Let's Dance

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRMEN OF NOTE: Out In Front

When Mobtown Modern Music Series curator Brian Sacawa invited Darryl Brenzel to adapt Igor Stravinsky's radical orchestral ballet "The Rite of Spring" for a modern 17-piece jazz big band, no one really knew what was going to happen. There were, after all, riots at the piece's 1913 Paris premiere. Fortunately, when Brenzel's creation was unveiled at Baltimore's Metro Gallery on May 12, 2010, the audience kept to their seats in rapt attention, consumed by a work as boldly unconventional as Stravinsky's original.

Constantly in search of new musical terrain, the PRISM Quartet celebrates its 30th anniversary with a groundbreaking recording: Heritage/Evolution, Volume 1. The 2 CD set features world premiere recordings of new works that draw on the saxophone’s cross-cultural heritage, composed and performed by six saxophonists who defy convention: Steve Lehman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Tim Ries, Miguel Zenón, Dave Liebman and Greg Osby. Appending “Volume 1” to the title is a statement of intent: this is not a one-time project, but the first step in a major new initiative by the PRISM Quartet.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

The Intimacy of Creativity is a first of its kind, an annual partnership devoted to promoting an intimate dialogue between composers and performers. Distinguished composers, together with selected composer fellows from Hong Kong and around the world, present and revise their compositions after in-depth discussions with world-renowned performers during public open discussions. The revised compositions are presented at preview concerts on the campus of HKUST and world premiere concerts in downtown Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is recognized as Asia's foremost classical orchestra. Jaap van Zweden, one of today's most sought-after conductors, has been the orchestra's Music Director since the 2012/2013 concert season.

If there’s one adverb-adjective combo that can describe composer/accordionist Guy Klucevsek, it’s unabashedly eclectic. Over the course of twenty-one releases, his music has combined the heart-pounding rhythms of eastern Europe with teeming contrapuntal passages, gorgeous melodies, and Klucevsek’s own “trailblazing virtuosity” [Wall Street Journal]. But his twenty-second release, The Multiple Personality Reunion Tour, might be his most ambitious yet. The Multiple Personality Reunion Tour is made possible by a United States Artists Collins Fellowship.

United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambassodors: The Legacy o

Say It Isn't So is a joyful celebration of the impeccably crafted songs of Irving Berlin and the unique partnership between Claire Martin and the late Richard Rodney Bennett. Lifelong friends on and off stage, Martin and Bennett recorded three studio albums and enjoyed acclaimed concert performances in a collaboration that flourished over two decades. Recorded in New York, Say It Isn't So is their last recording together and one of which Claire is immensely proud. Bennett's skillful arrangements highlight why Berlin was widely considered one of the greatest American songwriters of all time and brilliantly showcase Claire's assured and expressive voice. Claire and Richard's previous duo albums, When Lights are Low and Witchcraft, received wide critical acclaim, 'their albums set the standard for classic interpretations of popular songs' (The Observer).

Classical Music

Fireflight Mimmi Fulmer (soprano voice), Elizabeth Falconer (koto, bass koto), Dane Richeson (percussion), Les Thimmig (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet), Michael Kocour (piano) 'Taking of the World by Sturm' 'Bassist-composer Hans Sturm stirs up a torrent of creative virtuosity in his recent Innova release Fireflight: Sun Suite. The jazz/new music crossover album is permeated by the haunting sounds of Elizabeth Falconer's traditional and progressive koto playing, which is well nigh in the same league as Miya Masaoka's (in one stretch Falconer sounds remarkably like an oud). Mimmi Fulmer is the glowing and smoky soprano, and she sings wonderfully in consort with the innovative drummer Dane Richeson, who is comfortable with all manner of percussion East and West.' Mark Alburger, Journal of 21st Century Music 'At one moment it sounds like ancient tribal ritual music, and the next, it evokes scenes of natural phenomena - awe inspiring vistas and picturesque landscapes. This group paints pictures with sound that challenge the imagination and mind of the listener... a feast of musical textures and moods, and an imaginative approach to ensemble playing' Todd Coolman, Bass World I have frequently been inspired by a moving sunrise or sunset and was struck by the thought of what it might feel like to not just witness an event of such great beauty, but to be a physical part of it - as if one could become part of the air and light. This thought inspired a series of poems and stories exploring the idea of becoming a disembodied part of the atmosphere, somehow one with the day. These explorations raised the thought of how magical the various parts of the day must have been to early human observers left unburdened by scientific explanations, the incandescent light bulb, and climate controlled environments. Words suggested sounds and ultimately led to the creation of the Sun Suite depicting a single solar cycle. The Sun Suite is comprised of four sections; Sunrise, Daylight, Sunset, and Night which are in turn divided into a total of eight movements. The Sun Suite begins with an Invocation, starting softly with Tibetan Prayer Bowls and moving into a percussion and double bass improvisation that sets the mood for the composition. Invocation is followed by Habanero Sunrise. The Sunrise movement has a Latin American feel and likens the beginning of a hot day to sensuous images of the Sun both as a woman and as hot peppers. Sunrise segues into Fireflight, a movement featuring the bass koto, double bass and voice in a layered melody. The Fireflight movement attempts to impart sonic images of birds awakening in the early morning. Fireflight in turn segues into Daylight and Ellipse. These two short movements were written as duets for soprano and double bass. Sunset follows Ellipse and begins with an extended introduction featuring the Brazilian berimbau, then adding the double bass and finally the koto. This movement features four themes which are tossed about between the instruments and the voice in an effort to give the impression of the complex colorful air found at sunset. Starshower is an instrumental movement and features the clay udu drum along with koto and double bass. The final movement of the Sun Suite is the Night parable, a whimsical children's story about the moon which ends quite softly with the opening Latin vamp from Sunrise, completing the sun's cycle. If the Sun Suite is to be considered ethnic world music, then Smoke and Fire must be considered jazz inspired compositions. Written for soprano Mimmi Fulmer during the summer of 1996

