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Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Strings - Friday, June 13th |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Monday, 09 June 2008 |
 Nicole Mitchell and Tomeka Reid
On June 13th Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Strings appears in concert at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. This fere event is part of the 2008 JazzCity concert series.
At the forefront of jazz, new music and creative improvisation, Black Earth Strings brings African rhythms, contemporary sounds and swinging improvisation to a chamber music setting. Flutist Nicole Mitchell has created a chamber jazz group that has mesmerized audiences across the country. An acoustic ensemble of four members, Black Earth Strings includes flute, piccolo, alto flute, vocals, violin viola, cello, string bass and percussion to create a wide range of textures and colors. Black Earth Strings is a quartet with flute (Nicole Mitchell), violin/viola (Renee Baker), cello (Tomeka Reid) and bass (Josh Abrams). Black Earth Strings has performed in art venues and festivals throughout the Midwest and in Europe and has an upcoming CD.
Nicole Mitchell has been celebrated for bringing a exciting new approach to flute improvisation. Co-president of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), Mitchell is the founder of the critically acclaimed Black Earth Ensemble and Black Earth Strings. Mitchell has performed with creative luminaries including George Lewis, Anthony Braxton, Lori Freedman, Miya Masaoka, James Newton, Bill Dixon and Muhal Richard Abrams. She also works on ongoing projects with Ed Wilkerson, David Boykin, Hamid Drake and Arveeayl Ra. Nicole Mitchell is one of few African American women to take the path as a creative instrumentalist, composer, bandleader and an educator. With her ensembles and as a featured flutist, she has been a highlight at art venues and festivals throughout Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Mitchell does a variety of residencies, workshops and panel discussions in Europe, Canada and the U.S. with a focus on creative music. Mitchell is thankful to mentors and teachers including: Jimmy Cheatham, Donald Byrd, Brenda Jones, James Newton, George Lewis, John Eaton, Fred Anderson, Ernest Dawkins, John Fonville, Susan Levitin, Mary Stolper, John Sebastian Winston and Edward Wilkerson.
In addition to her own many projects, Nicole also performs with: Frequency (with Ed Wilkerson Jr., Avreeayl Ra and Harrison Bankhead), The Indigo Trio (with Hamid Drake and Harrison Bankhead), The Exploding Star Orchestra (project of Rob Mazurek), The Orbert Davis Jazz Philharmonic, The New Black Reperatory Ensemble (of Columbia College), The David Boykin Expanse, The Great Black Music Ensemble (of the Chicago AACM) and Anthony Braxton's 12tet. Her newest project is founding and directing the AACM Creative Youth Orchestra, which began in fall 2006.
The JazzCity free concert series is a collaboration that we initiated with the Chicago Park District in 1997 that explores cultural connections in communities throughout Chicago. The simple premise of the JazzCity series is to connect people of all ethnicities and generations to the legacy (both musical and spiritual) of jazz in Chicago. Make it accessible by presenting it free of charge, and located right in the neighborhood.
For the musicians, it's been a great opportunity for them to present and create new compositions. For the audiences, it's been an opportunity to bring families and friends to see world class musicians in their own backyard. It has also been a unique venue for artists to create and present major projects. JazzCity fosters greater awareness of the continuing legacy of Chicago's vibrant jazz community and an unparalleled opportunity for musicians to reach audiences where they live.
All programs are family friendly and free- seating may be limited. For more information, please call 312/427-1676 and visit jazzinchicago.org/presents/jazzcity and www.velvetlounge.net and www.nicolemitchell.com. |
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 Sunday, 07 September 2008
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