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New York-based quartet The Westerlies to perform at BPAC

The Westerlies are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of four childhood friends from Seattle, Washington — Riley Mulherkar and Zubin Hensler on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch on trombone. The Westerlies will be performing on April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the campus of Delta State University. The event is part of the Recital Hall Series, featuring a more intimate audience setting in the BPAC’s 145-seat Recital Hall. Tickets are on sale now.

Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” takes its name from the prevailing winds that travel from the West to the East. “Skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies explore jazz, roots and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids — music that is both “folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” (NPR Music). Equally at home in concert halls and living rooms, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.

Their latest concert program, “Songs We Sang: American Vocal Music of the 20th Century,” traces the sound of the 20th century through a variety of American vocal traditions. From the songs of Charles Ives .to the spirituals of the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet, The Westerlies draw a line through jazz, classical and folk languages.

In addition to their public performance, The Westerlies will perform a mini-concert for a local assisted living community, as well as conduct a masterclass for Delta State University students.

Tickets to see The Westerlies are $35, and discounts are available for students and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are on sale now at www.bolognapac.com or at the BPAC Ticket Office at 662-846-4626.