Photos: Rudy Lu

MC2( pronounced MCsquared) is an unusual name for a quartet whose forte is an unusual style of jazz. A fusion of jazz and classics. Named for its principals, alto flutist Melanie Chirignan and pianist Max Caplan, this quartet entertained a small audience with its pleasant and complex music for the afternoon. Melanie is a classically trained flutist, working in a wider variety of settings. Max is a pianist and composer working as a music educator primarily in the Schenectady area. The quartet was rounded out by Andy Hearn on bass and Dave Shoudy on bass.

The repertoire included compositions from the mid70s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano by Jean Pierre Rampal and Claude Bolling, an original suite composed by Max and 2 jazz sambas. Most of the music could be enjoyed on many levels. One is pleasant background music. Two as music that requires a serious listen. The exception was a 1999 composition known as Zootoo, it featured an usual technique by Melanie of blowing the flute through her teeth, creating a very percussive sound. Much of the music was inspired by the impressionist composer Claude Debussy from the early 20th century.

Next Thursday’s Jazz on Jay will feature the veteran Brian Patenaude Quartet. Melanie and Max will be playing together next at the Barn 1548 Burden Lake in Averill Park . The performance will entirely be of Japanese music.

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