LES PAUL BIRTHDAY WEEK CELEBRATION: DAN WILSON QUARTET Featuring Special Guest JAFF “TAIN” WATTS, with Mitch Towne and Troy Roberts
About This Event
As part of Les Paul Birthday Week at the Iridium, songwriter-producer Dan Wilson headlines with his quartet. Wilson — whose writing credits include Semisonic's "Closing Time" and co-writes with Adele and The Chicks — is joined by special guest JAFF "TAIN" WATTS, Mitch Towne and Troy Roberts, a three-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist and bandleader with extensive recording and touring credits.
About the Artists
Dan Wilson Quartet
Dan Wilson Quartet is a New York City–presenting group heard at the Iridium, where songwriter-producer Dan Wilson leads a rock/pop repertoire with a jazz-informed band. Wilson is known for writing Semisonic’s “Closing Time” and for co-writing songs with artists including Adele and The Chicks.
Jaff “Tain” Watts
Jaff “Tain” Watts is a Rock/Pop performer whose New York City appearances include the Iridium, a room closely associated with Les Paul’s legacy. He has shared the bandstand with the Dan Wilson Quartet, Mitch Towne, and Troy Roberts, including during Les Paul Birthday Week programming led by songwriter-producer Dan Wilson.
Mitch Towne
Mitch Towne is a New York City–based rock/pop musician heard on stages like the Iridium, where he has appeared during Les Paul Birthday Week programming. He has performed alongside the Dan Wilson Quartet and artists including Jaff “Tain” Watts, Troy Roberts, and Les Paul, working in band settings that lean on ensemble listening as much as individual voice.
Troy Roberts
Troy Roberts is an Australian-born jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator based in New York City. He is a three-time Grammy-nominated artist and has released sixteen albums as a bandleader. Roberts has performed and recorded with numerous prominent jazz musicians, including Joey DeFrancesco, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Kurt Elling, and Van Morrison.
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss, known as Les Paul, was an American jazz, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid-body electric guitar, and his prototype, called the Log, served as inspiration for the Gibson Les Paul.
Dan Wilson
Daniel Dodd Wilson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, visual artist and record producer who has been called the songwriter's songwriter. His songwriting résumé includes "Closing Time," which he wrote for his band, Semisonic; "Not Ready to Make Nice," co-written with The Chicks; and "Someone Like You," co-written with Adele.