The longtime Buffalo guitarist, composer, and educator will perform on September 23 at the Hunt Art Gallery and Beebe’s on the Square, just two weeks before his induction into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
On Wednesday, September 23, guitarist Rick Strauss will open the fall season of Art Meets Jazz at the Hunt Art Gallery and Beebe’s on the Square. Two weeks later, he will be inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame as part of its 43rd class.
That gives us a chance to celebrate Rick before the formal recognition takes place. And perhaps the best way to do that is by coming to hear him play.
Rick’s musical story reaches back to an important period in Buffalo’s jazz history. His early work with the group Flight was part of the musical experimentation that helped lead to the formation of Spyro Gyra. He later played and composed on the group’s breakthrough 1979 album, Morning Dance. Rick appears on “Rasul,” “Little Linda,” and “End of Romanticism,” which he also composed.
His career continued well beyond those early years. Rick has performed internationally and with artists including Dianne Reeves, Dave Brubeck, Bobby Short, Bobby Militello, and Don Menza, as well as with the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras. He has also spent years teaching and contributing to the musical life of Buffalo.
On Wednesday, he’ll be joined by Lisa Hasselback on keyboard and Ed Croft on bass.
It’s also a setting that feels right for this kind of evening. Art Meets Jazz puts the audience close to the musicians, surrounded by the artwork at the Hunt Art Gallery, with Beebe’s on the Square adding the food, drinks, and relaxed atmosphere that have become part of these evenings.
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place October 7, followed by its induction concert on October 8.
Before then, we’ll have an opportunity to spend an evening with Rick and the music.
Before Buffalo honors Rick Strauss, there’s a chance to hear the music that brought him there.
Art Meets Jazz: Celebrating Rick Strauss
Wednesday, September 23 | 6:00–8:30 PM
Hunt Art Gallery + Beebe’s on the Square
403 Main Street, Buffalo
Reserve your seats here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-meets-jazz-celebrating-rick-strauss-tickets-1998816070674?aff=oddtdtcreator
