For Immediate Release: Contact: Shonna Keogan
May 2014 212.998.6796
NYU Steinhardt Holds First Ever Jazz Expo, Featuring Panels and Performances by Leading Artists, May 17 & 18
The free 2-day event will showcase more than a dozen bands and performers, including Adriano Santos, Lenny Pickett, Phillip Gershlauer and Richard Grilli
The Jazz Program at the NYU Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions will hold the program’s first ever Jazz Expo, featuring performances with some of the most accomplished musicians in the field today. The two-day program will take place Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at the Provincetown Playhouse, located at 133 MacDougal Street in Manhattan. All events are free and open to the public.
The NYU Jazz Expo will showcase a wide variety of jazz styles, encompassing Afro-Peruvian, Brazilian, bebop, avant-garde and funk. There will also be several panels on the jazz industry, providing Jazz Studies students with valuable insight into how they can leverage their education professionally after graduation.
“The primary goal of the NYU Jazz Expo is to provide a forum for our students to perform, experience and learn more about the jazz world both artistically and professionally,” said Gabriel Alegría, assistant music professor at the Steinhardt jazz program and Artistic Director of the NYU Jazz Expo. “The Expo will also provide the community with an opportunity to experience performances by some of the most exciting artists in jazz today.”
Daily programs run from 12-11 p.m. Below is a full list of events. For more information on the Expo or on the NYU Jazz Program, visit steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/jazz/.
SATURDAY MAY 17:
12-12:45 p.m. NYU Brazilian Ensemble, Adriano Santos, director
Led by Brazilian drummer Adriano Santos (credits: Astrud Gilberto, Gal Costa, Claudio Roditi, and Slide Hampton), NYU students explore the world of Brazilian music, covering the most important composers, styles and regions of Brazil.
1:15-2 p.m. Rich Shemaria Composers Ensemble
Composer, arranger, and pianist Rich Shemaria (Credits: Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Michael & Randy Brecker, Combo Nuvo) conducts a workshop dedicated to original composition.
3:45-4:30 p.m. Phillip Gerschauer Band: Microtonal jazz
German-born composer and bandleader Phillip Gerschlauer merges microtonal music theory with jazz composition. His forward-looking ensemble has been performing throughout New York City since 2013.
5:00-5:45 p.m. Jazz Industry Panel: Hosted by Cali Green Ink
The industry panel, examining career options for students studying jazz, will include Meghan Stabile of REVIVE/Blue Note, recent winner of the 2014 New York City Jazz Hero award from the Jazz Journalist’s Association.
6:15-7 p.m. Jazz Industry Panel –
TBD
7:30-8:15 p.m. Billy Drewes: Orchestral improvisation
Led by renowned saxophonist Billy Drewes (Credits: Village Vanguard Orchestra, Herbie Hancock, Joe Lovano, Paul Motian, Combo Nuvo), the Drewes ensemble focuses on exploring musical interaction through free structures and forms that place emphasis on interaction and spontaneous creation.
8:45-9:30 p.m. Ricardo Grilli Band: World/modern jazz
Led by Brazilian guitarist Ricardo Grilli, this ensemble combines western harmony with eastern rhythm. Grilli will be playing compositions from his debut album, "If On A Winter's Night A Traveler."
10-10:45 p.m. Karachacha: Afroperuvian jazz music
The NYU Karachacha ensemble specializes in Afro-Peruvian jazz music. Under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Alegría and mentored by Freddy "Huevito" Lobatón, the band has toured internationally and regionally and will be releasing a recording of all original compositions in the fall.
SUNDAY MAY 18:
12-12:45 p.m. Ralph Lalama’s NYU Bebop Ensemble
Led by tenor saxophonist Ralp Lalama (Credits: Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Joe Lovano Nonet, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich and Jon Faddis), this ensemble explores the ‘jazz sound ideal’ through the Great American Jazz Songbook and students’ own compositions, focusing on performances that recreate various eras in the jazz cannon.
1:15-2 p.m. Yael Feldheim presents “All or Nothing at All”
Jazz harmonica artist and band leader Yael Feldheim presents interpretations of classic standard jazz forms and repertoire. The band creates a refreshing sound that reinvents melody, rhythm and harmony revolving around the chromatic harmonica.
2:30-3:15 p.m. Brad Shepik’s NYU World jazz
Led by guitarist Brad Shepik (credits: Dave Douglas' Tiny Bell Trio, Matt Darriau's Paradox Trio, Pachora w/Chris Speed, Jim Black and Skuli Sverrisson, and BABKAS), this ensemble focuses on modern jazz in odd time meters and rhythms originated from various parts of the world. The band has performed at The Blue Note as well as other jazz clubs throughout New York City.
3:45-4:30 p.m. NYU Wayne Shorter Tribute Ensemble
This NYU ensemble is under the direction of renowned composer and saxophonist Dave Pietro (credits: Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Anita Brown, Maria Schneider Orchestra.) The sole focus of this ensemble is on the iconic music of Wayne Shorter, exploring the music he has produced in a career spanning over six decades.
5:00-5:45 p.m. The Fatum Five: Alumni band -
A graduate of NYU's Jazz Studies Department, 24 year-old Michael Fatum has already led a variety of critically acclaimed bands with his twin brother, John. Fatum performs actively in NYC and abroad as a leader as well as a sideman with credits including EMEFE, Deer Tick, Baloji, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones.
6:15-7 p.m. Jazz Industry Panel - Life after a jazz degree
NYU Steinhardt Jazz Studies program director Dr. Dave Schroeder moderates a discussion among alumni of the NYU undergraduate and graduate jazz studies program. Through first hand experiences and accounts, students currently enrolled in the program will gain invaluable insight into the road that lies ahead. Panel: Michael Fatum, Rose Rutledge, Adam Shatz.
7:30-8:15 p.m. Chilcano-Afroperuvian jazz music
Afro-Peruvian guitarrist Yuri Juárez (credits: Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, Arturo O'farrril, TangoLandó) reinvents American jazz standards and introduces original compositions through the careful exploration of Afro-Peruvian rhythms in the context of jazz harmony. Guest artist: Freddy "Huevito" Lobatón.
8:45-9:30 p.m. Michael Rodriguez NYU Afro-Cuban ensemble
Led by trumpeter Michael Rodriguez (credits: Joe Lovano, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Palmieri Septet, Lincoln Center Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, and Bob Minzter), this ensemble explores student compositions as well as other standards through different clave patterns and rhythms.
10:00-10:45 p.m. Lenny Pickett: NYU Block Party band (Funk)
Led by Saturday Night Live musical director and tenor saxophonist Lenny Pickett (credits: David Bowie, Elton John, and Tower of Power), this ensemble specializes in performing high energy rock and funk music from the 60's, 70's and 80', directly from the NBC Saturday Night Live collection. The band is currently working on a recording project to be released in the fall.
About the NYU Steinhardt Jazz Studies Program
NYU Jazz provides aspiring students advanced performance training combined with the finest academic and music courses designed to encourage entrepreneurship. The B.M., M.M. and Ph.D. programs in jazz performance and composition are geared towards performers and composers with internationally acclaimed artists and educators as well as industry executives and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/jazz/.
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