Pitch Perfect performs at Baldwin library

The Pitch Pefect Project, an eight-person jazz ensemble, performed for more than 50 library patrons on Feb. 27 to celebrate Black History Month.

The Baldwin Public Library invited Pitch Perfect to play American jazz classics in the community room on Feb. 27, which included renditions of jazz musicians like, Bill Lee, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane. 

Tyrone Morris, the jazz collective’s leader, said he started Pitch Perfect in 2016 when he started to explore and perform jazz music — a sonic shift from his background in classical music. He said he started to connect with jazz musicians and created eventually formed an octet of jazz performers, who since 2016, frequently play at libraries across Queens, Suffolk and Nassau County.

“Although it’s a niche genre of music, we thought we’d play jazz for Black History Month,” said Morris. “Jazz is the greatest American art form, and it has roots in African American music.”

Morris said he was introduced to members of the Baldwin Public Library when he was performing with “Sugar and Spice Soul Band, a Long Island-based Motown and soul band. He said he was asked to perform jazz for the library, and accepted to play at the library on Feb. 9, 2020. 

The Feb. 27 showing marked their third performance at the library.

“The Baldwin community appreciates good music, and really support the performing arts,” Morris said. “The audience provided raucous support for our performance.”