Symphony Sunday returns with the Paul Mercer Trio

ALBANY — Symphony Sunday is returning to Pretoria Fields Brewery to provide a musical conclusion to Valentine’s weekend.

The concert is 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the brewery located at 120 Pine Ave.

“This Sunday is the Paul Mercer Trio,” Albany Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Joelle Fryman said. “Free music, local brews, good food. Treat your Valentine by making a weekend out of it.

“It’s free and open to the public — fun, fun times.”

Farmer Fredo and food trucks also will be at the event.

The trio is led by Paul Mercer, a violinist since childhood and a composer whose work evokes “hidden melodies” from the wood of violins and violas. He is joined by percussionist Paul Stevens and a musician familiar to symphony patrons.

“For people who were at the last one (Symphony Sunday) on Jan. 28 and saw him, Gabe Monticello, who is our principal bass player in the orchestra, is the bass player in this trio,” Fryman said. “If you saw him then, he’ll be doing something totally different this week.”

One of the top Southeastern freelance classical musicians, Monticello, in addition to playing with ASO, performs with the Savannah Philharmonic, the Valdosta Symphony, the LaGrange Symphony, the Columbus Symphony and others. He has frequently performed with the art duo The Ghosts Project, and has performed with 2cellos, Kristen Chenoweth, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Chris Tomlin, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Walfredo Reyes Jr. and János Starker.

Mercer took up the violin at age 8 and quickly began composing music. Over the years, he explored various musical genres. That, and his experience as a street performer, resulted in the development of a unique improvisational approach.

He was a member of The Changelings when the neoclassical pop quintet formed in 1994. During his time with the group it produced a half-dozen critically acclaimed albums. Since then, he has toured the globe and recorded with Jill Tracy, Zoe Keating, Brass Knuckle Surfer, and Faith And The Muse.

Stevens has a solid background in classical music, but moves fluidly through genres including jazz, electronic, rock and contemporary. He’s performed throughout the U.S. and in Europe and South America. Works he composed have been performed in Spain and Israel. Stevens’ current projects include bands Grand Vapids and Moloq, corporate keynote ROC Ensemble, and music for modern dance.

Fryman said tickets will be available at Symphony Sunday for the 7:30 p.m. March 2 Masterworks Concert, “Bach to Brubeck” featuring Chris Brubeck & Triple Play, at the Albany Municipal Auditorium.

She said tickets will also be available Sunday for the ASO’s upcoming fundraiser, the third annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, which is set for 7-10 p.m. on March 15, also at Pretoria Fields. That celebration also is when the winner will be announced of the ASO’s Ireland Trip Raffle. Chances for that all-expenses-paid trip for two — valued at $6,000 — are $50 each, five for $200 or 10 for $350.

Tickets for the Masterworks Concert, St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Ireland Trip Raffle also may be purchased online at albanysymphony.org.

Contact freelance writer Jim Hendricks at [email protected]. Follow @JimEHendricks on Twitter.