Renowned guitarist and composer Peter Sprague leads an exceptional ensemble in Spinning in Infinity, a dynamic exploration of the music of Paul Simon. Long celebrated for songwriting that bridges folk, pop, and global traditions, Simon’s music becomes the foundation for inventive jazz reinterpretation shaped by improvisation, global rhythm, and contemporary harmonic language.
Sprague, whose celebrated career includes collaborations with Chick Corea, Sergio Mendes, Dianne Reeves, and David Benoit, brings together a remarkable group of longtime collaborators and standout voices from the Southern California jazz community. Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker, an internationally acclaimed multilingual artist whose performances span Europe, Japan, and the United States, joins saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Tripp Sprague, recognized for his versatility across jazz, pop, and studio recording.
Pianist Danny Green, an award-winning composer and Origin Records recording artist praised by DownBeat and NPR, contributes a richly textured harmonic voice shaped by jazz, Brazilian, and classical influences. Bassist Mack Leighton brings a fresh contemporary sensibility informed by international touring experience, while drummer Duncan Moore, heard on more than 100 recordings with leading jazz artists, anchors the ensemble with dynamic precision and fluid rhythmic interplay.
Together, the group reimagines songs such as The Sound of Silence, Cecilia, Hearts and Bones, and You Can Call Me Al, transforming familiar material into layered and expressive arrangements. Brazilian rhythm, Afro-Cuban influence, and contemporary jazz improvisation reveal new dimensions within these iconic works while preserving their emotional core. The result is music that feels both grounded and exploratory, honoring the spirit of Paul Simon’s songwriting while opening the door to fresh musical discovery.
A live onstage conversation led by Yale Strom adds further depth to the evening. Through reflections on cultural memory, storytelling traditions, and musical exchange, audiences gain insight into how these songs continue to resonate across generations and cultures through reinterpretation and performance.
Admission/Cost: $28.52
Location:
UC San Diego Park & Market
1100 Market Street
San Diego, CA
Friday, December 4 - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
