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| Musette Explosion plays at Birdland Three of New York's most in-demand virtuoso musicians, each with a distinctive voice on his instrument, explore and expand on Parisian musette. They bring this multicultural dancehall music to new places through the highest improvisational communication, emotionally honest performances, and original compositions. Marcus, Matt and Will keep busy backing up some of the world's foremost artists (Regina Carter, David Byrne, Paul Simon, Henry Threadgill, David Krakauer, Mark O'Connor, Catherine Russell and others). Over the last fifteen years, they've indulged in a labor of love: exploring the beautiful and challenging French musette repertoire. Paris in the early 20th century was a cosmopolitan melting pot, like New Orleans or New York. A true "musette explosion, " musical and cultural, was taking place. As musette historian Didier Roussin says, Paris was "in the throes of explosive growth as poor migrants flocked in. Where people of all classes rubbed shoulders, places of amusement multiplied … Cafés, clubs, brothels, and dance halls were the crucibles in which were forged new musical forms." The original bagpipes ("musettes") of the French Auvergnats were replaced by the Italians' accordions, but gave their name to the new style of music; Roma guitarists and violinists brought in Eastern European and Spanish influences; American GIs introduced jazz, the banjo, and drums. German and Polish waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas were also in the air. This trio, with its unique instrumentation, continues the "explosion" through new interpretations, sonic surprises, and original compositions. "... swings with speed and clarity, sways with mystery and eroticism....Not simply an archeological paean to past masters, this debut recording from Musette Explosion makes the genre relevant to NYC's musical landscape."- Elliott Simon, New York City Jazz Record "These three virtuosi found a wormhole from the simple harmonies and structure of the musette to a modern sensibility that coexists quite comfortably with the earlier material … They have served the music by following where it led: to the heart of their imaginations. Their energy, humor, virtuosity, and deep feeling make Introducing Musette Explosion a welcome, unique, and most satisfying experience." – Mel Minter, Musically Speaking blog "This group does not restructure the repertoire's foundation; they handle it all in their own way. [Musette Explosion] has respectfully reclaimed 1930s Paris for the 21st Century." – Aaron Cohen, Downbeat MUSETTE EXPLOSION plays at Birdland Thursday, June 25th, 2015, six pm Will Holshouser, accordion Matt Munisteri, guitar & banjo Marcus Rojas, tuba write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Jazz News :: home page |