The Jeannie Gagné Quartet

Jazz, funk, and soul are the heartbeat of The Jeannie Gagné Quartet, featuring original songs, virtuoso playing, and reimagined classics. The Jeannie Gagné Quartet Featuring: Jeannie Gagné (vocals) Maxim Lubarsky (piano) Yoron Israel (drum set) Oscar Stagnaro (bass) Special guest Stan Strickland (sax and vocals) Jazz, funk, and soul are the heartbeat of The Jeannie Gagné Quartet, featuring original songs, virtuoso playing, and reimagined classics that create a joyful, honest, fun, and moving audience experience. Vocalist and songwriter Jeannie Gagné is joined by Maxim Lubarsky (piano), Yoron Israel (drum set), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), and guest Stan Strickland (sax and voice). NOTE: Immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of the Jazz Baroness Room at The Mad Monkfish, where you can sip your favorite drink, savor sushi or Thai cuisine, and enjoy the mesmerizing sounds of a remarkable jazz ensemble. Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or simply seeking a delightful night out, this event promises to be a treat for your senses. To keep this vibrant jazz scene alive, we require a minimum spend of $25 per person, since all ticket proceeds go directly to the musicians. If a guest spends less than $25, the difference will be added to the check—this small gesture helps us keep the restaurant running and the music flowing. We’re grateful for your support—it’s what keeps the spirit of live jazz alive here at The Mad Monkfish. Our full bar and food menus are available to complement the musical experience, so indulge in our renowned cuisine while supporting live jazz at The Mad Monkfish. Together, we can keep the music playing! BIO: Jeannie Gagné An electrifying vocalist, composer, recording artist, author, and educator, Jeannie Gagné transcends boundaries with her 4-octave range, soul-stirring vocals and innovative artistry. Born into a musical family in New York City, her musical journey began early to ignite a passion that would shape her life. A songwriter with hundreds of compositions, Jeannie's music highlights her passion for storytelling and offers a glimpse into her heart. Professor of Voice at Berklee, she has appeared on TV, sung for award-winning movies and albums, and toured in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, Israel, and throughout the U.S. She appears on dozens of recordings including her own three critically acclaimed solo CDs, with her fourth album currently in production. With a M.A. from Lesley University in Vocal Pedagogy and Anatomy, she is a leading expert in vocal technique and contemporary styles, having taught tens of thousands of singers for over 30 years across four continents to use their voices effectively and authentically. With a voice that transverses genres from jazz to R&B, funk to soul, folk and pop to classical, Jeannie’s performances blend technical mastery with genuine emotion to create a joyful, honest, fun, and moving audience experience. Stan Strickland Singer, saxophonist, flutist, and actor Stan Strickland has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, New Zealand and the Caribbean, with notable artists such as jazz greats Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders, Shirley Scott and Herbie Mann, opened for Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Natalie Cole, as well as the Boston Pops, the Village People, Aretha Franklin, and The Bare Naked Ladies. An associate Professor of Voice at Berklee, Stan also serves as Co-Executive Director of Express Yourself, a multi-cultural arts organization that serves mentally ill youth through year-long creative collaborations between the Department of Mental Health, some of Boston’s best musicians, and Exyo artists. Their free, celebratory performances are now in their 30th year at the Wang Theatre each May. Stan Strickland has an M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy/Dance from Lesley University, having presented workshops throughout Europe and Israel. He is also a member of Voces, a volunteer group of expressive therapists working with immigrant families in El Paso, TX and Mexico. Stan has performed with modern dancers and choreographers including members of the Alvin Ailey, Jose Limon, and Bill T Jones companies and Dance Collective of Boston. He is a long-time collaborator with US poet laureate, Robert Pinsky. His one-man show "Coming Up For Air, an Auto-Jazzography," tells the story of his near-death experience swimming in Hawaii. It received the prestigious Eliot Norton Award for Best Solo Performance in Theatre. Maxim Lubarsky is a virtuoso pianist from Odessa, Ukraine, renowned for his stylistic versatility and deep musicality. His repertoire spans classical, jazz, and music of Latin America, showcasing his ability to merge different styles seamlessly. Trained as a classical pianist at the prestigious Stolyarsky School and Odessa State Conservatory, he later discovered his passion for jazz, founding the award-winning group, Art Session. After touring internationally and performing with the Odessa State Symphony, he moved to the U.S. upon receiving a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, where he studied with Joanne Brackeen, Danilo Pérez, Hal Crook, and Joe Lovano. Lubarsky has performed with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dave Liebman, Grace Kelly,Michael Pipoquinha, Julian Milkis and Gabrielle Goodman, and leads multiple ensembles including his own quartet and the Latin jazz group TRIAD+. He has performed and taught across Europe, South Africa, China, Japan, and the United States, appearing at festivals such as Cambridge Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Edge Festival (Israel), Black Sea Jazz Weekend (Ukraine), Diacetum Festival (Italy), and the Spoleto Festival (USA), among others. His latest recording, Explorations in Sound, has been recognized as one of the most creative releases of the year. Currently based in Boston, Maxim tours globally, conducts masterclasses, and serves as an Associate Professor of Piano at Berklee College of Music. Yoron Israel A native of Chicago, Yoron Israel is among the most gifted and sought-after musicians of his generation. He serves as Chair and Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He is also the Pastor of Music and Arts at Destiny Life Center International Church in Brockton, MA, and the Founder and Artistic Director of the concert series “Jazz in the Sanctuary-South Shore.” His exciting, tasteful drumming and distinctive compositional and arranging talents shine on his album Inspiration—a powerful, deeply personal recording that celebrates the rich musical currents of the African Diaspora. The album takes listeners on a wide-ranging sonic journey, moving seamlessly through jazz, gospel, blues, and global traditions. Featuring an all-star cast—including vocalists Leah Hinton and Michon Young-Williams, organist Dennis Montgomery, pianist Laszlo Gardony, bassist Avery Sharpe, saxophonist Ian Buss, and guitarist Rick Peckham—the ensemble performs Yoron’s original works alongside compositions associated with Michael Jackson, Chick Corea, Ivan Lins, and James Williams. As master drummer Jack DeJohnette stated: “Yoron’s works are sparkling musical offerings from a drummer with excellent taste. He has a strong sense of direction and a feeling of joy in his drumming, compositions, and arrangements. Yoron Israel is an important voice you should hear.” Oscar Stagnaro Hailing from Peru, Oscar Stagnaro studied at the Conservatory of Music in Lima while working extensively as a first-call session musician and live performer for many international artists and local bands. He moved to the U.S. in 1979, where he continued his studies with pianist/educator Mike Marra, and Jazz great Jerry Bergonzi. Since then, Oscar has become one of the most in-demand performers the on the East Coast.