Arlington Jazz Festival – Day 1: Morningside Quintet & Mitch Livstone Quartet
6:45–9:00PM, Wednesday, April 8

Town Tavern, 201 Massachusetts Ave.
no cover charge
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6:45PM – Morningside Quintet, featuring:
Peter Orne – trumpet
Nick Ryder – tenor sax
Philippe Lewalle – piano
Doug Harrison – bass
Dan Fox – drums

8:00PM – Mitch Livstone Quartet
Mitch Livstone – guitar
Rick Stone – alto sax
Ehud Ettun – bass
Joe Musacchia – drums

Praised by Boston critic Jon Garelick as an artist who “really shines” on the bandstand, Mitch Livstone plays with thoughtful lyricism and brilliant tone colors. A true orchestrator, he courts interactivity among his fellow artists, creating stirring melodies from subtle phrases, and transforming trio gigs into headlining events. The Boston-based guitarist and composer has worked with Tim Ray, John Lockwood, Bruce Gertz, Ehud Ettun, Oscar Stagnaro, Mark Walker, Steve Langone, Bertram Lehman, Ángela Varo, Ivanna Cuesta Gonzalez and Gary Fieldman, among other artists. Born and raised in Belarus, Livstone began developing his ear at an early age. By 8, the young composer and future guitarist was earning critical accolades and placing ahead of adult conservatory students in formal competitions. When his family emigrated to the U.S., Livstone found himself putting aside his musical aspirations to pursue a sustainable career. He earned his Ph.D. in engineering from MIT, formally returning to music years later when he began studying with Peter Bernstein and Jonathan Kreisberg.
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Ehud Ettun is an Israeli-born bassist and composer known for his melodic, expressive approach to the upright bass. Blending jazz tradition with modern lyricism, he has earned international recognition for redefining the possibilities of the double bass— as a deeply vocal, versatile storytelling force. His sound is rooted in the spirit of players like Giovanni Bottesini, Charles Mingus, Charlie Haden and Ray Brown, yet unmistakably his own. Ettun's music draws influences from classical music, traditional Jewish and Israeli music and from artists such as Chick Corea and Carla Bley to Brad Mehldau—all filtered through his distinct voice as a bassist and composer.
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A versatile mainstay of the Boston jazz scene, Rick Stone is a multi-instrumentalist whose mastery of the saxophone, clarinet, and flute has earned him a reputation for technical brilliance and soulful versatility. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Stone’s career is defined by his ability to bridge the gap between traditional swing and complex avant-garde experimentation.
He is a vital voice in several of the region’s most acclaimed large ensembles, including the Grammy-nominated Either/Orchestra, the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra, and the Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra. Having shared the stage with legends like Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Liebman and George Garzone, Stone brings an authoritative sound and sophisticated energy to every performance. Also a dedicated educator in the Brookline school system, he remains a key figure in shaping the future of the art form.
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A versatile powerhouse in the Northeast jazz and contemporary scenes, Joe Musacchia is a drummer and percussionist known for a unique blend of technical precision and exploratory groove. With a foundational education from the New England Conservatory (NEC) and mentorship under the legendary Bob Gullotti, Musacchia has cultivated a "first-call" reputation among New England’s most innovative ensembles.
His playing style is characterized by its adaptability, moving seamlessly between traditional jazz frameworks and avant-garde experimentation. Musacchia is a founding member of The After Times, a trio celebrated for its melodic narratives and interactive improvisation, and frequently collaborates with luminaries across the Boston and Cambridge music communities. His credits span a wide array of percussion instruments—from drum set to cajón and pandeiro—allowing him to anchor diverse projects ranging from high-energy festival stages to intimate, texture-driven club dates.
Beyond his performance career, Musacchia’s background in behavioral neuroscience informs a deeply analytical and disciplined approach to rhythm and composition. Whether driving a big band or leading a modern trio, he brings a sophisticated, polyrhythmic energy that consistently engages audiences and collaborators alike.

back to the 2026 Festival Schedule