Kittery-based quartet to open Bates jazz series

Equal Time, a quartet that plays obscure covers, originals and free improvisations, opens the Bates College Jazz at the Olin Arts Center series at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5, in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell St.

Admission is free, but tickets are required. For more information, please call 207-786-6135.

The band was founded as a result of a musical initiative in the Kittery-Portsmouth, N.H., area. Local players were challenged to record an album within a month. During a listening party at the end of the process, bassist Tim Webb and saxophonist Thom Keith heard each other’s work, and soon decided to join forces. They were later joined by drummer Mike Walsh and trombonist Derek Kwong.

Walsh, one of the busiest drummers in the Seacoast region, teaches drums at local schools, does session work and is a member of Analog Method and Trio Encompas.

A Web designer by day, Webb founded Northeast Jazz Scene, a Web site promoting regional jazz awareness.

Keith is the producer of MPBN’s late-night contemporary jazz show “Prime Cuts.” He spends his days expanding young minds as a high school social studies teacher.

Kwong, who lives in the Boston area, has performed with a variety of jazz and pop ensembles including Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom Christmas Brass and the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, with which he toured throughout North America.