|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
“The Romanian/American Jazz Suite” by Sam Newsome & Lucian Ban, Debuts in New York |
|
|
|
Written by Ronaldo Oregano
|
|
Wednesday, 11 April 2007 |
 Lucian Ban
The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York and Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus Music Department will present “The Romanian/American Jazz Suite” – a multi-movement work by American saxophonist Sam Newsome and Romanian pianist Lucian Ban at multiple venues from April 16-19. Scheduled performances include a gig at the Jazz Gallery (tickets $12) on April 19 and three free concerts on April 16, 17 and 18 at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, NYU's Black Box Theater, and The Harlem School of the Arts, respectively. The suite combines Romanian folk music with American jazz, representing two points of view: Romanian culture through the eyes of an American jazz musician; and American culture through the eyes of a Romanian jazz musician having grown up under a communist regime.
A Romanian-American Ensemble (featuring saxophonists Sam Newsome and Alex Harding, pianist Lucian Ban, drummer Willard Dyson, along with Romanian guitarist Sorin Romanescu and bassist Arthur Balogh) will present the suite in a series of performances.
 Sam Newsome
Mr. Newsome and Mr. Ban first collaborated in 2004 when they received funding from the US Embassy in Romania, and CEC Artslink to perform at the 2004 Bucharest Jazz Festival and the 2004 Brasov Jazz Festivals--two cultural centers in Romania. They just recently finished a 10-day tour in Romania--which was made possible with a grant from Global Connections (Meet The Composer, Inc.)—giving performances in Bucharest, Iasi, and Brasov, as well giving a lecture at the Bucharest Music Academy.
Sam Newsome’s music began expanding the cultural borders of jazz in 1997 when he formed Sam Newsome & Global Unity—a cross-cultural jazz group that combined sounds of Africa and Asia with American jazz. He released two CDs documenting the work with his group: Sam Newsome & Global Unity (Columbia/Sony Records) and Global Unity (Palmetto Records).
Lucian Ban, originally from Transylvania, now residing in New York, has been nominated as “Best European Jazz Musician” by the Hans Koller Foundation and the Austrian Culture Department in 2005 & 2006. He has released five CDS as a leader and co-leader for the CIMP Record label, including his critically-acclaimed 2006 release Playground (Jazzaway Records).
A powerhouse saxophonist and a consummate showman Alex Harding is considered by the critics as “the new voice on baritone saxophone, the carrier of the great legacy of Harry Carney, Pepper Adams and Hamiet Bluiett”. Alex Harding has appeared as guest on more than 20 albums. He has performed with Bjork, the queen of soul Aretha Franklin, David Lee Roth and with an extraordinary list of jazz legends from Sun Ra, Clark Terry and Roy Hargrove to John Medeski, Cyrus Chestnut, Lester Bowie, David Murray, and many more.
Willard Dyson, an active and extremely talented drummer on the New York and international music scenes, came to New York City in 1986 from the San Francisco Bay area. A versatile musician, his ingenuity is at home in a myriad of rhythmic genres including jazz, R&B, Latin and Brazilian music. Willard works regularly with a diverse group of musicians including Regina Belle, Grady Tate, Jimmy Scott, The New York Voices, Dakota Staton and Cassandra Wilson. He is also very active on the local jazz scene in New York City, playing at local clubs as well as well as in various Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
Bass player with the National Radio Orchestra and teaching assistant of the Bucharest Music University, Arthur Balogh is currently one of the most active bass players on the Romanian jazz scene. He has been part of various Romanian and international collaborations, and has worked with prestigious musicians including Aura Urziceanu, Nicolas Simion, Eldad Tarmu, Byron Wallen, Cegiz Baisal. Winner of the “Best Newcomer” Award (2003) and “Best Jazz Quartet” (2004) in Romania, among others.
Guitar player, jazz musician and sound designer, Sorin Romanescu is a key figure of the Romanian jazz scene, having worked with prestigious Romanian jazz musicians – such as Marius Popp, Mircea Tiberian or Garbis Dedeian – but also with many colleagues of his generation, among which Vlaicu Golcea, Maria Raducanu, Marta Hristea, Cristian Soleanu, and Vlad Popescu. He has also collaborated with Romanian choreographers as composer and sound designer for several contemporary dance works. Since 1994 he is the audio producer of Yama Studios in Bucharest.
Dates:
- Monday, April, 16, 11 am: Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, The Barbara Elliot Studio (room H-106), Humanities Building (1 University Place, Brooklyn, NY 11201). FREE ADMISSION
- Tuesday, April 17, 7:15 pm: New York University, The Black Box Theater, Pless Building (82 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003). FREE ADMISSION
- Wednesday, April 18, 6 pm: The Harlem School of the Arts (645 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10031). FREE ADMISSION
- Thursday, April 19, 9 pm: THE JAZZ GALLERY (290 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013, bet. Spring and Dominick St. Subway: C or E train to Spring Street, or the 1 train to Houston Street). Admission $12,00. For reservations: 212-242-1063.
|
|
 Wednesday, 03 December 2008
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Home | CD Reviews | Interviews | SF Bay Area | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Twin Cities, MN | More Cities | Festivals | FAQ | News | Contact | Video of the Week | 
