years old. Zack has received 10 Downbeat awards, and in 2017 he was featured on the cover of the Student Music Awards issue. In high school, he began touring internationally with groups such as the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and the SFJAZZ and CJC conglomerate groups. A 2 time YoungArts winner and Vail Jazz Workshop honorary alumni, , Zack has had the opportunity to perform at The Monterey Jazz Festival, as well as The Noto Jazz festival (Japan), and venues including SFJAZZ, Yoshi’s in Oakland CA, and regularly performs at NYC staples such as Smalls jazz club, Mezzrow, Ornithology, Close Up, and more.
Isaac Coyle is a bassist, composer, and educator born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. After beginning his journey studying with local greats such as Howard Wiley and Jeff Chambers, Isaac graduated from the Berklee College of music in 2023 and upon returning has become one of the top call bassists in the Bay Area jazz scene. In addition he has performed throughout the country as a part of Terri Lyne Carrington’s Grammy winning New Standards band.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $28 at the door general admission; $15 for students with ID. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.