A Night of Jazz with Reni Monteverde, Jeff Berman, Erik Lawrence, and  Tony Martucci

Friday, November 6th, 7:30pm 

In their premier assemblage, Reni Monteverde, Jeff Berman, Erik Lawrence, and Tony Martucci anticipate the occasion will forge a deeper meaning for them as individuals. The show which will be a unique blend of originals and reimagined works, each building with purpose through improvised interactions and with the intention of giving space for musical and conscious exploration.  

Irene “Reni” Monteverde is a pianist, educator, composer, and scholar celebrating jazz traditions while exploring its evolving creative possibilities. She holds a Ph.D. in Jazz Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied under Geri Allen and Nicole Mitchell, focusing her research on Erroll Garner. She also earned an Artist’s Diploma from Fondazione Siena Jazz. Having performed with Tito Puente, Jr. and La Sonora Santanera, Monteverde leads the Latin Jazz Experience and plays bass for Mahoning Valley Latin Orchestra. Known for her expressive musicianship, she is committed to preserving jazz history and inspiring future generations.

Jeff Berman is a multi-instrumentalist, improvising artist, and composer whose genre-blurring work on vibraphone, mountain dulcimer, and percussion has led to global collaborations. Described by Josef Woodward as “worldly folk-jazz,” his music has earned praise from Jazziz, the Los Angeles Times, and Bill Milkowski, who called his writing “hauntingly beautiful.” Performing internationally as a solo artist and ensemble member, his work spans dance, theater, and film. He has collaborated with artists including Paul Bley, Dave Liebman, Andy Statman, Arthur Russell, Linda Thompson, Osei Korankye, Jin Yang, Pasang Dolma, and Andy Irvine.

Erik Lawrence is a saxophonist, flutist, and composer appearing on two Grammy-winning albums and two Platinum records. Playing since age five, his work focuses on the core tone of wind instruments and their ability to move listeners, leading him to study sound and vibrational healing with master practitioners. Lawrence has toured with legends like Levon Helm, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Sharrock, Hubert Sumlin, and Gabrielle Roth, alongside a 20-year association with Steven Bernstein. He has also performed with Roger Waters, My Morning Jacket, and Spin Doctors, played tea ceremony music, and works as a published journalist, poet, and photographer.

Marking his sixtieth year in music, Tony Martucci is a skilled accompanist and soloist known for an interactive drum style reflecting deep jazz roots. He has performed worldwide with legends including John Abercrombie, Mose Allison, Joe Henderson, Fred Hersch, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, and Joshua Redman. Martucci’s discography features five critically acclaimed leader recordings, including Earth Tones, Collage, Long Street Charm, Life in Hand, and Ancestral Voices. A former faculty member at William & Mary, University of Maryland, and VCU, he remains an active educator, freelancer, and founding member of The Capitol Jazz Project.

Join this group of exceptional local jazz musicians as they take this opportunity, with gratitude, to freely express and create in communion!

Tickets HERE! 

$15 Adult/ $10 Student (plus $1 transaction fee) online until noon on Friday, November 6th;

$20 Adult/ $15 Student at the door (credit card processing fees apply).

The Sunnyhill Live! Team is excited to, once again, partner with local artist, Christopher Mark Jones, to program a wonderful lineup for the 2026-27 concert series, bringing you some of the best local music Pittsburgh has to offer as well as thoughtfully curated acts from afar!

Friday, October 16th, 2026 @7:30pm –  Alice Peacock

Friday, November 6th, 2026 @7:30pm – A Night of Jazz with Reni Monteverde, Jeff Berman, Erik Lawrence, and Tony Martucci (Buy Tickets)

In their premier assemblage, Reni Monteverde (piano), Jeff Berman (vibraphone/dulcimer), Erik Lawrence (sax/flute), and Tony Martucci (drums) gather for a performance of original and reimagined works rooted in improvised exploration. Bringing together decades of global performance, award-winning recordings, and deep jazz traditions, this collaborative ensemble fuses Latin influences, world folk-jazz, and vibrational sound to create a transformative musical experience. The group is deeply grateful to the Sunnyhill community for hosting this evening of creative communion.

Friday, February 19th, 2027 @7:30pm – Pittsburgh Guitarists:  Alex Meleshenko, Daryl Shawn, & Danny Rechtenwald

Friday, March 19th, 2027 @7:30pm – The Henry Girls 

About Sunnyhill Live!

Sunnyhill Live! is our arts series that features the best in live music, film and theater in a casual, comfortable, and intimate setting.

Mission Statement
The goal of Sunnyhill Live! is the enhancement of congregational life at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills through the presentation of diverse, high-quality cultural arts performances.

Objectives

• To encourage fellowship for church members and community by providing a non-smoking, family-friendly cultural arts environment;
• To enhance the visibility and presence of the church in the community;
• To create a financially successful operation whose proceeds will be used to support the mission of the church.

Please email Mary Pratt (musicdirector@sunnyhill.org) if you’d like to be added to the Sunnyhill Live! email list; you’ll be the first to be notified of upcoming events and ticket availability!