Jazz Police - Birth of the Cool – Reborn at Jazz Central, October 23rd

One of the landmark recordings of 20th century jazz gets a 21st century revival Tuesday night, October 23rd, when Scott Agster and friends tackle Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool. First released in nearly full form in 1957, the album offered innovative arrangements and instrumentation, heavily influenced by the work of Claude Thornhill and featuring the first collaboration between Davis and Gil Evans. Their use of classical techniques such as polyphony applied to a cool jazz framework would become more prominent in the postbop styles of the latter part of the 20th century.

Scott Agster©Andrea Canter

At Jazz Central, the full 12 selections from Birth of the Cool will be played as sequenced in the original sequence, start to finish, led by trombonist Scott Agster. Once a student of Tiny Baker, Agster is an alum of the famed University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band who has furthered his studies at the U of M where he is completing his DMA degree. His eclectic chops are featured locally with Salsa del Soul, Jack Brass, Snowblind, hip hop group G8, and the Bella Gala Big Band. A veteran of international jazz festivals, Agster has performed with Slide Hampton, Nicholas Payton, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Dave Douglas and more. In his spare time he teaches at the MacPhail Center for Music. He recently launched a new big band, Explosion, with saxophonist Doug Hainig, playing mostly monthly at Jazz Central.

Others who will join in as the Birth of the Cool nonet include Doug Haining (alto sax), Adam Rossmiller (trumpet), Tara Hochstatter (French horn), Greg Keel (bari sax), John Tranter (tuba), Tanner Taylor (piano), Matt Peterson (bass) and Mac Santiago (drums.)

Jazz Central is located at 407 Central Av NE (Minneapolis). No cover but donations accepted (and needed!)! Show begins at 8:30 pm, with the entire Birth of the Cool played straight through.