In concert, the Katie Thiroux Trio performs in-the-moment jazz that draws upon the rich history of the music, lending contemporary flair to mainstream stylings. 

WAILUKU – Jazz Maui, a program of the Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), and Shena Medley of Wikiwiki Tax Services are pleased to present rising star jazz bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux in concert on Saturday, Dec. 9, in the McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Thiroux has garnered considerable attention for her bravura playing, assured singing and compelling compositions. Quincy Jones selected her to perform at his new club, Q’s Bar and Lounge, in Dubai for the 2017 summer program as artist in residence.

Jones said, “I couldn’t be happier to have such a talented young bassist and singer… this girl is IT!”

Thiroux carries on the hard-swinging tradition of such bass masters as Ray Brown and John Clayton (a mentor) while channeling the buoyant vocal finesse of iconic singers like Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald.

Her debut album, “Introducing Katie Thiroux,” was released in 2015. This fall, Thiroux embarked on a U.S. tour to promote her new album, “Off Beat,” which received four stars from DownBeat magazine and features pianist Justin Kauflin and drummer Matt Witek.

Katie Thiroux Trio’s concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. A preshow will take place in McCoy Courtyard at the MACC beginning at 6 p.m. Jazz Metropolis Deejay Lee Norris will introduce Concept One, which mixes jazz, deep lounge and house music infused with organic improvisational saxophone and flute.

Maui-based musicians Tanama Colibri and Rick Brayner will perform Latin American soul. Colibri was raised in New York on world music and is a singer-songwriter and poet, vocalizing a unique style from jazz and soul to Latin American folklore. Brayner was raised in Salvador, Brazil and plays classical guitar, samba, bossa nova and jazz.

In addition to the concert, Thiroux will teach a jazz music workshop at King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani. The class is free and open to the public. For details, and to register, call AECG President Bryant Neal at (808) 283-3576.

Tickets for the concert are on sale for $35 and $45 through the MACC Box Office. Call (808) 242-SHOW (7469) or go to www.MauiArts.org.

The Katie Thiroux Trio concert is sponsored by Wikiwiki Tax Services, Arts Education for Children Group, Emily Thiroux Threatt, Maui Signs and BJ’s Barbecue.

For more information, call (808) 283-3576, see JazzMaui.org or get updates on Facebook @aecgJazzMaui and Twitter @JazzMauiaecg.

Founded in 1996, Arts Education for Children Group (AECG) is a nonprofit organization that was initially dedicated to providing opportunities for artistic and cultural enrichment for the youth of Maui. It has expanded efforts for the benefit of the other islands of Hawaii.

AECG is committed to improving the quality of education in schools by restoring music programs and raising public awareness about the positive impact music and arts participation has on students.

AECG has grown from a grassroots, parent-driven effort to enrich their own children’s lives to a glowing example of internationally cooperative programs, including the annual Jazz Maui concert events. See aecg.org for information.