Jazz concert by Frankie and Tom Magnuson to benefit Buddhist Institute

Jazz musicians and London regulars Frankie and Tom Magnuson are back in Spokane, and the son-and-father music duo are performing Sunday at the Benefit Gala for Peace & Friendship in support of the Buddhist Institute of Universal Compassion.

The Magnuson men are part of the contemporary London jazz scene – with Frankie Magnuson on keyboards and Tom Magnuson on drums – and their sound has been described as commandingly cool smooth jazz.

Frankie and Tom Magnuson draw from the archives to deliver a performance of coalescing influences spanning from 1950s Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Ahmad Jamal and Nina Simone fused with the contemporary ambient genius of Brian Eno, Sigur Ros and Four Tet.

Tom Magnuson spent 20 years as a professional drummer in Boston and Los Angeles, and his wife, Melissa, and he wanted their son Frankie to study piano so he could have the joy of playing music.

Frankie studied extensively with Tom Kelly, the former head of jazz at Holy Names Academy. When the family moved to London, Frankie kept at it. Last year, Tom and Frankie Magnuson started playing together, and they perform in London with Frankie’s Goldsmiths College mates.

Summer Hume will accompany the duo on vocals at the benefit for Geshe Thupten Phelgye and the Buddhist Institute, and global small bites will be offered, including Tibetan momos (dumplings). The event is free, but donations are encouraged.

Tom Magnuson is the youngest son of mining magnate Harry Magnuson of Magnuson Hotels, who is now CEO of the global hotel supply company he built.