Atkinson, Jess set concert

SPOKANE — Sandpoint’s own classical guitarist, Leon Atkinson, and Spokane Symphony’s principal trumpet player, Larry Jess,will join members of the Brass Works Quintet in a special concert slated for May 12.

It is a collaboration that has been simmering on the back burner for a dozen years, Atkinson said. Jess, founder of Spokane Jazz Society, was inspired by Byrd and Brass, a 1986 jazz recording by the Charlie Byrd Trio and the Annapolis Brass Quintet. He approached Atkinson with the suggestion that they get together and perform.

Before they had the chance to rehearse, Atkinson suffered a series of health problems that took precedence over his professional engagements, forcing the two to put the collaboration on indefinite hold. However, as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait, as area music lovers are about to find out.

Along with Quindrey Davis on drums and Eugene Jablonski on bass, Jess and Atkinson will take the stage next Thursday at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane at 7:30 p.m. The performance will feature collaborative pieces as well as a 30-minute guitar solo, Atkinson said.

He will bring his unique harp guitar on stage, the first-ever classical version of the original steel-stringed instrument. Local musicians and artisans Tony and Dave Powell constructed it by hand according to Atkinson’s specifications.

The instrument, known as the Leon Atkinson signature model classic harp guitar, features a curved tone arm that acts as a resonating chamber and harp strings incorporated with a traditional guitar body. It has a cedar top, a walnut back, a rosewood bridge and an ebony fingerboard. The custom instrument also features the same Hauser bracing as Atkinson’s Andres Segovia-style classical guitar.

“It definitely has a different kind of sound,” Atkinson said.

Members of Jess’ Brass Works Quintet will join him and Atkinson onstage for a grand finale at Thursday’s concert.

Tickets are $32, and are available at ticketswest.com.