Works with Words Concert

Join us for Works with Words, a unique free concert for all ages! Works with Words features original compositions with strong literary connections. Powerful poetry set to adventurous music. This all-star band develops music highlighting the essence of the text and the magic of improvisation. Learn more at Connection Works . Noa Fort - voice Michel Gentile - flute, alto flute, piccolo Mara Rosenbloom - piano Gary Wang - bass Rob Garcia - drum About the musicians: NOA FORT Vocalist, pianist, composer, bandleader and music therapist Noa Fort is blurring the lines between written and composed, group and individual, inner and outer soundscape, giving and receiving; all on the path to healing, with music. “Fort’s healing vocal abstractions transcend verbalization...the music’s spare beauty sneaks up on you then stays with you" (Jazziz Magazine). As a bandleader and collaborator, she has performed with Mat Maneri, Lucian Ban, Sam Newsome, Sean Conly, William Parker, Hamid Drake, Ken Filiano, Francisco Mela, Michael Attias, Satoshi Takeishi, Mary Prescott, and Simon Jermyn. Fort is a faculty member at the Roc Nation Music School at Long Island University, teaching piano and vocal coaching. As a multiple times recipient of the Brooklyn Arts Council’s Brooklyn Arts Fund (2022 & 2023) she created a series of free concerts throughout Brooklyn, including in a transitional home for homeless people and in community gardens. MARA ROSENBLOOM Pianist, composer, & bandleader Mara Rosenbloom has been called “a whole hearted poet of the piano,” – she is a builder & a synthesist; a fiercely lyrical composer & improviser (All About Jazz). The New York Times has praised her penchant for “full-bore group improvising,” while The Chicago Reader has written that her ensemble “achieves an elusive chemistry and degree of spontaneous interaction that transcends mental boundaries.” With an interest in building community by encouraging honest expression and interactive dialogue through music - human connection has been a focus of Rosenbloom's work throughout the past decade, and as a result, powerful group interaction has become a hallmark of Rosenbloom's sound. Rosenbloom leads The Mara Rosenbloom Trio (feat: Sean Conly & Chad Taylor), and Flyways (feat: Anais Mavïel & Rashaan Carter). Rosenbloom is also a member of three collective trios - Siren Xypher (feat: Melanie Dyer & Kyoko Kitamura), XXE ("she") featuring Gabby Fluke-Mogul & Tcheser Holmes, and Triplex (feat: Joe Fonda & Rob Garcia). As a collaborating musician, Rosenbloom is a member of The William Hooker Quartet, Michael TA Thompson Quintet, and Dawn Drake’s Global Funk Ensemble. Her mentors include Cooper-Moore, Amina Claudine Myers, and the late improvising pianist & life force Connie Crothers. GARY WANG Bassist and multi-instrumentalist Gary Wang has been playing professionally in New York City for over 25 years, performing, touring and recording with a diverse array of artists including Anat Fort, Taylor Mac, Ben Monder, Ed Cherry, Peter Bernstein, Michael Leonhart, Madeleine Peyroux, and T.S. Monk, Matt Ray and Dana Lyn among many others. He has also subbed regularly on the Tony award winning Broadway musical Hadestown. Gary’s side solo project Shapes On Parade has released two albums on Bandcamp. He also is a member of the San Francisco-based band The Invisible Cities, and has also contributed production and overdubbing work to projects by Michael Leonhart, Sam Sadigursky, Goh Nakamura and choreographer Kakuti Lin with the Full Circle Dance Company. MICHEL GENTILE Michel Gentile’s “rich, deep tone is a rare achievement amongst flutists.” His “mastery of the flute” makes him “amongst the best flutists” of the New York jazz scene. He received his Master of Music degree with distinction from the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with Jimmy Giuffre, Dave Holland, Geri Allen, Mick Goodrick, and George Garzone. Michel has appeared on record with Ray Charles, Anthony Braxton, Dave Kikoski, Bobby Previte, Jane Ira Bloom, Michael Formanek, and Adam Rudolph. He has performed with Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Fred Hersch, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Joseph Jarman, Yusef Lateef, and many others. Michel has been a longtime member of WORKS, Go Organic Orchestra, Gentile-Romano, Wildebeest Wind Quintet. He also leads his own groups; FLOW, Michel Gentile Quartet and Michel Gentile Trio. ROB GARCIA Hailed as "a prime mover in the current Brooklyn jazz scene" (Time Out New York) and "one of New York's great jazz drummers and composers" (Capital New York), Rob Garcia is a vital force in contemporary jazz as both sideman and bandleader. He has collaborated with Joe Lovano, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, David Byrne, Wynton Marsalis, the Kronos Quartet, Joseph Jarman, Catherine Russell, Kate McGarry, Leo Genovese, Dan Tepfer, Gary Versace, and Mike Formanek, Ghost Train Orchestra and many others, appearing on over 75 recordings—including Grammy winners—and touring worldwide. As a bandleader and co-leader, Rob has released 14 critically acclaimed albums, most recently Sizzle Ensemble (2026) on Connection Works Records, Natural Bounce (2023) and Illumination (2020) on Fresh Sound Records, earning consistent praise from DownBeat, The New York Times, and JazzTimes. Additionally, Rob founded and co-directs Connection Works (501c3) and is a member of the Brooklyn Jazz Underground, championing artist-run organizations that help jazz thrive in the 21st century. ------------------ Connection Works is an artist-run non-profit organization (501c3) that engages the Brooklyn community with world-class jazz performances and educational events. Our programs promote and facilitate new work by established and up-and-coming artists alike. We provide a forum that supports the astonishing number of brilliant artists in our borough. We at Connection Works believe in and encourage the practice of creativity as a means to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. www.connectionworks.org/