Jazz returns to Alla Spina at HiWay when we welcome back Rich Hirsch for another entertaining performance in our listening lounge on Saturday, May 9th. Rick will be joined by Bob Hart, Ben Carrasquillo, and Charlie Heim.
The Rick Hirsch 4 will draw you in from the first notes they play. Their music leans on strong melody, catchy rhythm and close communication among the band members. Hirsch's expressive saxophone playing mirrors that of the human voice. And his evocative compositions and fresh 'cover song' interpretations will stick with you. Hirsch's bandmates play together like old friends hanging out, making you feel like you're part of a one-time-only musical conversation.
ABOUT RICK HIRSCH 4
Rick Hirsch is an artistic leader in Central Pennsylvania, highly regarded regionally and nationwide as a saxophonist, composer, arranger, conductor and jazz educator. Hirsch has performed with dozens of legendary musicians including Tito Puente, Max Roach, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Jeff Coffin, Louie Bellson, Paquito D’Rivera, both Dorsey bands, the Temptations and the Four Tops. He has written over 800 compositions and arrangements for Yusef Lateef, the Yellowjackets, Eddie Henderson, BlueNote vocalist Jackie Allen, the Penn State Blue Band (25 years of halftime shows and counting!) and countless others worldwide. Finally, Hirsch is a beloved saxophone teacher and the founding director of the Fraser Street Saxes, a State College-based ensemble for high school and middle school saxophonists.
Bassist Bob Hart has toured and recorded with Kat Edmondson, Debbie Harry, Van Dyke Parks, and many others. On the local scene he’s a member of the Zeropoint Big Band, Pure Cane Sugar, and is musical director of Orchestra Mi Amor.
Ben Carrasquillo is a trombonist with a dynamic and multifaceted career as a performer, educator, composer and arranger. Mr. Carrasquillo joined the faculty of the Penn State School of Music in 2025, where he serves as Assistant Professor of Trombone. Carrasquillo leads a diverse performance career and has held positions or performed with symphony orchestras including the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, the Heartland Festival Orchestra, and the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra. As a jazz and commercial player, he has performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Temptations and the Four Tops, the Beach Boys, Jukebox Saturday Night, Tito Carrillo’s “Luminance,” the national tour of Chicago: The Musical, and more.
Charlie Heim is a music educator, producer, multi-instrumentalist hailing from State College, PA. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, where he served on the drum set faculty for over 10 years. He has had the pleasure of performing with world class musicians across four continents, credits on a growing discography of over 80 original albums, and has had his compositions published in print and on screen. Since his return to central PA in 2023, Charlie currently is a member of the music faculty at Penn State, teaches music at CLC Charter School, and offers private instruction and recording services at his home studio.
ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
Show time is 7pm.
Seating for this show will be available starting at 4pm.
PLEASE NOTE
One ticket purchase is valid for one guest only entrance.
Check-in is located at the entrance to Alla Spina at HiWay.
Day-of tickets can be purchased online up to 1 hour prior to door.
Walk-ins are welcome as long as the event is not sold out prior.
Non-Reservation seating assignments are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Some seats have partial views.
Sorry, bambini - this is a 21+ only event. All guests planning to consume alcohol must present a valid government-issued ID to verify they are 21 or older.
For any questions, please contact us at hiway@dantesinc.com.
PARKING DETAILS
Parking is available in a combination of THREE private lots. Lot #1 located in front of HiWay; Lot #2 located behind HiWay; and Lot #3 located next door to HiWay in the West College Centre parking lot (1315 West College Avenue). Please do not park on the grass, or along the sides of Coral Street behind HiWay.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Event ticket purchases will only be refunded if you notify us at least 24 hours prior to reservation date/time. We reserve the right to reschedule or cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances, or otherwise. In the event of an experience cancellation, we will contact you directly at the phone number or email address you have provided to offer a full refund or credit to transfer to a future experience.
CROWD CONSENT & RELEASE NOTICE OF FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY
By entering Alla Spina at HiWay and HiWay Pizza Pub you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.
Your entry and presence on above mentioned premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with Alla Spina at HiWay and HiWay Pizza Pub and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising.
By entering, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.
You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter.