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| Aardvark Jazz Orchestra continues 42nd season Praised for "unique genius" (Downbeat) and "brilliant music" (CultureJazz.France), The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra continues its historic 42nd season with an election-year special November 1 at MIT's Killian Hall, 160 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139. Free admission. Information: 617 452 3205. The internationally acclaimed orchestra takes the pulse of politics and culture with selections like DeEvolution Blues, Through the Looking Glass Blues, and Keepin' On, from the band's latest CD Impressions (Leo Records). The social consciousness thread in jazz runs from Ellington through Mingus and on to Charlie Haden and Archie Shepp, and Aardvark has mined this important tradition for many years. Founded in 1973, Aardvark is one of the longest running large jazz ensembles in the world. The band has premiered more than 150 works for jazz orchestra, performs widely, and appears on 12 CDs, including the latest disc, Impressions (Leo Records), called "exceptional" (Ken Cheetham, Jazz Views) and praised for "convincing writing and strong performances" (Monsieur Délire, Canada) and "beautiful playing throughout" (Jon Garelick The Artery, WBUR). Steve Davis of What's New Jazz Magazine (UK) wrote, "A pity Duke and the Count can't hear where their great art form has gotten to." Guest artists who have appeared with Aardvark include jazz luminaries Jaki Byard, Sheila Jordan, Jimmy Giuffre, Geri Allen, Lewis Porter, Vinny Golia, Dominique Eade, Jay Clayton, Paul Lovens, Rajesh Mehta, Matt Savage and Walter Thompson. Mark Harvey is Aardvark's founder, music director, and principal composer/arranger. He has performed as trumpeter in the U.S., Mexico and Europe; has recorded with George Russell (Blue Note) and Baird Hersey (Arista/Novus); and performed with Gil Evans, Claudio Roditi, Howard McGhee, Sam Rivers, Joe Carroll, Kenny Dorham and others. He has received awards and commissions from ASCAP, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the 15th Annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert, MIT Wind Ensemble, MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and Meet-the-Composer-Lila Wallace/Reader's Digest Commissioning Program, among others. World premieres of Harvey's commissions have featured such notables as Joe Lovano, Steve Turre, Herb Pomeroy, and Ran Blake. Dr. Harvey teaches jazz studies and composition at MIT. He is a board member of the nonprofit jazz advocacy organization JazzBoston. Aardvark is: Arni Cheatham, Phil Scarff, Chris Rakowski, Michael Heller, Dan Zupan/saxes and woodwinds; K.C. Dunbar, Jeanne Snodgrass/trumpets; Bob Pilkington, Jay Keyser, Anita-Ann Jerosch /trombones; Bill Lowe/bass trombones, tuba; Richard Nelson/guitar; John Funkhouser/string bass; Harry Wellott/drums; Mark Harvey/trumpet, music director. write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Jazz News :: home page |