CANADIAN BRASS SUPER HITS

ESSENTIAL JAZZ CLASSICS - Iconic Performances from the Best

Classical Music

Founded in 1969, the 18-member United States Navy Band, Commodores, have been performing big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for over 40 years. They're held in high regard nationwide by concert patrons and critics alike, and have compiled an impressive roster of jazz artists who've guested with them (James Moody, Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter, and many more). Includes “I Thought About You”, “Don't Explain” and “Flamingo”, among others songs.

Awarded 'Best British Vocalist' on more than one occasion, singer Liane Carroll has a 'deeply soulful' voice and a fearless approach to singing. 'Seaside' is a mix of original songs and covers broadly following a seashore theme, with sterling accompaniment comprising piano trio, guitar and brass. Liane brings a refreshing approach to Billie Holiday's 'I Cover The Waterfront', Kurt Weill's 'My Ship' and Nina Simone's 'Wild is the Wind', plus 'Almost Like Being In Love' - famous as the closing track to the blockbuster hit Groundhog Day. The title song, 'Seaside', was specially written for Liane by Joe Stilgoe which sees the singer return Liane's favour of guesting on his cover of Brian Wilson's 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times' from his latest album 'New Songs For Old Souls'. The album reunites Liane with multi-GRAMMY nominated producer and trumpeter James McMillan who worked on her previous two albums. Liane's rhythm section comprises Malcolm Edmonstone (piano), Mark Edwards (piano), Ian Thomas (drums) and Steve Pearce (bass) with guest musicians Rob Luft (guitar) and Andy Wood (brass). Liane Carroll is a multi award-winning jazz singer described by Jamie Cullum as 'one of the greatest singers we have in this country'. Her awards include 'Best British Vocalist' (BBC Jazz Awards, 2005 & 2013), 'Best Female Jazz Vocalist' (Ronnie Scott's Awards, 2007) and 'Best Jazz Album of the Year' (Parliamentary Jazz Awards, 2013). A popular live performer, Liane has headlined at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club for over two decades, as well as performing at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival with her trio in a headline performance broadcast to over 300,000 listeners on BBC Radio 3.

Classical Music

With Burning Bridge composer/violinist Jason Kao Hwang sets the boundaries of aesthetic sensibilities cultural assumptions and his personal history ablaze. Burning Bridge features members of his quartet EDGE (Taylor Ho Bynum Andrew Drury and Ken Filiano) with the addition of Joseph Daley Sun LI and Wang Guowei.

Cool Yule

Classical Music

Internationally acclaimed soprano, Alyson Cambridge, takes a step away from the opera stage and classical repertoire that has defined her career thus far for this album, and showcases her full range of vocal talents, never before heard on recording... that is, until now! "I couldn't be more excited about "Until Now," because it has been a long time in the making. My hope for the album has always been to give an eclectic and thoughtful representation of me, in a range of non-operatic musical tastes, influences and vocalism. It truly is a side of me and my voice that I have never really shared until now." - Alyson Cambridge

Classical Music

Classical Music