BMRS Quartet in Concert Performers

A classically trained flutist & pianist with eclectic tastes, Barbara performs jazz, classical & world musics, as well as cross-arts collaborations. As a music educator she created and implemented original children’s music & arts programs, taught Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and has a private piano & flute lesson studio.

Martin has worked in a variety of settings, from classical and jazz groups to circus music and protest bands. In addition to his work with the BMRS Quartet, he plays jazz with the trio JWB and classic music with the Park Slope Chamber Ensemble.

Bassist Sean Smith has been an integral part of the international jazz scene for more than 25 years.  Smith has performed with such jazz superstars as Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Johnny Griffin, Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, Art Farmer, Tom Harrell and many others.  He was a member of the Jacky Terrasson Trio for four years.  Sean has also been the accompanist of choice for such celebrated vocalists as Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Jimmy Scott, Mark Murphy, and Andy Bey.  He has also performed with Tracy K. Smith (winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry). Sean is a prolific composer whose music has been played and recorded by such artists as Phil Woods, Bill Charlap, Bill Mays, Leon Parker, Gene Bertoncini and Mark Murphy.  He has appeared on over 100 recordings and his "Song for the Geese" is the title track of Mark Murphy's 1998 Grammy nominated album for RCA/BMG. As a leader his recordings include, Poise (Ambient Records), and Sean Smith Quartet Live! (Chiaroscuro Records), both featuring his own compositions.  The Sean Smith Quartet performs regularly in New York City and its newest recording, TRUST, was released in 2011 on SmithereenRecords™ and received rave reviews.    
www.SeanSmithJazz.com

Born in Normandy, France, Renaud Penant lived in Paris for 15 years before moving to New York City in 1995. After studying classical percussion as well as jazz drumming in the conservatories of Bagnolet, Rueil-Malmaison and at the Kenny Clarke-Dante Agostini Drum School, he obtained a unanimous first-prize at the Seine Saint-Denis drums competition. He also attended workshops under the direction of great drummers such as Max ROACH, Clifford JARVIS and Jack DeJOHNETTE. Performing Renaud has performed in virtually every major jazz club in Paris (New Morning, Duc des Lombards, Sunset, Petit Opportun, Manhattan Jazz Club), in various Jazz Festivals and also played in Germany and Italy. In New York he has had long term regular engagements at Smoke Jazz Club and Smalls Jazz Club, as well as at the now famous American Legion Post 398 in Harlem. He plays with musicians like Grant STEWART, John WEBBER, Bobby PORCELLI, Pasquale GRASSO, Steve ASH, Tad SHULL, Sacha PERRY, Zaid NASSER, John FARNSWORTH, Seleno CLARKE. He has recorded with the Joe FARNSWORTH World Rhythm Octet, Janice FRIEDMAN Trio. In 2014 he released a trio CD "I Want To Be Happy" on the ITI label, followed in 2017 by another CD, "In The Mood For A Classic", featuring Pasquale GRASSO and Ari ROLAND, on the Gut String Records label. Starting in France, teaching has always been an important part of Renaud's life. He feels it is a responsibility and a duty, for any artist, to pass on the magic of art through teaching. He has taught regularly in four conservatories (Arcueil, le Pré-St-Gervais, Epinay Sous Sénart and Chevilly) since 1987 until he moved to New York. His experience includes private drum lessons as well as various percussion and rhythm workshops, and he has taught all ages. In New York, he has taught for various music programs in schools in Manhattan and The Bronx, with educational companies such as Cisum, Inc., the Multicultural Music Group, the Harlem School of the Arts and most recently at Harlem Children's Zone and LEAP. He also teaches private students. www.renaudpenant.com