Sun 8/11 @ 7PM
After being part of the area music scene for over a decade, 23-year-old jazz drummer Steve Renko is packing his sticks and brushes and setting out for New York City to study jazz at he New College.
Yes, you read that right.
Renko was hitting local clubs looking for opportunities to play before he was even a teenager. By the time he was 14, he was playing regularly with Ernie Krivda’s Fat Tuesday Band. He’s studied with Cleveland percussion legends like Bob McKee and Jamey Haddad, and like many young Clevelanders aspiring to be jazz stars, he’s an alumni of the Tri-C High School Jazz All Stars.
Along the way he’s acquired many friends in the area jazz community who will gather at Nighttown for a farewell bash. It’ll be hosted by the Tony Cuda/Steve Gordon Jazz Co-Op — Renko plays with bassist Cuda in the prog/fusion band CuDaRenKo & CuDa.
Among the area jazz notables who will be on hand are trumpeter Joe Miller, sax player Dave Sterner, keyboard player Alan Douglass, and guitarists Steve Gordon and Chris Cuda. Don’t be surprised if some other local musicians stop by.
They’ll play jazz arrangements of pop tunes as well as originals Renko was involved in writing.
Tickets are only $10 — $5 for students with ID if they want to be inspired by seeing how their practice can pay off in the not-so-distant future.
For a look back at Steve Renko’s youthful thoughts and aspirations, check out this 2005 Cool Cleveland interview with him.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44106