Contemporary Improvisation and Jazz at NEC: Early Jazz, Open Form, & Survivors Breakfast Ensembles
Performances by small jazz and contemporary improvisation ensembles coached by NEC's exceptional faculty. This evening's concerts are performed live and streamed in real time from the Eben Jordan Ensemble Room.
Tonight's performance will be open to in-person audiences only.
THREE sets: 7:00, 8:15, & 9:30 PM
- Anthony Coleman, ensembles coach
7:00 PM | Early Jazz Ensemble
This ensemble explores the period of 1923-1935, beginning with the Oliver Creole Jazz Band, ending with the first recordings of Count Basie with Lester Young. Students learn to hear the nuances of the rhythm section, despite the limitations of early recordings and additionally, analyze elements of pitch, scale, timbre, rhythm and phrase.
Heather Milberger, vocals
Simone Trovato, trumpet
Aaron Kaufman-Levine, alto saxophone
Sam Margolis, trombone
Jahnvi Madan, clarinet
Talia Rubenstein, guitar
George Behrakis, piano
Mark Abramovski, double bass
Kabir Adhiya-Kumar, drums8:15 PM | Open Form Ensemble
This ensemble focuses on ensemble game pieces, such as John Zorn’s Hockey and works by Christian Wolff, and other experimental scores.
Nikita Manin, clarinet
Caleb Schmale, saxophone
Marie Carroll, koto
Julian Seney, viola
Emmett Mathison, piano, keyboard
Caleb Duval, double bass
9:30 PM | Survivors Breakfast
This ensemble explores the wonderful and terrifying space between Composition and Improvisation, including original compositions by ensemble members and its director along with pieces by such diverse masters as John Zorn, Christian Wolff and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
Delfina Cheb Terrab, voice
Lyra Montoya, flute, sax
Yoona Kim, ajaeng
Francesca Terberg, cello
Rihards Kolmanis, guitar
Olivia Wilkins-Becker, guitar, comp
Henry Wilson, percussion
Ari Chais, piano
Brooks Clarke, double bass
Hannah Dunton, double bass
James Nadien, drums