Featuring: Amernet String Quartet & Cypress String Quartet

The Great American GROOVE Book/familiar all time favorites performed by brilliant trumpet player and big band!

The Shakespeare Project – Deborah Shulman

Expanding Spaces is a collaborative project between the Boston University Wind Ensemble and four Boston University faculty composers to perform and record contemporary works related to the theme of Expanding Space. Three of these works, “Squares and Oblongs” by Rodney Lister, “four scenes for Juliet” by Ketty Nez, and “The Vacant Shore” by John Wallace were commissioned for this project. The fourth work, “Solar Prominences” by Richard Cornell, was commissioned for the Concord (Massachusetts) Band in 1988 for their 25th anniversary season.

John Fedchock’s Reminiscence is the exciting sequel to his critically acclaimed quartet recording Fluidity. This collection of timeless standards and fresh originals showcases Fedchock’s dynamic trombone and the sensitive rhythm section of pianist John Toomey, bassist Jimmy Masters, and drummers Dave Ratajczak (tracks 1-6) and Billy Williams (track 7).

“Electric Miles” celebrates the music of the early electric period of Miles Davis with big band arrangements of classics from “Bitches Brew”, “On the Corner”, “Jack Johnson” and “In a Silent Way”.  Trumpeters Tim Hagans and Clay Jenkins are featured as the “Miles” voice with Dave Liebman appearing on “Black Satin” and “Yesternow”.  Also featuring trombonist Michael Davis, Pillow on alto sax/alto flute; the band is powered by the rhythm section of drummer Jared Schonig and bassist Chuck Bergeron. This band is full of NYC seasoned pros and peppered with up and coming musicians.

Known as one of the most eclectic trumpet players in New York City, Bailey is an in-demand musician and teaching artist in all forms of jazz, R&B, pop and classical music.  He became a member of the Buddy Rich Band while still in college, and his career has included tenures with Ray Charles, Ray Barretto and New World Spirit, The Woody Herman Orchestra and Frank Sinatra, Jr.  He has performed and recorded with James Moody, Kenny Burrell, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Barrett Deems and many others.  His work with Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra won two Grammy awards.

Stephanie Patton was born in Sitka, Alaska in 1984 and grew up in Ketchikan, Alaska.  The music studio was like a second home to her as she frequently went with her Father to his long standing “Sunday Jazz” show at the local public radio station which still airs today.  Her voice is a reflection of the raw rugged landscapes and pure pristine air of Southern Southeast Alaska.

Craig Fraedrich – trumpet and flugelhorn

“We are concerned with the future through the past.” Mel Lewis used those words to summarize his vision for the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (previously the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), and their 1983 record Make Me Smile & Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer. The title of our record An Eye on the Future alludes to Lewis’s quote. This sentiment summarizes the mission statement of our band and the music contained here: we celebrate creativity and innovation while also remembering our roots in the jazz tradition.

Internationally recognized as one of the premier chamber music ensembles of our time, the American Brass Quintet is celebrated for peerless leadership in the brass world. In 2013 the quintet received Chamber Music America’s highest honor, the Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award for significant and lasting contributions to the field. Committed to the development of brass chamber music through education and outreach, the American Brass Quintet has served as Ensemble-in-Residence at The Juilliard School since 1987 and the Aspen Music Festival since 1970. Through its acclaimed performances, diverse programming, commissioning, extensive discography and educational mission, the American Brass Quintet has created a legacy unparalleled not only in the brass community, but in the chamber music field at large.

From the Composer: