Thomasville Entertainment Foundation opens its 80th season of great performances with an encore performance by Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play on Thursday, September 21.  

The 7:30 p.m. concert takes place in the intimate 500-seat auditorium at the historic Thomasville Center for the Arts located in Thomasville, and tickets can be purchased online at tefconcerts.com or by calling (229) 226-7404.  

Music lovers are invited to take an epic sojourn with Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play through the landscape of American music with a lively set list of Delta blues, New Orleans jams, Tin Pan Alley standards and original tunes. This acoustic blues/jazz/folk trio with vocals includes the talents of Chris Brubeck on bass, trombone and piano, guitarist Joel Brown and harmonica virtuoso Peter Madcat Ruth.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “Triple Play was rollicking good fun… led by bassist, trombonist and pianist Chris Brubeck, the trio stole the show with its flair and virtuosity.”  

Brubeck first distinguished himself as an innovative jazz/rock performer and composer. During the 1970s, he began touring and recording with his father, Dave Brubeck. Chris plays bass, trombone, piano, guitar and sings and, in the past few decades, has earned international acclaim as a composer, performer and leader of his own groups. 

On stage, his irrepressible enthusiasm is matched by his fluid command of jazz, blues, folk, funk, pop and classical musical styles. An award-winning composer, Brubeck is tuned into the pulse of contemporary music. 

Peter Madcat Ruthhas established an international reputation through his exhilarating virtuosity on the harmonica. His expertise on this instrument has amazed audiences world-wide. He is equally at home playing blues, folk music, jazz, country, or rock and roll. Performance Magazine refers to him as “A harmonica virtuoso who is rapidly approaching legend status.”  

Ruth is a performer who has such an enjoyable time playing music that audiences delight in his performances. His enthusiasm is unpretentious and contagious. Ruth’s harmonica playing is heard on over 90 record albums. Having made many national television and radio appearances as well as performing with numerous symphony orchestras, Madcat is known as one of the best and most versatile harmonica players in the world. 

Guitarist Joel Brown’s eclectic career has taken him to England to record with the London Symphony, to Carnegie Hall with soprano Dawn Upshaw, and recital performances with Frederica von Stade. He has appeared at New York’s Alice Tully Hall with the Chamber Music Society of The Lincoln Center, the Chamber Music Festival at Saratoga, Music in the Mountains in British Columbia and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In addition to touring and recording with Triple Play, Brown has appeared as concerto soloist with many orchestras across the U.S.Brown is the featured guitarist on a recording with the London Symphony Orchestra, Bach to Brubeck on Koch International Classics with Bill Crofut and Chris Brubeck.   

Following very strong season ticket subscriptions, Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is now focusing on single concert ticket sales for its 2017-18 concert line-up. 

Series A features Music Director and Thomasville nativeWilliam Fred Scott and the Grammy Award-winning a cappella ensemble, Chanticleer, on October 10; acclaimed violinist Gil Shaham and pianist/composer Akira Eguchi on February 16; and Artistic Director/Pianist Barry Douglasand the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, in concert on March 2.  

In addition to Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play, Series B features a cabaret performance by musical theater star and operatic baritone Nathan Gunn accompanied by pianist, Julie Gunn, on January 18, and the sensational Barrage 8, a string octet of five violins, a cello, a viola and a bass on March 22.  

The Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization celebrating its 80th season. In addition to presenting concerts by acclaimed artists and a dedicated family series, TEF provides educational outreach programs for students and performing arts scholarships.

For more information about upcoming concerts, the Family Series, educational programs or supporting the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, call (229) 226-7404 or visit www.tefconcerts.com or TEF’s Facebook page.