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Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band and Mark Dresser & Friends Play July 27th Memorial Concert and Fundraiser at Tierney’s in Montclair, NJ Tribute concert honors Diane Moser —beloved big band leader, jazz pianist, composer and educator Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band and Mark Dresser & Friends Play July 27 Memorial Concert and Fundraiser at Tierney’s in Montclair, NJ Event to benefit Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund, providing medical care to musicians Three sets scheduled at Tierney’s in Montclair, NJ, on July 27 shem.gif Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band will reunite at Tierney’s in Montclair, NJ, on July 27 to pay tribute to its founder, the late Diane Moser. Also on the bill: jazz bassist Mark Dresser, along with multi-instrumentalist Marty Ehrlich, pianist Angelica Sanchez and drummer Michael Sarin. The concert and fundraiser will bring together longtime members of Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band at Tierney’s, the site of the ensemble’s January 1997 debut gig. In addition to saluting the memory and legacy of Diane Moser, the beloved big band leader, jazz pianist, composer and educator, the event will raise money for the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund. For more than 20 years the fund has provided pro bono medical care for thousands of jazz musicians. Moser was among those receiving care at the Dizzy Gillespie Cancer Institute at Englewood Hospital. She lived with cancer for more than 12 years before passing on Dec. 17, 2020. The July 27 concert date marks the 64th anniversary of her birth. Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band was formed by Moser and a dedicated group of musicians and composers to explore the possibilities of big band music and move it forward. The band lived up to its mission starting with regular gigs Tierney’s, its first home base. Over more than two decades, Moser built a cult following for her big band in the New York metropolitan area, showcasing always-inspired works by herself, band members, composers in residence, and more than 100 guest artists, including jazz icons such as Jane Ira Bloom, Mark Dresser, Howard Johnson, Oliver Lake, and Michele Rosewoman. Diane Moser’s Concert Big Band was recognized multiple times in DownBeat’s critics poll as a rising star big band. You could count on enjoying a warm, family vibe at every DMCBB gig, presuming your family is enormous, talented, and eager to work and play together at every opportunity. Several original band members could be found on the bandstand at every gig during the DMCBB’s long tenure at Tierney’s, Trumpets, and other venues. According to long-time DMCBB trombonist Erick Storckman, among the DMCBB alumni expected to play at the July 27 fundraising concert are saxophonists Rob Middleton, Barbara Cifelli, Craig Yaremko, Tom Colao, and Paul Ostermeyer; trombonists Storckman, Ben Williams, Matt Haviland, Dennis Argul; trumpeters Mike Spengler, Jim Cifelli, Chris Rogers, and Rob Henke; guitarist Larry Maltz and drummer Scott Neumann. Pianist Matt King and bassist Bill Moring will also be on hand. The big band will focus on Moser’s compositions, as well as work by the late saxophonist and DMCBB stalwart Ed Xiques. Music by DMCBB resident composers Storckman, Middleton, Henke, Jim Cifelli, Matt Haviland and Russ Vines will round out the program. Also scheduled to appear at the July 27 tribute: Mark Dresser & Friends. Dresser, a renowned San Diego-based bassist and composer, shares a more than 40-year musical history with Diane Moser, documented on recordings such as 2012’s Duetto and 2014’s Music for the Last Flower on which multi-instrumentalist Marty Ehrlich also appears. Dresser expects his set at the memorial concert and fundraiser to include material from both recordings, among other Moser compositions. Rounding out the quartet are pianist Angelica Sanchez and drummer Michael Sarin Three sets are scheduled for the July 27 concert: Mark Dresser & Friends at 8 p.m., followed by two big band sets at 9:30 and 10:30. Seating is limited. A $15 donation is requested. Tierney’s Tavern is located at 136-138 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ http://www.tierneystavern.com To learn more about the Jazz Foundation of America’s Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund and to donate, go to https://jazzfoundation.org/donate/ About Diane Moser: In addition to founding and leading Diane Moser’s Composers Big Band, Moser was well-known as a creative powerhouse in small group settings, whether fronting her long-running quintet and Birdsongs trio, or contributing to other ensembles. She was an adjunct professor at the New School and on faculty at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and an in-demand private teacher. She received fellowships from the MacDowell Colony and the Virginia Center for the Arts, among others, and received many grants and awards in composition. Diane “was a tornado of positive energy, ” recalls long-time DMCBB trumpeter Rob Henke. Once her interest was sparked, she could be counted on to be all-in, tirelessly investigating and researching topics from music and the arts to the environment and science, building and sharing her knowledge, and getting others involved through her enthusiasm. Diane had a knack for spotting people’s talents and encouraging them to pursue their passions. At the time of the 2018 release of her 7th CD, the well-received Birdsongs, Diane Moser shared her thoughts about the music, which ring true now more than ever: “I wanted this recording to have a healing effect on those who listen, ” she said. “Our world is overrun with all kinds of sounds that are not always good for your health, or mental and emotional well-being. I wanted this recording to be a respite from that, so that those who listen can feel relieved from their daily stress and feel refreshed and positive.” |
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