Original compositions, and eclectic saxophone-piano jazz arrangements of western-classical works by J.S. Bach, Messiaen, Scriabin as well as Gregorian chant and folk melodies from America to Iceland.
New York-based pianist/composer Jason Yeager’s music is deeply expressive and multi-faceted. A recording artist on Greg Osby’s Inner Circle Music label, Yeager has released two albums of original music to wide acclaim, "Ruminations" (2011) and "Affirmation" (2014). Mentored by jazz pianists Danilo Perez, Fred Hersch, Frank Carlberg, and Ran Blake, Yeager’s evolving musical personality reflects his love of jazz and improvisation combined with elements of 20th century classical music, the blues, Argentine folk styles, drum’n’bass rhythms and more. He is also active as a sideman in various groups in New York, Boston, and beyond, and has performed or recorded with several noteworthy artists including Greg Osby, Ran Blake, James Cammack, Mark Walker, Aaron Goldberg, John McNeil, Sara Serpa, Aubrey Johnson, Lauren Henderson, and Linda Oh, among many others. In addition to his work with the Jason Yeager Trio and playing as a sideman with other groups, Jason is composing a set of pieces for solo piano inspired by compelling pieces of war journalism. A graduate of the Tufts University/New England Conservatory double degree program (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda), Jason is a member of the piano faculties at Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Varta Academy of Musical Arts in New York City. He is also the winner of the Hot House Magazine Jazz Fans Decision 2014 contest for best pianist and best organist.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Randal Despommier has pursued multiple disciplines as a composer for and performer on the piano and alto saxophone, as well as vocal and chamber music in both classical and jazz idioms. His compositions have been performed internationally by the Accademia Musicale Chigiana Chamber Ensemble, Duo Musagète, Boston Metro Opera, and the New England Conservatory's new music series. Music Ministry has also been an integral part of his life, including his musical directorship of the Catholic Center of Boston University’s Marsh Chapel, and his accompaniment of the gospel choir at the A.M.E. Church of Zion in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Despommier holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies & saxophone performance (cum laude) from Loyola University at New Orleans, where he studied composition with Luigi Zaninelli, and his doctorate in music composition from the New England Conservatory, under the tutelage of Malcolm Peyton and Anthony Coleman. He is the music director Bard High School Early College in New York City where he teaches courses in music history, improvisation and vocal/instrumental performance. His debut classical vocal album, Circus of the Soul, will be released on his independent record label in June.