Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Eclectic Excursions - Virtual Concert and Zoom Reception

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra continues its 48th season with a virtual concert of Eclectic Excursions - an archival video with selections from Aardvark’s April 2014 concert at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium. Featuring the full Aardvark Jazz Orchestra with its two stellar vocalists, Grace Hughes and Jerry Edwards, this online concert is a joyful celebration of springtime and renewal. Following the video-concert, everyone is invited to meet on Zoom for questions and conversations. The event is free but registration is required. Click here to sign up:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aardvarks-eclectic-excursions-tickets-148362657703

The video-program of original compositions by music director Mark Harvey includes two selections from his Boston JazzScape suite: Keepin’ On (inspired by the ongoing quest for racial justice) and Samba313 (a portrait of Boston poet and community activist Jack Powers). The lyrical ballad Dreaming is counterpointed by the raucous Spaceways, a tribute to the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra. The concert finale is a full performance of No Walls, Harvey’s multi-genre suite inspired by Duke Ellington’s credo to move “beyond category” in music and life. The last movement of No Walls is a rousing anthem to building bridges and breaking down walls.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra extends special thanks to MIT Music and Theater Arts, and to Matt Samolis, videographer for the April 2014 concert.

Founded in 1973, The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is one of the longest running large jazz ensembles in the world. Aardvark guest artists have included such notables as Sheila Jordan, Jaki Byard, Ricky Ford, Geri Allen, Jimmy Giuffre, Matt Savage and Dominique Eade. Aardvark has released 16 CDs, including 10 discs on Leo Records. The band’s latest release, Faces of Souls (2020, Leo Records) was chosen by The New York City Jazz Record as one of their “Best of 2020” Large Ensemble Releases.

Founder and music director Mark Harvey, winner of the 2019 Roy Haynes Award, has performed as trumpeter with jazz greats Claudio Roditi, Gil Evans, Kenny Dorham, Sam Rivers and others, and has recorded with George Russell and Baird Hersey. Among his 200 works are pieces written for and premiered with jazz legends Joe Lovano, Sheila Jordan, Steve Turre, Jimmy Giuffre, and Ran Blake. Dr. Harvey has received numerous awards and commissions and teaches jazz studies at MIT.

Aardvark members and their years of service on the Aardvark bandstand: Arni Cheatham (44), Peter H. Bloom (44), Phil Scarff (34), Chris Rakowski (20), and Dan Zupan (24), woodwinds; KC Dunbar (31) and Jeanne Snodgrass (32), trumpets; Bob Pilkington (40), Jay Keyser (34), and Jeff Marsanskis (40), trombones; Bill Lowe (27), bass trombone and tuba; Richard Nelson (34) guitar; John Funkhouser (30) piano and string bass; Harry Wellott (38), drums; Jerry Edwards (38) and Grace Hughes (17) vocalists; and Mark Harvey (48), music director.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is managed by Americas Musicworks, Rebecca DeLamotte, managing director, 29 Newbury Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA. Telephone: 617 776 8778. Visit: http://www.aardvarkjazz.com/

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