Aardvark Jazz 49th Christmas Concert Zoom Event
When:
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021 7:00p -
8:30p
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021 7:00p -
8:30p
Where:
Online event
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Music, Performing Arts, Virtual & Streaming
Event website:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aardvark-jazz-orchestra-49th-annual-christmas-concert-zoom-event-tickets-224371530287
The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra will hold its 49th Annual Christmas Concert in a Live Zoom Event on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Veteran jazz journalist Fred Bouchard will interview Mark Harvey, and they’ll play an archival recording of Aardvark’s 2013 performance of the Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker Suite – live concert audio with captivating visuals on Nutcracker themes. This is a free event, but registration is required. Click here to sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aardvark-jazz-orchestra-49th-annual-christmas-concert-zoom-event-tickets-224371530287
Aardvark has been hailed for "lush sonorities and a saxophonic blend worthy of Duke's finest reed sections." The New York City Jazz Record called Aardvark's music "stunningly beautiful, " while AllAboutJazz.com wrote, "Aardvark and Ellington are an ideal couple."
The Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn arrangement (1960) of Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite is an exuberant big band take on the perennial classic, in which the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy becomes the Sugar Rum Cherry, the Arabian Dance becomes Arabesque Cookie, and the Waltz of the Flowers becomes the Dance of the Floreadores.
In the December 15 Zoom interview, Mark Harvey will share his take on the arranging approach, orchestration and stylistic breadth of the Nutcracker Suite and it’s striking fit with the Aardvark aesthetic. Fred and Mark will discuss the history of the Aardvark Christmas, including the very first show in 1973, the 25th anniversary with Sheila Jordan, and anecdotes across the decades. After the Nutcracker video, Mark and Fred will join the audience for Live Zoom questions and conversations.
Founded in 1973, Aardvark is one of the longest running large jazz ensembles in the world. The band has premiered more than 175 works for jazz orchestra and has garnered critical acclaim around the globe. Of the orchestra's 16 CDs, ten are on Leo Records, one of the world’s leading adventurous music labels. Aardvark guest artists have included luminaries Sheila Jordan, Ricky Ford, Geri Allen, Jaki Byard, Jimmy Giuffre, and others.
Fred Bouchard has written for decades about jazz and classical music, world travel, nature and natural history, wine and spirits, food and culture. His byline has appeared in such diverse publications as Downbeat Magazine, Fodor Guides, Yankee, Boston Herald, Boston Globe, Boston Musical Intelligencer, Beverage Business. As a professor at Berklee College of Music, he designed and taught courses in music journalism and American literature.
Mark Harvey has performed in the U.S., Mexico and Europe; has recorded with George Russell (Blue Note) and Baird Hersey (Arista/Novus) and has appeared with Gil Evans, Claudio Roditi, Howard McGhee, Sam Rivers, Kenny Dorham and others. In 2019, Jazz Boston honored Mark Harvey with the Roy Haynes Award. In 2015, Harvey was named Boston Jazz Hero by the national Jazz Journalists Association. Dr. Harvey is a retired Methodist minister and is Senior Lecturer in Music Emeritus at MIT, where he taught jazz studies for 40 years.
Aardvark is: Arni Cheatham, Peter H. Bloom, Phil Scarff, Chris Rakowski, Dan Zupan/saxes and woodwinds; K.C. Dunbar, Jeanne Snodgrass/trumpets; Bob Pilkington, Jay Keyser/trombones; Jeff Marsanskis, Bill Lowe/bass trombones, tuba; John Funkhouser/string bass; Richard Nelson/guitar; Harry Wellott/drums; Grace Hughes, vocalist; and Mark Harvey, arranger/music director. Aardvark is managed by Americas Musicworks.
